TYPHOON LAGOON SHARK REEF CLOSED????

[lelew]

I was planning our summer trip for disney world this summer. First stop typhoon lagoon. This is when i realized the new water slide has taken the place of the shark reef. Why? The shark reef was a fun and unique experience to the water park. I was so excited telling family member who never been what such fun it is. I was stunned when I learned it's closed. Do anyone know why it closed? Everytime we went there was always a line so it's not like the ride was unpopular.

 

[Cinderella94]

I was planning our summer trip for disney world this summer. First stop typhoon lagoon. This is when i realized the new water slide has taken the place of the shark reef. Why? The shark reef was a fun and unique experience to the water park. I was so excited telling family member who never been what such fun it is. I was stunned when I learned it's closed. Do anyone know why it closed? Everytime we went there was always a line so it's not like the ride was unpopular.

I don't think anyone except the Disney powers that be has a real answer to this. Change happens all the time at the parks - unfortunately good things must go to make way for new things.

 

[Alesia]

I can't say for sure, but it must have been incredibly expensive. Can you imagine what it must cost to keep the water at a constant 75 degrees? Not to mention keeping the pH levels exactly right? The maintenance must have been a real bear. I'm surprised that it lasted as long as it did.

 

[AllieBoo]

We will miss Shark reef! My DD loved doing it

 

[gratefulfred]

I can't say for sure, but it must have been incredibly expensive. Can you imagine what it must cost to keep the water at a constant 75 degrees? Not to mention keeping the pH levels exactly right? The maintenance must have been a real bear. I'm surprised that it lasted as long as it did.

I think it's this exactly. Disney just can't generate enough money (lol) to take care of all the unique things that set them apart from other theme parks. I was also disappointed that after 40 some years they realized they didn't know how to properly care for the lobby at the poly and had to dumb it down. They would rather pocket that money for the shareholders.

 

[Westcoastwild]

How did they change the Poly lobby? I was there last July and I'm wondering if I missed something- it didn't strike me as spectacular but I think there was some construction going on.

It probably is the money. It's also probably the specialist skill it takes to maintain it. And I wouldn't be surprised if they got some flack from animal rights advocates. I mean, I know fish are fish, but they can get stressed and that attraction probably experienced at least a few hundred humans per day.

Anyway. It was a cool, unique attraction in theory, but I wouldn't say it wowed me in reality.

 

[HopperFan]

- New slide needed to help balance water parks
- Large enough spot needed for the new slide (while not on same footprint, it's all about balance of many things in a park and they are in close proximity).
- Extreme cost of maintaining shark reef
- Was probably in need of complete overhaul
- Smaller capacity of guests
- COMPETITION
- Discovery Cove if you really want to snorkel
- Volcano Bay opening this year, needed that slide
- Aquatica even offers some sea life interaction

 

[Westcoastwild]

- New slide needed to help balance water parks
- Large enough spot needed for the new slide
- Extreme cost of maintaining shark reef
- Was probably in need of complete overhaul
- Smaller capacity of guests
- COMPETITION
- Discovery Cove if you really want to snorkel
- Volcano Bay opening this year, needed that slide
- Aquatica even offers some sea life interaction

What is discovery cove? Is that in Orlando? I always assumed that was somewhere else.

 

[Alesia]

What is discovery cove? Is that in Orlando? I always assumed that was somewhere else.

It's a water park in Orlando

 

[Westcoastwild]

It's a water park in Orlando

Thanks. It actually looks really cool. If only I wasn't boycotting seaworld

 

[DOOM1001]

I can't say for sure, but it must have been incredibly expensive. Can you imagine what it must cost to keep the water at a constant 75 degrees? Not to mention keeping the pH levels exactly right? The maintenance must have been a real bear. I'm surprised that it lasted as long as it did.

I recall it being 67 degrees,I think this was part of the reason its gone,67 degree water is downright cold,not everyone likes jumping in there and if they do its once and done.While it it did draw people that kind of attraction just doesnt allow for as many guests to go through as a slide does,a slide makes more sense.Now let's talk about how pretty much every water park has a family raft ride and the old family raft ride at Typhoon Lagoon was simply put the worst family raft ride at any water park,even small regional water parks have better ones,the new slide brings TL into the 21st century in the slide department.With competition from Aquatica,Discovery Cove and especially the new Volcano Bay at Universal it had to be done,obviously I would have preferred them add without removing but in the theme park world changes are always going to happen.

 

[DOOM1001]

It's a water park in Orlando

Its across the street from Sea World where you swim with dolphins,Sea World has three parks,the main park,Discovery Cove and the more traditional water park,Aquatica.

 

[HopperFan]

What is discovery cove? Is that in Orlando? I always assumed that was somewhere else.

Across from SW, hidden in lush foliage. Beautiful park with limited number of guests each day where you feel you are on an island somewhere. I've been where there were probably only 300 guests. Been about 6 times.

It's a great way to interact and snorkel in a safe way, learning to appreciate the reefs out there. You don't have to interact with the dolphins, we've only done that once. They have some other small animals, water and not, aviary. There is also warm water swim area and not so lazy river. They even give you fish safe sun lotion they want you to use. It's expensive but all inclusive of breakfast, lunch, beer, other drinks, snacks. Snorkel (you take home), mask, wetsuits, lockers, towels. Very well done.

 

[Allynlle]

Oh no! I was looking forward to shark reef too. Chickened out last time I was there because the water was so cold! Oh well.....

 

[rteetz]

- New slide needed to help balance water parks
- Large enough spot needed for the new slide
- Extreme cost of maintaining shark reef
- Was probably in need of complete overhaul
- Smaller capacity of guests
- COMPETITION
- Discovery Cove if you really want to snorkel
- Volcano Bay opening this year, needed that slide
- Aquatica even offers some sea life interaction

The slide didn't have anything to do with the closure. Maintenance was the big killer.

 

[ramee]

I think it's this exactly. Disney just can't generate enough money (lol) to take care of all the unique things that set them apart from other theme parks. I was also disappointed that after 40 some years they realized they didn't know how to properly care for the lobby at the poly and had to dumb it down. They would rather pocket that money for the shareholders.

I had no idea about the poly. It was beautiful. I booked our first trip there coming up end of summer and knowing about the changes is a bit of a let down.

Aside from the maintenance and unusable space, maybe they felt all the lush greenery was a safety issue of not being able to see around it or of unwanted wildlife hiding in it. From the pictures, it did look congested but I would have preferred it to the almost stark look in comparison. Oh well. I'm still going to try to enjoy this trip for what it is now.

Sorry about you missing the attraction OP. I remember reading it was closing. It was the one thing my dad wanted to do.

Discovery cove sounds amazing, tho.

 

[HopperFan]

The slide didn't have anything to do with the closure. Maintenance was the big killer.

And as most will agree we don't know for sure the reason so the purpose in giving all the possible factors. Am sure it was a combination of many things. Yes, they aren't on the same footprint but there is a design in play for the entire park with guests, guest locations, safety etc that none of us are privy too, and they were close by in same general area. Let's just say the Shark Tank left at the same exact time the New Slide was built. It was part of the plan.

 

[finedice]

What is the new slide called?

 

[gratefulfred]

What is the new slide called?

Cash grab falls, it's a new design that shakes all the money out of your pockets and collects it in the catch pool. Only kidding it's call mis-adventure falls

 

[Klayfish]

I can't say for sure, but it must have been incredibly expensive. Can you imagine what it must cost to keep the water at a constant 75 degrees?

That water felt like it was 55 degrees...

Sad that it's gone, we really liked it. I'm not going to sit here an accuse WDW of money grubbing, etc...that seems to be the default, blind anger answer for everything WDW does that people don't like. I have no doubt the maintenance costs were outrageous, so I understand. Just a shame it's gone.