After years without them, the Alton Towers Congo River Rapids waterfalls look to be back on the Congo River Rapids with 2023 being the year they’re expected to make a triumphant and much-needed return!
Since the tragic Drayton Manor rapids accident Alton Towers were forced to close their own Congo River Rapids ride as part of an investigation into the safety of this Intamin water ride.
When the ride reopened such features as the waterfalls section of the ride at Alton Towers were turned off as a safety precaution.
Later the boats were equipped with new safety doors and more safety signage.
2021 has seen the early closure of both the Congo River Rapids at Alton Towers and Rumba Rapids at Thorpe Park as more health and new safety signage has been spotted around the ride at the Staffordshire-based park.
The Congo River Rapids look to be getting some TLC and a swift return to form with the return of the waterfalls.
Workers have been spotted around the waterfall area installing new tubing/pumps and new safety signage has been spotted before the waterfalls section asking visitors to hold on.
Since the ride was toned down many visitors have complained that the ride now resembles a ‘lazy river’ rather than the whitewater rapids experience that it is meant to simulate.
On the odd occasion you can get a good splash but the majority of the time you’re coming off the ride as dry as a bone.
Seeing work take place around the waterfalls section is certainly exciting and it’ll be great to see what other improvements are made to the ride in 2022 as it certainly felt as though it was on its way out becoming a shell of its former self in recent seasons.
Update – 28/11/2020
During the Lightopia walkthrough event scaffolding has been spotted covering the entire length of the waterfalls section. The whole area has been covered away from public view and work is ready to take place over the winter period.
With the scaffolding unit stretching the entire length of the waterfalls, it would indicate that some structural work on the existing waterfalls facade will be undertaken or a complete replacement of the entire facade could be entirely possible.
The waterfalls have been in a right state after being abandoned for so long and with brand new tubing/pumps potentially behind that grotty facade it makes sense that they’d give it a facelift.
With such a big structure stretching the full length of the waterfalls it’s exciting to see work taking place on a ride that was feeling like it was on its last legs.
Now it just needs some theming pieces around the ride layout so it actually looks like a Congo River Rapids ride and maybe throw in some music or a tour guide along your journey.
As it stands it’s certainly the most neglected ride in the park so it’s nice to see that work is finally going ahead on its upkeep.
The waterfalls aren’t expected to be turned on for this season with 2023 being the general consensus around the waterfalls being turned on along with some updates along the way including a little refresh / a rumoured new soundtrack.
Stay tuned for more updates on this development ahead of their 2023 return
Not subscribed? Please CLICK HERE and be a part of what is currently the quickest growing UK theme park channel on YouTube!
