Logger's Leap
{{Short description|Closed Log Flume water ride}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox water ride
| name = Logger's Leap
| logo =
| logo_width =
| image = Off to get wet - geograph.org.uk - 1293811.jpg
| imagedimensions = 250px
| caption = A log just after leaving the station
| location = Thorpe Park Resort
| section = Canada Creek, Now Old Town
| cost =
| coordinates = {{coord|51.402173|-0.51297|display=title,inline}}
| soft_opened =
| opened = {{Start date|1989}}
| closed = 2015
| status = Removed
| type = Log Flume
| manufacturer = Mack Rides
| designer =
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| course =
| lift = Belt lift
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| boats =
| riders_per_row = 5
| rows_per_boat =
| custom_label_1 = Boats
| custom_value_1 = Riders are arranged in two rows (of 2 and 3 respectively) which totals 5 riders per boat.
| custom_label_2 = Height Restriction
| custom_value_2 = 1m & 1 – 1.3m must be accompanied by an adult (18+)
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| virtual_queue_name = Fastrack
| virtual_queue_image =
| virtual_queue_status = unavailable
| single_rider =
| accessible = Not anymore
| transfer_accessible =
| replacement = Hyperia
}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/THORPEPARK/status/1098160331350777858|title=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|last=Resort|first=THORPE PARK|date=2019-02-20|website=@THORPEPARK|language=en|access-date=2019-02-21|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034102/https://twitter.com/THORPEPARK/status/1098160331350777858|url-status=live}}
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, 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.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ThorpeParkMania/status/901462673006747648|title=Princess Diana memorial plaque relocated into a newly planted out Logger's Leap boat in Old Town|last=Thorpe Park Mania|date=2017-08-26|website=@ThorpeParkMania|language=en|access-date=2018-03-01|archive-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418161242/https://twitter.com/ThorpeParkMania/status/901462673006747648|url-status=live}}
During Fright Nights 2019, the old station was used as the venue for a new scare maze, "Creek Freak Massacre".{{cite AV media| url-status = live| archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/eNFP5VTW7oo| archive-date = 2021-12-11| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNFP5VTW7oo| title = BEHIND THE SCENES OF: CREEK FREAK MASSACRE {{!}} THORPE PARK | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}
During the 2023 season, Loggers Leap was demolished to make way for Hyperia, the tallest, fastest, and most weightless roller coaster in the UK.
Ride experience
Riders 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
Thorpe Park initially claimed via social media that they were "hoping for it to make a splashback soon".{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/THORPEPARK/status/950721012928253952|title=Loggers is currently closed for redevelopment, we're hoping for it to make a splashback soon! #firstof2018|last=Resort|first=THORPE PARK|date=2018-01-09|website=@THORPEPARK|language=en|access-date=2019-01-24|archive-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418161243/https://twitter.com/THORPEPARK/status/950721012928253952|url-status=live}} 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."{{Cite web |title=Will Loggers Leap be re-opening? |url=http://support.thorpepark.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002574552-Will-Loggers-Leap-be-re-opening- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222042037/https://support.thorpepark.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002574552-Will-Loggers-Leap-be-re-opening- |archive-date=22 February 2019 |access-date=2019-02-21 |website=THORPE PARK Resort. An Island Like No Other |language=en-US}}
On 14 March 2022, Thorpe Park submitted an extensive planning application to [https://www.runnymede.gov.uk/ Runnymede Borough Council] detailing their proposed redevelopments of the Old Town area of the park.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-14 |title=Planning Application: Redevelopment of 'Old Town' area within Thorpe Park |url=https://planning.runnymede.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=322455&XSLT=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/Runnymede_AA/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=&DAURI=PLANNING |website=Runnymede Borough Council}} 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{{cite web |title=Loggers Leap Station Fully Demolished |url=https://themeparkguide.co.uk/news-page/Loggers-Leap-Station-Fully-Demolished |website=themeparkguide.co.uk |access-date=24 October 2023}} to make way for the new roller coaster now known as [[Hyperia (roller coaster)|
Hyperia]]. Some sections of the flume still remain towards the back of the site.
References
External links
{{Commons category|Logger's Leap}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071009221618/http://www.totalthorpepark.co.uk/guide/loggersleap.shtml Loggers Leap at Total Thorpe Park]
- {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927013120/http://www.themeparkjunkies.co.uk/index.php?act=parkguide&rgp=1&ride=71 Loggers Leap at Theme Park Junkies]}}
- [http://www.themeparks-uk.com/thorpe-park-guide/rides/loggers-leap.html Loggers Leap at ThemeParks-UK]
{{Thorpe Park rides}}
Category:Thorpe Park water rides
Category:Amusement rides introduced in 1989
Category:1989 establishments in the United Kingdom