Laura Reyes-Merino alleges that on May 11, she lost consciousness after "banging inside the ride" on Humunga Kowabunga, a 60-degree angle, 214-foot downhill, enclosed water slide at the Orlando park, according to Fox 35. The Humunga Kowabunga is known for its steep descent and high speeds, designed to provide an adrenaline-pumping experience for riders.

Reyes-Merino's fiancé and his mother found her limp body at the bottom of the slide. They "frantically" asked for help but were told by staff that there were no lifeguards on duty, according to the lawsuit. This absence of immediate professional assistance is a critical point of contention in the lawsuit.

As a staffer raced off to find a lifeguard elsewhere in the park, "blood kept coming out of [Reyes-Merino’s] mouth in the water," where she could have drowned if her fiancé had not pulled her out, the lawsuit claims. Once a lifeguard did arrive, they allegedly said they could not touch Reyes-Merino due to protocol and instead called for an ambulance, which further delayed any immediate medical treatment.

The lawsuit argues that the lack of lifeguards at the end of the ride directly contributed to Reyes-Merino’s injuries. "Had there been lifeguards at the end of the ride to watch and help guests coming off the ride, [Reyes-Merino’s] brain injury would not have occurred as she wouldn’t have been drowning in the water coughing up blood," the lawsuit states.

The severity of the brain injury was not elaborated on in the suit, but it claims that Reyes-Merino suffered "disability, physical impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish," and the "loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life." These allegations highlight the significant and potentially long-term impact of the incident on her quality of life.

Reyes-Merino is suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for a minimum of $50,000 in damages. The lawsuit seeks to hold Disney accountable for the alleged negligence that led to her injuries.

This incident is not the first time Disney has faced legal action over the Humunga Kowabunga slide. Last year, another woman filed a lawsuit against Disney, alleging she suffered a "painful wedgie" on the same ride. The woman, who was visiting the park for her 30th birthday, claimed that her swimsuit was painfully forced between her legs and that water was violently forced inside her body. According to her lawsuit, when she crashed into the standing water at the bottom of the slide, she immediately began to bleed and experienced severe pain.

Her injuries included severe lacerations, damage to her internal organs, and a hernia, which required her to be taken via ambulance to a hospital. She was later transported to another medical center to see a specialist for her injuries, as detailed in the court documents.

The recurring legal issues surrounding the Humunga Kowabunga slide underscore the potential safety concerns associated with the ride. These lawsuits draw attention to the need for rigorous safety protocols and adequate staffing to ensure the well-being of park guests.

The lawsuits also raise questions about the safety measures and emergency response protocols at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, one of the company's most popular water parks. As legal proceedings continue, these cases may prompt a reevaluation of safety standards and practices at the park to prevent similar incidents in the future.