Blizzard Beach

[Jen Erickson]

My family and I (and my parents) will be arriving at Disney (first time for all of us) on October 25. This is the LAST day Blizzard Beach will be open while we are visiting. We arrive in Orlando at 1:15 and then are taking Mears Shuttle to Port Orleans, Riverside. Am I crazy to think we can precheck our bags to be stored and try to get to Blizzard Beach for 2-3 hours? We have the Ultimate Park Hopper Pass so the water parks are included. My sons are ages 9 1/2, 8 and 5. Which mini golf course do you recommend for our age group? Fantasia or Winter Summerland? This is also included in our package. Thank you in advance for your opinions!

 

[jdads2]

Welcome to the DIS!

Personally I wouldn't try to get there for only a 2 or 3 hours. That is considering that you won't have any delays.

Since it is your first visit I would try the Old Man River Pool at POR. From what I hear it's a great pool. We'll be there in December to try it out ourselves. You can hit Typhoon lagoon the next day it is open for all of October and November. We really enjoyed this park last year. We stayed all day and had a blast. I would bet that your kids will love swimming in the snorkeling lagoon and the wave pool.

 

[NHAnn]

Originally posted by Jen Erickson
Am I crazy to think we can precheck our bags to be stored and try to get to Blizzard Beach for 2-3 hours

Well, maybe not crazy, but very ambitious!
By the time you get your luggage and are on your way it'll probably be 2 pm at best, assuming no flight delays. I think Mears makes stops, so again at best it'll probably be 3 before you get to POR. Assuming you can check right in or get your passes and leave your bags, and change your clothes, and catch a bus.....at the very best you'd have a couple of hours there. I guess only you can decide if it's worth the hustle and bustle, assuming no delays, to get yourself to the bus stop by 4 or 5 to get to BB by 4:30 or 5:30...for an hour or 2.....Does it close at 6 or 7?? If you're not all too tired after the travel and you really want to see it, go for it! A suggestion for Plan B if you're running too late to make it worthwhile --check in, check out the resort and maybe have a swim there, then head to one of the parks open later in the evening for dinner and a few attractions, and then do Typhoon Lagoon instead on another day?

HAve fun, enjoy your magical first trip!!

 

[CindyAnn]

Hi Jen Erickson and welcome to the Dis! I love Blizzard Beach and so do my children, but I'm with jdads2 and NHAnn. Since BB is scheduled to close at 5:00 p.m, I think you'll arrive within an hour or so of closing, and may end up frustrated.

If you think you can make it at all, I recommend having one of your carry-on bags be a large swim bag, so you can just toss your suitcases and run - there won't be time to locate swimsuits, beach towels, and water shoes in the luggage. I often do that so we can just head to the hotel pool or a water park even if our room isn't ready.

Good Luck!