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Disney Blizzard Beach Review + Last-Minute Epcot Dining at Garden Grill

Danielle

July 21, 2025

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Disney Blizzard Beach Tips and a Perfect Epcot Night with Kids

Looking for a chill Disney day that still delivers magic? In this post, we’re sharing ourLooking for a chill Disney day that still delivers magic? In this post, we’re sharing our Disney Blizzard Beach review—what worked, what we’d do differently, and tips for tackling Blizzard Beach with kids, especially if you have sensory needs to consider. Plus, we’ll walk through how we scored a last-minute Garden Grill character dining reservation at Epcot and whether it was worth it after a full day in the sun. character dining reservation at Epcot and whether it was worth it after a full day in the sun.

Morning at Blizzard Beach: What to Know Before You Go

Blizzard Beach is one of Disney’s two water parks, and it’s a great way to beat the Florida heat—if you plan it right. Right now, Disney Resort hotel guests get free admission to the water parks on their check-in day, making the parks busier than usual. We have the Incredi-Pass with the water park add on, so we also have free admission to the water parks.

Pro Tip: Arrive Early- We got to Blizzard Beach 15 minutes before opening and still struggled to find lounge chairs.

Blizzard Beach vs. Typhoon Lagoon

Our kids enjoyed Blizzard Beach, but they found Typhoon Lagoon more exciting overall. At Blizzard Beach the kids did:

• A lap around Cross Country Creek (lazy river)
• Splashing in Melt-Away Bay (wave pool)
• Several of the water slides

By noon, they had gone on every ride they wanted to. Also, the heat and the crowds had taken over, so we headed back to our hotel (TownPlace Suites Flamingo Crossings) for some rest.

This was a big contrast to Typhoon Lagoon. On our last trip to Disney World, my son loved Typhoon Lagoon so much we not only stayed from open till close… we went back the next day for an additional half day at the water park.

Evening at Epcot: Garden Grill & Moana Magic

After a solid nap and cooldown, we rallied for one last trip to Epcot—and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the week.

Scoring a Last-Minute Garden Grill Reservation

We grabbed a same-day dinner reservation at Garden Grill, located inside The Land pavilion. It’s a rotating restaurant that offers:

• Table service character dining
• Visits from Chip, Dale, and other classic characters
• Fresh food served family-style

While waiting for our reservation, we caught the “Awesome Planet” movie next door—an air-conditioned, low-stimulation break that’s great for kids who need downtime.

Garden Grill Dinner Highlights

Garden Grill felt relaxed, not rushed. The character interactions were sweet without being overwhelming, and the rotating view of Living with the Land was a fun touch for the kids. The kids enjoyed seeing Mickey, Pluto, chip and Dale. It was a nice last meal at Disney World.

Must-See: Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana

We ended the night with a visit to Journey of Water, one of Epcot’s newest attractions—and it exceeded expectations. It’s an interactive water experience themed around Moana, with:

• Gentle music and lighting
• Touch-activated fountains and mist zones
• A peaceful vibe that winds down the evening

The kids loved it so much, we walked through twice. It was the perfect calm, cool finale to our last full day.

Final Thoughts: Why This Day Worked

This day struck a great balance between fun and flexibility. Blizzard Beach in the morning gave us action, while Epcot in the evening brought the heart. From sliding down water rides to eating dinner with Chip and Dale to strolling through glowing Moana-inspired fountains—this is how you close out a Disney trip right.