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Future of the Congo River Rapids

AT potentially needs a new water flume ride, could be a modern flume (like Chiapas) or a water coaster I think isn’t so important.
But for all the reasons Squiggs raises, they should not remove the rapids. I love a rapids but I’m not a big fan of any flume ride (part of my brain just finds the drop too scary). I think there would be many other people who would much rather ride the rapids compared to the old Log Flume as they don’t want to do any big drops.

But I’m not convinced AT needs any type of flume or water coaster in a hurry. Yes the rapids need to add some things like the wave machines back in to be more entertaining, but in terms of new hardware there are a lot of things that are a higher priority than a water splashdown ride of any sort.
 
I 100% agree with the above and accept the last thing Alton Towers needs right now is another coaster but I can’t help but think the land used by the rapids would make a great location for a Cheetah Hunt style coaster that would work with the terrain and provide something that isn’t already at the park.

If the rapids can’t be improved with new features etc due to Merlin’s approach to risk then they might as well rip them out as far as I am concerned. But some kind of replacement water ride should go somewhere in the park.
 
Would much prefer a new style log flume ala Chiapas (better restraints though). The water coasters I've been on are always a bit boring, sort of a jack of all trades but a master of non.
 
Danscott22 said:
I think we need a log flume or vastly improved rapids, 2 dark rides (ST and ATD) and about 5 new flats to better cater for everyone overall, particularly those who aren’t mad on coasters
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100% agree with this, plus the old theatre and nick building reopened in TWoDW.

The Rapids and Log Flume co-existed for just under 30 years. There was, and still is, an appetite for a fairly thrilling water ride.
 
Dark ride and indoor flumes exist. Heck a Pirates rip off would serve the park well at this point, nobodies expecting Valhalla. If the rapids are everlastingly neutered just extend whats left of Mutiny Bay and build it on the Rapids footprint.

I hope we don't get a SW9 marketing gimmick until the park is somewhat restored to a decent family day out and Rita is considered for retirement/revamp.
 
s_g_k said:
100% agree with this, plus the old theatre and nick building reopened in TWoDW.

The Rapids and Log Flume co-existed for just under 30 years. There was, and still is, an appetite for a fairly thrilling water ride.
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Used to struggle to pick a favourite water ride between The Flume, CRR and Battle Galleons - all 3 used to offer quite a soaking and it’s definitely missed
 
Rojo said:
Dark ride and indoor flumes exist. Heck a Pirates rip off would serve the park well at this point, nobodies expecting Valhalla. If the rapids are everlastingly neutered just extend whats left of Mutiny Bay and build it on the Rapids footprint.

I hope we don't get a SW9 marketing gimmick until the park is somewhat restored to a decent family day out and Rita is considered for retirement/revamp.
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Agreed, nobody is expecting Valhalla.
Oops, wrong topic.
Back on topic, I feel the rapids are not great for us geeks, but for families and kids they are fine without the effects.
They can't be replaced without high costs, and the park needs a wet 'un.
Focus on the poor flats instead.
 
rob666 said:
Back on topic, I feel the rapids are not great for us geeks, but for families and kids they are fine without the effects.
They can't be replaced without high costs, and the park needs a wet 'un.
Focus on the poor flats instead.
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I 100% agree with this - my 8 and 6 year olds love the rapids, it is up there with their favourite rides at AT. In an ideal world the waterfalls would be on but the vast majority of the public enjoy the ride for what it is - in the case of my children, if it was rougher and got you much wetter like it used to it would probably reduce their enjoyment.

I also think rapids rides have far more universal appeal than a log flume, and the CRR is so integrated into the KC area that ripping it out would likely have a largely detrimental effect to the area.

There are far bigger issues at AT at the moment in terms of ride line-up (additional thrill flats, family flats, dark rides etc) that changes to the rapids are pretty far down the list for me.
 
Matt N said:
If you don’t mind me asking; how is a water coaster any different to a non-coaster water ride with multiple big drops other than that it does those drops slightly differently (on coaster track and with some banked curves rather than just being a straight drop)?

Both a water coaster and, say, a new style log flume with lap bars would be (or at least, could be in theory) water rides with family thrill appeal. What makes the water coaster any less desirable than the log flume, in that regard?
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Sorry I am late to reply to this, I think @Squiggs has the same sentiments as me to be fair.
 
Steve74 said:
Honestly - this is a genuine question - is the human race becoming more stupid? Have we reached the pinnacle of intelligence recently and now it's a race back to the bottom?
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No, there's just more opportunity to record stupidity now, and even more algorithmic and social encouragement to share it. People have been arsing about on log flumes and rapids rides since they were conceived.
 
As much as I would like the effects to return, I feel that if the ride is to last then some additional new features can be added such as a new ride boats with some bits of theming such as ropes, rubber rings could be added (pretty much copying Kali River Rapids at WDW if you know what I'm talking about) with the station getting some TLC too. Nothing too major on paper but knowing Merlin, even they won't go for the little things to make existing rides look better but even if they did, they have their hands full with many other issues on the park such as the flat ride problem and God knows what else. Perhaps renewing the effects to be more energy efficient which by this point we've surely got the tech to do that, anything to reduce Towers' bills would no doubt be welcomed that doesn't involve shutting things off! :p

Actually come to think about it, was there every a story for it and RMT other than being set in some African village? Always like my attractions with some backstory to them but that's just me...
 
QTXAdsy said:
Actually come to think about it, was there every a story for it and RMT other than being set in some African village? Always like my attractions with some backstory to them but that's just me...
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As far as I know I don't think a backstory was ever revealed, however I would imagine there was some level of backstory, even if very basic and probably only existed in John Wardley's mind to allow him to come up with the theming. I'm not sure either ride really needs an in-depth backstory though, they just need to be up to a good theming standard, on the rapids the theming was the water effects, it's meant to be a raging river in Africa, at the minute it isn't even suitable to be a drinking fountain.
 
Out of interest, when was the “crows nest” host position added? It’s just adjacent to the lift hill at the end of the ride and is fitted with a bored-looking host holding a megaphone.

I’m guessing this unlucky team member is paid to shout “SIDDOWN!!” at unruly teenagers. Just wondered when this new interactive feature was added.
 
tech said:
Out of interest, when was the “crows nest” host position added? It’s just adjacent to the lift hill at the end of the ride and is fitted with a bored-looking host holding a megaphone.

I’m guessing this unlucky team member is paid to shout “SIDDOWN!!” at unruly teenagers. Just wondered when this new interactive feature was added.
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If it's the one I'm thinking of, they've been there for at least the last 2 seasons or so. No wonder they look bored. ;)
 
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