Water Rides
Super Flume Boats, Emerald Park, Ashbourne, Ireland
River Raft Ride, VinWonders Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Thrills for all Haichang Ocean World Spinning Rapids Ride H
WhiteWater tells Park World why water rides remain so popular among park visitors of all ages - while at the same time we’re seeing more extreme water rides making a splash And the tolerance definitely goes down in the
umans have a natural affinity for water - the sound, the flow, the waves, and the feel of
it.People love water rides for
that reason. It’s a differentiator. And of course, guests love the cool reprieve on a hot day that water rides offer in the form of splashes and mist. Another reason water rides are beloved is that they provide thrills for the whole family, not just for the daredevils. Water rides are as popular as they have always
been, and in terms of emerging markets, many are building parks for the first time - and they consider water rides to be must-haves. Since the first log flumes in the 1960s, water rides have become amusement park and theme park staples that guests expect to find. Examples from recent years include VinWonders Phu Quoc in Vietnam that has a Super Flume and a River Raft Ride; Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park in Qatar that has a Spinning Rapids Ride; and more in the works in the Middle East soon to be revealed. In established markets and emerging markets
alike, integration with IP is something we are seeing more and more. Water rides are a great storytelling vehicle, and it’s for this reason that it just makes sense. Disney’s Frozen Ever After ride is a good recent example. And the most classic ride of all time, Pirates of the Caribbean, is a storytelling water ride. There will always be a place for family rides
and that will not change. That said, some future trends we anticipate include more coaster-like thrill elements to appeal to daredevils. There will likely be more interactivity, not just with push buttons but also with gesture-based functions and other ways of triggering effects. And yet another future trend is the ability to adjust splash levels to seasonality. An inherent challenge with water rides is the level of tolerance for getting wet for different people.
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colder months. In a water environment, corrosion is always a challenge as well, so corrosion-resistant materials and diligent maintenance are important. One thing that isn’t necessarily a challenge,
but certainly something to be considered, is that in the era of giga-coasters, guests are starting to expect varied experiences during a water ride, including more thrills and interactivity. When it comes to water rides, guests have always expected an experience that the whole family can enjoy, as these attractions offer fun and thrills for a wider range of audiences compared to a high- speed roller coaster. This is still the case, but a shift is occurring.
Beside wheelchairs, there are other guests
with varying levels of mobility, such as young children, seniors, or those with physical challenges. WhiteWater recommends a start/ stop loading station instead of a constant motion conveyor to make getting on and off the ride safer for them. It also makes operations easier for the ride attendants. Guest comfort is an area where WhiteWater
Spinning Rapids Ride, Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park
In addition, there is now more awareness for
inclusivity and accessibility in the attractions industry. Highly themed leisurely river rides such as those at Columbus Zoo, Zoo Miami, and Morgan’s Inspiration Island accommodate guests in wheelchairs, starting with the queue. All guests can wait in line together, not segregated in a different section, as the boats can be boarded from anywhere on the platform by simply wheeling straight on and off. The entire group - family, friends, and caregivers, no matter the mobility - can enjoy and see the sights and sounds of the river ride.
goes above and beyond. For example, our individual hydraulic lap bars are available on our Super Flume boat, which provides customised comfort and safety for riders of any size, perfect especially when a child is riding next to a large adult. The vehicle also features cushioned dash pads for comfortable bracing and they double as headrests for the rows ahead. Another example is our River Raft Ride boat where each rider has their own grab bar instead of being hunched over to hold on to a common one. The individual grab bars also unclutters the centre of the boat so passengers wouldn’t be climbing over legs to get to their chosen seat. It also has eight entry/exit points for fast loading and unloading. Staffing issues have been in the spotlight in
recent years, so there is greater focus on ease of maintenance. WhiteWater has re-engineered its Log Flume, Super Flume, Shoot the Chute, and River Raft Ride vehicles to be even more durable and allow for quick access to maintenance, such as removable covers and floor panels. As much as possible, we design with standardised parts so that park operators can easily find them and more affordably replace them. Also, consumers and operators are more
environmentally conscious now, so even though we all like big splashes, it’s important to capture that water and prevent excess splash-outs and minimise evaporation.
OCTOBER 2023
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