Guest Drops $50,000 Lawsuit Against Disney Over Waterslide Injury

A guest who sued Walt Disney World over injuries sustained on a waterslide has dropped his $50,000 lawsuit. The case involved Eugene Strickland, who claimed he suffered "permanent catastrophic injuries" while riding Downhill Double Dipper at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park in July 2021. The lawsuit, filed in May 2025, alleged that the attraction’s design caused him to become airborne and lose contact with his inner tube. Notably, Strickland weighed 334 pounds at the time, 34 pounds over the slide’s posted 300-pound weight limit.

Strickland’s legal complaint accused Disney of negligence, asserting that the ride’s conditions were dangerous. He sought damages for the injuries he claimed resulted from the incident. However, on October 2, 2026, Strickland voluntarily dismissed his claims without explanation. The dismissal means the case will not proceed further, and each side is responsible for its own legal fees.

Downhill Double Dipper remains one of Blizzard Beach’s thrill slides, offering a high-speed racing experience where two riders descend side-by-side on inner tubes. The lawsuit did not prevent the attraction from operating, and it continues to be a popular feature at the water park. The case’s resolution leaves unanswered questions about why Strickland chose to drop his claims after pursuing them for over a year.