Walt Disney World has introduced that Blizzard Beach will reopen subsequent month, simply in time for winter! On prime of that, the water park will add new Frozen (uppercase f…and doubtless lowercase one, too!) enjoyable with new options from the Walt Disney Animation Studios movie.
While Disney hasn’t formally introduced this, it’s additionally seemingly that Typhoon Lagoon will shut for its annual refurbishment on the identical day that Blizzard Beach reopens. Walt Disney World sometimes alternates opening water parks throughout the colder months on account of a mixture of decrease demand and a have to conduct upkeep on the water parks.
In the final year-plus, there was the added wrinkle of staffing shortages. Both water parks haven’t operated concurrently since pre-closure, and that’s on account of an absence of lifeguards and different Cast Members wanted to function each. Here’s hoping that adjustments by Spring 2023, however we haven’t the slightest concept of whether or not it’ll.
For now, Typhoon Lagoon’s final operational day of this yr will probably be November 12, 2022. Blizzard Beach will reopen on November 13, 2022. When it does, as famous above, the winter wonderland water park will characteristic new Frozen-inspired particulars.
The new Frozen options will probably be a part of the kid-sized thrills of Tike’s Peak that’s in style amongst younger company who will play among the many statuettes of Olaf and his Snowgie buddies within the heat wading pool. (Above is the brand new look, under is the previous look of the wading pool.)
Tike’s Peak may also characteristic Anna and Elsa’s igloo fort.
It’s unclear how this can look–it’s potential Imagineering isn’t executed with it but as no photographs had been offered. Tike’s Peak beforehand had an igloo, so our expectation is that it’ll be a modified model of that.
Blizzard Beach water park, which options heated water all through the park, may also have an enhanced vacation ambiance.
For Christmas 2022, there will probably be limited-time vacation choices from reopening day (November 13) via December 31 that embrace holiday-themed treats, snowfall, and festive interior tubes. Guests may even meet a tropical-dressed Santa for the last word Florida vacation expertise.
Popular sights and options as soon as once more await company, every part from slushy and slippery ski jumps to bobsled and toboggan runs to polar play areas for each member of the household. Among the favorites are:
Summit Plummet is among the tallest, quickest freefall physique slides round. The heart-pumping attraction plunges company down Mount Gushmore in a close to vertical drop and rockets them right into a darkened tunnel. It’s an attraction made particularly for thrill-seekers!
Teamboat Springs is among the world’s longest group whitewater raft adventures, the place as much as six riders can take an epic and unpredictable whitewater journey down a mountain.
Toboggan Racers is a singular attraction the place company use a mat to compete in an exciting race downhill on an eight-lane slalom-style waterslide.
Cross Country Creek is a scenic lazy river that takes company on arctic journey gliding via mysterious caves, illuminated grottoes and indulge in Mount Gushmore’s refreshing spring water all through polar paradise.
Runoff Rapids gives a alternative of three distinctly completely different inner-tube waterslides, the place company twist and switch down an adrenaline-filled journey down Mount Gushmore.
The meals and beverage choices at Blizzard Beach may also be a draw for company as soon as once more.
The water park gives a number of spots the place company can sit back and take a look at mouth-watering culinary creations, equivalent to new Frozen-themed menu gadgets. Returning in style candy and savory snacks just like the EARridescent Ice Dream Cone, 50th Ice Dream Sand Pail Sundae and Walt’s Chili Nachos can be discovered at varied eating places all through the water park.
Adults can complement their flavorful bites with chilling new beverage choices like Orange Slope DOLE Whip Swirl at Warming Hut. There’s additionally a Red Slope Bloody Mary at Frostbite Freddy’s and a Melt-A-Way Margarita at Polar Pub.
With the fundamentals out of the best way, let’s flip to commentary…
We actually love the backstory at each Walt Disney World water parks, and assume they’re exemplars of (unspoilt) Imagineering. As we’ve written repeatedly–and can reiterate as soon as extra right here–followers of themed design owe it to themselves to go to each Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. That’s true even for those who by no means placed on a swimsuit and get within the water.
As the legend goes, Disney’s Blizzard Beach was as soon as Florida’s first ski-resort after a blizzarding winter storm hit Walt Disney World Resort. Before the skiers may strap on their boots, sunny Florida climate returned and powdery snow rapidly turned to slippery slush. Bobsled and toboggan runs grew to become downhill waterslides; a creek of melted mountain snow grew to become a calming tube experience; and the chairlift now carries swimmers as a substitute of skiers. Full of loads of chalet structure and icy sights, the water park’s snowy ambiance amid the nice and cozy temperatures of Florida continues to carry company again to the winter wonderland yr after yr.
I’m additionally an enormous fan of each Ice Gator, the mascot of Blizzard Beach, and Lagoona Gator, the mascot of Typhoon Lagoon. The Frozen additions take away one main Ice Gator determine, which is a minor private disappointment for me.
However, I additionally notice that Walt Disney World way back deserted the 2 gator mascots. It wasn’t for lack of effort–the corporate did quite a bit to advertise the characters, providing meet & greets, merchandise, and that includes each prominently within the parks within the Nineties and early aughts. Yet, they by no means actually caught on with company. While I really feel like that is likely to be completely different within the present period, I may perceive Disney not wanting to present it one other attempt.
Beyond that, Frozen is an ideal match for Blizzard Beach. I do know many Walt Disney World followers complain about useless mental property (IP) integration, yada yada yada. However, the sensible actuality is that synergy is, and at all times has been, vital for the corporate.
One method or one other, the parks are getting extra animated characters added to locations they weren’t beforehand. It’s good for the enterprise, and it comports with visitor expectations, who count on to see Disney characters. This isn’t going to vary anytime quickly.
My view is that, if IP integration goes to occur, it ought to not less than happen in locations which can be logical and seamless matches. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France’s World Showcase pavilion is a superb instance. While I believe the experience is barely so-so and the cloned model may’ve simply been improved, I additionally assume Ratatouille is an efficient match for World Showcase. It’s a love letter to Paris, and the enlargement is respectful to the prevailing pavilion, whereas including a bit of caprice. That is an efficient IP addition, all issues thought of.
It’s an identical story right here with Frozen in Blizzard Beach. There have been rumors of precisely this taking place since (actually) the yr the film got here out, and it has at all times made sense. It can be a strategy to enhance curiosity within the film, give youngsters a strategy to play in Frozen-inspired environments, and never materially disrupt the prevailing ambiance at Blizzard Beach.
Ultimately, I’m on board with Frozen options and enjoyable being added to Blizzard Beach. My solely hope is that Imagineering is dipping its toe into the water with these additions, beginning slowly to see how they’re obtained by company–as a result of this doesn’t appear to be a complete lot. If Walt Disney World needs to show Blizzard Beach into “the Frozen water park,” then so be it. But go all-in on the idea. Even if it’s simply the Tike’s Peak play space–make it totally immersive, and a definite draw for Frozen followers.
What’s been introduced up to now feels very very like a half-measure (if that) designed to market the water park as having Frozen enjoyable and options, however with out the substance to actually again that up. Which is fairly typical with how Frozen has been dealt with at Walt Disney World.
When Frozen frenzy was at its top, there was a whole lot of Anna and Elsa “stuff” across the parks, however most of it was fairly superficial. (The fort lighting ceremony at Christmas is an efficient instance–company would camp out far upfront for prime spots to see a present that was only some minutes lengthy.)
Frozen Ever After is definitely a stable attraction–higher than it has any proper to be as “only” a reimagining of Maelstrom–however even that looks as if it may’ve been so a lot better as a experience constructed from the bottom up. As a brand new basic, it’s unlikely that the recognition of the Frozen franchise will recede anytime quickly, so it could make sense for Walt Disney World to wager large on it…even when that simply means making Blizzard Beach the Frozen water park in an much more vital method.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you happy with the November 13, 2022 reopening date Blizzard Beach, or would you favor that Typhoon Lagoon stay open for winter? Cautiously optimistic in regards to the Frozen enjoyable and options being added to Blizzard Beach or do you would like Disney had been going greater on the IP integrations? (Or, would you favor if Blizzard Beach remained IP-free?) Eager to return to Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, or are you not a water park particular person? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we may also help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!