Schlitterbahn’s Verrückt water slide: ‘It’s like jumping from a tower’

Here is what we know: It’s gonna be big — like Niagara Falls, Statue of Liberty big.

Here is what we don’t know: A whole lot else.

When Schlitterbahn’s much-hyped Verrückt water slide officially opens — Sunday’s planned official opening has been pushed back — it will do so having spent much of its formative life shrouded in mystery. Though the ride underwent a high-profile verification by the Guinness Book of World Records, which deemed it the world’s tallest water slide at 168 feet and 7 inches, many details surrounding the ride have been kept under wraps.

Twice in the past few months, the ride’s opening was delayed so the park could make final adjustments. More recently, unsubstantiated Internet rumors surfaced that riders had gone airborne during testing, which the park denied. This week, the park cancelled two days of media rides due to conveyor belt issues.

Still, the slide has caused quite the stir in Kansas City, and local politicians — including Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback — have already pledged to take the plunge.

Verrückt (German for “insane”) is 264 steps to the top, and if riders make it that far without turning back, they’ll find themselves standing roughly 17 stories above the city. After Thursday night’s announcement of the delay of this weekend’s opening, Schlitterbahn’s Twitter account responded to concerned fans, “Don’t lose faith! Perfection takes time! I promise it will be worth it!”

Here’s a quick look at what riders can expect from the summer’s most-anticipated amusement park addition.

 

 

This story was originally published June 27, 2014 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Schlitterbahn’s Verrückt water slide: ‘It’s like jumping from a tower’."