Chiapas is the best water ride in Europe. This Intamin log flume at Phantasialand is located in
the Mexican section of the park and it’s one of the most visually stunning attractions in
the world. And the ride itself is awesome too, as it features the world’s steepest drop on a
traditional log flume. Find out everything that makes Chiapas special in this review.
In 1992, Phantasialand built the Stonewash and Wildwash Creek log flume. The attraction
was removed after the 2011 season and set to be replaced with a bigger and bolder flume.
Chiapas was built on this site, opening for the 2014 season.
This attraction is a beauty. The ride is flawlessly integrated into the Mexico pavilion.
Much of the ride takes place on this detailed rock mountain.
Chiapas looks like something from a nature trail, especially since there’s this windy
path that runs along the ride’s mountain and caves. And along with the visual splendor,
you also have one of the best soundtracks of any ride. It’s just so cheerful!
You can hear the audio pumping throughout the area both on and off the ride.
The ride’s story is that you’re traveling through a Mexican archaeological site and there are some
artifacts and posters in the ride’s queue. And thankfully you won’t have to spend too much time
in this queue line. The ride has a high 1800 rider per hour capacity and Phantasialand does not mess
around. Towards the end of the queue line, there are different lanes depending on your party size.
This helps the park fill the entire log. So unfortunately, you can’t guarantee yourself
a specific seat. The front offers the best views, especially if you’re on the shorter side.
But I like the back best since the drop is a little more thrilling back there.
The only time the logs aren’t filled completely is if the ride is a total walk-on.
Unlike most log flumes, this one features individual seats with lap bar restraints.
But they are a royal pain to get in and out of. You basically have to straighten your legs and
diagonally slide down the vehicle. If you’re ridden Ripsaw Falls at Islands of Adventure,
the boarding process is similarly awkward. I really wish the lap bars could have swiveled
from the side as opposed to lowering vertically. The restraints are comfortable enough during the
ride. The one downside for me is that they pin your legs in place,
so you can’t lift your feet off the floor when the logs start filling with water.
While most of your body will come off perfectly wet, your shoes will come off soaked.
The ride starts with a covered turn past some archaeological tools
and then you reach the first of several lifts. Unlike most flumes that have conveyor belts,
this one has a dual chain lift. The log takes a second or two to engage and then you shoot
the top pretty darn quickly. This is easily the fastest lift of any flume out there.
You then head into the first cave, passing an active digging site.
You see all the equipment plus a few ancient heads and paintings.
This leads to the first drop. I like how it takes place under a decorative head, but the drop itself
is just ok. This has the potential to be the wettest splash on the ride if you’re up front.
You then enter another cave, get blasted with mist, and climb onto a turntable. These
turntables engage quickly and are pretty swift. You float backwards through a lushly landscaped
temple and eventually reach the best scene on the ride. You enter the Templo de Fiesta,
which feels like a dark comedy. You enter this cave lined with skulls on the wall all while
an up-tempo dance beat plays and multi-colored lights flash. It feels like a club. And then you
have this full-figured rock statue using bones to bash skulls like they’re a set of drums.
Who ever would have thought a subject matter so dark could be so fun!
While you’re busy grooving, you suddenly plunge down a backwards drop.
It catches you by surprise and gives a little freefall sensation.
This section ends not with a turntable, but rather this unique piece of sliding track
that lines you up with another lift hill. This is another speedy one and it brings you towards
the top of the rock mountain. This section really lets you appreciate the detail in the rockwork.
It leads to the final lift hill. You again zip to the top. You then round a corner and head
towards the final drop. You often will pause at the top for a few seconds. Or a few minutes if
you have a super heavy log. The first time I rode Chiapas was with several large guests in the back
and the drive tires struggled to push us over the drop after we stopped. But eventually the
maintenance staff got it fixed. And it just built anticipation for the drop, which is a 66 foot or
20 meter plunge at a 53 degree angle. Simply put, this is massive for a log flume. The drop
reminds me a lot of the one on Ripsaw Falls. It may be a little shorter, but it’s a bit steeper.
And if you’re towards the back of the log, you’ll get a tiny pop of airtime halfway down the drop.
Rather than going straight into a splashdown, you have a high speed pullout that gives some
surprising positive Gs. And then you shoot over a bunny hill. This element gives a hint of floater
airtime, but it’s more about the speed. You then hit the final splashdown, which is refreshing.
Chiapas then rounds a corner and heads into the station, ending the 5-6 minute long experience.
And then you’ll have to struggle to actually get out of the logs, basically pulling your legs up
diagonally from underneath you. Getting in and out of those logs is this ride’s biggest weakness.
So needless to say, I’m giving Chiapas a perfect 10 out of 10. The ride itself is
near flawless. You have immersive theming both from a visual and audio standpoint.
Plus you have a long flume ride plussed by modern technology such as switch tracks
and daring drops. There’s a reason this is one of my favorite flumes in the world
and this is a can’t miss attraction at Phantasialand, even if it’s a cold day.
So those are my thoughts on Chiapas, the Intamin log flume at Phantasialand.
What are your thoughts on this water ride? Do you think it’s one of the best in the world?
Let me know your thoughts down in the comments. If you enjoyed this review, I’d appreciate it
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