I should have known it, and even predicted it. Deep down, I suspected it. Well, it's happened: they have toned down the 'crazy river' (the fast lazy river) at Aquatica since preview weekend.
In retrospect, I'm not surprised. The rapids sections of the circuit were so good, they sent your head underwater almost every time. And that's with the life vest on. It's what made it so much fun!
This happens to all rides. At Disneyland, I saw it happen to Roger Rabbit (fix: tighten up the wheel so you can't spin it so much), Splash Mountain (fix: cut the wave after the drop by 90%), Indiana Jones (fix: tone is down dramatically so it doesn't shake you like a rag doll).
To those of us healthy in body, the tone down process is always just a touch disappointing. We could have handled the more rough version!
Though I can see operationally why Aquatica would do this. They must have had lots of rescues at first. The crazy river was insane and intense at first. It's still fun now, but nowhere near as good as it was. Man, that sentence makes me sound old and crotchety.
Disney critic Kevin Yee provides his thoughts on Walt Disney World and the myriad entertainment offerings in Orlando. He can be reached at kevin@ultimateorlando.com
4 comments:
Having been to Aquatica about 5 times since the opening (including the preview day) I have noticed that Roa's Rapids seems to be continually adjusted. The first time I road it (about noon on the Sunday preview) I felt like I was swimming laps to get around, later that day (about 4pm) I missed the exit because I was unable to get off.
I've noticed the same variations almost every day I've gone to Aquatica, though the norm seems to be fairly swift.
There are also some sluggish parts of the course, and even currents within the same area. In two of the wide turns the outside wall is moving much faster than the middle of the river, I've seen multiple floating children whisked away from their families around those corners.
Sounds like a fun ride! I haven't been on it, but have been working with Aquatica. Are you planning to go to the park when they are hosting bloggers, it will be a great time!
//BEGIN JAB.... Back in my Day, we didn't have no "water ridge", we would just jump off the ledge into the river..... we'd ride our horse up to the Grand Canyon, and jump from the top all the way down to the rapids below, and it hurt.... and We LIKED IT!!!! // END JAB.
Hey Kevin... Couldn't resist after reading your "old and Crotchety line".... LOL. Keep Bloggin.
I can understand why Disney tones down its rides. Isn't the "Disney Difference" the idea that their parks have rides the whole family can enjoy? If people want crazy, insane, shake-you-like-a-rag-doll rides they can find plenty of those elsewhere. Correct me if I'm wrong.
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