Blizzard Beach Water Park at Walt Disney World, Florida

Blizzard Beach is a highly themed water park with a wildly inventive high concept: A freak Florida snowstorm inspired Walt Disney World to build a ski resort; when the snow abruptly melted, it transformed the ski runs into water slides. Take a photo tour of the unique, attraction-packed park.

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Doesn't Look Like a Blizzard

The entrance to Blizzard Beach Water Park at Walt Disney World.

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It'll Sleigh You

Whimsical touches include a snow sleigh against the backdrop of palm trees. — ©Arthur Levine, 2006. Licensed to About.com.

The whimsical touches--a snow sleigh against the backdrop of palm trees--begin at the entrance to the park.

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Get 'em While They're Hot

A "used sled" lot at Blizzard Beach.

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It's I-lodge-ical

The Lottawata Lodge serves snacks and fast food. — ©Arthur Levine, 2006. Licensed to About.com.

The Lottawatta Lodge serves snacks and fast food.

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Icy

"Icicles" drip from Lottawatta Lodge.

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Perhaps Sun Block would Help

This snow family might want to get out of the sun.

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This Creek Don't Rise

The Cross Country Creek lazy river travels around the outside edge of Blizzard Beach.

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Well, it is a LAZY River

Lazy rivers like Cross Country Creek can be quitge relaxing.

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A Blizzard of Flowers

While not as lush as Typhoon Lagoon (Walt Disney World's other water park), Blizzard Beach does have some lovely landscaping.

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Snowed In

The snow-making machine dumps chilly water into the lazy river.

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A Tike Heads to Tike's Peak

Blizzard Beach offers slides and attractions for younger folks in Tike's Peak. — ©Arthur Levine, 2006. Licensed to About.com.

While it has perhaps the most thrilling water park slide in the world, Blizzard Beach also offers slides and attractions for younger folks in Tike's Peak.

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Snow-capped Pools

The winter theme extends throughout the park.

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Big Squirt for a Little Squirt

This guy is intrigued by the water jets.

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Tikes on Tubes

Tike's Peak includes a tube slide that looks like a bobsled run.

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Tikes without Tubes

Tike's Peak also offers a pint-size body slide.

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Buried Treasure

Not all the fun is water-related at Blizzard Beach.

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Uplifting Experience

A chairlift brings sliders to the top of Mount Gushmore. — ©Arthur Levine, 2006. Licensed to About.com.

The chairlift that once brought skiers to the top of the mountain now brings sliders to the top of Mount Gushmore and the 120-foot tall Summit Plummet water slide. Lines can get quite long for the chairlift. There is an optional path to walk up to Mount Gushmore as well.

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Going Up

As the chairlift takes riders up to Mount Gushmore, a blast of water indicates that a brave soul just plummeted down Summit Plummet.

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Welcome to the Summit

The chairlift reaches the peak of the mountain.

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Gushing over Gushmore

A sign welcomes riders to the top of Mount Gushmore.

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Not at the Summit Yet

It's a hike up to the 120-foot level of Summit Plummet.

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Plummeting

Summit Plummet is perhaps the most intense thrill ride at Walt Disney World. — Walt Disney World. Used With permission.

Summit Plummet is one of the world's tallest (120 feet), steepest (nearly 90 degrees), and fastest (up to 60 MPH) water slides, and is perhaps the most intense thrill ride at Walt Disney World.

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