Logger's Leap

Loggers Leap
A log just after leaving the station
Thorpe Park Resort
Area	Old Town
Coordinates	51.402173°N 0.51297°W / 51.402173; -0.51297
Status	Closed
Cost	£6 Million
Opening date	1989 (1989)
Closing date	November 2015 (2015-11)
General statistics
Type	Log flume
Manufacturer	Mack Rides
Lift system	Chain lift
Height	16 m (52 ft)
Length	521 m (1,709 ft)
Speed	32 km/h (20 mph)
Capacity	1,200 riders per hour
Duration	3 mins
G-force	1.75
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 available

Loggers Leap was a log flume ride in Thorpe Park, UK. It was the tallest log flume in the UK. The ride permanently closed after the 2015 season..

History

Logger'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, Loggers 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.

Loggers Leap did not open after the 2015 season and has since remained standing but not operating. The park announced via social media that the ride was "under redevelopment", but in February 2019 confirmed that it had permanently closed. Ride parts were to be sold in an online auction in May.

Ride experience

Riders queue up in one of five queues at the front of the station, four for ordinary guests and one for Fastrack guests who have paid extra. Each Logger's Leap boat holds up to five people - two in the front and three in the back - meaning during busy periods small groups may be asked by a ride attendant to share boats to speed up the queue. Boats do not stop in the station unless there is an emergency and guests must take their belongings with them, apart from cuddly toys won in the park or photographs from other rides.

Once the boat has left the station it drops down a small hill and turns around a sharp right corner before making its way into a dark tunnel. The boat then rises up a hill before descending the first drop in complete darkness. The boat exits the tunnel at the back of the park amongst woodland, where it crosses the main lake and makes its way to the second lift hill. This hill, the biggest of the ride, features a steep drop with a double dip. The boat descends the drop into a splashdown, then meanders back to the station. Once in the station, guests are helped out of their boat by an attendant and leave through the photo shop.

In 2013, the tunnel enclosing the first lift hill and drop was removed due to poor structural maintenance over time.

Future

Thorpe Park have claimed via social media on various occasions that they're "hoping for it to make a splashback soon", but since the closure have now stated that "situations can change and as plans develop they often move in different directions".

It is unknown what will become of the site, but the park have claimed that "the area that Logger’s Leap once dominated will be forming part of our long term development plans."

As of February 2019 Loggers Leap is now permanently closed.

External links

• Loggers Leap at Total Thorpe Park
• Loggers Leap at Theme Park Junkies
• Loggers Leap at ThemeParks-UK