2. Valhalla – Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Our only non-American entry comes from Blackpool, England. It’s one of the oldest amusement parks still in operation today. Its roots trace all the way back to 1896, and the most remarkable part is that the same family has owned the property since then.
Valhalla is an award-winning dark ride that debuted in 2000. From 2015 through 2018, the Golden Ticket Awards lauded it as THE best water ride on the planet. What makes it so great? Blackpool spared no expense in the creation of this, the longest dark ride ever built. Valhalla is a kindred spirit to Frozen Ever After and especially the attraction that it replaced, Maelstrom, in that it celebrates Norse mythology through some gorgeous set pieces. I understand that not everyone can get to Blackpool to ride this one, so please watch the video to appreciate the majesty of Valhalla.
1. Splash Mountain – Magic Kingdom and other Disney parks
In looking at this list, I think it’s easy to see that I believe that several older log flume rides are timeless classics. With so little room to improve on the concept, I’ve skewed toward some of the originators right up until park planners got smart and started emphasizing theming.
The arrival of Splash Mountain in 1989 was like a lightning bolt from the heavens. It melded together the genius of Imagineering with the exuberance of a satisfying splashdown. This odd dichotomy of storytelling and a climactic soaking elevates the attraction to the top of the log flume industry.
I don’t need to tell you about the story of Splash Mountain. You know that it’s a dark ride based on a film that has rightfully been pushed to the back of the Disney Vault. And you know that Imagineers found the joy in premise, the music and humor. I’ve argued that it’s one of the funniest attractions ever while simultaneously claiming some of the best singalong songs.
No theme park ride is truly perfect. For more than 30 years now, Splash Mountain has come as close as possible to that milestone. It’s wonderful in all ways and undeniably the greatest log flume ride ever built.
Comments
Sorry but Chiapas is probably the best flume ride in world. And even including Frozen Ever After on this list laughable . Also placing Timber Mountain Log Ride below Magic Mountain’s log ride seems wrong. One more little niggle. It would have been proper to have said that Splash Mountain is found at Disneyland and other parks, rather than the Magic Kingdom, since it was the first.
Pretty mediocre list, and if you're saying best in the world try having slightly less bias towards the US... Even the Wild West falls in Australia is better than most of these, and Chiapas is muuuuuch better!
Obviously, you do not know a lot of log flume rides abroad. Chiapas should be on No.1 with the greatest scenary I know, several drops (including the steepest in the world) and a sheer amazing soundtrack that can compete with famous movie soundtracks.
I would add the Log Chute at Mall of America in Minnesota. Great theming, two hills, and it's in a mall.