Tiger Rock
Tiger Rock | |
---|---|
Status | Operating |
Cost | £4 million |
Opening date | 7 June 1987 |
General statistics | |
Type | Log flume |
Manufacturer | Mack Rides |
Height | 15 m (49 ft) |
Length | 21 m (69 ft) |
Speed | 26 mph (42 km/h) |
Capacity | 1,500 riders per hour |
Boats | 32 boats. Riders are arranged 5 across in a single row for a total of 5 riders per boat. |
Height restriction | 120 cm (3 ft 11 in) |
Concept design | John Wardley |
Reserve and Ride available | |
Wheelchair accessible |
Tiger Rock (previously known as Dragon Falls and Dragon River) is a
History
The ride was named Dragon River[2] when it opened in 1987, but subsequently named Dragon Falls since the 1999 season.[3][4] The ride was manufactured by Mack Rides,[5] and the original concept for the ride was designed by John Wardley.[6]
In July 2017, Chessington filed for planning permission to undertake a large overhaul of the Mystic East area of the theme park. Part of this overhaul included the re-theming and renaming of Dragon Falls to Tiger Rock. The ride closed on 10 September 2017 so that the overhaul could take place, which involved nearby Peeking Heights, a ferris wheel that was closed permanently the same day. In 2018, Chessington opened Tiger Rock to the public on 5 May 2018. Its theme revolves around tiger imagery and features a large tiger's head on the second drop, replacing the Angkor Wat heads.
Ride description
Tiger Rock is a water flume ride and features two drops, with the first being smaller than the second. When it was known as Dragon Falls, the station building was designed as a pagoda and the first drop featured a sculpted dragon tunnel. The ride began its journey by passing out of the station, and then along a picturesque stream lined with traditional Japanese plants and trees. Bridges are positioned above the ride at certain points, allowing guests to view passing boats. The boats go up the first lift hill, and then drop down into a tunnel which originally housed a trick waterfall effect.
The boats exit the tunnel into trees, under a bridge, and around a lagoon until reaching a second, taller lift that ascends the side of a rocky mountain. The boats reach their highest point, before dropping into the main splash pool. Prior to the Tiger Rock theme, the boats would pass between two large scenic stone faces resembling
Theme
The surrounding area is Oriental themed and features multiple bridges, viewpoints of the flume and a large
The original Dragon sculpture for the tunnel was created by Aden Hynes Sculpture Studios, along with the two stone Angkor Wat Buddha faces that framed the large flume drop. These sculptures were installed in 1987, having been hand carved from polystyrene, and coated with glass fibre for long time durability outside. Both the dragon and the stone faces were repainted over the years, contributing massively to the rides impressive theming.
The Buddha heads and remaining rock scenery were demolished in 2013, a few years prior to the re-theming of the ride, leaving a bare structure of the flume drop. Half of the dragon tunnel was also removed, meaning boats now travel through exposed back-of-house facilities during the ride. Much of the architectural decoration in the station plaza has also been removed over time. Chessington initially advertised a competition to redesign the ride, claiming the attraction would be rethemed for 2014. However, nothing immediately came of this development, and the ride continued to operate in this half-demolished condition.
The ride closed for a tiger retheme on 10 September 2017. In October 2017, it was announced that the ride would be renamed Tiger Rock. As with
References
- ^ "News & Changes". Chessington World of Adventures. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.
- ^ "Map of Chessington World of Adventures from 1987, with 'Dragon River' (scan)". Archived from the original on 16 February 2012.
- ^ "Map of CWOA from 1998 (scan), also with 'Dragon River'". Archived from the original on 16 February 2012.
- ^ "Map of CWOA from 1999 (scan) with 'Dragon Falls'". Archived from the original on 16 February 2012.
- ^ "Official website 'Mystic East' page". Retrieved 2 November 2008.
- ^ "Did you know that Tiger Rock at @CWOA may have originally been part of an Egyptian themed area?". TowersTimes. 14 May 2020. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.