Welcome to the final part of the four-part mini-series looking at the four new ride concepts unveiled by Intamin Amusement Rides at the end of July. This installment covers the only ride not to be classified as a coaster by Intamin themselves, although the ending portion of the ride does take place on a single rail. Let’s take a look.
If you read Part 3 of this series, you know that water rides are not my forte – at least to the level of roller coasters. I do enjoy a good log flume and will even jump on a rapids ride once in a while. I just don’t like wearing wet shoes for hours on end at the park. That’s why I love rides like Disney World’s Pirates of the Caribbean and Six Flags Over Georgia’s (SFOG) Monster Mansion, where you don’t get wet. I love those for rides for the theming and old-school dark ride appeal.
Then you have rides like Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s (BGW) Escape from Pompeii, one of my favorite water rides. I’ve gotten soaked on Pompeii and have walked off barely splashed on my various rides. I love the theming of the ride, so that one I’ll do from time to time, especially if people I’m with want to ride, or have never experienced it.
Cedar Point also had a water ride that I rode a couple of times while it was still in operation. That ride was Shoot the Rapids. Both of those visits, I got drenched when riding this ride! I knew I would be going in, seeing all the people coming off dripping wet. So why did I ride it? Well, when I first saw the track parts of the ride, I figured it would be considered a water coaster. I’d later find out that it wasn’t the case, but at the time, I did not know. Thankfully I had other shoes with me out in the car.
Six Flags America (SFA) also had a water ride I used to jump on each and every visit for a few years. It was originally called Typhoon Sea Coaster and was later renamed to Skull Mountain. Yes, the same name as the indoor coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure (SFGAdv), complete with a giant skull facade. Oh Six Flags and their reusing of names for everything. Oh well, at least both were Intamin built rides. Anyhow, what I liked about this ride was the light pirate theming and the turn table platforms that I had never seen on a water ride before. It wasn’t anything crazy, but a nice addition for a park like SFA.
So why go into all that? Well, it’s because Intamin’s Giga Splash intrigues for some of those aforementioned traits. Going by the image above (or video below), the rock work, trees, cave, and waterfall section add a little bit of theming to what could be a pretty open and bland looking ride. Now, will parks pay to have all those types of elements on their installments? That will remain to be seen, but by the concept imagery, it looks to be an option. Intamin advertises several interactive water features for this ride, including water bombs and jets as well.
Then there is the single rail. Since I’m now more well-versed in the coaster hobby, I’m guessing this won’t be considered a roller coaster. Even Intamin doesn’t list it as one on their ride brochures. The Ultra Splash model was listed as both coaster and water ride. I guess it is because this is only on the track for the end portion of the ride and the Ultra Splash never leaves the track?
I can’t lie, the definition of a coaster when it comes to water coasters sometimes confuses me. Looking at other water coaster models from Intamin, I’m going to assume it’s because those models are mostly track, with a small splash down section. If I’m wrong, please let me know. I’d love to have a clearer understanding.
Intamin’s Giga Splash, to me, is the one new concept I can’t see anyone saying they “copied” out of the bunch. If they copied anything, it would be their own water coaster models. The lift and drop sections look identical, minus the different track style. The rotating lift does add some interesting aspect to the ride, as the turn table did for Skull Mountain. This one, however, takes it to a much “higher” level, pun intended.
Speaking of the “higher” level, one thing that really does intrigue me with this ride is the height. At a billed 164 feet in their brochure, there are a lot of coasters that don’t even reach that. And then you have the 87 degree drop too. That drop is going to be a hit! I also really like all that water falling down around the drop. I am skeptical that parks will install that, or run it for the ride’s lifetime, however. I could see that being something, unless integral to the rides operation, that parks would turn off eventually to cut costs on the pumps and such.
So will I get on one of these? I’d say yes, but quite honestly, it would depend on the wait time. If I could get on in a decent amount of time, I’d be up for it to have the experience. With water rides being a popular attraction at most parks, I could see these having a significant wait. Most likely, this kind of ride would be a one and done for me, unless something really made me love it. Still, not a bad addition for any park.
I guess depending on how long the line is…
You can be my shipmate (or wingman, if we skip the Giga Splash) anytime!
Patrick
