The Gator. The Myth. The Legend.

Lagoona Gator is a surfing legend around Typhoon Lagoon. No one else can "hang eight" like he can!

When Disney's third water park, Blizzard Beach (the now-closed River Country was first), opened in 1996, it came with a bit of mythology about a cartoon critter named Ice Gator. Ice Gator was so popular (and ripe with merchandise potential), a similar character was developed for inclusion at Typhoon Lagoon. For a period in the late-90s, Guests at the park could even meet Lagoona Gator in person. Today, he's typically "Gone Surfin'," but plenty of references to him can still be found.

Lagoona's main hangout is the Board Room, under the clock tower at the beach. There are a few details on the outside of this old shack, like the oars standing in for the hands of the clock and the diving gator carved into the tiki totem on the porch, but the really fun stuff is tucked inside.

Here, we discover Lagoona Gator's home, complete with makeshift kitchen and hammock. Notice the issue of Surfin Reptile magazine hanging on the wall. It's the one with Cathy Cayman on the cover. Main squeeze? Or dream girl? In either case, Lagoona has his guitar ready to serenade her should she swing by.

Lagoona is a bit of a celebrity himself. The newest issue of Surfin' Reptile is on the table, this one featuring Lagoona riding a pretty massive swell. Look around, and you'll also spot posters recalling Lagoona's glory days, like when he was part of the Beach Gators... "They're so cold blooded, they're hot!"

Lagoona was even a movie star, with roles in such classic films as Bikini Beach Blanket Muscle Party Bingo! Look closely at the poster for this one. It's full of sly references. "Starring Lagoona Gator as Freddie & Annette Crocochello as Bee Bee" is a nod to the Beach Party films Mouseketeer Annette Funicello did with Frankie Avalon after her work with Disney. In those movies, she played Dee Dee to his Frankie. "Bobcat Shaw as Braindead, Sandra Deer as Idjit & Troy Greeno'hue as Moonfroggie" are further references to this film genre.

That's not all. There are also some Hidden Disney references here. Swampywood Records recalls Hollywood Records, a Disney-owned music label. The credits on the poster refer to Imagineers who worked on the Lagoona Gator enhancements to the park. There's Ron Scaly (former Imagineering Show Producer Ron Chesley), Croc Buzoo (Artist and Art Director Chuck Ballew) and Cayman Lafferty (Senior Show Writer Kevin Rafferty).