In 2007, Riverbank Eye-Spy received an overhaul with the 2D scenery, added in 1999, replaced by brand new 3D models, similar to those found in the popular Driving School attraction.
The channel of the ride has been 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 where 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 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 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 Whizzer. Over at the sheep field, a new flock has arrived and look to be happily grazing by the ride, while the dog has 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. 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. The Station is now once again filled with water. 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. If you look very carefully through the holes in the fencing, 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 from the 11th – they are now part of the rabbit burrow scene. On to the sheep fields now, and there’s a new addition in the form of a giant black and white kangaroo in a shed (or maybe a donkey – you decide)! The chickens have arrived and are looking rather marvellous. 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. 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. Finally, a solitary bull can be found in the field by the ride’s exit.
In the sheep paddock we can see a sensor – around the rest of the tracks these are wrapped in black plastic. Not much has changed at the duck pond, unlike the paddocks beyond, which are becoming The Dung Heap. Down by the ride station, the bull has now moved to a new home alongside the ride channel and it also has a new friend – a horse! Finally, we take another look at the cat and mouse near the Old MacDonald’s Singing Barn.
