Castaway Creek mystery . . .

[Johnnyboy]

One of the things I love to do most at WDW is spend a couple of hours drifting down along Castaway Creek at TL. In a day (okay week, who am I kidding) of Disney mayhem, nothing restores my sanity like that lazy river. My question is this: it seems like you are drifting downhill all the way - ever so gradually, and that is what keeps everyone moving. How can that be? Obviously it cannot keep going downhill all the way around the whole circle, so where is it that we go uphill? I must be missing something, and though I haven't been on it in a couple years now (going October 3), I can't figure out how they get us moving apparently downstream all the way . . .:veryconfu:hammer:

 

[Champion]

Pumps push the water.

 

[ImaYoyo]

One of the things I love to do most at WDW is spend a couple of hours drifting down along Castaway Creek at TL. In a day (okay week, who am I kidding) of Disney mayhem, nothing restores my sanity like that lazy river. My question is this: it seems like you are drifting downhill all the way - ever so gradually, and that is what keeps everyone moving. How can that be? Obviously it cannot keep going downhill all the way around the whole circle, so where is it that we go uphill? I must be missing something, and though I haven't been on it in a couple years now (going October 3), I can't figure out how they get us moving apparently downstream all the way . . .:veryconfu:hammer:

There are jets on the sidewalls that slowly push the water around. Also, there are a few parts where it becomes a bit more shallow or deeper, so that part may be why it appears to you at some points to be "downhill". If you follow the edges all the way around, you will feel the jets.

 

[Johnnyboy]

ahhh I knew it had to be something . . . . I never noticed the jets, but I will look for them this trip - almost destroys the illusion a little knowing its artificially done - but if I never noticed them they must be pretty subtle. Well done!

 

[erasure fan1]

One of the things I love to do most at WDW is spend a couple of hours drifting down along Castaway Creek at TL. In a day (okay week, who am I kidding) of Disney mayhem, nothing restores my sanity like that lazy river.

Castaway creek was in no way a "lazy" river. It was total craziness, wall to wall people trying to get off at the different stops or go around you. I thought we might have to throw down with some people just to get a tube. I lost my sanity on this one!:lol: The wave pool was more relaxing!:lol:

 

[brkgnews]

I would presume that this type of lazy river thing is basically an adaptation of the flume technology that Arrow Development came up with for Small World (and eventually PoTC).

 

[Johnnyboy]

Castaway creek was in no way a "lazy" river. It was total craziness, wall to wall people trying to get off at the different stops or go around you. I thought we might have to throw down with some people just to get a tube. I lost my sanity on this one!:lol: The wave pool was more relaxing!:lol:

hmmm I can sympathize a bit as I have seen a little nutiness like that, but I am sorry that you came out of CC with such a bad experience. A lot of it has to do with the time of day and time of year . . . but at least you can laugh about it! :lol:

 

[Hummer1676]

Its actually pretty level all the way around. Like someone said above thier are deep spots where it suck the water back in for the jets. Its pretty cool how the whole system works.

 

[erasure fan1]

hmmm I can sympathize a bit as I have seen a little nutiness like that, but I am sorry that you came out of CC with such a bad experience. A lot of it has to do with the time of day and time of year . . . but at least you can laugh about it! :lol:

It wasnt a terrible experience, it just wasnt a lazy one. We go at peak summer times so it is very busy. So now when we go we say "who wants to go on the crazy river?"

 

[Johnnyboy]

It wasnt a terrible experience, it just wasnt a lazy one. We go at peak summer times so it is very busy. So now when we go we say "who wants to go on the crazy river?"

Cool, I'm glad . . . when I make my trips they are usually first week of October - a very different atmosphere from the craziness of Summer

 

[Gorjus]

You can feel the jets right when you enter the cave in Castaway Creek, but you don't notice them as much because you are distracted by the water fall.

 

[CoffeeJedi]

Loook at all da lazy peeple, in da lazy riva!

 

[mickster]

In a day (okay week, who am I kidding) of Disney mayhem, nothing restores my sanity like that lazy river.

Hmmmm....Just curious, when you say that it "restores your sanity" after a day (or week) of Disney, that sort of implies that a visit to WDW is not exactly an enjoyable experience for you. Why go if you don't enjoy it? Just wondering.

 

[Johnnyboy]

Hmmmm....Just curious, when you say that it "restores your sanity" after a day (or week) of Disney, that sort of implies that a visit to WDW is not exactly an enjoyable experience for you. Why go if you don't enjoy it? Just wondering.

oh sorry - that may have come out wrong lol - I was referring to the craziness of trying to get on all the rides you want, dealing with the lines, running from on epark to another - its crazy, but I love it!! I just meant that the lazy river is a place to lay back and float . . . so relaxing . . . but then Im good to go - usually to Epcot for a nighhts fun!:ROFLOL:

 

[mickster]

oh sorry - that may have come out wrong lol - I was referring to the craziness of trying to get on all the rides you want, dealing with the lines, running from on epark to another - its crazy, but I love it!! I just meant that the lazy river is a place to lay back and float . . . so relaxing . . . but then Im good to go - usually to Epcot for a nighhts fun!:ROFLOL:

Oh, that makes sense. Actually, I do the same thing, only for me it's Fort Wilderness that is my re-energizer after a few days in the parks. Going on a relaxing bike ride along the trails and seeing all the wildlife is a nice break from the crowds. Then I'm ready to tackle them all over again! :sohappy:

 

[Johnnyboy]

Oh, that makes sense. Actually, I do the same thing, only for me it's Fort Wilderness that is my re-energizer after a few days in the parks. Going on a relaxing bike ride along the trails and seeing all the wildlife is a nice break from the crowds. Then I'm ready to tackle them all over again! :sohappy:

I would never trade the madness of Disney for the world lol - but its just great to find those occasional alternatives that are a little more relaxing. TL is definitely one. Off-premises I always do Boggy Creek Airboats - another more relaxing adventure and away from the crowds.:sohappy: