Roman Rapids
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
Staffing had nothing to do with Ronan Rapids not opening.
Le Scoot had some staffing limitations but also had several mechanical issues this year
Hear me out, just a theory, but what if BGW opens DarKoaster this spring, as planned. Then, in the off season of 2023, they do an overhaul of this, (and get rid of the disaster that was Death Water Bayou). New attraction a la Infinitus Falls (I liked that play on words mentioned earlier) for 2024.
Why this makes sense: More than likely Grizzly’s refurb is KD’s only project this year. Next year, there’s a possibility of the expansion of Jungle X/maybe the long awaited Volcano replacement (2024). Then in 2025, BGW debuts their RMC I-Box for their 50th (I have my fingers crossed for a new hamlet - I know I should be more cynical), putting them on top and presumably topping whatever the Volcano replacement might be.
Between Mach Tower, Battle for Eire, and DaVinci’s Cradle going, BGW needs some standout flats. There’s no question there. Possibly a flat package for one area of the park, along with the refurb of Roman Rapids for 2024, with (please dear God) an air-conditioned sit down table service restaurant in Festa.
Why this makes sense: More than likely Grizzly’s refurb is KD’s only project this year. Next year, there’s a possibility of the expansion of Jungle X/maybe the long awaited Volcano replacement (2024). Then in 2025, BGW debuts their RMC I-Box for their 50th (I have my fingers crossed for a new hamlet - I know I should be more cynical), putting them on top and presumably topping whatever the Volcano replacement might be.
Between Mach Tower, Battle for Eire, and DaVinci’s Cradle going, BGW needs some standout flats. There’s no question there. Possibly a flat package for one area of the park, along with the refurb of Roman Rapids for 2024, with (please dear God) an air-conditioned sit down table service restaurant in Festa.
I doubt we see considerable investment into a new/majorly improved seasonal attraction anytime soon. They honestly have put more effort into being able to open Roman Rapids semi as-is than I thought, figured once these new rafts didn't work out as planned they would've cut their losses.
Main reasoning is the park still recently switched to year round, meaning in the grand scheme of things, seasonal rides are even less valuable to the portfolio than they once were. Add on the fact that there is a water park down the road under the same ownership, I don't think it will be high up on priorities to make a change to a seasonal ride big enough to advertise it as "new" in any sense, there just isn't anything to be gained by it.
I feel like the sole reasoning for doing what they are doing to keep RR around is purely capacity, the ability to take a good amount of people off the paths and into a corner of the park that otherwise would have absolutely nobody. This thing probably also drives a lot of flip-flop sales back at that small merch stand, and will give people more of a reason to walk past Tempesto where that convenience stand is. That being said, it already does its job as it is currently designed (assuming it can function).
Main reasoning is the park still recently switched to year round, meaning in the grand scheme of things, seasonal rides are even less valuable to the portfolio than they once were. Add on the fact that there is a water park down the road under the same ownership, I don't think it will be high up on priorities to make a change to a seasonal ride big enough to advertise it as "new" in any sense, there just isn't anything to be gained by it.
I feel like the sole reasoning for doing what they are doing to keep RR around is purely capacity, the ability to take a good amount of people off the paths and into a corner of the park that otherwise would have absolutely nobody. This thing probably also drives a lot of flip-flop sales back at that small merch stand, and will give people more of a reason to walk past Tempesto where that convenience stand is. That being said, it already does its job as it is currently designed (assuming it can function).
My understanding is that the park currently is planning and hoping to be able to open it this summer.
Let's hope we start to see some activity in April on the ride from maintenance teams. I'm sure Scott Ross would LOVE to close and remove this seasonal attraction as it does have higher operating costs than other attractions in the park given staffing levels required and energy costs.
If that were so he would have ordered it done (though not sure how that kind of decision works over local park management) and they wouldn't have purchased the new rafts.
You are probably right, I think it's likely that the ride reopens but I just have a high degree of skepticism these days about topics like this one given the relentless cost cutting SEAS has been doing especially in the post pandemic years.
Maintenance has been working it nearly the entire time it's been down. It's needed EXTENSIVE reworking to accommodate the new rafts that have also needed work.
Love it or hate it, it's kinda the thing that ties the room together in Festa. I'll add that low intensity water rides have their place in a dry park, especially with how hot and humid it can get in Virginia.
That stated, they should definitely either get it up and running consistently or replace it with a different water ride to fill the space. And if they do get rid of it, maybe that'll also enable them to work on redeveloping the pathways to eliminate the dead-end (one can hope).
That stated, they should definitely either get it up and running consistently or replace it with a different water ride to fill the space. And if they do get rid of it, maybe that'll also enable them to work on redeveloping the pathways to eliminate the dead-end (one can hope).
I know the log flume and Pompeii have both filled up and are being tested, when will we start seeing some activity from RR if it's open this season?
Historically it hasn't opened till closer to memorial day when staffing usually starts to improve with an influx of college students. I wouldn't read anything into a lack of activity yet.
I think maintenance is far more focused on spinning up everything else in the park before they start trying to fix Rapids again too.
There were work crews with forklifts and other heavy equipment present at RR this afternoon. Work appears to be going on inside the trough but not involving the actual cement or foundation. It's only visible from Apollo so no pictures.
I believe that they are those little humps that make the rapids.
I know it's for KD's ride, but the ride mechanics are basically the same and both are Intamin attractions I believe:
www.dalebrumfield.net
This should hopefully give some insight to general operations and design of this kind of ride.
Part 18 - Kings Dominion’s White Water Canyon: Correction; You Will Get Soaked
In late 1982, just as park maintenance was finally getting the Grizzly coaster somewhat tamed, Kings Dominion went in a more family-oriented direction and announced the new attraction for 1983 would be a white water raft ride. Employees shrugged and looked at each other – how the hell were they...
www.dalebrumfield.net
This should hopefully give some insight to general operations and design of this kind of ride.