In 2007 the ride received an overhaul with the 2D scenery, added in 1999, being replaced by brand new 3D models, similar to those found in the popular Driving School attraction.
The Station.
A close up of the Riverbank Eye-Spy sign.
A boat about half way round the course.
By the field of 2D sheep.
A little further on we come to a chicken coop.
A boat glides by on the way back to the station.
The channel of the ride drained for the closed season checks.
Around the rest of the ride, the different scenes are in various states.
Over at the chicken coop we can see the old 2D scenery lying alongside the scene, having already been removed.
In some scenes the new scenery has arrived, but is not yet in place, such as at the duck pond.
Here we can see a pair of ducks waiting to be installed, while the old scenery (the crocodile) is still in place.
Over at the sheep field, the 2D Scenery has totally gone, and a new dog has appeared. The chimney pots by the dog are due to be installed in the Rabbit Scene over the hill.
Meanwhile the pig pen scene is more or less complete, looking very impressive!
Looking towards the station, the sign has now been removed, though the name looks to be remaining the same.
The ride is now filled with water once again, and if you look carefully to the left you can just see a new honey pot in the beehive scene.
The ducks have now been installed in their rightful positions round the duck pond.
And a group of lily pads have arrived, no doubt to float on the pond itself.
A closer look reveals the crocodile has now been removed from the pond – it was never actually intended for the Riverbank Eye-Spy, but was part of the Adventure Land play equipment before Spinball.
Over at the sheep field a new flock has now arrived and look to be happily grazing by the ride.
The dog has now found a less unfortunate position to sit in, looking after the sheep.
Opposite the Pig Sty more scenery has now been installed, this new scene features a mole and his hills.
And a quick look at the other half of the Pig Sty scene – don’t they look like they’re having fun?
Finally, over by the station a cat and mouse wait to be installed.
First up we have the return of the ride’s sign, now in 3D.
From the other direction – yup definitely 3D!
The Station is now once again filled with water, let’s have a tour of the ride as it stands today…
Work has progressed on the bee hive scene. Flowers have now appeared…
.. as have the bees themselves, which bob up and down in the breeze.
Also note the equipment around the track currently covered in black plastic.
Some patented fence shots now…
…if you look very carefully through the holes in the fence you can just about see the cow scene on the far side.
Next along is the duck pond, where the lily pads are now on the pond, and frogs have appeared on them.
Over the hill you can see those chimney pots seen on the 11th. They are now part of the rabbit burrow scene.
On to the sheep fields now, and what’s this… a new addition?
That’s right… a giant black and white kangaroo in a shed… or maybe a donkey… you decide!
The chickens have arrived and are looking rather marvelous.
Onto the pig scene, and a new pig has arrived in the shed in the background.
The mole has moved to it’s new home by the last sign. Again notice the black bag.
The cat and mouse have found a new home by Old MacDonald’s Singing Barn.
At the end of the ride just before the boats return to the station.
Aww… Bless!
And what’s that in the field by the ride’s exit?
A solitary bull?
It looks a little angry… perhaps best to leave it there for today.
<p style=”text-align: center”In the sheep paddock we can see a sensor; around the rest of the tracks these are wrapped in black plastic.
Also we can see that the empty shed now has a closed door, is this destined to be home to another animal?
As we’re here, let’s have another look at the chicken sheds.
Not much has changed at the duck pond, unlike the paddocks beyond, which are becoming The Dung Heap.
Down by the ride station the new bull has now moved to a new home alongside the ride channel. It also has a new friend.
Here we can see the latest addition to the ride; after all what farm would be complete without a horse?
Is it just me or does it look a little worried? It makes you wonder what the bull’s been up to.
Finally today let’s take another look at the cat and mouse near the singing barn.
It looks like it’s going to be a good year for the Riverbank Eye-Spy.