Blizzard Beach has officially reopened!
Blizzard Beach
It is the first water park to reopen at Disney World and is operating under a variety of health and safety guidelines, much like the theme parks. This includes reduced capacity, temperature screenings, physical distancing markings, and face coverings. The face mask policy is a little different than we’ve experienced in the parks, so we headed over to experience it for ourselves!
At Blizzard Beach, face coverings are required in designated areas for guests ages 2 and up. These “designated areas” include the park entrance and exit, shopping areas, food and beverage ordering areas, and restrooms, locker areas, and changing areas.
Face Masks are Required in ALL Merchandise Areas
Basically, any spaces where guests are most likely to congregate or interact with Cast Members (such as to order food or buy something), face coverings are required. This means if you want to order a drink from Polar Pub, or Lottawatta Lodge, you’ll need to be masked.
Face Masks Required to Order Food and Beverages
Same goes for when you’re renting a locker for the day. Every other locker rental station is blocked off to keep distance between parties.
Locker Area
But, when can you take your face mask off? The newer guideline mandates that face coverings are NOT allowed when guests are experiencing water slides or in the water. And, you can remove your mask when actively eating or drinking, but must remain stationary and maintain six-feet physical distancing from others while doing so.
Guests Can Remove Masks When Actively Eating or Drinking and Spaced Six Feet Apart
As with other Disney parks, signage is prominent, making it clear where you must wear masks, and where you don’t need to.
Face Mask Signage
We found that you don’t need masks when walking around in between rides, or just sitting at a chair. Masks are also not required while in the queues for water slides or attractions. A Cast Member at the entrance did recommend keeping a mask with you at all times so that if you need to use the restroom or order food, you don’t have to go all the way back to your chair to grab it.
Tables Closed for Social Distancing
You also don’t need to wear a mask on the ski lift attraction, which makes sense since guests are naturally spread apart in their own lifts.
Face Masks Are Not Required on Ski Lift
Guests don’t wear masks in the lazy river either, but there are some specific rules for it. You must be in a tube the entire time you are in the lazy river. This is to help groups stay distanced, so if you are going in the lazy river, be prepared to stay in a tube until you exit.
Lazy river
Also we noticed lots of the Cast Members at Blizzard Beach consistently reminded guests to wear masks in the designated areas. Before we entered the park, a Cast Member told us where masks are and are not required.
Cast Member at Ski Lift
Okay, so we know where to wear a mask, but how do you go in the water or on slides with it? Well, we picked up a waterproof phone lanyard and it worked very well! They are sold in the gift shops at the water park, and we tucked our mask in with our phone. It kept everything very dry after going on water slides and in the pools, and it was super handy for whenever we needed to pull our mask out.
Tobaggan Racers
All in all, Cast Members were very helpful with the implementation of the new face mask policy, along with the prominent signage, and we couldn’t be happier to be back at Blizzard Beach!
Blizzard Beach Reopening
Stay tuned for more Disney news and updates!
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So the headlines says here’s what it’s like to wear a mask all day. Yet you don’t have to wear it all day. So what’s the point of the article?
Did you happen to notice if the polar patios are available for rent?
Jnoel, they are! It’s recommended you reserve ahead of time, but you can also check in at the Beach Haus when you’re onsite to see if there are any available.
Hi, John. Thanks for reaching out. I don’t see where the headline says “all day”, but to answer your question, we want to give readers insight about where and when a mask needs to be worn at Blizzard Beach and what that experience is like. Hopefully those planning a visit to the water park will have a better idea of what to expect.
Quick question, i bought tickets in 2019, it was the 4 parks + water park
I already booked days for the parks, what shpuld i do with the water park? I just show up the day i want to go and hope there is vacancy?
Im going 2nd week of april
So basically I don’t need to wear a mask having fun at a water park, but spending money requires a mask. Problem solved for, much less spending for me.
Al volcano bay last summer it was really nice not to wear a mask all day, just in and out.
Not going to any water park until sanity returns.
Can you eat at your lounge chairs or do you need to eat in a specific location?
Thank you for reporting and for clarifying what to do with our masks! I was wondering! 💜
Mary, you can take your food to your lounge chair!
Xavier, I think that’s right, but I think a call to Disney to confirm would be a good idea.