SuperSplash

8

 

One problem many parks aiming at a family market, like Plopsaland, is what signature coasters to choose. The number of rides that will both appeal to your customer demographic, and will be a major enough attraction to be a marketable attraction is limited. Here though I think Plopsaland have made an excellent choice.

It's a Supersplash coaster. It's like a splash boat such as Tidal Wave at Thorpe Park, but features a few coaster like elements before the splash.

You start in a large area on part of the lake. Like all of Plopsaland it is very well themed, here with a pirate theme complete with pirate ship and sea storm ride. This is not a very original theme, but it is done to such a high standard on a great scale that this is an area that puts most other pirate themed areas to shame.

The ride starts with you leaving the station and the boat mounting a large turntable. This rises up a large tower while turning the boat so it faces in the right direction for the top of the drop. The inside of the tower feels like a missed opportunity, it's just plain black walls. It seems like a perfect place to put a few models to enhance the ride.

This though is soon forgotten at the top of the drop. You get a few seconds to take in the view, before going down a steep drop, dipping in to a hole next to the lake which takes you below the water line, going after a big bunny hop and splashing in to the water. The whole process provides a really exhilarating fun and thrilling experience, exactly what you want from a good family ride.

It's not over after the drop though. You follow a path around the lake, that thanks to the great setting, some well placed fountains and good pacing, this part is in itself a good entertaining section, avoiding any feeling of come down after the splash found on a lot of similar rides. This all adds up to a superb example of a signature family attraction.