Tidal Wave (Thorpe Park)
| Tidal Wave | |
|---|---|
The Tidal Wave drop with the "Tidal Wave"
|
|
| Thorpe Park | |
| Area | Amity |
| Coordinates | 51°24′17″N 0°30′52″W / 51.404718°N 0.514391°WCoordinates: 51°24′17″N 0°30′52″W / 51.404718°N 0.514391°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | 7 April 2000 |
| General statistics | |
| Manufacturer | Hopkins Rides |
| Model | Shoot-the-Chutes |
| Lift system | Chain lift |
| Height | 85.8 ft (26.2 m) |
| Drop | 85.2 ft (26.0 m) |
| Speed | 45.6 mph (73.4 km/h) |
| Capacity | 1100 riders per hour |
| Boats | 3 boats. Riders are arranged 4 across in 5 rows for a total of 20 riders per boat. |
| Height restriction | 120 cm (3 ft 11 in) |
Tidal Wave is a giant water ride located at Thorpe Park in Surrey, England, UK. It was opened in 2000 and was Tussauds' first major investment in the park.
When the ride was constructed in 2000 it was the tallest water ride in Europe and retained the title until 2002, when Hydro at Oakwood Theme Park was opened. From 2006 to 2009, the ride was sponsored by Original Source, and from 2010 by Dr. Pepper.
The ride is set in a 1950s New England-style fishing village named "Amity", which has been hit by a tidal wave. The surrounding area has a high level of detail to carry this theme. The ride's queueline is host to a number of partially ruined buildings, including a bathroom with a leaking shower, a toilet and a house with a boat stuck in its roof. The station is built at an angle to give the impression that the building has been damaged by the wave.
Upon leaving the ride, guests are led through a building, named "Pier 13", situated directly in front of the splash pool and above the track. As the boat hits the water, the wave travels straight towards this building and often continues on to the pathway behind. Two windows of the Pier 13 building have no glass, presenting another opportunity for riders to get wet.
Around the splash pool are several effects such as a giant water tower which periodically releases a torrent of water, and the sound of an organ coming from the spire of a supposedly submerged church. Until 2006, the effects included a damaged gas tank firing a large flame approximately every 10 minutes, but the gas tank no longer operates because the cylinders that were used to fuel the flame were removed to make way for the construction of Stealth. The other effects are also currently nonoperational and have been out of order for several years.
Amity also features a comical, fake radio station, named WWTP radio, that plays on a loop through speakers in the area. The radio show is hosted by the fictional character 'Big Bob Jones' and plays music from the era, for example Elvis Presley and The Beach Boys. The show also features comical news reports, parodic advertisements and fictional competitions.
The area also features a few food outlets - a doughnut shop called Amity Naughty Bites and a kebab shop called 'The Amity Kebab Co.' (the Tidal Wave photo unit is located directly above the kebab shop). A small Ben & Jerry's kiosk is also located at Tidal Wave's exit. In addition, the area houses a fish and chip shop, known as 'Amity Fish & Chips'. There are also two shops in Amity Beach, Thorpe Park's largest shop (called Thorpe Mega Store) and in 2007 a new shop called Amity Shop and Drop opposite the 4D cinema. There is also a Tickets and Information kiosk next to Tidal Wave's entrance selling Fastrack and Bounce Back tickets.
...
Wikipedia