River rapids have always been a fun attraction for me ever since I was a kid. While they lack any major thrill or drops typically, there’s just something undeniably pure and fun watching others get periodically drenched and then having the tides turn literally on you. In a park like Busch Gardens with such a famous river rapids ride in the Roman Rapids that I had seen featured in my amusement park videos for years during profiling of this incredible park, I was expecting a very high quality ride, but ultimately it turned out to be a major disappointment for me.
Located in Italy, I love the fact that the entire layout is concealed from view prior to boarding, adding a feeling of mystery to the attraction. The attraction’s use of the park’s beautiful landscape is ingenious, as it really captures the feel of a white-water adventure because of the woodsy setting that is successfully obtained and maintained throughout. In regards to the boats, they’re just okay. I mean they aren’t highly themed or anything, but they aren’t flagrantly bad or anything with their fresh blue coat of paint.
Well, I visited Busch on a 100 plus degree weekday in July, so you’d expect there to be unbearably long lines for water rides like this, right? Surprisingly, lines weren’t that bad at all, as they were around 25 minutes, which was more than worth it on a steaming, hot day like it was. But probably the main reason for my rather short wait was the way the line is structured. Once in the queue, the line divides into two sections- one for parties of 3 or more and one of parties of 2 or less. Being a single-rider, my wait was a good portion shorter than the other line, but either way, lines weren’t overly bad, even despite the massive backup of rafts caused by incredibly slow dispatches. On a pretty slow day like it was, this wasn’t all that bad of a problem, but on a busier day that could lead to much longer waits.
Judging by the damp seats I boarded, I was expecting a soaking adventure like a river rapids should provide; however, most of the ride was far from it. While the landscaping around the attraction is unbelievable and there are some incredible, very rare views of Apollo that can be witnessed, most of the attraction honestly lacks any major excitement. There are a few rapids scattered here and there, but they don’t do anything more then send a few drips onto the raft due to how weak they are. A geyser, some sprayers, or misters really would have helped this ride significantly in its absence of strong rapids, but the ride was simply just lacking.
So what accounted for the damp seats? The finale, and boy is it one heck of a finale! Spinning out of control, the raft approaches a series of three or so consecutive waterfalls that are guaranteed to soak anybody who’s fortunate (or unfortunate depending on your perspective) to experience them. I was lucky enough to get hit by all three and came off absolutely drenched, but the problem is only about half the boat gets hit by the waterfalls and comes off drenched, while the other half comes off pretty much completely dry. I know some people like the chance to come off dry, but I’d prefer a guaranteed drenching any day, especially on a 100 degree day. This really is the ride’s saving grace and unfortuantely the only element featured on the entire ride capable of soaking riders.
Roman Rapids unfortunately is a sub-par river rapids ride that currently holds the claim as the worst of the ones I’ve been on. While the landscaping is flat out incredible and the finale is a total soaker for a few lucky riders that will have them wringing their shirts for weeks, the rest of the ride just lacks any real excitement or soaking elements. So do I recommend it? Well, it is moderately fun still despite being a poor version (granted I always enjoy river rapids rides) and there is a chance you will get drenched so it is good on a hot day, but don’t wait more than 20-30 minutes tops for it or you’ll surly be disappointed.
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