Orlando Sentinel Aritcle on water coaster at Typhoon Lagoon

[crazy4wdw]

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

 

[lenshanem]

Sounds fun. Maybe we'll just use that plus option...

 

[Chuck S]

I wonder if Schlitterbahn is manufacturing the coaster for Disney? They have a division that makes all kinds of attractions and sceenery for waterparks.

 

[Eeyore's Buddy Bear]

NBGS is the company associated with Schlitterbahn. The water coaster being built at Typhoon Lagoon is manufactured by NBGS. I attended the IAAPA convention last week and was able to walk into the construction site at TL. This will be an impressive ride and will have a high capacity. I think the cm said 800 riders per hour. This is very high for a waterslide.

 

[lenshanem]

I guess putting it in TL will help out the rush for BB over TL, especially in the summer and help even things out?

 

[raidermatt]

It sounds like fun!

I guess putting it in TL will help out the rush for BB over TL, especially in the summer and help even things out?

I'm wondering if it will just reverse the situation. I'd think that at the beginning that will be the case. If it does turn out to be all that and a bag of chips, it will probably stay that way.