I was riding Roman Rapids last week, and I didn't get too wet, which upset me because it was hot. Something I noticed was that the water fall didn't hit well because the seat backs were in the way. I began to think what if a rapid ride had seats facing outward. Has this been done before? I think it would be more fun, and get you more wet. If you don't know what I mean, then look at this:

THIS : THAT :: THIS : WHAT??

It would be an interesting idea but I doubt it would happen. The rapids rides are already popular as they are and it could have some issues as well. First, a lot of the rides bump into the walls and various bumpers along the ride. It could be dangerous to have the riders on the outside. Also, when it hits a wall, your slightly thrown against the back of your chair. Now you would be out in the open.

Also, while it probably doesn't happen extremely often, the seatbelts can come undone. It's happened to me on a rapids ride. If that happened with riders on the outside, they obviously fall into the water. The chair just like on other rides and coasters is sort of a safety device in it of itself. To design new seats and raft or whatever would cost a reasonable amount of money. When the current version works well annd gets the job done, I don't see anyone really making the change.

Last, I think a lot of the fun of rapids rides is the fact your inside the circle and you get to see everyone else while they ride. Think how many times you've been on one and laugh and joke with the other riders on it despite not knowing them. It's sort of a little adventure with some strangers. It has almost a community effect for a moment when you ride. Very few other rides (including water rides) have that effect.

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^That's true, unless I'm riding alone all day, and sit with other people in my row, then it's almost the same thing.

What if there were lapbars, instead of seatbelts, and rather than a rotating platform, it would be a regular station, with a panel to lock and dispatch. But you're right, that probably wouldn't happen because they are already popular, but simple at the same time. But it would be cool.

It is a cool idea though. If a new park was being built and going for a new rapids ride from scratch, it could be designed in a way that this new idea could be built and yet still be practical. I wouldn't rule anything out completely when I see some of the crazy stuff other countries get.

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Now lapbars, or i would hope not, but OTSR's are both great ideas if your going to do it like this. It would then be safe and it would be very fun as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see a park that adds a river rapids or a new park to have seats like these. I dont see them doing this to already-built rapids. Seats like that on Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges would be insane though, with the speed and amount of spinning you get on that ride.

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Dirty Tramp

If it ain't broke don't fix it. That's how I feel about it. And in this case, it ain't broke.

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I believe that people taking off their seat belt during rapids rides is a very serious issue..I mean, everyone does it so they don't get wet, then why get on the damn ride? If the put lap bars I think it would help that issue A LOT. Which brings me to my next subject, outside seats on a rapids ride would be pretty interesting...About the wall issue, and easy fix for that would be to just make the raft/bumper on the raft bigger so it sticks out farther so theres no chance of your legs bumping into the walls. Keep in mind of all the different elements they could do to keep people wet if there are on the outside. I think it would be a really good idea if it came true. Jerry, you better get into the amusement industry and make this dream a reality! :-D

Having OTSR would slow down the line considerably because you have to go around and check everybody. Plus, it would take a completely new station design b/c I don't see how the carousel type station would still work.

it could be like a normal station. The Lost River of the Ozarks at SDC in Branson has a normal station, and it works just fine. They have to check seatbelts too. Also to save time from checking seatbelts, they have the technology to use sensors to tell if one isnt on right.

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Dirty Tramp

I don't know on wich rapid ride you've been but at ratanga junction's Crocodile Gorge i got sick!

not like puke sick but flu sick. the waterfall fell right on my head!!
i've never seen anyone come off dry on that ride ride, NEVER!!

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Haha, here's a nice little picture I took at Kennywood earlier this year.

http://thrillnetwork.com/boards/atta...id=14239&stc=1

People rarely come of the ride dry...Rarely.

Attached Thumbnails

 

I think the OTSR's are a bad idea simply because these rides have occasionally been known to flip and people would definitely be stuck upside down without being able to unbuckle and swim out.

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I think it could be done and safely.

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That could also be another reason. Although the rafts flipping over is extremely rare and that I know of has really only happened once. I want to say it was SFOT that it happened at. And while it is unlikely, it can happen so that would be a good reason not to have any restraint that a rider couldn't open themself in case of emergency.

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YOUR HATRED AMUSES ME

This could work. They'd jus have to design the new ride layout based off this type of boat. It could be the ride of the future. They could use rubbery things to bounce off instead of rocks and those other wooden spinning things. It would be very good on an extremely themed raging rapids ride.

I think your on to somthing here when you said "the ride of the future" Think about everything you said but indoor with water features lit up with lazers and lights. Odd space looking water features and rubber mars/odd planet rocks. Ufo's that drop beams of lighted water! I think that would be awsome with that type of boat. A completly new version of the common raft ride.

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Thats an interesting new idea I would try out that ride. I think rapid rides are all ready popular but with your idea it would show how rapid rides have advanced. I also thought out your idea with chairs being on outside doesn't sound like a bad idea. Do have to consider safety also but I can picture your idea happening. I was even thinking about drawing this whole idea about chairs on the outside. :P

Me and my Friend set SFGRAV history by setting the record for most consecutive ride on Congo Rapids in a row in Below 30 wether.
the side efect is we almost had Hypothermia.

just if someone wants to try to break the record it's 14 in below 30 wether

Instead of Otsr us a system that looks like a lifepreserver that is permanently attached to the seat. This would keep you in and give it that more authentic look...

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Actually I think OTSR's would possibly speed up the process. You wouldn't believe the number of people who can't figure out how to fasten the seatbelts on Blizzard River at SFKK. Most people can figure out how to use OTSR's though. And OTSR's are easier to check than seatbelts because you don't have to bend over and reach for the seatbelt; yyou just simply grap the restraint and pull up.

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I'm going to be in a movie one day about all the people who enjoy riding T2. The movie will be called The Fantastic Four.

Just put Intamin T-Bars on the ride...This will ensure that nobody can get up and walk around and keeping everyone safe. I think OTSRs would take away from the ride.

I agree, I think OTSRs would take away from the ride experience. I also feel that having the seats facing outward would take away the community effect, but I'm sure the ride experience would overcome that. Having the seats face outward would open so many possibilities for new water features.

Now what about a floorless rapids ride...
lol, j/k

^ Why not? Sure if you went floorless then you would need OTSR's (unless if some crazy lapbar/leg restaint was used), but imagine "floating" above the water and now knowing where your going.

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I'm going to be in a movie one day about all the people who enjoy riding T2. The movie will be called The Fantastic Four.

I love the idea. I agree with what was said above about it takeing the community effect. It was always fun riding with people you don't know and just haveing fun with them laughing and carring on.

Anyway the outside seats would be a perfect idea to make such an old idea and make it better. Awesome idea but i doubt we'll ever see it cause i would think we would have seen it by now.

I'm sure the idea has been tossed around by parks before.

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Unless you are saying to remove part of the floor on the current rapids ride, I don't think it'll happen. No floor means no raft under you meaning if you hit the wall your legs are crushed. Not a very good idea.

The problem with otsr is what if the boat flips over?

Has it ever happened before? Has a boat flipped over?

Yes, it has happened before.

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The next generation rapids ride should also have 'artificial' water so if it ever flips over you can't drown in it. lol

What about if they jsut used a Car Seat belt. That would prevent some upper body movement, and it's not like the boats spin very fast anyway.

That's actually a pretty good idea. But what would they do to prevent objects on the sides of the rapids from hitting riders?

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