SouthernWorldwide.com – A new water ride at Carowinds amusement park is set to make a splash among theme park enthusiasts with its ambitious design, aiming for multiple world records.
The park announced that Rip Roarin’ Falls will debut in 2027, taking the place of Rip Roarin’ Rapids, a beloved water attraction that closed its doors in 2019.
This innovative ride will boast a staggering 100-foot drop, positioning it as the tallest drop ever featured on a water ride or log flume, according to park officials. Carowinds is strategically located in Charlotte, straddling the border of North Carolina and South Carolina.
The attraction is also anticipated to showcase what Carowinds is calling the tallest reverse drop and the tallest reverse camelback drop on any water ride or flume globally.
Guests will embark on their journey in eight-person boats, navigating through a meticulously themed abandoned lumber mill setting. Along the way, they will encounter a series of exhilarating drops and unexpected changes in direction.
One of the ride’s most captivating features will send passengers hurtling backward down a 42-foot drop. This thrilling segment will precede a climb towards the attraction’s grand finale plunge.
The entire experience will span over 2,240 feet of water track, with the boats reaching impressive speeds of up to 50 mph, as confirmed by the park.
Carowinds has revealed that Rip Roarin’ Falls will incorporate two high-speed reversing switches. These mechanisms are designed to propel riders both forward and backward throughout their adventure.
The narrative behind the ride is rooted in a long-abandoned logging operation nestled within the Carolina woods. Local folklore whispers of mysterious activities persisting long after the mill ceased its operations.
Park management has indicated that the attraction has been engineered to cater to a diverse range of visitors. A minimum height requirement of 35 inches is in place for younger riders when accompanied by an adult, while those visiting independently will need to be at least 41 inches tall.
The announcement of this groundbreaking attraction quickly generated considerable buzz online, particularly within communities of roller coaster and water ride aficionados.
“This looks absolutely phenomenal,” one Reddit user commented, expressing enthusiasm. “Carowinds was in dire need of a proper water ride, so this is going to be an excellent addition for them.”
Other enthusiasts were particularly intrigued by the ride’s unique and unconventional elements.
“A backward drop combined with a camelback halfway through on a log flume is going to deliver a truly crazy sensation,” another user shared their excitement.
Some fans even suggested that this particular attraction might be a compelling enough reason to plan a trip to the park.
“I currently live in Canada, but I might have to make the journey for this,” one user posted. “I have a strong fondness for water rides, so this is very appealing.”
However, not all reactions were entirely convinced by the concept presented.
One commenter raised a question regarding whether the ride’s significant height might prove to be too intimidating for younger guests, despite the specified height requirements.
Rip Roarin’ Falls is officially slated to open for the 2027 season.
