Expedition Zork is a really cool log flume at Toverland. The ride system was always
neat between the drops and backwards section, but it has been upgraded over
the years to get some theming elements. So in this video, I will review Expedition Zork.
This flume originally opened as Backstroke, a fitting name given how this flume includes
a backwards section like so many in Europe do. Built by Mack Rides,
this was part of a big expansion in 2004. Toverland originally opened in 2001 with
just an indoor area. The park expanded this section in 2004 and placed three rides outdoors.
One was entirely outdoors in the Booster Bike roller coaster. Two would load indoors and then
head outside. One was a Wiegand Bobkart that is now known as Maximus’ Blitz Bahn.
The other is the log flume in Backstroke. As Toverland has grown into a full-fledged
theme park, their overall theming has improved significantly.
The park’s newer rides have these beautifully themed stations and custom musical scores.
The ride always featured Zork, this was a giant troll head built into the ride’s rock mountain.
In 2018, the ride was renamed Expedition Zork in his honor. But the ride still didn’t have a
cohesive story. That changed in 2022. The layout remained the same, but the
attraction received some new theming elements to raise it to the standard set by their newer rides.
Toverland didn’t have to do this. The ride already drew crowds as it was, but it shows
the park genuinely cares about the overall guest experience and takes pride in what they offer.
TV screens were added at specific points to progress the story. The big drop was always highly
visible and featured a tower structure, but the visible sections of the trough had some detailing
added for aesthetic purposes. The ending section features a bevy of new statues and figures. And
a lot of theming such as TVs, signage, and props were added to the queue line to set the story.
This is also appreciated since this is one of the park’s more popular rides. Do not be surprised
if it’s sporting a 30-60 minute wait most of the day if you visit during the summer months.
Therefore, it is strongly advised to start your day at Toverland with this ride and the
aforementioned Blitz Bahn. Those are consistently the two worst waits in the park. And since they’re
towards the back in the old indoor area, you can beat the crowds there if you rope drop them.
The ride does have a continuously moving load platform at least,
but the capacity is limited by spacing needed for the ride’s turntables.
The ride’s logs can hold up to 6 people. Previously, the entrance had separate lanes
for groups of 1-2 and 3-6 people. I imagine this is to maximize the ride’s throughput. If you hit
this ride when it has a minimal wait, they let individual families and guests ride alone.
When I returned to the park after its renovation, you just had a single
queue line for everyone. So I’m not sure if they still actively pair groups together.
Once dispatched, you float towards the rock mountain. This always looked great. But some
smaller trees and camping gear were added recently to tie-into the expedition theme.
You then ascend the first lift. At the top, you will see a new TV screen with an explorer and
board a turntable. You then rotate clockwise and you can probably guess what happens next.
You head down a backwards drop. You get a nice freefall sensation and a sprinkle.
You continue to float backwards, circling around a big tree to the ride’s cheery musical score.
You then head onto the ride’s second and far larger lift. This is where the ride’s
quirkiest feature is located. About a third up the lift, you stop on this inclined turntable.
You log is then rotated 180 degrees so it’s once again facing forwards. It seems overly complex to
have put this here, but it is a pretty neat and shocking feature if you don’t know it’s coming.
The lift continues, taking you outdoors. But not for long, as you head into a tall castle.
The same explorer from before greets you from another TV monitor and you
head onto yet another turntable. You then rotate 90 degrees clockwise,
coming face-to-face with the ride’s largest drop. And it’s a good drop too.
It’s a 5 story plunge taking you outside once again.
That’s nice height for a flume and it’s steep enough too to offer a little pop of airtime.
The resultant splash will get you fairly wet, but not soaked.
The retheme made this splashdown a bit wetter. Before, the runoff was bare. Now,
you have some theming elements so some extra water can rebound back at you.
Originally, you just floated back into the building with nothing to see along the way.
Now you pass under some jumping water fountains on your way back to the building. And the doorway
got some extensive theming. It’s a big wooden archway with a troll animatronic above you.
He rocks back and forth, playing some music out of a pipe. But that pipe also includes a
surprise sprayer that is the wettest part of the ride. I did not see this coming!
Then you have a rock tunnel on the way back to the station with some adorable baby troll figures.
It’s a nice way to end the ride, especially compared to what it used to be.
So what would I rate Expedition Zork? I would give this log flume a 9 out
of 10. I always liked this ride, but it became extra sweet with the new theming.
The ride system was always top notch for a flume. I love the two drops and backwards element.
Then the ride was plussed with some nice theming, both during the pre-boarding and on-ride section
to make it a complete experience. This is not only one of the better flumes out there, but it’s one
of the best rides at this Dutch theme park. So those are my thoughts on Expedition Zork,
the really good log flume at Toverland. What are your thoughts on this attraction and the
retheme? Let me know down in the comments. If you enjoyed this review, I’d appreciate it if
you gave this video a like and you considered subscribing since there will be a lot more
roller coaster and amusement park videos here at Canobie Coaster. Thanks for watching!