Rush

A giant swing ride that takes you 75 feet into the air over the edge of the lake - then swings you back the other way.

About Rush

Rush is a large pendulum swing ride positioned alongside Thorpe Park's central lake. Riders sit back-to-back in a long gondola, facing outward, and the whole assembly swings in an increasingly wide arc - eventually reaching near-vertical at 75 feet on each side. The motion is sustained: once it reaches full height it keeps swinging at that amplitude for several passes before gradually winding down.

The ride is manufactured by KMG (the Afterburner model) and has been at the park for a number of years. Its lakeside position means riders get a clear, unobstructed view of the water and the surrounding park on each peak, which adds to the sense of height and exposure.

What to Expect

Rush is less abrupt than a drop tower - the fear builds gradually as the swing increases in height with each pass. By the time it reaches full height you're travelling fast and the sensation of being nearly inverted at the peak, with nothing below you but the lake, is significant. The ride sustains that height for long enough that it doesn't feel like a brief surprise - you're fully aware of where you are.

Physically it's not particularly intense - the g-forces are moderate and there's no sudden stop - but the feeling of exposure at the top is what makes it memorable. Riders who are comfortable on roller coasters but find height genuinely unpleasant may find Rush harder than the coasters.

Tips for Riding Rush

• Shorter queues than the coasters. Rush has decent throughput and doesn't attract the same peak queues as Stealth or Hyperia. A good mid-morning ride before the coaster queues build.
• The view at the top. At full height on the lake-side arc you get a wide view across the park. On clear days this is genuinely impressive - it's worth being present for rather than closing your eyes.
• Secure loose items. At near-vertical height, anything in pockets will fall. There are lockers nearby.
• Not suitable if you fear height specifically. Unlike coasters where speed is the primary sensation, Rush is about sustained exposure at height. If height is your specific fear rather than speed, this will test it more than most coasters.

← All Rides  |  Visitor Guide