2008 saw a complete overhaul of the boating lake opposite the Courtyard Tavern and the arrival of a brand new Splash Battle water ride with a pirate theme; aptly named ‘Battle Galleons’. Here TowersTimes has followed the progress of the ride throughout the closed season period until its opening in March.
View from the station.
Looking over towards X-Sector.
View of the course.
The Tavern Building overlooking the course.
Another view of the course.
The Station.
A few shots from the far side of the lake which, being very shallow, used to be a Paddling Pool and was unused by the Splash Karts
Promotional poster.
The path leading to the Haunted Hollow and Flume is currently closed off.
A generator sits by the path to give the lake some light during the night.
Looking towards the landing stage across the drained lake.
The Splash Kart structures have already been removed in preparation.
A look across the whole site which the Battle Galleons will fill.
The footers in the lake bed are the footers from the Swan Boat Ride, which used to occupy the lake.
One entrance to the Tavern sealed up for Battle Galleons construction.
The Day Designer Booth by the lake still standing… for now.
The Splash Kart station has now been entirely demolished.
Looking across the lake from where the station used to stand.
Several footers are now in place and a fair amount of concrete has been poured.
Looking towards where the station used to stand from the far side of the lake.
A few days later and work continues…
as the bed of the lake gradually turns to mud in the wet Autumn weather.
Meanwhile the Splash Karts sit in storage behind Duel, helpfully sitting next to a dustbin.
And the remains of the Splash Kart track resides in the car park.
Some Battle Galleon footers and access vents sit alongside a pile of Splash Kart debris.
If only there was some ironic picture we could supply to explain the fate of the Splash Karts…
Oh… how about this one?
As the park opens for the Half Term Hullabaloo, appearing through the trees is Mutiny Bay and the Battle Galleons, which are slowly take shape ready for their opening a little over a month later.
Looking across the lake, the ship at the centre of the Battle Galleons is now in place, while the station building nears completion.
Here we have the exit of the Battle Galleon, looking through onto the ride platform, with what will become the on ride photo shop alongside it.
Elsewhere the entrance to Mutiny Bay takes shape.
Flags on top on the courtyard show Captain Black is moving in.
From Towers Street, guests get a good overview of the Battle Galleons, including the new island theming, currently floating metres above the water level.
Finally, the moment everyone’s been waiting for, as the ride’s water channel starts to be filled for the first time.
The top of the Towers offers a good viewing platform to look across the whole of Mutiny Bay. Including the Tea Cups being transformed into Marauder’s Mayhem, as well as the prominent dome of the now defunct 3D Cinema.
