Designed By: Lagoon Corp. Cost: $7.5 Million (Lagoon's most expensive to date)
River Length: 1760 feet
Ride Length: 5-6 min
Number of Rafts: 15
Ride Capacity: 9 people per raft
Hourly Capacity: 1,500 riders per hour
Height Requirement: 36" min. Children 36"-46" must be accompanied by responsible person.
Other Facts: Uses 3 pumps that each run at 215 horsepower.
RIDE EXPERIENCE
This ride gives you plenty of chances to cool off as you float by waterfalls, gushing geysers, and even an old miner who surprises you with a steady stream of 'something' out of the outhouse. 1,200,000 gallons of water are pumped through the channel per hour, making sure EVERYONE get's soaked!
On the last stretch of the channel there are strategically placed geysers which are, for a quarter, set off by visitors waiting in line along the banks. If you trying squirting unsuspecting riders, just make sure you aim for the right target and push the button just a little before they reach the marker (They used to have dynamite plungers to set off the geysers like the ones used in the old days. I think they stopped working or something, because now it's set off by a big green button.)
RIDE HISTORY & INFO
Planning for this ride goes back to the late 1980s or early 90s. Construction on Rattlesnake Rapids began after the groundbreaking in mid-September 1996. Much of the construction was done by Glynn Geotechnical Engineering from New York. Their website is where I found the pictures below.
PHOTOS
Photo: GGEHere's a panaramic photo from early on in the construction phase of Rattlesnake Rapids. On left side you see where the rotating loading dock will be. This photo was probably taken in 1996.
Photo: GGEThis photo is from later on in the construction process. On the right is the entrance to the ride. On the left side is the loading dock and the hay loft just to the right of it. This was most likely taken in early 1997.
Photo: RickThe giant hissing snake above the entrance to Rattlesnake Rapids, 18 July 2002.
Photo: RickThis photo shows the mock mining town near the ride station.
Thanks to Sid for additional info on this ride.
