6. Le Scoot Log Flume – Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Another log flume from the 1970s, this one debuted in 1975. It’s unique due to its larger than normal aqueducts. Your vehicle has a bit more freedom to bounce around, causing more tilting during the ride experience. You’ll bump up against the walls more here than on the other eight rides here combined.

My favorite part is that when park planners scaled up Busch Gardens Williamsburg, they honored the placement of Le Scoot Log Flume. A 1997 roller coaster named Alpengeist seems like it’s going wreck into the building only to turn away at the last second.

5. Daredevil Falls -- Dollywood

This log flume bridges the gap between the old school and the newer versions of the concept. Developed in 1998, it has the squishiest seats in the industry, and somehow that adds to the fun. When you board this ride, you'll hear the tell-tale squeaking that lets you know what you're about to do. The conceit of Daredevil Falls is that you're heading toward an abandoned sawmill, and it's not going to end well for you. That 60-degree drop at the end assures that NOBODY is when they exit the boat.

4. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls – Islands of Adventure

The first five log flumes on this list give lip service to theming in the best instances and wholly ignore it in some cases. The top four merit their lofty status because they marry the glory of a log flume ride with high-quality theming to create an adventure.

Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls places everyone's favorite Canadian law enforcement official in chase of his sworn enemy, Snidely Whiplash. You join him in the quest to bring the mustache-twirling villain to justice. The real victim in all of this is poor Nell, who once again gets kidnapped and tied to a log. She has the worst luck, and it’s totally understandable why only Horse gets an affectionate kiss in the end. The full journey of this log flume ride is both cartoonish and epic in scope.

3. Frozen Ever After – Epcot

No, I am not cheating. You can look at the Wikipedia list again. You’ll see that they clearly list Frozen Ever After as a log flume ride, which it totally is. You board a log flume, and then you float down the water. It just so happens that you’re floating through the magical realm of Arendelle, whose crown princess is a weather witch of the highest order.

The theming of Frozen Ever After is so great that you take the log flume part for granted. To you, it’s just another little boat ride at Disney akin to It’s a Small World and Jungle Cruise. And it’s one that transports you to another place and time, one where you’ll believe that snowmen can sing, sneezes can become babies, and sisters can overcome all. Okay, that last one is true anyway, but the first two are pure Disney magic.

For several years, Frozen Ever After has been one of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World. It’s not a coincidence. Everything about the ride is phenomenal, straight down to the delightful log flume plummet at the end.