Latest News
Tallest water ride planned
US park Holiday World and Splashin' Safari has unveiled plans to develop a $4.3m water ride, which will be the world's tallest when it opens as part of an $8.9m expansion next year.
The 1,480ft shoot the chute ride, built by Intamin of Switzerland, will be located in the Thanksgiving zone and will be called Pilgrim's Plunge. It will use an open elevator to lift five, 10-passenger boats 135ft up. The boats will pause briefly and then rapidly descend 131ft at a 45-degree angle, creating a wall of water 45ft high and 90ft wide. Maximum speed will be around 50 miles per hour.
"We've dreamed about adding a shoot-the-chute ride for years," said Will Koch, park president. "When we saw the opportunity to break the world's record and to use an open-air elevator in the design, we couldn't resist. This is a high-capacity, classic family ride with a modern twist."
Koch also announced the HoliWatch programme, a wristband-style radio frequency identification service that will be offered free to park guests in 2009. The water-proof devices will serve as locators for families or groups who become separated during their visit via Holiwatch InfoCenters that will be located throughout the park.
