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.