Terrifying death slide to maybe debut at Schlitterbahn this weekend [UPDATE: Nope!]
Verruckt, a German word for “insane,” is also the name of the much-anticipated new waterslide at Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, out in western Wyandotte County. The slide – which is higher than Niagara Falls and will be the tallest waterslide in the world once it’s up and running – was scheduled to open to the public on Memorial Day weekend. That did not end up happening, due, in the words of a Schlitterbahn rep, to it “not behaving properly.”
That vague and mildly terrifying bit of information was followed quickly by rumors of test dummies flying overboard during test runs. You know, just a few kinks.
The new opening of Verruckt was set for this Sunday, with media visits scheduled for Thursday and Friday. But today Schlitterbahn canceled those visits. Layne Pitcher, director of marketing and sales, told KSHB Channel 41 that “there are still bugs to be worked out in the conveyor system and problems with a gear box and shafts.”
Schlitterbahn is still planning to have Verruckt ready by Sunday. Somebody from The Pitch who is not me will be reviewing it at some point.
UPDATE: It will not open Sunday, according to a statement released by Schlitterbahn. No new opening date has been set.
