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Future of the Congo River Rapids

Oh apologies. I haven't seen them on, but I've not spent much time over there. I believe it opened for a while earlier as there were queue times posted, but from my vantage point on wickerman about 15 minutes ago it was down with a large boat jam.

Edit: that's still the case, no waterfall and closed with boats jammed at the bottom of the lift. Only music playing in the area is the new rapids theme.
Water is at least partially drained so I'd say that's it for today.
 
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Does anyone know why they aren’t filling the boats? There were what seemed to be half of the boats out of use yesterday, then with staff not filling it felt a very slow wait yesterday.
 
They rarely make groups share if it's not busy. With all boats in use that would be fine but with about a third of them empty it brings the queue to a halt. Oh for the days of the full queue through all areas being just 50 minutes.
 
Is it known why boats are out of use but on the circuit ?

I haven't worked on that particular ride but on a rapids ride that I have worked on, boats that weren't serviceable (had deflation issues, or hadn't been inspected in  x days), were removed from the channel and stored 'offline' in a retention pond.

I guess that isn't practical on the Alton ride and wondered if that was the reason ? Thorpe sometimes have boats stored / moored don't they ?
 
I'm wondering whether there is now a maximum capacity depending on how many staff are working the ride to ensure there is an acceptable staff to rider ratio in case of evac and to properly monitor each boat? Would seem like a sort of reasonable measure to manage risk.

Fewer staff, fill fewer boats.
 
pluk said:
I'm wondering whether there is now a maximum capacity depending on how many staff are working the ride to ensure there is an acceptable staff to rider ratio in case of evac and to properly monitor each boat? Would seem like a sort of reasonable measure to manage risk.

Fewer staff, fill fewer boats.
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Yeah that's a good point, would make sense. Also would have thought that more empty seats would increase the risk of riders seat-swapping. Full boats would have no room to be able to do that.
 
I think if you want a good water ride at this point the best bet is to go Drayton manor just down the road then you have storm force 10, their GOOD river rapids although still a bit of a lazy river it's actually well themed immersive and still has more of a current in the water unlike congo.
They're also getting a new log flume for the younger ones in Thomas Land which is being built now.

Edit: same pretty much goes for flat rides, just if you want good rollercoasters then go to towers.
 
Well it's certainly great to see the waterfalls make a return, there's clearly some intention but improve the guest experience at the park, which hasn't been there for some time. But is this the major refurbishment the rapids are in need of? No, but I do think there's the potential that, instead of one large refurbishment they just keep making improvements over closed seasons. I think we will have to wait and see with what they do over the following years.
 
JAperson said:
Well it's certainly great to see the waterfalls make a return, there's clearly some intention but improve the guest experience at the park, which hasn't been there for some time. But is this the major refurbishment the rapids are in need of? No, but I do think there's the potential that, instead of one large refurbishment they just keep making improvements over closed seasons. I think we will have to wait and see with what they do over the following years.
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A proper refurbishment over the next closed season could do wonders for the ride. The return of the waterfalls shows that Alton Towers are on the right track, and they hopefully will carry on that way.
 
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JAperson said:
Well it's certainly great to see the waterfalls make a return, there's clearly some intention but improve the guest experience at the park, which hasn't been there for some time. But is this the major refurbishment the rapids are in need of? No, but I do think there's the potential that, instead of one large refurbishment they just keep making improvements over closed seasons. I think we will have to wait and see with what they do over the following years.
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I have a hunch we might see a retheme over the coming years. Possibly in a low investment year after Project Horizon.

'Congo River Rapids' sounds a bit dated to me too. Doesn't feel like you're in the Congo either really.

It's still a brilliant attraction that is sadly just not using it's full potential.
 
Apparently it will remain closed for the next few days (unspecified reason) someone has just posted in the Facebook group I’m in. Possibly something to do with so many boats being out of action?
 
It was out of action all day today, could constantly see workers working on a lot of the boats just before the lift hill, I assume cleaning them all?
 
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