Why would Blizzard Beach be open in December?

[bouncycat]

I'm a FL native, and I get cold easily. I will not go in the water between early Oct, and May, cause I'm just a wus with the cold. I am the one, when the weather is in the 70's at the park like this week, will be in jeans, long sleeve shirt, and probably a jacket or hoodie. We always joke that we can tell the locals from the tourists in the wintertime at the parks!!

 

[Hootch]

very comfortable in December. We were staying near Sarasota a few years ago in early January and the first day the temp hit mid 80s. After getting accustomed to colder weather at home, that was very comfortable. Of course three days later it didn't get above 45.

 

[Redarrow5150]

Actually people don't know this but in December the water parks are used to bath the animals from Animal Kingdom in the middle of the night. When it gets extremely cold the Disney on Ice Show hold practices here before heading out in January for their next tour dates.

 

[snykymom]

The air temp must be much colder than that for them to close a water park (and they have done so.)

Yes, they did - last December, when it got into the 30's during the day!

We were there in January, 2009, and spent a lovely day at the water park - it got into the mid-70's, which is considered perfect swimming weather up here in New England!

 

[Minnesota!]

Hey if it's not ice, the Canadians will be in the water.

Same for the Minnesotans

 

[MrsDuck]

It's for all those crazy Northerners.

Yep! Or our UK visitors!

Won't catch me in the water...

 

[Coca-Cola]

Talking of water parks closing...

http://www.mickeyupdates.com/2011/typhoon-lagoon-closed-due-to-cold-weather/

 

[Vixster]

We went dec 2009 with the kids aged 7 4 and 1 and they were fine quite a few people at the park to

 

[chartle]

Talking of water parks closing...

http://www.mickeyupdates.com/2011/typhoon-lagoon-closed-due-to-cold-weather/

wait I thought they always closed TL then after the holidays BB.

 

[MoonFaerie]

wait I thought they always closed TL then after the holidays BB.

It looks like BB is closed until Dec 3, and then on Dec 4 it switches and TL will be closed: http://media.disneywebcontent.com/S.../pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_dec.pdf

 

[scrapquitler]

Does it really get warm enough during December to attract visitors to a water park? I understand it can get warm in Orlando during the day, but is it really warm enough to play in the water? Just wondering what the attendance is like during the winter?

Even if the Florida and other Southern people think that it's cold, those of us from the NorthEast are likely to think it's warm! Just keep in mind that the ocean here in New England doesn't get that warm (probably averages in the 60s at Cape Cod during the summer) so if the water is heated to 80degrees and it's 70 degrees out, us Northerner's aren't going to be cold

 

[goofyernmost]

Even if the Florida and other Southern people think that it's cold, those of us from the NorthEast are likely to think it's warm! Just keep in mind that the ocean here in New England doesn't get that warm (probably averages in the 60s at Cape Cod during the summer) so if the water is heated to 80degrees and it's 70 degrees out, us Northerner's aren't going to be cold

In fact there is a good chance that you will see us sweating!

 

[snykymom]

wait I thought they always closed TL then after the holidays BB.

They alternate which closes first almost every year, so that people who come during the holidays every year have the chance to visit each water park.

 

[2girlsmom]

We moved to Florida this summer from Iowa, but came to WDW twice in December before, in 2007 and last year. Last year the day we arrived it was 75 degrees, and my kids swam, but it was a bit cool to me. My kids actually swam on Thanksgiving at my brother's house this year, and his pool is NOT heated, and temp was mid 70s. And the first time we came to WDW, in 2007, we all swam, the day temps were mid 80's to 90, plenty warm enough. THAT trip, my kids swam first thing in the morning and every night before bed (around 11pm). And we were actually at FQ a couple weekends ago, and the kids swam then too (temps were upper 60's at 9am when they were in the water).

 

[chartle]

They alternate which closes first almost every year, so that people who come during the holidays every year have the chance to visit each water park.

I knew they did that at one time but Cheshire Figment has posted that they switched to always closing TL first and having BB open during the holidays because since it already has a winter theme its much easier to decorate for the season.

One thing I did notice though was that BB will be open sooner than normal, I think this Sunday instead of the normal right after Jan 1.

It may just have to do with them needing to do more at TL again this year.

 

[scion5220]

This is a pic I took of the pool at All Star Sports at about 4:15am on November 13..note the steam. We are from Florida and even we went swimming earlier the previous day.

The weather that day had been a low of 48 the previous night, 75 on the day we were swimming, and a low of about 50 when the picture was taken.

The heated water makes all the difference!