User:JlACEer/Free Flow Boat Ride

A free flow boat ride or water transportation system is a type of slow boat ride popular in amusement parks, gardens or zoos. The boat ride can be considered a modern-day version of the Old Mill/Mill Chute and/or River Caves rides that were popular in the early part of the 19th century. Some of the rides can be similar in operation to log flumes or river rafting rides, but they do not have any thrilling features such as a large drops or rapids. The intent of the ride is to provide gentle conveyance through a scenic area such as a garden or a fantasy-themed area. These rides can be indoors, outdoors, or have both indoor and outdoor sections. The outdoor rides are more popular in Europe, although some exist in North America. The rides rely on the movement of the water through a trough to convey the boats along the course. There are no motors on the boats, and the vehicles do not require any operators. Underwater pumps or a centralized water wheel keeps the current flowing in most systems, however, some earlier systems utilized a slight elevation change to provide the current, usually with a small lift in the middle of the ride. The boats can be of various sizes, and may be round, allowing the ride to gently spin as it negotiates the course.

Installations

Early indoor rides

• Disney's It's a Small World (1966–, 1971–, 1983–, 1992–, 2008–), and Pirates of the Caribbean (1967–, 1973–, 1983–, 1992–)
• Six Flags Over Texas' Spee-Lunker's Cave Ride (1964–1992), and Gold River Adventure (1992–)
• Six Flags Over Georgia's Monster Mansion (1981–)
• Kings Island's Enchanted Voyage (1972–1982)

Indoor rides

• Alton Towers' Around the World in 80 Days (1981–1993), Toyland Tours (1994–2005), and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride (2006–)
• Epcot's Living with the Land (1982–), Maelstrom (1988–), and Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros (2007–)
• Sea World's Lassiter's Lost Mine (1987–1993), and Bermuda Triangle (1994–2010)
• Movie Park Germany's Bermuda Triangle: Alien Encounter (1999–), Looney Tunes Adventure (1996–2004), and Ice Age Adventure (2005–)
• Warner Bros. Movie World's Looney Tunes River Ride (1991–2011)

Outdoor rides

• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium — a multi-passenger boat ride through a wooded area.
• Dreamworld's Creature Cruise (1997–2002)
• Europa-Park — multiple attractions including a round boat ride through gardens and a multi-passenger boat ride also through gardens.
• Gilroy Gardens — a round boat through gardens.
• Hansa Park — a multi-passenger boat ride through gardens.
• Heide Park — multiple attractions including a round boat ride through gardens and a multi-passenger boat ride through gardens and an indoor section through a cave that is also used for the powered mine-train type ride.
• Parque de Atracciones de Madrid — multi-passenger boat through a themed area.
• Rainforest Cafe in Galveston, Texas — an indoor River Adventure Ride through a dinosaur-themed area.

Manufacturers

• Arrow Dynamics manufactured many of the early systems including the rides at the Six Flags parks and Kings Island
• Hopkins Rides manufactured the attractions at Gilroy Gardens and the Columbus Zoo
• Intamin manufactured the indoor River Adventure at the Rainforest Cafe in Galveston, Texas and the Ice Age Adventure ride at Movie Park Germany
• Mack Rides of Germany manufactured many of the rides in Europe
• Some amusement parks, including Dreamworld and Sea World, manufactured their free flow boat rides in-house

External links

• Water Transportation Systems by Hopkins Rides
• Dark Boat Rides by Intamin
• Free Flow Boat Rides by Mack Rides