Today Thorpe Park has announced the news we’d all been fearing (or looking forward to in some cases) as Rumba Rapids has ceased operation at the resort.
This iconic water ride has been at the park since 1987 where it was named Thunder River, it was the parks first thrill ride and then in 2002 it got a Ribena soft drink sponsorship and continued to then operate as the Ribena Rumba Rapids sporting a rather nice bright colour change and a new soundtrack.
In 2007 the partnership with Ribena ended and it was simply known as Rumba Rapids moving forward until 2026 where it’s closure was announced by the park.
A ride that has been making memories for generations but sadly the UK loses yet another water ride from its line-up. I mean it makes sense with our climate and the fact that rapids rides are some of the most expensive rides to operate at any theme park but what the future holds could be an exciting one.
Rumba Rapids takes up quite a substantial footprint within the theme park and plans are already in motion for the next addition to Thorpe Park Resort.
From rumours flying around of a wooden roller coaster that the park were heavily linked to last season all the way to the hopeful enthusiasts calling for an RMC roller coaster.
Whatever happens, Merlin are investing heavily in southern parks in the United Kingdom so I expect something quite special to be added into this rather significant space.
We reached out to Thorpe Park for comment and they replied with the following:
“After nearly four decades of making a splash, Rumba Rapids at Thorpe Park has permanently closed. First opening as Thunder River in 1987, the iconic water raft ride has been soaking generations of thrillseekers ever since.
While we don’t have plans to share just yet on what’s next, we’re always reviewing our line-up of world-class rides and attractions to make sure Thorpe Park remains the UK’s most thrilling theme park.”
