Ripsaw Falls is missing from IOA map

We visited IOA last week Tuesday (2/3/04) and noticed the wall around Ripsaw Falls. I figured it was in rehab, like it was a few years back.

But what I found odd is that it has been completely removed from the map, picture and all. And I didn't see any mention of it being "not in operation" at the gate.

Could that crane back there actually be doing something more than rehab?

Thats not odd, the last time they did that I was there and the ride wasnt on my map either. A new map is printed at least monthly, so in order to save employees from having to answer millions of times why the ride isnt open they just remove it from the map.

I was hoping that was the explanation. It seemed to me that it was on the map the last time it was in rehab.

Thanks.

it makes sense...cant do that at SFMM tho...the whole map would be empty...hehe

The are adding new cars and fixing the AAs that are in the ride. I was their the day it closed and it was on the map. I hope that Red Hat returns to the look out. *** Edited 2/8/2004 10:53:58 PM UTC by Vortex***

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haiderodes said:
it makes sense...cant do that at SFMM tho...the whole map would be empty...hehe

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lol!!!

Did some reconnaissance today in/around DDR....the possibility of them doing something to alter the drop is NOT out of the question IMO.....alothough, I certainly HOPE it's just theming and whatnot, it sure LOOKED like the crane was there for some heavy-duty reconstruction.....and the drop was *completely* torn-up to the extent I could tell.

There *was* even some ARN&R staff at IoA today, so I think they're being brought in for consultation...;)

Rollergator: I really hope they don't do anything that detracts from the intensity of that drop- it's fantastic the way it is! Just out of curiosity, does anyone know of any reason they might want to modify it?

Best. B

I went back in September, and the 2nd day that I was there they had someone get hurt. They had it closed for for the rest of that day. Maybe several others have been hurt.

I personally think that its the best log flume that I have ever ridden. I hope they don't change anything, but you how lawsuit happy people can be. If they have had legal problems they may end up modifying it.

Maybe its being replaced with coaster track (like another Mack "coaster" on I-Drive) to reduce maintenance?

I hope not, It says on screamscape they are altering the drop though. It is by far the best log flume ever.

what mack coaster on I-drive do you mean Rob?

Journey To Atlantis @ Sea World

I guess there have been some problems with large people hurting their tailbones during the drop. I know at least two people broke their tailbones.

I went this summer and it was the best flume I've been on. Got me wetter than most log rides,

I just checked out some new pictures at IOACentral.com and I can't tell for sure but it looks like the flume drop might have been replaced with track. I've only been to IOA once so I don't exactly remember what it looked like before but I think it looks like track now

Pictures here

Edited that ridiculously long link for you - LG

*** Edited 2/19/2004 8:45:50 PM UTC by Lord Gonchar***

Yep...got the same pics at home on the digital, but honestly, I don't see any difference....IIRC, the tracks have always been there. IF (enormous *IF*) the drop is being "altered", my guess would be that the MAIN changes would be happening inside the building, where the bottom of the drop is located.

If only I'd have tailed the ARN&R crew, I'd have been able to get behind the fence to see the work that was being done....;) These pics, like mine, really don't show anything *significant*....IMO.

Those tracks have always been there. Remember that there's a kick ass bunny hill at the base of the drop, and there's just no way that the logs couple to track at the base of the drop.

When I worked at the IOA, people, especially kids would come off DDR Ripsaw Falls with a bloody nose all of the time. I don't think first time riders expect the final drop to be so intense. I don't really know exactily what happened to cause injury, just that it would happen durring the final drop.

JPRA caused a few injuries as well, but it was because of the sudden deceleration at the bottom of the final drop. I am pretty sure that I was told that that wasn't the problem with DDR.

I love DDR's final drop. I hope whatever changes that are being done to it are unnoticeable when the ride re-opens. It is easily my favorite flume, partially because of it's intensity.

Rob,
JTA is a water coaster, but not a log flume, maybe even a mini raft ride, like a miniature JPRA, but not a log flume

It looks to me like they're replacing the drop track, possibly making it less steep, or just rehab on the track.

I do think that the logs have some sort of upstop for the bunny hill, if they didn't what would prevent the logs from jumping off the track? In most pics you can see wide teal pieces of metal "over" the track.

(Pic here: http://www.ioacentral.com/pictures/toon_lagoon/attractions/dudley_do_rights_ripsaw_falls/dudley_do_rights_ripsaw_falls_four.jpg)

(How do you turn links into words? PM me with answer if you know) *** Edited 2/21/2004 3:53:35 AM UTC by RCT_MASTER***