Miss Adventure Falls at Typhoon Lagoon
A new family raft ride is coming to Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World in 2017! The water park hasn’t seen any major additions since Crush ‘N’ Gusher in 2005, and with this 2-minute attraction, Typhoon Lagoon sees its slate of offerings rounded out with one thing it was missing as compared to Blizzard Beach.
As we previously reported in our newsletter, construction is set to begin this winter, starting when Typhoon Lagoon closes for the season (as it normally does). The permits that Disney previously filed (from which the original rumor originated) called for a 2-acre expansion on which Miss Adventure Falls would be located. Disney is providing an opening date of March 2017 for the elevated family raft ride (more specifically, it should be ready on March 11, 2017 when Typhoon Lagoon ends its normal, seasonal closure).
The premise of Miss Adventure Falls is that it will take guests on a journey through the collection of Captain Mary Oceanear–a treasure-hunting heroine who travelled across the sea collecting unique artifacts before she became stranded at Typhoon Lagoon by a rogue storm. “Treasure” rafts will take guests on a white-water adventure where they can spot some of the artifacts from Miss Adventure’s world travels. (Who wants to bet that she will be a member of S.E.A.?!)
UPDATE: WDW News Today is reporting a rumor that the addition of Miss Adventure Falls might give Disney an excuse to close Shark Reef. This unique attraction is expensive to maintain, and there have been rumors of its demise for at least the past 5 years. None of them have come to fruition (yet), but the rumor is concerning, nonetheless…
My Reaction
With Volcano Bay set to open at Universal Orlando Resort next summer, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. My bet would be that this is motivated by Volcano Bay, and a desire to add a compelling new draw to prevent a loss of guests to Universal’s new water park.
It would seem that some healthy competition has “motivated” Disney to step up its game, and I certainly won’t complain about that. I’m a big fan of Walt Disney World’s water parks, and I think both are under-appreciated in terms of their overall quality and execution on theme. Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are near perfect, thematically.
While I’m also looking forward to Volcano Bay (assuming its theming holds up to the concept art), I’m really hoping that this becomes a “big” thing for Typhoon Lagoon, and draws in Disney fans who have previously skipped over the water parks. It definitely deserves more recognition from the fan community, and hopefully Miss Adventure Falls will lead to that.
More importantly to me, I hope this is enough of a draw for Disney to justify the return of Evening Extra Magic Hours (or just general evening hours) at Typhoon Lagoon next summer. Evening EMH was discontinued at the water parks a couple of years before it was discontinued at Animal Kingdom, if I recall correctly, so nighttime at the water parks is something most guests have never experienced.
We recently attended the Typhoon Lagoon Beach Bash for Disney Vacation Club’s 25th Anniversary. This was my first time in Typhoon Lagoon at night and let me tell you, it was awesome. I’ll have a full report about the experience (much of which was spent standing over my tripod, taking long exposures of the wave pool like a total creeper) soon, but there was something special about gazing up at the night sky while floating around the lazy river. In general, Typhoon Lagoon is way more pleasant at night, and I’d love to see it open for evenings to accommodate demand for this new attraction. (I know this is wishful thinking, but I can dream…)
Other than that, I’m optimistic about Miss Adventure Falls. Honestly, though, I don’t really care all that much. For me, the water parks are fairly evergreen, and providing a nice place to relax in a beautifully-themed setting is far more important to me than keeping up with the latest trends in water park. (Is there such a thing as water park trends? If so, I’d assume it’s like most amusement parks: longer and faster, but with slides instead of coasters.) My only concern would be disruption of Typhoon Lagoon’s exquisite theming…hopefully that does not occur.
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Your Thoughts
What are your thoughts on the addition of Miss Adventure Falls at Typhoon Lagoon? Are you a fan of the Disney water parks? Do you agree with regard to their exceptional theming? Share any questions, tips, or additional thoughts you have in the comments!
So excited! Typhoon Lagoon is my happy place! Just like the above commenters when I “go” to WDW I am often floating around TL or the lazy river at Stormalong Bay. *sigh* Can’t wait for this one, we love the family raft ride at BB so really glad TL is getting it’s own one. Gangplank Falls is just too short!
I think pretty much *all* the parks are better at night. (maybe not dhs) so it’s not a surprise that the water parks are as well!
When I daydream about Disney World from my Palm Springs home 2400 miles away, one of the places I most often picture myself is in the amazing Lazy Rivers at Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach.
Those waterways, along with the fantastic parks they reside in are truly a highlight of every WDW Trip I’ve ever taken.
I’m always amazed at how many regular Disney World visitors don’t make them a part of their “World Rotation”, thinking they can’t sacrifice valuable Theme Park time.
My God……….are they missing out on a huge dose of very, very unique Disney Magic.
I dont think I have ever agreed more with an internet comment I cannot go thinking about or visiting DW without the lazy rivers involved!
She is a member of S.E.A. Oceaneer Club and Lab on Disney Cruise Line are named for her in their current iterations, and her portrait hangs in the queue of Mystic Manor. 🙂
Well, depending upon your perspective, I’m either ignorant for not knowing that, or good at guessing! 😉 (Seriously, though, thanks for the info.)
Clearly you are good at guessing! 🙂 One can’t run a site this comprehensive and be called Disney ignorant. Consider it returning the favor for all *I’ve* learned from your blog.
I agree with you Tom! The water parks are awesome, and a great way to recharge from the hustle and bustle of the main parks!
I think Disney did a great job on theming for Crush ‘N’ Gusher, and expect the same quality for the new family raft ride.
If Volcano Bay motivates Disney for more expansion, I am all for it!!
Love you blog and Vlog!
Keep up the awesome work!!