Blizzard Beach Photos and Video in a Walking Tour Prior to March 7th, 2021 Reopening

Hi everyone!

Were were invited to Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park for a self-guided media walking tour this past week ahead of the March 7th, 2021 reopening. Blizzard Beach has been closed for just about one year now. While the 4 main Walt Disney World theme parks opened last summer, the water parks have not yet done the same. The water parks are different from the four main theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom) in that there are areas where masks aren’t allowed to be worn – the water and on slides. And that is quite a bit of the park experience. Other guidelines are in line with the rest of Walt Disney World. Here is a look at our video and photo tour!

Our video is first, almost 10 minutes of Blizzard Beach without guests in the water yet. We didn’t cover every bit of the park in the hour or so we were there but got to see a lot.

The welcome sign with Ice Gator did not yet have times on it.

It was nice to be back inside Blizzard Beach.

Just outside the park, this Coke machine is themed to the location.

Here is the other side.

There were bubbles (“snow”) everywhere as we arrived.

 

This snowman family is near the front of the park.

We walked toward Lottawatta Lodge.

Cross Country Creek is the 3000-foot long lazy river.

I wrote up an article on Lottawatta Lodge and its new covered seating. There are more photos of the area in that article.

Here are a couple of photos of that new covered area.

Icicles hang from the roof. There is a nice amount of room for families to enjoy meals out of the sun.

We are on a bridge.

Cross Country Creek is below.

There is a sign here telling guests to keep a minimum of 6 feet between parties.

The water looked very inviting.

A sign while walking also mentioned distancing between guests.

There are directories around the park.

Signage is plentiful.

Seating can be found around the park, and much of it is distanced between groups.

There are Polar Patios to rent. These seem a nice idea for social distancing right now.

 

Walt Disney World Ambassador Stephen Lim was at Patio 18. It is always nice to see him!

While walking through the park, there is often a Cross Country Creek photo opportunity.

Melt-Away Bay is nearby now.

On the way we passed the Warming Hut.

Melt-Away Bay is a one-acre wave pool.

In the distance, Summit Plummet can be seen.

To answer a question we’ve gotten twice already – no, you don’t slide into the air. I don’t ride Summit Plummet or any other water slides really, but the slide goes down. The slope is just theming.

There are some arrows to point guests in the correct direction.

A waterfall can be seen here.

A sign lets guests know not to move chairs.

There are a variety of different alcoholic drinks – and you can see one non-alcoholic drink at this stand (bottled water). We were able to try a couple of drinks – I ordered the Banana Cabana and Jeff the Blue Blizzard Margarita.

Here are our drinks. The Banana Cabana has Cruzan Mango Rum, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Bols Creme de Banana with Orange and Pineapple Juice and a float of Grenadine. The Blue Blizzard Margarita has Herradura Reposado Tequila, Blue Curacao and Sweet-and-Sour. The Banana Cabana was tasty, a little sweeter than I normally have for a drink. Jeff enjoyed the margarita.

We went to finish our walk.

Here is another view of Melt-Away Bay.

There is a Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company along the way.

Frosty the Joe-Man can be seen on the building.

We passed by the Funnel Cakes stand.

There are mobile ordering signs in many locations.

Patio 11.

Chair lift to Mt. Gushmore.

Cross Country Creek sign.

The chair lift was working while we were there.

Jeff has been on them many times, I never have. I tend to stick with the wave pool and lazy river.

We tried a few samples. Of those we tried, the plant-based bratwurst sandwich from Lottawatta Lodge was both of our favorites. I would have not guessed it was plant-based.

The Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich is from Warming Hut. We got to the food late and I don’t feel we tasted it as a guest would – especially after taking extra time for photos. The flavor was good.

There are a variety of flatbreads also at Lottawatta Lodge.

 

Nearby was I.C. Expeditions. Jeff’s parents always share a Sand Pail ice cream bucket.

A shady seating area.

 

Ski Patrol Training Camp is for kids age 5-11 or so.

Ice Gator is on the sign.

There are a variety of things for these older kids to do here before they eventually go to the big slides.

Ice Gator is here too.

Summit Plummet in view.

The chair lifts rode by.

While walking around, there are markers for safety.

  

A Hidden Mickey can be seen through the trees.

We did not make it down to Tikes Peak.

This is a children’s area.

Avalunch is another location to pick up food.

Blizzard Beach Arctic Expedition.

Frostbite Freddy’s.

Lost Children.

We are at the main area, where shops can be found as well.

Dressing rooms and restrooms.

“Have an Ice Day!”

I didn’t catch the welcome sign on the way in.

Beach Haus also has merchandise.

Some new Blizzard Beach merchandise was out for us to look at. The items include a spirit jersey.

Park hours were not yet on this welcome sign.

Ski you later!

Ice Gator golfs at Winter Summerland.

And at a ticket desk, “Snow One here”.

It was a nice time at Blizzard Beach! I don’t take too many photos at water parks/pools normally unless they are empty of guests so it was a great opportunity for that. Blizzard Beach opens Sunday and I recommend checking out the Blizzard Beach website so you can “know before you go“.