Amusement Park News

Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, is preparing to make a splash in 2027 with the debut of Rip Roarin' Falls, an innovative water attraction expected to set multiple world records.

The first-of-its-kind ride will last approximately 6 minutes and 30 seconds and feature the world's first 100-foot drop on a flume ride, making it one of the tallest water attractions ever built.

Construction is already underway, with installation of the first platform that will support the rotating turntable leading to the attraction's signature drop.

Manufactured by WhiteWater, Rip Roarin' Falls will accommodate eight riders per boat. In addition to its towering final plunge, the attraction will feature a 42-foot reverse drop, the tallest of its kind, and a 32-foot reverse camelback. Throughout its 2,240-foot water course, the boats will change direction twice, sending riders both forward and backward before the finale.

The ride concludes with the record-breaking 100-foot drop, reaching speeds of up to 50 mph. Overall, the attraction is expected to set three world records for a flume ride.

Despite its impressive statistics, Rip Roarin' Falls was designed with families in mind. Riders must be at least 35 inches tall when accompanied by a supervising rider age 16 or older, or 41 inches tall to ride alone.

Carowinds President Bridgette Bywater said the attraction reflects the park's commitment to delivering world-class experiences while remaining accessible to families. She described Rip Roarin' Falls as a new signature attraction that combines thrills with memorable storytelling.

The attraction's theme centers on a long-abandoned lumber mill rumored to be haunted, although the presentation leans more toward playful mystery than horror. Guests become part of the story of two brothers, Frederich and Johann Holz, 18th-century loggers whose mysterious legacy lives on after the camp's abandonment. As Carowinds teases, “the flume is operated by somebody. Are you daring enough to know who?”

By combining immersive storytelling with record-breaking thrills, Rip Roarin' Falls is poised to become one of the industry's most anticipated new attractions.

The ride occupies the former site of Rip Roarin' Rapids, which closed in 2019, and its entrance will be located in Thrill Zone near Fury 325, North America's longest steel coaster. Carowinds also developed a custom loading station designed to improve capacity while reducing wait times.

Rip Roarin' Falls follows several recent additions to the park, including Snoopy's Racing Railway and Charlie Brown's River Raft Blast, both of which opened in 2025. Since 2015, Carowinds has added 20 new rides and attractions while expanding both Camp Snoopy and Carolina Harbor Waterpark.

According to Bywater, guest surveys consistently showed that a new water flume attraction was the park's most requested major ride addition.

Ahead of the attraction's opening, Carowinds introduced a new membership program that includes admission to both Carowinds and Carolina Harbor Waterpark throughout 2026 and 2027. Gold Memberships also include parking, seasonal events such as WinterFest, and access to additional Six Flags parks, while an upgraded option provides admission to every Six Flags park nationwide.

Bywater said the membership program reinforces Carowinds' position as one of the Carolinas' premier entertainment destinations. The 400-acre park features more than 58 rides and attractions, a 26-acre waterpark, and on-site accommodations.

When Rip Roarin' Falls opens in 2027, however, the spotlight will be on the attraction itself. Combining immersive storytelling, innovative ride technology, and multiple record-breaking elements, the ambitious new flume is expected to become one of the most talked-about water rides in the amusement industry and a signature addition to the Carowinds lineup for years to come.