| |
The "ride"
itself (Disney prefers to call its rides, "attractions" in that
with the combined theme-ing, they are more than simply "rides")
has some interesting facts:
- Grizzly River Run (GRR) is loomed oveer by the man-made
Grizzly Peak, center of the Grizzly Peak Recreation Area
of Disney's California Adventure (DCA).
- The Run (sounds better than "ride") is the fastest simulated
river rapids ride in the world.*
- The Run is also the highest simulated river rapids ride in the
world, having a conveyor lift height of nearly 50 feet (click
here for a pic showing rafts on the conveyor lift, the peak
itself and some of the buildings in the queue area).
- The Run also features the longest and highest drop (pictured
quite well
here) of any river rapids ride.*
- Rafts are spun as they enter the drop, producing a dizzying,
wet effect on the way down.
- All rafts on GRR are indeed free-floating, and the number of
passengers and weight distribution make each ride unique.
- Rumors abound of a "Ghost Grizzly" that lives inside
the cave near the top of the peak.
- A radio station, WGRR, broadcasts from somewhere near the
peak, and can be heard playing "Today's best rockin' country"
while in queue for the Run.
- Maps in the ranger's offices and raft guide's offices show
sections of the South Fork of the American River.
- The actual name of the river in the attraction (The Rushin'
River) pays homage to another California river, the Russian
River.
- The Grand California Resort Hotel, modeled closely on famous
National Park lodges (especially the lodge at Glacier Park) is
actually located inside the theme park, and serves as a
backdrop for GRR.
- The mascot for GRR is a rather cuddly looking Grizzly when
he's represented in his "plush"
form. When DCA first opened, Disneyana collectors stormed the
park and bought up every available mascot, and promptly began
selling them on eBay.
- Disney had "imagineers" (Disney's creative experts) spend
several months searching California grasslands, rangelands and
open areas for remnants of the state's pioneer history, and many
of the artifacts seen from the queue of GRR (and Big Thunder
Mountain Railroad at Disneyland) are actually authentic pieces.
- The Run's finale takes daring thrill-seeking rafters through a
steamy, wet
geyser
area. |
|
