Will Congo River Rapids Be Removed? What the Next 5 Years Could Hold

For nearly four decades, Congo River Rapids has been a cornerstone of Katanga Canyon at Alton Towers. But in 2026, something feels… different.

The ride is currently listed as temporarily closed, and that alone has been enough to spark speculation.
So the big question is: are we seeing the beginning of the end?

Let’s break down what’s actually happening—and what the next five years could realistically look like.

The Current Situation: Closed

Right now, Congo River Rapids isn’t gone—it’s simply not operating.

• It has faced seasonal closures and maintenance periods, including extended downtime in recent seasons
• It was also delayed to April in 2025, alongside other major attractions
• As of early 2026, it’s reported as “Closed for regular maintenance from 15th September – Season end“

None of this confirms removal—but it does suggest a ride that’s no longer a top operational priority.

And that’s where things get interesting.

A Wider Pattern: Rapids Rides Are Disappearing

If Congo River Rapids feels vulnerable, that’s because it probably is.

Just look at what happened at Thorpe Park:

• Rumba Rapids closed permanently after the 2025 season
• It had operated for nearly 40 years

This isn’t coincidence. It’s a trend.

Rapids rides are:

• Expensive to maintain
• Operationally complex
• Less marketable than modern coasters or dark rides

From a business perspective, they’re increasingly hard to justify.

The Age Problem: A Ride From 1986

Congo River Rapids opened in 1986

That makes it:

• One of the oldest rides at Alton Towers
• Built on infrastructure approaching 40 years old
• Likely requiring significant ongoing investment

We’ve seen this story before at Alton Towers:

• The Flume (closed 2015)
• Ripsaw (removed for newer attractions)

When rides reach this age, they rarely get full-scale refurbishments—they get replaced.

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The Land It Sits On: Prime Real Estate

Katanga Canyon might look like a quiet corner of the park—but it’s actually huge.

The rapids:

• Occupy a large footprint of land
• Wrap around multiple pathways and attractions
• Limit redevelopment potential

There are already rumours of a full area overhaul to modernise the space

Whether those rumours are accurate or not, one thing is undeniable:

If Alton Towers wants a major new attraction, this is one of the few areas big enough to deliver it.

The Counterargument: Why It Might Stay

It’s not all doom and gloom.

Congo River Rapids still has a few things going for it:

1. Family Appeal

It’s one of the few rides that:

• Has a low height restriction (1.1m)
• Appeals to families and groups

2. Capacity

Rapids rides can process large numbers of guests per hour, helping with crowd flow.

3. Variety

Removing it would reduce the park’s already limited water ride lineup.

Alton Towers has to balance thrill rides with all-ages attractions—and Congo plays a role there.

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Our Take: Removal Feels Likely—But Not Immediate

Here’s the honest opinion:

Congo River Rapids is not safe long-term
But it’s probably not going anywhere tomorrow

Short Term (1–2 Years)

• Likely to reopen intermittently
• Continued maintenance closures
• No major investment

Medium Term (3–5 Years)

• Increasing downtime
• Rumours of redevelopment intensify
• Eventual announcement of closure

Long Term (5+ Years)

• Full removal
• Replacement with a family coaster, or rethemed land entirely

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Congo River Rapids isn’t officially being removed… yet.

But when you combine:

• Its age
• Ongoing closures
• Industry trends
• Valuable land usage

…it feels less like if and more like when.

Prediction:
🟡 Still standing in 2027
🟠 Questionable by 2028–2029
🔴 Gone by early 2030s

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