June 1, 1989 – Typhoon Lagoon Opens at Walt Disney World
Image Credit: Official WDW Website
“Escape to a tropical paradise where you’ll discover a storm of fun in the sun. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park is the place to go for aquatic thrill-seekers of all ages.”
On June 1, 1989, the 56-acre water park, Typhoon Lagoon, opened at Walt Disney World. It is one of two water parks at the resort, the other being Blizzard Beach. The water park includes Castaway Creek (a 2,000 foot-long inner tube ride), Gang Plank Falls (a group inner tube ride), Humunga Kowabunga (speed slide flumes), Storm Slides (body slides), Mayday Falls (tube slide flume ride), Keelhaul Falls (another tube slide flume ride, through a cave), Forgotten Grotto (a cave walkway through Mt. Mayday), and Overlook Pass (a walkway across Mt. Mayday with waterfalls).
The legend of Typhoon Lagoon is that it was created by an epic storm, with boats tossed around like toys, and surfboards flying into trees. The typhoon created Mt. Mayday, complete with its many waterslides, and a tropical paradise surrounding it. It also created the park’s icon: Miss Tilly. Miss Tilly was a shrimp boat that ended up at the top of Mt. Mayday, and that’s where she stays to this day. Every half hour, a geyser at the top of the mountain blows, trying to dislodge the boat.
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