River Caves
Encyclopedia
River Caves are a type of amusement ride
involving a boat trip through "cave-like" tunnels, each incorporating a different theme. These rides are relatively rare these days and can be found in only a few locations, mainly in the UK and United States. The age and mechanics of these rides means many have been dismantled and sold or destroyed altogether.
–style of indoor water attraction developed in the U.S. in the early 1900s. The name 'River Caves' name stems from the fact that most of these rides were themed around subterranean caverns, with styrofoam
stalagmite
s and stalactites housing detailed displays from around the world, through time and from myth and legend.
in Staffordshire contained a River Caves–style ride—"Around the world in 80 days", displaying scenes of different world cultures; these original scenes and props were removed in 1993 and the whole attraction was rebuilt and rethemed in 1994 as "Toyland Tours
", this attraction was rethemed once more and opened as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride
" in 2006 season.
's Coronation Street
. The ride consists of chambers or caverns containing a different part of the world or a period of time these include; the Jurassic Era, Ancient China
, the Blue Grotto
, the depths of the ocean, the African Jungles, the Inca Civilization, the Ancient Egyptian Valley of the Kings and finally the temples of Angkor Wat
deep in the Jungles of Cambodia
. The ride is accompanied by a narrator who can be heard in a few of the caverns, the narration gives a brief overview about the theme of that particular cavern and generally just adds to the atmosphere of the ride. There is a lift in the final cavern of the ride and a small drop outside before the exit of the ride.
Amusement ride
Amusement rides are large mechanical devices that move people to create enjoyment. They are frequently found at amusement parks, traveling carnivals, and funfairs.-Notable types:*Afterburner*Ali Baba*Balloon Race*Booster...
involving a boat trip through "cave-like" tunnels, each incorporating a different theme. These rides are relatively rare these days and can be found in only a few locations, mainly in the UK and United States. The age and mechanics of these rides means many have been dismantled and sold or destroyed altogether.
History
This type of ride became relatively common at amusement parks in the mid-20th Century. They are based on the Old MillOld Mill (ride)
An Old Mill is a type of amusement park ride with unaccompanied boats on guided tracks floating through dark tunnels. These themed dark rides originated in the late 19th century....
–style of indoor water attraction developed in the U.S. in the early 1900s. The name 'River Caves' name stems from the fact that most of these rides were themed around subterranean caverns, with styrofoam
Styrofoam
Styrofoam is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company for closed-cell currently made for thermal insulation and craft applications. In 1941, researchers in Dow's Chemical Physics Lab found a way to make foamed polystyrene...
stalagmite
Stalagmite
A stalagmite is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralized solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate. This stalagmite formation occurs only under certain pH conditions within the underground cavern. The corresponding formation on...
s and stalactites housing detailed displays from around the world, through time and from myth and legend.
Examples
The most well known River Caves ride is the River Caves at Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, installed at the park in 1905. Before its removal in 2007, there was a similar one at Pleasureland, Southport, which dated to 1922 (this amusement park has now closed). Alton TowersAlton 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 contained a River Caves–style ride—"Around the world in 80 days", displaying scenes of different world cultures; these original scenes and props were removed in 1993 and the whole attraction was rebuilt and rethemed in 1994 as "Toyland Tours
Toyland Tours
Toyland Tours is a former attraction that replaced Around the World in 80 Days in the Talbot Street area of Alton Towers theme park, Staffordshire, England...
", this attraction was rethemed once more and opened as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride is a dark ride located in the Cloud Cuckoo Land area of Alton Towers theme park, Staffordshire, England. It is based upon the famous Roald Dahl book of the same name, and takes its thematic inspiration from the illustrations of Quentin Blake...
" in 2006 season.
Description
The ride involves a slow trip on wooden boats around water channels and through different caverns often containing unique and detailed theming. Originally, these rides were based upon the idea of "Around the world in 80 days", indeed the River Caves at Blackpool Pleasure Beach advertises this at the entrance accompanied by illustrations of what riders should expect to see while on the ride; dinosaurs, Ancient Egypt etc. However this particular ride incorporates not only the idea of journey around the world but also through periods of time. The River Caves at Blackpool has seen many alterations over the years including the installment of a Tunnel of Love in order to make a TV appearance in ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
. The ride consists of chambers or caverns containing a different part of the world or a period of time these include; the Jurassic Era, Ancient China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, the Blue Grotto
Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto is a noted sea cave on the coast of the island of Capri, Italy. Sunlight, passing through an underwater cavity and shining through the seawater, creates a blue reflection that illuminates the cavern.-Colour:...
, the depths of the ocean, the African Jungles, the Inca Civilization, the Ancient Egyptian Valley of the Kings and finally the temples of Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu,...
deep in the Jungles of Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
. The ride is accompanied by a narrator who can be heard in a few of the caverns, the narration gives a brief overview about the theme of that particular cavern and generally just adds to the atmosphere of the ride. There is a lift in the final cavern of the ride and a small drop outside before the exit of the ride.