The concept of the river cave is also very similar to those of the early scenic railways in that they attempt to be both educational and entertaining. This type of amusement ride became relatively common at amusement parks across the UK and the USA in the mid-20th century. The boats drift along on a gentle current, typically generated by a paddle wheel. Riders travel slowly on themed boats along an artificial river that meanders through decorated caves and tunnels featuring different themed scenes of lighting, sounds, props, animatronics, or other visual effects.

With the development of other socially acceptable opportunities and less stigma for unmarried couples to engage in physical contact, these rides became less popular and were either re-themed into children's attractions or torn down completely. The darkness provided a degree of privacy and the frightening scenes offered a socially acceptable excuse for the physical contact at a time when public affection or even holding hands was considered inappropriate. There were two major themes: a relaxing romantic ride encouraging the couple to cuddle, or a spooky horror ride encouraging the couple to cling to one another. In its earliest incarnations, riders were taken by two-passenger boats through dark passages. While generally considered a gentle ride, a variation that ends with a climactic splashdown, similar to the modern-day log flume, is known as a mill chute. These themed dark rides originated in the late 19th century and are known by a variety of names, including tunnel of love and river cave. Fata Morgana at Efteling in the Netherlands.Īn old mill is a type of amusement park ride with unaccompanied boats floated on guideways through dark tunnels.

Puyallup fair 2015 log flume ride