A Florida man is suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, claiming he suffered severe injuries while riding a water slide at Disney's Blizzard Beach water park in 2021.
Eugene Strickland filed the lawsuit on May 29 in Orange County, seeking $50,000 in damages for what he describes as "permanent catastrophic injuries."
Strickland says the accident happened on July 31, 2021, when he was riding the Downhill Double Dipper (DDD), a high-speed water slide known for its thrilling drops, CBS News said.
According to Disney's website, riders "disappear into a black hole and plummet 50 feet downhill at exhilarating speeds" before splashing into the water.
Strickland says the ride's fast pace caused him to become airborne and fall off his inner tube, landing hard on the slide's plastic surface.
The lawsuit points out that Strickland weighed 334 pounds at the time — 34 pounds over the ride's 300-pound weight limit. Despite this, it is not clear if he was warned about or aware of the weight restriction before riding.
Eugene Strickland is suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for $50,000 over injuries he said he sustained after using one of the park's water slides. https://t.co/JUKJS716OQ
— CBS Philadelphia (@CBSPhiladelphia) June 2, 2025
Lawsuit Alleges Disney Negligence in Water Slide Accident
Strickland claims his fall resulted in "serious bodily injury" including "disability, scarring, disfigurement," along with "mental anguish" and "loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life."
According to NYPost, He blames Disney for not warning guests of the dangers and alleges the water slide's design created a "safety hazard" that contributed to his injuries.
"I suffered serious bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, scarring, disfigurement, mental anguish," the complaint states.
Strickland argues that Disney failed in its "duty to warn him of dangerous conditions" on the slide.
Disney has not yet responded publicly to the lawsuit or requests for comment.
This case adds to a growing number of complaints Disney faces about its water parks this summer. Strickland's suit asks for $50,000 in damages and demands a trial by jury.
The Downhill Double Dipper is a popular attraction at Blizzard Beach, designed like a snowy ski resort but located in sunny Florida. The ride is known for its thrilling drops and fast speeds, with some slides reaching speeds up to 50 mph.
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