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11-22-2004, 08:08 AM
Disney 'water coaster' blasts off in spring
By Sean Mussenden | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted November 22, 2004
Typhoon Lagoon's Crush ‘N' Gusher. (WALT DISNEY WORLD)
Nov 22, 2004
When the Crush 'N' Gusher opens next year at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park, the mouse says it will be Central Florida's first "water coaster."
So what, exactly, is a water coaster?
To answer that, we take you to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels, Texas, where the country's most famous water coaster has been thrilling guests for years.
Unlike regular water slides, which rely only on gravity, water coasters also employ water jets to propel riders in rafts both downhill and uphill.
The 'bahn's Master Blaster Uphill Water Coaster starts by plunging riders in two-person rafts six stories. Then, they rise three stories into a twisty tunnel, drop again, do a figure eight, go back uphill and down again into a pretzel-shaped downward spiral.
"Our technology is similar to the water technology they're using," Disney spokesman Geoff Pointon said.
Disney's coaster is scheduled to open in spring 2005. The Crush 'N' Gusher will be modeled on the remains of a rusted-out tropical fruit packing plant called Tropical Amity Fruit Exporters. Three routes - the Banana Blaster, the Coconut Crusher and the Pineapple Plunge - will whisk riders in rafts to the bottom.
Sean Mussenden can be reached at smussenden@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5664
By Sean Mussenden | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted November 22, 2004
Typhoon Lagoon's Crush ‘N' Gusher. (WALT DISNEY WORLD)
Nov 22, 2004
When the Crush 'N' Gusher opens next year at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park, the mouse says it will be Central Florida's first "water coaster."
So what, exactly, is a water coaster?
To answer that, we take you to the Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels, Texas, where the country's most famous water coaster has been thrilling guests for years.
Unlike regular water slides, which rely only on gravity, water coasters also employ water jets to propel riders in rafts both downhill and uphill.
The 'bahn's Master Blaster Uphill Water Coaster starts by plunging riders in two-person rafts six stories. Then, they rise three stories into a twisty tunnel, drop again, do a figure eight, go back uphill and down again into a pretzel-shaped downward spiral.
"Our technology is similar to the water technology they're using," Disney spokesman Geoff Pointon said.
Disney's coaster is scheduled to open in spring 2005. The Crush 'N' Gusher will be modeled on the remains of a rusted-out tropical fruit packing plant called Tropical Amity Fruit Exporters. Three routes - the Banana Blaster, the Coconut Crusher and the Pineapple Plunge - will whisk riders in rafts to the bottom.
Sean Mussenden can be reached at smussenden@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5664