[tigger]

This is from today's Orlando Sentinel (you need to subscribe to read...so I posted the meat for you here)

Disney 'water coaster' blasts off in spring

Typhoon Lagoon's Crush ‘N' Gusher.

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.

[hiner]

That sounds so awesome. We loved TL and are planning on going again when we return.

Also, saw a show on the Travel channel about water parks and they showed the park in Texas. It was pretty cool.

[bumble]

We will have to go check it out when its ready. Sounds great!

[DarthTortoise]

That sounds very interesting! 2005 though? Thats pretty soon, I wonder if they have started on it yet.

[CaribBeachNut]

I think it will be a good thing for TL, as I believe attendance has been down.

[skwak]

Originally Posted by DarthTortoise

That sounds very interesting! 2005 though? Thats pretty soon, I wonder if they have started on it yet.

We were there in October and construction is well underway. Hope it opens by April when we go next!

[Dana]

This must be the one that Disney Teacher was talking about in her thread. 2005? Wow!!! They must be doing this while it's under refurb this winter. That is great!