Dragon Falls

Dragon Falls
Chessington World of Adventures Area Mystic East Coordinates 51°20′54″N 0°19′15″W / 51.34842°N 0.320926°WCoordinates: 51°20′54″N 0°19′15″W / 51.34842°N 0.320926°W Status Operating Cost £4 million Opening date 7 June 1987
General statistics
Type	Log flume
Manufacturer	Mack Rides
Designer	John Wardley
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)
Fastrack available

Dragon Falls is a flume ride at the theme park Chessington World of Adventures Resort^[1] in Chessington, southwest London, England. Designed by John Wardley and opened in 1987, it is located in the Mystic East area of the park. The ride was refurbished for the 2013 season and was to have new scenery installed for 2014; however, this was later postponed.^[2]

History

The ride was named Dragon River^[3] when it opened in 1987, and was renamed to Dragon Falls for the 1999 season.^[4][5] The ride was manufactured by Mack Rides.^[6]

Description

Path

The top of the main falls, as the boat travels between the tops of the two stone heads

Dragon Falls is a water flume ride, and features two drops. The first drop is smaller than the second. The boats are themed to resemble wooden canoes with inline seating.

The ride's station is modelled after a pagoda and is decorated extensively inside.

The ride begins its journey by passing out of the station, and along a picturesque stream lined with traditional Japanese plants and trees. Bridges are placed above the ride at certain points, allowing people to watch the riders go by. The boats go up the first lift hill, and then race down into an Oriental Dragon sculpture. The path of the ride then takes the boats up a second, taller drop between two large stone faces (which are actually built out of a combination of wood, metal and concrete) designed to resemble Angkor Wat.

As riders return to the station, they encounter an elephant statue, which on hotter days will douse those on board with water, and is voiced by park workers. Additionally, other park guests can pay £1 per 10 shots to soak riders with water guns shortly after the on-ride photo.

Theme

The ride is decorated in accordance with the area's Mystic East theme, and features a giant fibreglass Buddha statue, based on the Great Buddha of Kōtoku-in (according to a plaque placed alongside it in the park), among other themed items of architecture and decoration.

Height requirements

The ride opened in 1987 and has a height requirement of 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) to ride (anyone less than 1.3 metres (4.3 ft) metres in height must be accompanied by a person aged 16 or over). This was updated early in the 2011 season from a previous 0.9-metre (3.0 ft) restriction.^[1]

Gallery

Shot of the ride from above  Second lift hill  Dragon head  2011  2011  The main waterfall  2011  The main waterfall

References

1. "News & Changes". Chessington World of Adventures. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22.
2. "Dragon Falls". Chessington World of Adventures. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
3. "Map of Chessington World of Adventures from 1987, with 'Dragon River' (scan)". Archived from the original on 2012-02-16.
4. "Map of CWOA from 1998 (scan), also with 'Dragon River'". Archived from the original on 2012-02-16.
5. "Map of CWOA from 1999 (scan) with 'Dragon Falls'". Archived from the original on 2012-02-16.
6. "Official website 'Mystic East' page". Retrieved 2008-11-02.

External links

• Official website