Coaster Kingdom
http://www.ukrollercoasters.co.uk
Tutuki Splash (Port Aventura)
To many peoples’ surprise, it is not Dragon Khan that is the most popular attraction at Port Aventura, but Tutuki Splash. This view though is rather blinkered though, as on reflection not only does Tutuki Splash suit a vaster range of people, but also Spanish summers can top 35 degrees, so an instant cool-down is something worth queuing for, and that they do.
Careful
planning can avoid queues though. Fortunately most of the planning has been done
for us though in the form a brilliantly designed park. The path is designed as a
large circle meaning rides’ queues are normally quite short and don’t suffer
from early morning and late evening rushes as people work their way across the
park. It should also be one of the first rides to head for as most saunter over
to Dragon Khan.
To
get to Tutuki Splash you hang a right so that you end up walking in an
anti-clockwise direction around the earlier mentioned path. Through the lush
Polynesian plantations Tutuki Splash will be virtually invisible, and as
you approach the cove in which the spectacular Polynesia show takes place
on, subtle gaps in the flora will invite you to Tutuki Splash.
The
Tutuki Mountain on which the ride is built is a smouldering, semi-active
volcano. The dowdy and dull mountain façade richly contrasts spectacularly with
the fertile and luxuriant green vegetation that fades into the lake that the
path looks out upon.
Scoring
through the centre of this volcano, plunging from behind the summit’s crater,
the drop that dips midway before tumbling into the lake that encircles the base
of the volcano.
You
enter to the right of this most enticing view, and the path takes you first
through some more plants native to Polynesia and then through a series of
thatched huts, all cooled from above by large fans, all a welcome relief from
the invariable Spanish heat.
As
you get closer to the volcano, it writhes in activity, a deep rumble profound
and rich enough to make the ground vibrate. You are probably right to question
whether it really is such a good idea riding this.
As
you bunny hop between these huts, you soon arrive at the station. Riders are let
onto the platform in boat-sized groups before boarding and having a single
chunky lap-bar lowered either by themselves or by operators.
Soon
as the boats are loaded, you are taken further into the fertile undergrowth. You
make a turn to the left before approaching the rocky base of the volcano. To
your right, a few pools of volcanic water and cascading down, a large waterfall.
You
enter the base of the volcano, through a cavern. Above, stalactites, and as you
continue to round the same gradual left-hand turn, the resonant rumble of the
volcano swells to a roar before you go plunging down the first drop. The drop is
small, yet still large enough to tease and enough to at least get you slightly
wet in anticipation for the largest drop.
Back
seat riders will get a shock when the waves rebound off the banks splashing up
the back of the boat more often than not soaking at least your back. The scenery
here remains pretty much unchanged. Hidden in the foliage are more thatched
huts, and you pass under a bridge that crosses over to a pathway that for a
while runs parallel to you.
You
soon turn back around to face the volcano, the rather daunting lift-hill, and of
course the forthcoming drop. As you approach the lift, unfortunate timing could
result in more than you bargained for - as a boat comes plunging down the
plummet the wave created upon splash down will invariably come to close for
comfort.
And
so the climb begins. The lift is shallow, and gives you an opportunity to see
another boat meet its watery demise. You have more than enough time to admire
the modest view as you begin to climb the volcano. To your left you will see
Dragon Khan, which, reassuringly, is still far taller than you. To your right,
the station area and acres of tropical plants and trees.
As
you rise, you will pass the dramatic pools of water formed on the volcano, and
as you level out, look to your right and a dark pool bubbles aggressively. And
at the top, the boat coasts round on its wheels at a surprising rate, turning
180 degrees before dropping.
At
the top of the drop you are thrown up in a fit of airtime before hitting the
bump halfway down. At this point, the relevance of the bar dawns as your rear
leaves the seat and your legs hit the restraint, you tighten up your lower body
in an effort to stay restrained before the boat comes crashing to a near halt,
hitting the water as a wall of water rises way above your head and comes
thundering down like someone has just opened the hatch on a submarine.
There
really aren’t many things to compare the impact and subsequent drenching on
Tutuki Splash. Not having experienced at close hand a dam burst in my face it is
hard to say, but the sheer amount of water that is dumped on you just defies
sensible description.
You
will probably fail to notice the bridge under which you pass, and the turn that
takes you back to the station. You will probably be raving to your friends about
it, wiping water from your eyes and at least trying to look composed.
The
Giant Splash is hard to do wrong. It is nice to note that even the first drop on
Tutuki Splash is impressive. The volcano is impressive, but probably not quite
up to the standard set by many of Port Aventura’s rides and attractions. It is
also a nice length. Whilst Tidal Wave is perhaps too short, and Le Grand Splatch
is too long (by about seven miles), this takes you around the back and front in
a round about manner without you wishing the ride onto the drops.
Capacity
seems to be quite reasonable, another reason why the slightly longer circuit
works in its favour. The biggest design fault though is the bridge that crosses
the splash down area. On most Giant Splashes, the bridge is chapter two in the
aquatic saga that is subject to almost as much water as the boat itself. Whether
intentional or not, it is a shame that although the water will appear to hit the
bridge, almost always misses and goes straight under. It makes an unevenly
loaded boat more of a surprise though, but such an occurrence is rare.
Mustn’t grumble though, if you ride the ride you can’t possibly get wetter, but it would be a nice way to finish off what is a superb ride.
4/5 Marcus Sheen