Catapult Falls gets its opening date

Ehhh, that vertical lift is sketchy imo.

i've been excited about this ride due to much needed innovation in the water rides department, and with so many flumes being removed and rapids rides having safety issues, it's nice to see this, along with the power waves arriving in parks. however, the launch aspect does concern me as i think about the horrible accident on verruckt several years back. yes, i am aware that ride wasn't a launch but it did have a hill as this one will. i also hope they don't have another shoot the rapids on their hands. but this is texas and water rides are pretty much a must in those hot summers so i wish them well.

@mbrussmco - The "launch" appears to be very similar to what is used on Krakatau (Volcano Bay), which does occasionally have technical issues, but has not encountered any safety incidents as far as I know. I think in general a LSM launch would be pretty safe, because the current can be adjusted over the length of the launch section based on the measured speed of the ride vehicle. Obviously, something could always go wrong, but it's probably less likely than using laminar jets to propel/launch the vehicle.

Looks like a sweet idea.

I was imagining this ride with Disney/Universal theming and it would be so amazing! :)

mbrussmco, a few things to ease your concerns...

1. Verruckt was a waterslide in which the rafts were free floating on the flume with nothing to prevent them from becoming airborne. Catapult Falls will be locked to the track during all hills and drops, ensuring there is no possibility of the boat leaving the rails.

2. Unlike Verruckt, on Catapult Falls there is nothing above riders during the hills, meaning there is no chance of a rider striking something at high speed. Additionally, riders will be secured in the boat via a lap bar rather than a velcro belt that could potentially be undone during the ride.

3. Verruckt was designed in house on a rushed timeline without proper engineering oversight. Catapult Falls is built by Intamin, who has a reputation as one of the premier attraction vendors in the industry.

4. Many other parks operate well known flume rides with similar hills on them, including Splash Mountain at the Disney parks and Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls at Universal Orlando. While Intamin has changed the scale and propulsion methods, nothing about the drop design is unique to this attraction.

TLDR: Catapult Falls is nothing like Verruckt and is probably safer than your average flume or rapids ride.

@ Russell and AJ, thanks for alleviating my concerns and I am aware of how different this experience is and should never compare to Verruckt, an attraction that should have never been built. So that said, i am looking to some exciting new water rides and may actually get to experience Catapult Falls on March 16, although i'm sure it will have a ridiculous wait.