lundi 13 octobre 2014

Monday Top 10: The Top Flume (and Raft) Rides in America

By Robert Niles: Wanna get wet? Millions of theme park fans do, and that's why flume rides remain among the most popular in any theme park, especially during the hottest days of summer. (And year-'round in Orlando and Southern California.) Here are Theme Park Insider readers' picks for the Top 10 flume and raft rides in U.S. theme parks, presented in one, easy-to-read page instead of some annoying slideshow. Don't agree with these picks? Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether you agree or not, because by the end of any of these rides... you're all wet.

10. Escape from Pompeii

Busch Gardens Williamsburg


Escape from Pompeii

A traditional chute-the-chutes ride plussed with special effects. You'll feel the heat of the erupting volcano and evade the deteriorating city before splashing down.


9. Journey to Atlantis

SeaWorld Orlando


Journey to Atlantis

This Mack water coaster debuted in 1998, as SeaWorld's first thrill ride. Set in the mythical city of Atlantis, a Siren transforms into a demon and expels riders down the ride's signature waterfall. After a turnaround, riders return to the temple for a final encounter with the demon... and another thorough soaking.


8. Congo River Rapids

Busch Gardens Tampa


Congo River Rapids

Twirling along the Congo River in circular rafts, guests are randomly splashed and plunged in the water as they bounce off surrounding banks, creating an unpredictable and often sopping-wet adventure.


7. Daredevil Falls

Dollywood


Daredevil Falls

Take a ride through an abandoned logging camp, but hold on for the finale — a 60 mph plunge down a 60-degree, 60-foot drop.


6. Grizzly River Run

Disney California Adventure


Grizzly River Run

"GRR's watery course is absolutely beautiful and quite stunning (although it would be so cool if there were a few animatronic bears along the course). The raft winds around and though Grizzly Peak, passing though dark caverns and along the peak's edge before it takes its final plunge (there are two) spinning down a 22-foot drop to a big splash down."


5. Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls

Universal's Islands of Adventure


Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls

Ride through a classic melodrama where the inept Dudley Do-Right tries to save dear Nell from the clutches of the wicked Snidely Whiplash. Of course, it's Dudley's trusty steed, Horse, who's the brains of the team here, and all ends well — after a drenching double-dip final drop, of course.


4. Jurassic Park River Adventure

Universal's Islands of Adventure


Jurassic Park River Adventure

You'll float outdoors through an impressive collection of Universal's animatronic dinosaurs before... well, as Jeff Goldblum's Dr. Ian Malcolm said in the movie, "Oooh, ahhh... that's how it always starts. Then later there's running and screaming." Sure enough, the velociraptors escape, the meat-eaters are running loose, and, oh, is that a T-Rex trying to eat you? Hang on, because it's all downhill from there.


3. Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges

Universal's Islands of Adventure


Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges

Arch-enemy Bluto is up to no good again, and there's no escaping an underwear-soaking drenching on this adventure, where on-lookers can get in on the action by spraying you as your tub raft washes by.


2. Timber Mountain Log Ride

Knott's Berry Farm


Timber Mountain Log Ride

Knott's and Garner Holt Productions last year completely refurbished and revamped Bud Hurlbut's classic themed log ride, adding dozens of new animatronics and more richly detailed setting throughout. This is the attraction that defined what a log flume could be, and the one that inspired Disney's Imagineers (including Tony Baxter) to create...


1. Splash Mountain

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom


Splash Mountain

Find your "laughing place" in this iconic retelling of the story of Brer Rabbit from Disney's Song of the South. Featuring the Academy Award-winning song, "Zip A Dee Doo Dah," some great views of the Magic Kingdom and that requisite drenching, Splash Mountain might be the world's most popular flume ride. And deservedly so.


What is your favorite theme park flume ride? Tell us, in the comments.


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