Congo River Rapids
Encyclopedia
Congo River Rapids is a river rafting ride
made by Intamin. The ride is located in the Katanga Canyon area of Alton Towers
in Staffordshire
, England
. The rapids course come close to the Runaway Mine Train
as it passes through the tunnel, and also features twin waterfalls that the boats pass between. It also shares a name with a ride at Busch Gardens: Africa in Tampa Bay, Fl. Both rides have different layouts.
's plan to open up the area. Katanga Canyon opened in 1992 along with the new Runaway Mine Train. The Grand Canyon Rapids were rethemed to adopt the African safari theme of the new area, including the change of name to: "Congo River Rapids". The original boats held six riders, but were exchanged years later for eight seat boats, to increase passenger throughput.
in the Republic of the Congo
, where the Djoué River meets the Congo.
River rafting ride
A river rafting ride is an amusement ride that simulates whitewater rafting.-History:The river rapids ride concept was proposed by Bill Crandall and developed by Intamin AG...
made by Intamin. The ride is located in the Katanga Canyon area of Alton Towers
Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a theme park and resort located in Staffordshire, England. It attracts around 2.7 million visitors per year making it the most visited theme park in the United Kingdom. Alton Towers is also the 9th most visited theme park in Europe...
in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The rapids course come close to the Runaway Mine Train
Runaway Mine Train (Alton Towers)
The Runaway Mine Train is a powered steel roller coaster made by MACK Rides of Germany. The ride is located in the Katanga Canyon area of Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England....
as it passes through the tunnel, and also features twin waterfalls that the boats pass between. It also shares a name with a ride at Busch Gardens: Africa in Tampa Bay, Fl. Both rides have different layouts.
History
Congo River Rapids first opened in 1986 named Grand Canyon Rapids and was part of the Aqua Land area of the park. The entrance to the queueline was originally located where the path to Katanga Canyon starts in Mutiny Bay today, meaning that the ride was hidden from view. This was changed when Katanga Canyon was built in the centre of the rapids circuit, as part of John WardleyJohn Wardley
John Wardley is a British award-winning concept designer and developer for theme parks, mainly for rides such as roller coasters.-Rides Designed By John:*Nemesis*Oblivion*Air*Thirteen *Haunted House*Runaway Mine Train...
's plan to open up the area. Katanga Canyon opened in 1992 along with the new Runaway Mine Train. The Grand Canyon Rapids were rethemed to adopt the African safari theme of the new area, including the change of name to: "Congo River Rapids". The original boats held six riders, but were exchanged years later for eight seat boats, to increase passenger throughput.
Inspiration
The inspiration for this ride comes from the real Congo River Rapids. They lie on the outskirts of BrazzavilleBrazzaville
-Transport:The city is home to Maya-Maya Airport and a railway station on the Congo-Ocean Railway. It is also an important river port, with ferries sailing to Kinshasa and to Bangui via Impfondo...
in the Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
, where the Djoué River meets the Congo.