Rode this back in 2001 with my (then) 3 year old neice. She loved it. I wasnt so sure... I dont like heights and even this gave me the jitters when ti hit its height. But, for what it is worth, a fun little ride that does give you a pop of air when the drop begins.

Parachute towers are a dying breed at amusement parks. Many years ago, companies constructed massive towers comparable to today’s drop towers where riders experienced a breathtaking plunge from daunting heights. In all honesty, they were the predecessors to today’s drop towers and set the foundation for these more thrilling incarnations. Unfortunately, these attractions are disappearing left and right in favor of more-modern, technological marvels, but some still operate today. However, Intamin has in the last few years let this great concept that has been so instrumental for the amusement park industry live on; only it’s on a slightly smaller scale.

Standing tall near Dutch Wonderland’s main entrance, Ripcord really just fits in well with the park’s kid-friendly atmosphere. From the vibrant red and yellow paint scheme to its tranquil location next to some beautiful trees, it just looks very nice. Even better, lines simply are a non-factor with this attraction, and in fact I was even able to get many consecutive riders without even having to get off! One side note, the seatbelts can be a bit tricky to buckle the first time, which can sometimes lead to slow loading, but it’s not all that big of an issue due to the low crowds.

Once seated, the ride slowly ascends to the top of the rather diminutive tower, pausing about a third of the way up momentarily. Then the ascent continues until reaching the top, where some decent views can be obtained, especially of the Sky Princess’ turnaround and the park’s incredible landscaping. But I can’t admire the view for long, as there suddenly is a brief pop of air and I am gently plummeting back down to Earth. While the thrill is short-lived, it’s nonetheless very well executed.

Ripcord was my first encounter with a parachute tower, and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. Despite its rather unimpressive height, the basic, sudden release is a thrill nonetheless and definitely merits a ride or two in this park, especially since it’s one of the park’s better attractions, but by no means a star attraction. I can only imagine what larger, more thrilling models are like since Ripcord is a delightful, little tower suitable for almost any rider.