Logger's Leap was a log flume ride at Thorpe Park, UK. It was the tallest log flume in the UK. The ride closed in 2015.[1]
| Logger's Leap | |
|---|---|
 A log just after leaving the station | |
| Thorpe Park Resort | |
| Area | Canada Creek, Now Old Town |
| Coordinates | 51°24′08″N 0°30′47″W / 51.402173°N 0.51297°W |
| Status | Removed |
| Opening date | 1989 |
| Closing date | 2015 |
| Replaced by | Hyperia |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Log flume |
| Manufacturer | Mack Rides |
| Lift system | Belt lift |
| Boats | Riders are arranged in two rows (of 2 and 3 respectively) which totals 5 riders per boat. |
| Height Restriction | 1m & 1 – 1.3m must be accompanied by an adult (18+) |
| Virtual queue | Fastrack unavailable |
 Wheelchair accessible | |
History
editLogger's Leap opened in 1989 on the lake at the back of the park, along with a new themed area 'Canada Creek'. It was manufactured by Mack Rides. The attraction featured a 'country and western' pop soundtrack including 5,6,7,8 by Steps, Cotton-Eyed Joe by Rednex, Southern Nights by Glen Campbell and 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton.
The ride was the tallest log flume ride in the UK upon opening, although this was surpassed by "Nightmare Niagara" at American Adventure theme park near Derby. Following the closure of American Adventure, Logger's Leap regained its record.
The ride famously featured in press photographs of the royal family with Princess Diana in 1993. A dedication plaque was erected next to the attraction following her death.
In 2013, the tunnel enclosing the first lift and drop was removed due to poor structural maintenance over time.
Logger's Leap did not open after the 2015 season and stood not operating. The park announced via social media that the ride was "under redevelopment". In February 2019, it was confirmed that Logger's Leap had permanently closed and ride parts were to be auctioned in May, however no auction ever took place.[2]
During Fright Nights 2019, the old station was used as the venue for a new scare maze, "Creek Freak Massacre".[3]
Ride experience
editRiders queued up in one of five queues at the front of the station. Each Logger's Leap boat held up to five people - two in the front and three in the back.
Once the boat left the station it meandered towards a tunnel. The boat was then lifted up into the tunnel before descending the first drop in complete darkness. The boat exited the tunnel amongst woodland at the back of the park, where it crossed the main lake and made its way to the second lift hill. This hill, the biggest of the ride, featured a steep drop with a double dip. The boat descended the drop into a splashdown, then meandered back to the station across the edge of the lake.
Post-closure redevelopments
editThorpe Park initially claimed via social media that they were "hoping for it to make a splashback soon".[4] Since the official closure, however, Thorpe Park stated on their website in 2019 that "situations can change and as plans develop they often move in different directions". They followed by stating that "the area that Logger's Leap once dominated will be forming part of our long term development plans."[5]
On 14 March 2022, Thorpe Park submitted an extensive planning application to Runnymede Borough Council detailing their proposed redevelopments of the Old Town area of the park.[6] The main focus of the application is their proposed new roller coaster, at the time, code-named 'Project Exodus'. The demolition of Logger's Leap was completed in early 2023[7] to make way for the new roller coaster now known as Hyperia. Some sections of the flume still remain towards the back of the site.
References
edit- ^ Resort, THORPE PARK (20 February 2019). "It's with a heavy heart that we announce the time has come to say goodbye to a much loved ride here at Thorpe Park & what was the UK's tallest log flume, Logger's Leap. Fans of the ride will get the chance to own a piece of Logger's Leap memorabilia via an online auction in May.pic.twitter.com/N9cZyV79Kq". @THORPEPARK. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ Thorpe Park Mania (26 August 2017). "Princess Diana memorial plaque relocated into a newly planted out Logger's Leap boat in Old Town". @ThorpeParkMania. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
- ^ BEHIND THE SCENES OF: CREEK FREAK MASSACRE | THORPE PARK. YouTube. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
- ^ Resort, THORPE PARK (9 January 2018). "Loggers is currently closed for redevelopment, we're hoping for it to make a splashback soon! #firstof2018". @THORPEPARK. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
- ^ "Will Loggers Leap be re-opening?". THORPE PARK Resort. An Island Like No Other. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ "Planning Application: Redevelopment of 'Old Town' area within Thorpe Park". Runnymede Borough Council. 14 March 2022.
- ^ "Loggers Leap Station Fully Demolished". themeparkguide.co.uk. Retrieved 24 October 2023.