Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park551

Swimming suits and ski slopes? Sure! At this water park, it's the perfect combination. This is Central Florida's version of snow sports!

The concept behind Blizzard Beach - that it's a melting ski resort - carries through all of the rides, but thankfully not the temperature of the water, which is heated year round.

The park is thoughtfully organized to accommodate all ages. The entire family can enjoy Melt-Away Bay, the wave pool at the base of Mt. Gushmore, which is the centerpiece of the park. And, at some point during the day, it's fun to float as a family down the Cross Country Creek's lazy river.

Some special areas are set aside just for kids. Tike's Peak, for children under four feet tall, features a fantastic toddler water play area with just-my-size water slides and play areas, and Ski Patrol Training Camp caters to pre-teens with a rope swing, smaller waterslides, and other fun, less scary options.

The daredevil's must-do's include Summit Plummet, a heart-stopping slide which plummets you down an initial 120 foot vertical drop, reaching speeds of 60 miles an hour and giving you a suit-wedgie in the process.

Try out the Ski Lift to the top of Mt. Gushmore at least once, but it gets so busy that it really is quicker to climb the stairs most of the time.

When you enter the park, bear to the right. Dressing rooms with lockers, showers, and restrooms are in the front of the park on the right, and the mad dash in the morning to the area can be overwhelming. Lockers rent for $5-$7 per day, and you should put pretty much everything in them. It's a pain to have too much on your beach chairs, which can be hard to find in the popular areas anyway. It's also smart to pick up free lifejackets for the little ones; these include a picture ID.

Fast food areas are predictably easy to find throughout the park (avoid the funnel cakes before that drop from Summit Plummet), or use the shaded picnic areas and bring food from home.