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Future of the Congo River Rapids

We will have to wait and see what they do with it. Probably wont be any time soon sadly.

I really don't think they will close it so a retheme and maybe a rebrand is probably the way to go eventually. I seriously doubt they will alter the layout though and add a drop as cool as that will be. Probably don't see the cost benefit in it.

I can see them retheming Katanga Canyon in the not too distant future though and maybe that's when we will see updates on the rapids.
 
Something I’d personally love for them to do in the future is build a new rapids or other type of major water ride elsewhere in the park, so that once this new water ride opened, they could demolish the current rapids and put in a nice multi-launch coaster that has lots of airtime and interactions with Runaway Mine Train, creating an amazing dynamic not dissimilar to that of Klugheim at Phantasialand within Katanga Canyon. Or if we’re keeping to water rides, I’d personally replace them with a newer rapids ride with a lift hill and drop, similar to Infinity Falls at SeaWorld Orlando. If they want a rapids ride that they can run at its full potential without the safety-related minefield associated with it, then I ultimately think that this would be the best choice, as having elements like drops does justify having a physical restraint.

However, I think that there are many nice, inexpensive ways that they could revamp the rapids and really improve it. It’s a fun rapids in its present state, so I don’t think it would need too much work, to be honest. They could retheme it to an African temple or mine, and put some water effects around it, such as some water towers, and barrels that squirt water.
 
In its current state I'd be hard pressed to name a less interesting rapids ride, but as @Matt N said, there are a number of things you could do to improve it.

Getting rid of it seems like folly to me.
 
I've spoken about this in another thread before but I really think if the rapids can not be improved to a more exciting and worthwhile ride within the new guidelines after the DM incident, it would be the optimal place in the park for SW9 as some kind of water coaster. Admittedly (and probably obviously) I'm no architectural coaster designing whizz, but does anyone else think some form of inverted coaster would work really well in the current layout of the rapids? I think a thrill coaster above water (similar to that of infusion at BPB) and interacting with the RMT would be brilliant. And this would also save on the excavation needed for a new ride.

Sorry if this is silly but I think it's an interesting idea! And would bring a nice refresh to an already well themed area.
 
Heidi said:
I've spoken about this in another thread before but I really think if the rapids can not be improved to a more exciting and worthwhile ride within the new guidelines after the DM incident, it would be the optimal place in the park for SW9 as some kind of water coaster. Admittedly (and probably obviously) I'm no architectural coaster designing whizz, but does anyone else think some form of inverted coaster would work really well in the current layout of the rapids? I think a thrill coaster above water (similar to that of infusion at BPB) and interacting with the RMT would be brilliant. And this would also save on the excavation needed for a new ride.

Sorry if this is silly but I think it's an interesting idea! And would bring a nice refresh to an already well themed area.
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I would agree if there wasn't already an inverted coaster in the park, two is probably overkill.
 
Heidi said:
I've spoken about this in another thread before but I really think if the rapids can not be improved to a more exciting and worthwhile ride within the new guidelines after the DM incident, it would be the optimal place in the park for SW9 as some kind of water coaster. Admittedly (and probably obviously) I'm no architectural coaster designing whizz, but does anyone else think some form of inverted coaster would work really well in the current layout of the rapids? I think a thrill coaster above water (similar to that of infusion at BPB) and interacting with the RMT would be brilliant. And this would also save on the excavation needed for a new ride.

Sorry if this is silly but I think it's an interesting idea! And would bring a nice refresh to an already well themed area.
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Thameslink Rail said:
I would agree if there wasn't already an inverted coaster in the park, two is probably overkill.
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Heidi said:
Good point! I am a big inverted coaster fan so I am biased haha
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Now a Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster could fit nicely in Katanga Canyon and retain the family oriented offering in that area. There are plenty of parks that have both a thrill invert and family suspended. :)
 
Skyscraper said:
Now a Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster would fit nicely in Katanga Canyon and retain the family oriented offering in that area.
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I'm not very clued up on the different brands and types of coasters so I had to look that up haha, but now I have I think that's exactly the kind of thing I'm imagining! Do you think something like that has secret weapon potential or would it be too "tame" or not world first enough? Either way I agree it would fit very well
 
Heidi said:
I'm not very clued up on the different brands and types of coasters so I had to look that up haha, but now I have I think that's exactly the kind of thing I'm imagining! Do you think something like that has secret weapon potential or would it be too "tame" or not world first enough? Either way I agree it would fit very well
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No it definitely wouldn't be secret Weapon material, just a secondary family addition. Sorry I should've given an example in my previous post, Paultons have one called Flight of the Terrasaur.
Only issue would be that these models tend to only run one train as the braking system is actually in the station, so throughout could be an issue.
 
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With the reopening of Splash Canyon at Drayton Manor,do you think that 2021 will see the return of the fountains to Congo River Rapids?
 
Prof Burp said:
With the reopening of Splash Canyon at Drayton Manor,do you think that 2021 will see the return of the fountains to Congo River Rapids?
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what do you mean by fountains?
The advice following the incident (linked to below) was
“Any theming or participatory items such as water cannons or similar items whether on the boat or the bank, should not encourage riders to adopt unsafe positions”

It’s up to parks to decide what theming encourages riders to adopt unsafe positions (stand basically). I would not expect water guns or squirters to return at all. Waterfalls I expect are a lot more dependent on the park deciding if they are a safety risk.
Personally I think waterfalls could return, but they will have a LOT more signage/announcements around not standing.

https://www.naflic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/428-HSE-Information-Note-water-rides.pdf
 
jon81uk said:
what do you mean by fountains?
The advice following the incident (linked to below) was
“Any theming or participatory items such as water cannons or similar items whether on the boat or the bank, should not encourage riders to adopt unsafe positions”

It’s up to parks to decide what theming encourages riders to adopt unsafe positions (stand basically). I would not expect water guns or squirters to return at all. Waterfalls I expect are a lot more dependent on the park deciding if they are a safety risk.
Personally I think waterfalls could return, but they will have a LOT more signage/announcements around not standing.

https://www.naflic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/428-HSE-Information-Note-water-rides.pdf
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Yeah the waterfall sections were the main points where riders stood up, so even with signage and announcements, I think some riders would still do that.
One of the main things they need to do is make sure that all persons under the age of 16 have an adult with them. Kids are way more likely to disobey the rules than adults.
 


Could this work as SW9 on the rapids site? A wing coaster (flug der damonen) at Heide Park which was built into what was a log flume apparently.
 
I don't think we'll ever see a wing coaster at the park to be honest, especially after The Swarm didn't do much to improve attendance at Thorpe Park the year it opened. In fact, didn't attendance actually drop compared to the previous year? I'd love to see a family-thrill indoor coaster with some great theming, but that's getting a bit off topic.

Personally, I think the rapids should stay and just receive an overhaul, similar to Tiger Rock at Chessington. Theme the tunnel a bit with some rockwork and projections and introduce some new bits of theming around the trough and I think the ride will be considerably improved. If old effects can't be turned back on due to safety concerns, then introduce new ones that don't cause those same concerns. Obviously, this is wishful thinking and to be honest the park has larger issues at hand than theming the concrete tunnel of the rapids (such as theming the concrete tunnel of Galactica ;) )
 
TheAverageNerd said:
Personally, I think the rapids should stay and just receive an overhaul, similar to Tiger Rock at Chessington. Theme the tunnel a bit with some rockwork and projections and introduce some new bits of theming around the trough and I think the ride will be considerably improved. If old effects can't be turned back on due to safety concerns, then introduce new ones that don't cause those same concerns. Obviously, this is wishful thinking and to be honest the park has larger issues at hand than theming the concrete tunnel of the rapids (such as theming the concrete tunnel of Galactica ;) )
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Yep and I think this would be a good way to add to both the rapids and the mine train and refresh them. They could potentially add another coaster to the area anyway going over the rapids and mine train. Maybe a slightly more thrilling version of the mine train.

Although I agree that an indoor coaster would be the best for the park next (other than permanent flat rides).
 
In terms of flats, although it would have to be in quite a big pit somewhere to be below the tree line at full height I think a Ziera Star Shape would fit the African mining theme really well. Plus they're apparently not that intense considering their size, so wouldn't be too intense for the area.
 
I think the rapids could be a perfect place for AT to think about adding some animatronics jungle cruise style. Maybe have some animals 'drinking' at the water and elephants spraying mist.

I think we could see the return of the waterfalls but not as powerful and maybe a host keeping an eye on them with extra signage and height changes.
 
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