Why?, Where?,
When?
The Grand Canyon Rapids (as
it was originally known), was built for the 1986 season, and
took up 12 acres of space previously occupied by the car parks.
Over 40,000 tons of earth and rock was excavated to create
the channel that forms the 6 min. ride. It even required the
installation of its own electricity substation, and the creation
of a 1.3 million gallon reservoir to store the water. Great
care was even taken during construction not to disturb the
existing trees in the area. Back in 1985 during its construction,
it was by far the biggest project the park had entered into,
and was, and still is one of the longest water rides in the
U.K.
But What
Is It Like?
Passenger loading for the
ride is done in a similar way to the Log Flume, with a large
rotating platform, which the dinghies move around the outside
of. Each dingy can hold upto six passengers, although during
the 2000 season, eight passenger dinghies were being tested.
The
very nature of the ride makes it difficult to describe, as
every ride is different. Some days it can be quite calm, others
a raging torrent. You leave the loading station, and it begins
calm, although you will notice that you do pick up quite alot
of speed during this part of the ride. Soon you enter the
rapids section, where large steel tubes under the water, and
wave machines create the swirling waters.
If
you have managed to stay dry so far, then you are the lucky
one. Again, you enter stages where there is little to worry
about, as you go run alongside the track for the Runaway Minetrain,
and into the tunnel that is shared with the Minetrain. On
leaving the tunnel, you find yourself around the back of the
Katanga Cookhouse, under the footpath, and towards the Parting
of the Red Sea. This is literally two thundering waterfalls,
releasing thousands of gallons of water every second, but
don't worry too much. The dinghies travel straight down the
centre, and you will only get a light spraying of water.
After
emerging from the waterfalls, it is a quiet run to the end
of the course, where the conveyer will lift you back to the
station level, and you can carefully leave your dingy.
Other
features of the ride include random water jets which will
give you a good soaking, but these are usually only operational
on exceptionally hot days during the summer.
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click
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Present
Day
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Pictures
from the past
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Construction
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Submit
your photos
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If
you have photos we can use, especially from the past
or construction periods, then please email them to
us at pictures@towersalmanac.com
(No bigger than
100k please)
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