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 Review of Ripsaw Falls @ Islands of Adventure
1 Rating Posted by: Canobie Coaster on 9/4/2008 8:12:00 AM
For years I always regarded Splash Mountain as the best log flume out there, always denying the thought that Dudley Do-Right’s was better. It just seemed unimaginable to me because Splash Mountain’s flawless blend of watery thrills and typical Disney theming. Well, that was simply because I had never ridden Ripsaw Falls, at least until last month and I witnessed true flume greatness. The mountain really captures the cartoonish feel of Dudley Do-Right and totally fits in with the entire Toon Lagoon area. I love how most of the ride’s layout is concealed within the ride’s iconic mountain except for its climatic plunge and drenching “soak zone”.

My ride began with a very long and grueling wait in Dudley’s indoor and stuffy queue. The first room I waited in was mildly entertaining with promotional ads of spoofs on famous movies. However, my real complaint with my wait was just how slow moving the line was. I swear it must be those cursed lap bars, but the line literally moved slower than molasses. To add insult to injury, the ride broke down multiple times while I was waiting in line, eventually causing the ride to temporarily run at half capacity. Eventually I made it through the queue and boarded Dudley’s one of Dudley’s sleek logs in the very back. Then I came face to face with those dreaded flume lap bars. I’m going to be very blunt here- they are horrible. Flumes don’t need lap bars (though I very well know why Universal installed them due to some incidents on the final drop) and not only are they kind of uncomfortable (very tight), but it really slows loading down to a crawl.

After I waited 90 minutes for this very hyped flume, I had misgivings whether or not it would live up to its lofty reputation as the greatest flume out there. Well trust me when I say this, the ride itself really delivered and was actually even surpassed its impressive reputation. The whole premise of the attraction is simple yet effective- Snidely Whiplash has kidnapped Nell yet again, only to be rescued by the bumbling Dudley Do-Right. Right away Ripsaw Falls, establishes the story with some quirky animatronic scenes and demonstrates the incapability of Dudley for anyone not familiar with him (though I don’t know how that could be). While there are some scenes, unlike in Splash Mountain where the whole ride is filled with animatronics and scenes, the scenes just seemed random and disjointed. Sure the theming makes it better than regular flumes, but Disney puts this to shame with Splash Mountain. Still some of the scenes are pretty good especially the head-on train collision copied from the now defunct Mr. Toad. I have always loved that effect no matter how many times I see it. Along with the theming, there were two very sudden, smaller drops. Now obviously these two drops aren’t nearly as praised as the main and far bigger one, but I for one was caught off-guard by how steep and thrilling these two drops are. Very rarely do I lose my stomach much anymore on rides, so imagine my shock when I lost it on two smaller drops on a flume!

Eventually there came the massive lift, which took a very long time getting up because the belt stopped moving twice while I went up, once for a few minutes. Again, probably those dang lap bars are at fault. Once reaching the summit of this cartoonish mountain, and slowly meandering around a turn, I was faced with Dudley’s almighty climatic plunge. Not only was it far larger than any other drop I’ve experienced on a flume, but it just felt steeper and faster. I totally lost my stomach and even received a very sudden pop of air. Simply put, what a plunge! It definitely lived up to the monumental hype and it now holds the title as the best drop on a flume for me, blowing Splash Mountain’s away. But before I stray off-track describing how incredible the drop is, I probably should also mention the little bunny hop before the splashdown that gives some very good air and the absolutely soaking splashdown that sent water cascading into the boat from all angels, leaving me totally drenched (I’m glad I remembered to bring a bathing suit!). Other than the obvious happy ending, the ride essentially is over unless someone really wants to add insult to injury, or in this case make the wet wetter. Tucked away in the shrubbery are a few very innocent looking water cannons. Don’t be deceived though, since my boat got nailed by one and let me just say that they absolutely nail those riders.

As you could tell from my review, I had three major thoughts about Ripsaw Falls. One was how good the actual ride was. It truly lived up to its reputation as the one of the premier flumes, but it still remains behind Splash Mountain in my book. Ripsaw Falls is slightly more thrilling, but Splash Mountain has far superior theming. But those lap bars just are abysmal and I hope Universal finds a more suitable and comfortable solution. Not only were pretty uncomfortable, but they presumably caused my very miserable 90 minute wait. Make sure you pack a bathing suit or poncho while visiting Islands of Adventure so you can experience one of the best flumes out there!
 
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