First Impressions at Blizzard Beach: Arrive Early to Beat the Crowds
Here’s our full Blizzard Beach review based on a real family visit during a busy Disney week. If you’re planning a day at a Disney water park with kids, this post covers what worked, what we brought, and how we navigated everything from lockers to food lines. Whether you’re wondering what to pack, when to arrive, or how to handle Blizzard Beach with sensory-sensitive kids, we’re sharing honest tips that helped make the day feel fun—not frantic.
On the last day on our Disney vacation, we got to Blizzard Beach 15 minutes before opening, and it was already filling up fast. Even with an early arrival, we struggled to find lounge chairs together. With Disney Resort hotel guests getting free admission to the water parks on check-in day, these parks are busier than ever.
We visited using our Incredi-Pass with the water park add-on, so we had free admission as part of our annual pass. This perk makes it easy to pop in for just a few hours without feeling pressure to stay all day.
Pro Tip: If you want a good spot with shade or a place to set up as a home base, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before opening.
Family-Friendly Attractions at Blizzard Beach
The kids started with a lap around Cross Country Creek, Blizzard Beach’s lazy river. It winds all the way around the park and is a relaxing way to start the day.
They also spent time splashing in the wave pool and tried a few of the moderate slides. Overall, they had fun but felt like there was less to explore compared to Typhoon Lagoon.
By noon, the kids were ready to leave. Between the crowds and heat, they were happy to head back to the hotel (Townplace Suites Flamingo Crossings) for a break.
Blizzard Beach vs. Typhoon Lagoon: Which Water Park Wins?
When asked which they preferred, both kids picked Typhoon Lagoon. They said it felt more exciting, with bigger slides and a better wave pool. If you only have time for one water park during your trip, and your kids are thrill-seekers, Typhoon Lagoon may be the better choice.
That said, Blizzard Beach still has its perks like we all enjoyed the lazy river, and the kids enjoyed the slides. For us, the biggest difference was the wave pool. At Typhoon Lagoon, the wave pool has monster strength waves, which was a favorite for the kids (especially my 11 year old son). The wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon is not for the faint of heart or little kids. They are serious waves. At Typhoon Lagoon… my son spent hours in the wave pool. At Blizzard Beach, the wave pool is nice, but isn’t any different than regular water park’s wave pool.
Final Thoughts: Is Blizzard Beach Worth It for Families?
Blizzard Beach is a solid option for cooling off during your Disney vacation, especially if you have the Incredi-Pass with the water park option or qualify for free resort guest admission.
Would we go back? Yes—but next time, we’ll plan to:
- Arrive even earlier to snag a good seat.
- Skip if we’re tight on time or prioritize Typhoon Lagoon if both water parks are open.
- Use it as a half-day activity, especially when paired with a relaxing evening at EPCOT like we did.
Whether it’s your first time visiting Blizzard Beach or a return trip, it’s a great way to enjoy a different kind of Disney magic with your family.
💡 Want to save on water park extras?
Use TopCashback to buy Disney gift cards for things like Blizzard Beach tickets, locker rentals, snacks, and towels.
And shop through Rakuten for your pre-trip Amazon gear and turn those rewards into Amex points you can use toward hotels.
👉 See our Cashback Guide for step-by-step instructions
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I’m a CPA, mom of two, and the creator of Points to Magic. I help people use points to save thousands of dollars on Disney vacations.
