CAROUSEL
The most well known of all amusement park rides, the carousel
dates back to around a.d. 500. The carousel, or merry-go-round,
has remained a carnival “must have” all around the world! The ride
has a circular platform with seats that move up and down. The
seats are the really special part, made of wood, fiberglass, or
plastic and shaped to look like decorated animals, such as deer, cats,
fish, rabbits, giraffes, and, of course, horses. Old carousels and
carousel pieces can be worth lots of money these days! Fun for
young and old alike, even when the Triple-Threat-Xtreme-Screamer
roller coaster is phased out, the carousel will still be turning round.
THE ROTOR
Quick! Get up and twirl around as fast as you can for three
straight minutes, then jump as high as you can into the air! Feel
that free-falling, vertigo sensation? If not, why not go on a rotor
ride? Designed in the 1940s by engineer Ernst Hoffmeister, the
Rotor has many versions in theme parks all over the world. The
premise is pretty much a simple lesson in centrifugal force: Take
a large barrel and revolve the walls of said barrel really fast.
When it's going super fast, drop the bottom out of the barrel,
and watch as all the people inside stick to the walls. Other names
for this simple but popular ride include Gravitron and Vortex.
SWINGS
Have you ever been on an amusement park ride that looks like a
big swinging ship? To get this ride started, a strong motor pushes
the ship in an upward direction. Did you know that, after the ride is
started, the motor does not need to do any more work, and the
ride continues on its own? How do you think the ride stays in
motion? Well, after the motor gives it an initial push, the ride uses
inertia to keep moving. There are all different types of swings that
you can ride on at the Amusement Park. Some swing back and
forth while others go around in a circle!
BUMPER CARS
If you've ever wanted to recreate the excitement and thrill of a
fender bender, this is your ride! Bumper cars (or "dodgem cars"),
which were introduced in the 1920s, riders climb into miniature electric
cars and proceed to slam into the other cars in the pen. Wide
rubber bumpers keep things safe -- as safe as you can get with no
brakes! Still, bumper cars are so popular you'll find them in just about
every theme park, county fair, or carnival you visit -- just follow the
crashing noises and laughter.
OLD TIME CARS
Have you ever wanted to drive your parents around town?
The Old Time or Antique Cars give you the chance to drive
a car from the early 1900’s!
SCRAMBLER
There are many names for this ride and its variations, but
Americans usually call it the Scrambler. Picture this: the ride has
three arms. On the ends of each of those arms are clusters of
individual cars, each on a smaller arm of its own. When the
Scrambler starts, the main arm and the little arms all rotate. The
Scrambler proves that you don't have to go on a roller coaster to
lose your lunch or have the wits scared out of you.
INSANITY
Built in 2005 at the top of the Stratosphere Hotel Tower in Las Vegas,
this ride isn't kidding around. The Insanity creators claim that
"riders will experience the thrill of being flung over the edge of the
tower" as they look down for a couple of breathless seconds at a
glittering Las Vegas far below.
FERRIS WHEEL
Ah, the mighty Ferris wheel -- For the World's Columbian Exposition
of 1893 in Chicago, engineer George Ferris presented fair
organizers with his idea of a giant rotating wheel that would carry
passengers in cars attached around the outer edge. The wheel
ended up being one of the most popular attractions at the World's
Fair. The Ferris wheel is a must-have for any carnival, and
thousands of replications continue to delight passengers of all ages.
TILT-A-WHIRL
In 1926, Herbert Sellner finished his design for the Tilt-A-Whirl and
began building one in his backyard. Sellner's ride involved seven
cars attached to a rotating platform that raised and lowered
itself. Those who look a little green or lose their lunch of hot dogs,
cotton candy, and soda pop are probably just coming off a TiltA-Whirl.