Clues to the Past

Ride the current in Cross Country Creek long enough, and you'll find yourself carried into a long-forgotten cave at the base of Mt. Gushmore. Here among the walls of ice and stone, you may just discover clues to the ancient history of the area around Blizzard Beach.

Petroglyphs carved in the rocks indicate that the freak snowstorm that created Blizzard Beach wasn't a one-time occurrence. It happened in the prehistoric past, too. There are primitive drawings on the walls of snowflakes and snowmen, along with mammoths and alligators on skis!

There's also a fossil record of prehistoric melting, as human figures are depicted making the transition from skis to inner tubes.

Look closely, and you may make an even more startling discovery. The petroglyphs seem to show the presence of an Abominable Snowman! Was it real or just imagined by the native population? None have been sighted in these parts in recent history, but then again... the Yeti on Expedition Everest isn't far away from here.

Melting Away

As temperatures rise and snow and ice melt down the side of Mt. Gushmore, all that water has to go somewhere. Turns out, it's collecting in pools and gullies around the base of the mountain. Melt-Away Bay is the largest of these reservoirs, with bobbing waves created by the constant flow of fresh water down over the rocks.

Elsewhere, runoff flows into Cross Country Creek, carrying swimmers and drifters alike on a relaxing tour of the resort area. Entry points to the creek are labeled for ease of navigation, with each section named for an animal - some native Floridian and others clearly transplants happy to find wintry weather. There are the Flamingo and Manatee Landings, as well as the Bunny Landing (although that could well be "snow bunny"), but there are also landings named for Reindeer, Polar Bear, Penguin and Ice Gator.

Of course, as much as folks have happily adapted to the changing weather conditions around Blizzard Beach, there are also those who wish desperately to maintain the "status snow." This retrofitted trailer from the Sunshine State Snow Making company was established with good intentions, but just can't keep up. The new snow is melting into ice cold water before it even gets through the blower.

Sunshine State isn't the only snow-making operation. High atop the mountain, along the path to Summit Plummet, you'll find the Joe Blow Snow Co, but their luck isn't any better. It seems the only thing on ice is their business.

Polar Pub

After a good race or a long day on the slopes of Blizzard Beach, skiers (and swimmers) can come together and share stories over some potent potables at the Polar Pub. If you go, belly up to the bar and take note of the decor. You'll see vintage signs and postcards from ski resorts across the country, along with a collection of antique sleds, skis, ice skates and snowshoes.

Summer Winter Sports

The routes to the top of Mt. Gushmore at Blizzard Beach, as well as their associated attractions, are color coded for easier way finding, but there's storytelling at work here, too. The directional graphics and signs are meant to evoke the spirit of the Olympics and similar winter sports venues.

Of course, while some may choose to ascend by climbing, others take the chairlift. Notice the combination of beach umbrella canopies over each chair and faux skis underneath.

No matter how you get there, once you're at the top it's competition time! Summit Plummet and Slush Gusher are individual competitions, super speed slides that challenge you to make great time down the mountain. Toboggan Racers is an 8-lane downhill course, while Snow Stormers provides a switchback slalom experience. Of course, for true mano-a-mano racing, nothing beats the Downhill Double Dipper (below). It's often a real photo finish!

Ski Patrol Training Camp

The Ski Patrol Training Camp was initially established to instruct employees of the resort in the procedures involved in monitoring the slopes and rescuing wayward or injured skiers. Nowadays, they've simply adjusted the curriculum a bit... along with the name of the area. Notice that the words "Blizzard Beach" have been hastily painted atop the Ski Patrol Training Camp logo on the sign below:

Look even closer at that picture, and you'll even discover Ice Gator's real name. Turns out, he's really Joe Gator. The "Ice" nickname makes him sound much cooler, though, as does the way he signs the Training Camp completion certificates: "Ski ya later!"

The attractions at Ski Patrol Training Camp are designed to appeal most to pre-teens, those too mature for Tike's Peak but not quite ready for the big thrills up on Mt. Gushmore. From the slides to the "Thin Ice" iceberg walk to the T-bar drop, there's plenty of fun to be had.

Tike's Peak

At Tike's Peak, the children's play area at Blizzard Beach, there's plenty of fun to be had in the snow... both the frozen and melted varieties.

Ice Gator's little niece (bonus points if anyone knows her name) is skiing off the snow-covered roof of a nearby shelter...

While down below, an ice sculpture of Uncle Ice Gator presides over a clutch of kids splashing about in the pools created by the runoff.

Up where things are still frozen, a group of snow boys and girls have built a fort and are engaged in a heated snowball fight between the battlements. Watch out, though, because even if you're not likely to get hit with one of these snowballs, you may just find yourself the victim of an unexpected squirt of water!

Of course, not all the snow kids are caught up in battle. Some are perfectly happy with other pursuits, from diving to burying one another in the snow or creating "snow angels."

The Business of Adaptation

Adaptation's the name of the game around the Blizzard Beach resort.

Snow Joe's Ski Rental has shifted gears and thrown up a life preserver, re-branding the business Snowless Joe's and offering lockers and towels instead of ski gear.

Places like Frostbite Freddy's and The Cooling Hut are taking advantage of what ice and snow is left, offering cold drinks and ice cream bars to keep customers refreshed with the return of Florida heat. I especially love details here, like the snow shovels holding up the banner at Freddy's and the coolers strapped together to form the marquee for The Cooling Hut.

Elsewhere, creative entrepreneurs have taken to refitting equipment that's no longer needed in the current conditions. These snow plows now offer snow cones, ice cream and other tasty treats.

Sonny's Sleds

While some businesses around Blizzard Beach have been able to adapt to the changing temperatures, others have not been so lucky. The poor folks at Sonny's Sleds tried to make a go of it, but business just went downhill. Even with promises of "Low Mileage" and an offer of "Sno Price Too Low," people just stopped buying sleds and sleighs when all the snow started to disappear. Now, Sonny has been forced to close up shop.

It's really too bad Sonny couldn't make it work. He had a nice selection of merchandise, including an original Space Rocket XS 17 Orbit Control sled from the '50s. Best of all, he loved "Toboggan!"

Haus & Lodge

The architecture throughout Blizzard Beach has a distinctly Alpine flavor, helping to create the look and feel of a ski resort. As the business shifted gears in warm weather, though, some very Floridian influences have shown up. On the structure above, a stone foundation and steep slanted roof line (with a few remaining icicles) contrast with the more tropical pink and teal highlights. Even the name is a veritable mash-up: Beach Haus. It's one part Florida summer, one part European winter.

The Beach Haus is the primary retail location at Blizzard Beach. Step inside past the "No Skis" sign, and you'll discover that even the product selection is a mix. Here, ski boots and sleds are offered right alongside bikinis and Aloha shirts.

Nearby is the park's main food facility (and also home to offices and other support functions), Lottawatta Lodge. In the story of Blizzard Beach, this large structure would be the place where Guests of the resort would stay for the night. It's the hotel.

The name "Lottawatta Lodge" is meant to evoke the sort of Native American designations often attributed to places in ski country. The name's also a bit of a play on words. After things warmed up and the snow and ice started to melt, there was a lot of water (Lottawatta).

After a long day on the slopes, people can leave their snowboards, skis and poles (and inner tubes, too, for that matter) on the racks outside and head in where it's warm (make that cool). A favorite spot is here in front of the hearth. Of course, since a fire isn't really needed any more, the fireplace is filled instead with ash buckets planted with fiery red plants. Above the mantle: an original painting of a uniquely Blizzard Beach scene of an alligator in the creek being chased by a pair of tube-riding penguins.

Ice Ice Gator

Another key element of the Blizzard Beach legend involves that wild and crazy, ski-jumping critter, Ice Gator:

After the snow storm, everything started to melt... "As the slush began cascading down and pools of water began to form, an echoing 'Yahoo!' was heard from the summit of the mountain. Everyone looked up to see a playful alligator careening down the melting hillside. He slid to the base of the mountain and landed in a pool of water with a thunderous splash."

Ever since that day, Ice Gator has been the official mascot of Blizzard Beach. Hints of him can be found everywhere you look, from the weather vane atop Lottawatta Lodge to Ice's little cottage and garden along Cross Country Creek.

At one time, you could even meet Ice Gator himself in the park. If Ice Gator reminds you of Lagoona Gator, that's no coincidence. After Blizzard Beach opened, Ice Gator became so popular (in person and on merchandise) that Typhoon Lagoon clamored to have their own version, and Lagoona Gator was born. Today, both characters still exist as part of the mythology of their respective parks, but interest in the merchandise has long since melted away.

Guests still ascend Mt. Gushmore, either on foot or by chairlift, but the fastest way back down nowadays is the Summit Plummet. The ski jump was closed shortly after temperatures in the area returned to normal. Now, maybe that closure was purely due to the melting of the snow and ice, or maybe Ice Gator had something to do with it...

Over by the entrance to the park (and in a direct line from the ski jump), you'll find tracks run through a clump of snow on a roof, followed across the way by clear evidence that our friend Ice Gator got a little carried away and overshot his mark. Sure hope he's okay. Maybe he ought to stick to bobbing around in Melt Away Bay from now on.