Splash Water Falls

[onyxhotel08]

I realize the ride has been gone since 2007. However, I have always wondered why when I was at the park it was constantly packed. It is still a popular ride all over the country even Kentucky Kingdom. I loved SWF and still wish I had known it would be removed so I can get more rides in. Just like Vu. I heard it was an "insect pond" from the lady when I called the park in 2008. Was maintenance an issue? SWF was old but not as old as the flumes.

[anewman35]

Great Adventure had what looks to be an identical ride, for what I think was an identical time (or close to it) - 1987-2007. Great Adventure History has a page on it at http://www.greatadventurehistory.com/Sp ... rFalls.htm, and this is what they say about it being taken out, all of which probably applies to us also:

"As the years went on since SplashWater Falls premiered, it diminished in popularity. It was a one trick pony that offered a cool break in the day, but the ride experience lacked the thrill it once had offered.

The ride which had generally been open from the beginning of the season to the end was now reduced to part time operations, usually open only at the height of summer when it could actually draw a crowd.

The ride began to show its age as the 2000's went on, appearing rusty and looking more and more like a kid's ride as bigger and more thrilling rides were added throughout the park.

Over the years the once wildly popular water rides lost their appeal to guests as the more tame thrills gave way to the big coasters added to the park. This combined with the addition of Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park meant there was a lot less demand for water rides so it made sense to cut the number offered in the theme park to save the company money in operating and maintenance expenses while they were in a financial rough patch due to the debts acquired by the company.

The age of SplashWater Falls and the fact that its manufacturer was out of business meant that the ride was scrapped rather than being relocated within the park or sold to another park. "

[DejaVu2001]

^ Add to all of that the fact that our Splashwater Falls was leaking badly just about everywhere.

[Viper 88]

I can answer why it was always packed, At any one time they only had 2 or 3 boats running. It was a rare sight to see 4 boats running. Yes it helped that each boat carried 20 people, but the slow lift tended to create a serious lag in line length and wait time. After the initial splash down the boats then drastically slowed down, being that there was not a strong enough propulsion system the boats would slowly make their way back into the station. As to the insect pond I dont know anything about it, but if they had a better propulsion system and kept the water moving there wouldn't be bug problems.

[sfgam-fan]

I operated Splash on and off during the summer of 2006. The main problem (from a ride operator point of view) was ridership. There was rarely much of a line, and when there was one, it was because we were recovering from a break down, which were frequent. On hot days, when Splash was most popular, you could skip the line altogether and get drenched by standing on the bridge.

I don't remember a problem with bugs but let's not kid ourselves and pretend the water was pristine.

[Viper 88]

When I went in 2005 I did just that the lines were horrendous over 2 1/2 hours and it was a Tuesday, so we stayed on for 3 cycles then headed to HH. Out of curiosity sfgam-fan how many boats were running usually at any given time?

[sfgam-fan]

Two boats at a time.

[onyxhotel08]

I wish it was announced earlier that it was closing. If I remember correctly, Splash Water Falls closed earlier than usual in August 2007. No announcement that this classic (1987 is classic) water ride would be closing. I know compared to Rapids and the flumes this was not very good but there appear to be plenty still in operation and it was a lot younger than the flumes....surely something could have been done to stop the leaking/improve ridership. In that case, why is Buccaneer Battle still here?

[Sporlo]

I do remember having positive memories of SWF. Not necessarily that I liked the ride, but I distinctly remember liking that it was THERE. I just thought it was neat to see when I visited when I was younger.

[onyxhotel08]

I remember the first time I went on it. I think it was 1998. You know what else now I remember? That poor man who died while they were taking it down in March 2008.