- Congo River Rapids
-
Congo River Rapids 
One of the rafts on the Congo River Rapids making its way down the river, Alton Towers, Staffordshire. UK. Location Alton Towers Area Katanga Canyon Coordinates 52°59′21″N 1°53′12″W / 52.9893°N 1.88678°WCoordinates: 52°59′21″N 1°53′12″W / 52.9893°N 1.88678°W Status Operating Opening date 1986 Type River rafting ride Manufacturer Intamin Length 725 m (2,379 ft) Duration 6 mins Capacity 1800 riders per hour Restraint type Ring In Centre Of Boat 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.
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 Wardley'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 Brazzaville in the Republic of the Congo, where the Djoué River meets the Congo.
External links
- Congo River Rapids at Alton Towers Almanac
- Congo River Rapids at Towers Nerd
- Congo River Rapids at ThemeParks-UK
Alton Towers Roller coasters Runaway Mine Train (1992) · Nemesis (1994) · Oblivion (1998) · Air (2002) · Sonic Spinball (2004) · Rita (2005) · Thirteen (2010) · SW7 (2013)Other rides Hex - the Legend of the Towers (2000) · Congo River Rapids (1986) · Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride (2006) · Duel: The Haunted House Strikes Back (2003) · Peugeot 207 Driving School(2006) · The Flume (1981) · Nemesis: What Lies Beneath (2012) · The Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - 4-D experience (2012)Past rides Around The World In Eighty Days (1981–1993) · Toyland Tours (1994–2005) · Nickelodeon: Outta Control (1997–1998) · Doom & Sons (1981–1992) · The Black Hole (1984–2005) · Thunder Looper (1990–1996) · Corkscrew (1980–2008) · The Beast (1988-1997) · Beastie (1983) · Dinosaurs(1980 - 1983) · Space Boat(1983 - 1983) · Towers Express(1974 - 1984) · Magic Carpet (1984 - 1985) · Alpine Bobsleigh(1980 - 1986) · Ferris Wheel(1985 - 1986) · Cine 360(1981 - 1987) · Turbo Star(1984 - 1989) · 4 Man Bob Coaster(1985 - 1991) · Adventure Land 4 - 11(1982 - 1991) · Alton Beast(1988 - 1991) · Alton Mouse(1988 - 1991) · Gravitron(1990 - 1991) · Octopus(1984 - 1991) · Spider(1986 - 1991) · Cine 2000(1980 - 1992) · Fantastic Fountains(1981 - 1992) · Tri-Star(1989 - 1992) · 1001 Nights(1985 - 1994) · Miniature Golf(1980 - 1994) · Mini Apple Coaster(1982 - 1995) · Mississippi Showboat(1985 - 1996) · Splash Kats(???? - 1996) · Rowing Boats(???? - 1996) · The New Beast(1992 - 1998) · Park Railway(1953 - 1999) · Swan Boats(1987 - 2003) · Dynamo(1993 - 2004) · Black Hole(1984 - 2004) · Bone Shaker(1995 - 2004) · 3D Cinema(1981 - 2004) · Toyland Tours(1994 - 2005) · Vintage Cars(1983 - 2005) · Cred Street Carousel(2000 - 2005) · Bouncing Bugs(1981 - 2008)Areas (Zones / Lands) Towers Street · Cloud Cuckoo Land (was Talbot Street/Land of Make Believe/Cred Street) · Katanga Canyon · X-Sector (was Springfield Centre/Fantasy World) · Mutiny Bay (was Ingestre Centre/AquaLand/Merrie England) · The Towers · Gloomy Wood · Storybook Land · Forbidden Valley · Adventure Land · Dark Forest · Old MacDonald's Farmyard · The GardensMedia Hold Tight (TV show) (1982-1987) · The Grand Knockout Tournament (1987)See also Categories:- Intamin water rides
- Water rides by name
- Amusement rides introduced in 1986
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
