River rapid rides just changed FOREVER... but nobody noticed

Hi everyone, just wanted to say I made a mistake in this video - the current record holder for the largest drop on a rapids ride is Mystic River Falls at Silver Dollar City, which opened in 2020 and stands at 45 ft tall. Thanks to those of you that pointed it out in the comments :) This is only 5ft/1.5m taller than Infinity Falls though, so I think the points I made in the video still stand. Thanks for watching, and have a great day!

ever since that rapid flipped at drayton you cant go on a rapids ride without hearing "Please sit down" over the soundtrack, and 10 billion staff watching you.

that half-pipe looks like it could have been photoshopped it looks so mental, honestly, i dont really want too many river rapids to incorporate these kinds of elements because these elements are what makes waterslides unique and gives them a selling point and i dont really want the two to become too similar, that said however, i do think that adding these to some rapids in small amounts is a good idea. you never know, maybe intamin will shake the world of launches again with a launched rapids? they have done every other ride type with a launch before like their log flume in seaworld and all of the accelerator coasters, now that would be truly crazy. I hope you're having a good day btw :)

For me the appeal of a "River rapid" type ride is I want to get wet, they're for hot days when I need to be cooled off, I don't need a thrill, I don't need to feel any zero-g moments (or the opposite), just get me wet because it's hot, and if they can make the it look scenic then all the better. So all those things like a lift tower, or half pipe, unnecessary. You were really spot on with your assessment, there really is no reason to innovate this type of ride.

I do think waterslide elements wil eventualy be on river rapids, but it wil take a long time. This simple half pipe element caused Amazonia to have an extended closure of almost 2 months.

Honestly I think having more control over the rapids themselves is the way to go. You could control the speed of the rapids dynamically with each cycle. Similar to how drop towers can be “randomized”. You could create launch sections using water jets. you could create whirlpools guests get “stuck” in. Play with g forces in the ride. What makes roller coasters so great is that nothing is left up to chance. You get the illusion of feeling out of control when in reality every element has been thought out and designed meticulously. Rapids need to be less meandering in general imo.

Rubber dinghy rapids bro

Ive really never thought about it but you make great points, keep up the great content!

River quest at phantasialand was supposed to have a drop track back then. In Germany, however, they would have to have seat belts in the rafts for this, which is why it wasn't done :(

Its a very interesting subject - never crossed my mind - enjoyed the video - thanks for sharing

Belwaerde did amazing, I’ve ridden the rapids and it is something else! It’s so different to our uk rapids with 0 water getting you wet and lifeguards, speakers etc…

One of the innovations you missed imo was the flexible Boats on the vekoma rapids, as Rio grande in walibi Holland had untill they changed to the current boats. Those where made out of segments with flexible rings between them making the boats shape following the flow of the water more, and having these gaps inbetween where water could come up.

Excellent video

What’d be really fun would be a way for the people in the ride to change the rotation of the vehicle. Back when I went on Kali river rapids as a kid, it always felt like a game of roulette of who was gonna get the most wet.

Nice video keep up the good work👍 Edit: also very underated channel

Imagine in the future we have river rapids that could launch like log flume at Seaworld

River rapids are named what they are for a reason...it's not meant to have waterslide elements.

the only innovation river rapids rides needs is a redesign of ride vehicles that protects your feet from getting wet. your shoes and socks getting wet is a great way to ruin your day at a park and is the #1 reason to skip these rides. having vehicles with a dedicated place to put your feet then something that seals them into that place and covers them from getting wet would be absolutely game changing for these rides. Everything else on your body getting wet is fun. but your shoes and socks getting wet just sucks

river quest was my first ever rapids, I was disappointed when I found out other rapids are mostly much more boring/less creative. Set the bar pretty high haha

fantastic video really good