10. Escape from Pompeii
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
9. American Plunge
Silver Dollar City
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8. Daredevil Falls
Dollywood
7. Congo River Rapids
Busch Gardens Tampa
.JPG "Congo River Rapids")
6. Grizzly River Run
Disney California Adventure
5. Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls
Universal's Islands of Adventure
This flume ride sails you through a classic melodrama where the inept Dudley Do-Right of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police tries to save his dear Nell from the clutches of the wicked Snidely Whiplash. Of course, it's Dudley's trusty steed, Horse, who's the brains of the team here, and all ultimately ends well — after a drenching double-dip final drop, of course.
4. Jurassic Park - The Ride
Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal's Islands of Adventure (as Jurassic Park River Adventure)
We talked last week about what these rides could have been. But what they are today provides plenty of cool fun while you enjoy spending some time with Hollywood's hottest franchise.
3. Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges
Universal's Islands of Adventure
Arch-enemy Bluto is up to no good again on this river rapids ride, and there’s no escaping an underwear-soaking drenching, especially since on-lookers can get in on the action by spraying your raft as it washes past.
2. Splash Mountain
Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Disneyland
Fans love this musical romp with fun characters, some nifty twists and bumps in the middle of the mountain, and a big, soaking wet, 40-miles-per-hour, 52-foot drop into the Briar Patch.
1. Timber Mountain Log Ride
Knott's Berry Farm
This Bud Hurlbut classic inspired Disney's Splash Mountain and is enjoying the benefits of a multi-million-dollar 2013 refurbishment that gave it new animatronic characters and show scenes. With just the right mix of show and thrills, you just need to add, well, water to make this perfect attraction for a summer day.
Remember, you can rate any of the rides, shows and restaurants from top theme parks around the world. Just visit our Park Reviews page and click the links of the parks you've visited to get started.
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Of course, most of the time, I forget to go change and the clothes dry by the time I remember, 'cause I'm having so much fun in the parks. But I love knowing that I *could* go back and change if I wanted to.
I still vividly remember the one year we went to Horror Nights that it was spread over both parks -- we rode JP with one other person. We wisely begged for the back row; he, despite our warnings, took the front. We walked away still comfortable for the rest of the night while he was totally soaked.
Since then, though, every time we've ridden it, regardless of seating, we've gotten pretty soaked. Hubby won't go near it without suitable attire, and after our last couple experiences -- back rows, totally soaked-- I've taken to agreeing with him :-)
As for Popeye and Bluto, that is by far the wettest ride I've ever experienced. They seem to dump 100 gallons of water into your vehicle during that ride. I get pretty soaked even when I wear a poncho!
For fun, here's my top ten (including a few not featured on TPI):
1. Splash Mountain (Disneyland)
2. Jurassic Park River Adventure (Universal Studios Hollywood)
3. Flume (Knoebels Amusement Park & Resort)
4. Thunder Falls Log Flume (Funtown Splashtown U.S.A.)
5. Timber Mountain Log Ride (Knott's Berry Farm)
6. Raging River (Great Escape)
7. Daredevil Falls (Dollywood)
8. Policy Pond Saw Mill Log Flume (Canobie Lake Park)
9. Grizzly River Run (Disney California Adventure Park)
10. Log Ride (Castle Amusement Park)
Rip saw falls and Jurassic river adventure are great also...
Splash mountain (MK) does not get you wet, but it is a nice long ride..SO I guess the AC will cool you off....
1. Splash Mountain
2. Jurassic Park
3. Journey to Atlantis (Orlando)
4. Journey to Atlantis (San Diego)
5. Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls
6. Popeye
7. Grizzly River Run
8. Journey to Atlantis (San Antonio)
9. Shipwreck Rapids
10. Kali River Rapids
(Inhales deeply)
Doesn't get you wet?! Splash Mountain doesn't get you wet?! Are we even talking about the same ride here?! Every time I go on that ride I get soaked to my underwear! By the end of the day, my shorts always still feel a little damp! There have been times where I've gotten so wet that if you didn't know any better you would've thought I had jumped into a pool with my clothes on!
(Phew) I rest my case.
Anyway, now that that's done, just wanna say that I agree that Popeye, Dudley and Jurassic Park are the Ultimate Water Ride Trifecta, even though Splash Mountain is better than each of them individually (sorry, Universal fans, ;)you know I had to). Popeye has the benefit of being a River raft ride. I love River rafts cause they're the only ride where you kinda get to know your fellow riders, (key word: kinda) which can often times lead to some priceless reactions! Dudley Do-Right is just a really fun adventure, with hilarious moments galore. The theming is also spectacular, I actually feel like I'm in a cartoon! Though, as I've stated in a previous comments section, it needs some touch-ups. And then there's JP, probably the best of the three! (Even though it gets you the least wet, depending on where you sit.) Just like the film it's based on, it starts off with you seeing the beauty and majesty of the gigantic creatures, but then things get out of hand and now you just wanna get out before you become dinosaur chow!
Truly among the more disappointing rides at DCA. And yeah, you either don't get wet at all, or you get drenched beyond reason.
10. Some flume ride who's name I can't remember-Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Aside from Disneyland, this is the one park I've been to outside my native state of Florida. Unfortunately, I can't remember this ride's name to save my life, but that's because it wasn't really memorable. Short and simple, carry you up the lift hill and send you down the drop.
9.Stanley Falls Flume Ride-Busch Gardens Tampa.
I first rode this when I was still too young and too scared to go on all of the big coasters at BGT, so I thought this was the bravest thing ever! It's still a really good ride, but would definitely be higher if it had some theming and a bigger drop than Tanganyika.
8. Tanganyika Tidal Wave-Busch Gardens Tampa.
Of all the rides on the list, this one is the slowest as you spend most of the time drifting through the river and the only drop is the big one at the end. So why is this ahead of Stanley Falls? Because it actually has some theming to it (you float past what appears to be a cave drawing of natives pushing people down the falls...presumably part of some ancient ritual) and the drop is bigger. (Stanley Falls:42 ft. Tanganyika: 55 ft.)
7-Kali River Rapids-Disney's Animal Kingdom.
This ride has better theming than Congo, and gets you just as wet. But this ride is disappointingly short; it ends just as it really starts to get good.
6. Congo River Rapids-Busch Gardens Tampa.
This ride has just about every way to get you wet: drops, rapids, geysers, canons, overhead waterfalls, you name it, they've got it!
5. Journey To Atlantis-SeaWorld Orlando.
Now, this ride does have some pretty big plot holes. (Sir, who are you? How do you know we're trying to get to Atlantis? Who's Elise? Why does he/she/it need to "show us the way?" How'd we get underwater? Why does the mermaid turn into a monster and try to kill us? Details, SeaWorld, details!) Nevertheless, I like it for putting in coaster elements and it's twist ending (when you think it's over, it's not)
4. Popeye and Bludo's Bilge Rat Barges-Universal's Islands of Adventure.
This ride doesn't drench you with water, it ATTACKS you with water! Literally! Aside from the people atop spraying you, Bludo makes multiple attempts on your life that makes you even more soaked! He fires canons, traps you in the most impractical car wash ever, and even more! Trust me, you'll be happy when Popeye gives him what he deserves!
3. Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls-Universal's Islands of Adventure.
Great theming, very funny, great little drops to wet your appetite for the big one, and the big one itself is worth it!
2. Jurassic Park River Adventure-use your best guess.
John Williams theme? Dinosaurs? Great climax? Awesome front row? SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!!
1.Splash Mountain-Magic Kingdom.
I'm one of the people who thinks Song of the South isn't racist, and even I think the ride's better! Great characters, great story, great soundtrack, nice animatronics, and a spectacular climax and finale make this not only my favorite water ride in the world, not only my favorite Disney ride in the world, but my favorite ride in the world period.
The one that surprised me in terms of getting wet was Dudley Doo Right. I got a little wet on the big hill, then was soaked randomly right before I exited. The worst part was that it was 65 degrees in January. I think it was some sort of water cannon where people can soak you from outside the ride. Is that right?
I'm guessing that the reason why it rated so highly is because the recent refurbishment by Knott's and Garner Holt took an attraction that had been a longtime favorite and a historic attraction but had seen better days, and made it top-notch again. Adding the historic nature of the ride (first themed flume ride), I think it scored very highly among TPI readers.
But best flume or rapid ride in the world? No way. The "greatest" flume or rapid ride-- I think that could be argued for.
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That being said, my enjoyment of this ride is very much dependent on being able to easily walk back to my room at a Universal resort and get a warm bath and change clothes immediately after 3 or 4 repeat rides. I'd never set foot on a ride like this at Disney since I really don't enjoy being that wet for too long. The hubby and I actually plan which day of our trip will be the "water ride day", so that we dress accordingly (no jeans!) and stack JP, Dudley's and the Barges back to back.