Embracing the Magic: Solo Parenting Adventures at Disney’s Blizzard Beach

As a solo parent, the thought of navigating a bustling waterpark with a toddler can be daunting, but our day at Blizzard Beach turned out to be a magical adventure. My 4-year-old was buzzing with excitement, counting down the days until we could splash around in the water. While waterparks aren’t my first choice for fun, especially with a child who can’t swim yet, I knew I couldn’t let her enthusiasm fade. So, I turned to Google the night before to plan our day.

Planning Our Visit

Before we even left Scotland, my daughter kept excitedly talking about our trip to the waterpark. I had a few questions that needed answers:

• What do I do with our stuff?
• Do I need a locker?
• Where am I going when I enter the park?
• How practical is it to put my money and phone away in a locker if we need drinks or I want to capture a quick snap of our day?

After finding the park map and figuring out the logistics, I discovered some helpful tips:

1. Take a Stroller: If you have one, use a stroller to store your belongings while you enjoy the park. (Fabulous idea, why didn’t I think of that?)
2. Store Valuables Stealthily: Stick your valuables in a sandwich bag and slide them in beside your baby wipes.
3. Arrive Early: Getting to the park early helps secure a good spot in the toddler-friendly area. We arrived between 10 AM and 10:30 AM, and there were still plenty of beds available. It started to fill up closer to lunchtime.

We also arrived at the park in our swimwear with cover-ups on, meaning we could make the most of our morning there, which actually flew by!

Enjoying the Park

I ended up taking a couple of videos and quick snaps when we arrived, but I soon put my phone away to fully enjoy the experience with my daughter. If I could do it again, I’d probably buy a waterproof phone case so that I could take more pictures throughout the day. This one would have been ideal: Waterproof Floating Phone Pouch (Amazon)

I was pleasantly surprised to see that parking was free, making it a very budget-friendly activity when it’s included as part of your Disney pass.

Memorable Moments

Overall, we both had a great time at the waterpark. Although I planned it as a morning activity, we could have easily spent another few hours there. My favourite part was pushing my daughter around the lazy river, what she affectionately called the “crazy river.” Watching her chill in a donut with her head back and eyes shut, soaking up the sun and loving life, was priceless.

I must admit I was anxious about my daughter wandering away or getting lost in the crowd, but taking the stroller certainly helped. I also made a big deal of pointing out where lost children should go and identifying staff members, so she knew what to do in case of an emergency. Thankfully, we didn’t need to use that information!

Conclusion

I’m so glad we tackled this adventure together. Not only did it create a wonderful memory for us both, but it also boosted my confidence in facing activities that make me a little uncomfortable.

Do you ever let anxieties hold you back from venturing off the beaten path? I know I do at times. I’m hoping that by saying yes to new experiences, I can overcome those fears.

If you’re interested in reading more about the cost of our trip, check out my previous post, “Orlando for £6,000: Is It Really Worth It? Solo Parents Full Breakdown.”