Tilt-A-Whirl is a flat ride similar to the Waltzer in Europe, designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals, in which it is commonly found. [1] The rides are manufactured by Larson International of Plainview, Texas.
Tilt-A-Whirl is a flat ride similar to the Waltzer in Europe, designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs, and carnivals, in which it is commonly found. [1] The rides are manufactured by Larson International of Plainview, Texas.
The ride consists of seven freely-spinning cars that hold three or four riders each, which are attached at fixed pivot points on a rotating platform. As the platform rotates, parts of the platform are raised and lowered, with the resulting centrifugal and gravitational forces on the revolving cars causing them to spin in different directions and at variable speeds. The weight of passengers in these cars (as well as the weight distribution) may intensify or dampen the spinning motion of the cars, adding to the unpredictable nature known as chaotic motion.
Physicists Bret M. Huggard and Richard L. Kautz came up with a mathematical equation that approximates the motion of the Tilt-A-Whirl. [2]
This ride is similar to the Waltzer ride commonly found at British and Irish fairs.
Herbert Sellner invented the Tilt-A-Whirl in 1926 at his Faribault, Minnesota, home. [3] In 1927, the first 14 Tilt-A-Whirls were built in Sellner's basement and yard. Sellner Manufacturing opened its factory in Faribault and the ride debuted at the Minnesota State Fair. [4] More than a thousand rides were eventually built. Some of the rides produced in the 1940s and 1950s are still in operation.
The earliest Tilt-A-Whirls were constructed of wood, powered by gas motors, and featured nine cars. Modern rides are constructed of steel, aluminum and fiberglass, and are powered by seven small electric motors, and has seven cars. [5] [6]
In 1995, Tovah Sellner took over Sellner Manufacturing after the loss of her husband Bruce Sellner; her daughter Erin Sellner joined her in 1998 and the two of them ran the business together. [7]
Modern Tilt-A-Whirls cost in excess of US$300,000 to purchase[ citation needed ]. A Tilt-A-Whirl package comes with a choice to employ either the famous domed tipkarts (which were introduced back during the 1930s), or Waltzer-style open squat podkarts having headrest bars (that option was introduced by Sellner Manufacturing in 2003).
The oldest operating Tilt-A-Whirl is a 1927 model, traveling with Tom Evans United Shows in the US Midwest. Between six- and seven hundred Tilt-A-Whirls are in operation.
Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, still has its original Tilt-A-Whirl from 1949.
| Name | Park | Opened | Closed | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Adventure Park USA | Unknown | Open | Open-topped cars. Cars have desert scenes painted on them. Ride also referred to as Rattlesnake. [8] |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Adventureland (Iowa) | 1974 | Open | [9] |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Adventurer's Park (Brooklyn, New York) | Unknown | Open | [10] |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Alabama Splash Adventure | 2018 | Open | [11] |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | All Star Adventures (Wichita, Kansas) | Unknown | Open | [12] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Amusements of America (Showman) | Unknown | Open | [13] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Arnolds Park | Unknown | Open | [14] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Bay Beach Amusement Park | 1982 | Seasonal | [15] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Beech Bend Park | Unknown | Open | [16] |
| Unknown | Bell's Amusement Park | 1957 | Closed | |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Belle City Amusements (Showman) | Unknown | Open | [17] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Belmont Park | Unknown | Open | Includes ice cream-shaped ride vehicles. [18] |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Bertrand Island Amusement Park | Unknown | Closed | |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Big Rock Amusements (Showman) | Unknown | Open | |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Blue Bayou and Dixie Landin' | Unknown | Open | |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Blue Sky Amusements (Showman) | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Boblo Island Amusement Park | Unknown | Closed | |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Bowcraft Amusement Park | Unknown | Closed | |
| Tilt-O-World | Buckroe Beach Amusement Park | Unknown | Closed | |
| Unknown | Bushkill Park | Unknown | Closed | Purchased by and refurbished by Eldridge Park. |
| Tilt A Whirl | Butler Amusements (Showman) | Unknown | Open | |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Camden Park | Unknown | Open | |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Camp's Amusements (Showman) | Unknown | Open | [19] |
| Twist & Shout | Canobie Lake Park | Unknown | Open | Relocated from Palisades Amusement Park. [20] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Carousel Gardens Amusement Park | Unknown | Open | Open-topped cars. [21] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Casino Pier | Unknown | Open | Open-topped cars. [22] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Castle Park | Unknown | Open | [23] |
| Linus' Beetle Bugs | Cedar Point | 1999 | Open | Previously known as Tilt-a-Whirl. Named after Peanuts character Linus. [24] |
| Tennessee Twister | Dollywood | 1993 | 2004 | [25] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Elitch Gardens (Denver, Colorado) | Unknown | Unknown | Seen in video footage dated 1980. [26] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Fun Spot America Theme Parks (Kissimmee) | Unknown | Open | [27] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Fun Spot America Theme Parks (Orlando) | Unknown | Open | Open-topped cars. [28] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Funtimes Fun Park | 2018 | Open | Originally at Geauga Lake. [29] |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Hersheypark | 1983 | Open | |
| Turkey Whirl | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Unknown | Open | Includes turkey-shaped ride vehicles. [30] |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Knoebels Amusement Resort | 1991 | Open | |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Lagoon Amusement Park | 1954 | Open | |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Land Of Make Believe | Unknown | Open | |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Long Park Park, Geneseo, NY, West Side of Conesus Lake | 1950 | 1990 | Tilt-A-Whirl Ride was sold at the Long Point Park Auction of the rides by Norton Auctioneers in September 1990. Not sure where the ride went from there as the newspaper's report listed many errors pertaining to the rides new owners. |
| Shark Frenzy | Pacific Park | 2017 | Open | Includes shark-shaped ride vehicles. |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Seabreeze Amusement Park, Rochester, NY | Unknown | Open | |
| HARLEY QUINN Wild Whirl | Six Flags Over Georgia | 2015 | Open | Previously known as Harley Quinn Spinsanity. |
| Turtle Twirl | Story Land | Unknown | Open | Includes turtle-shaped ride vehicles. [31] |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Tilt Studio (Katy Mills Mall, Katy TX) | Unknown | Open | |
| Tilt-a-Whirl | Thomas Amusements (Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada) | Unknown | Seasonal | [32] |
| Tilter | Valleyfair! | 1976 | Seasonal | Previously known as Tilt-A-Whirl. Originally installed near the end of High Roller rollercoaster next to the Giant Tilt Ride. It was moved next to the entrance of Wild Thing rollercoaster in 1996 when that was built. It was moved again in 2014 underneath the figure 8 portion of Wild Thing with the installation of the Route 66 area. [33] |
| Giant Tilt Ride | Valleyfair! | 1976 | Closed | This was the only Super Tilt model of Tilt-A-Whirl ever manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing Company, Inc. It featured 14 cars in two rows and was strangely placed right next to Valleyfair!'s other Tilt-A-Whirl ride. [34] |
| Tilt-A-Whirl | Waldameer & Water World | 1964 | Open | [35] |
On September 22, 2018, a Tilt-A-Whirl operated by Thomas Amusements in St. John's, Newfoundland, malfunctioned when two of the cars crashed into each other causing the top of one of the cars to fall off and on to the platform. No serious injuries resulted but some of the passengers suffered minor injuries. [36]
Six Flags Over Georgia is a 290-acre (1.2 km2) amusement park in Austell, Georgia, United States. Opened in 1967, it is the second park in the Six Flags chain following the original Six Flags Over Texas, which opened in 1961.
Valleyfair is a 125-acre (51 ha) amusement park in Shakopee, Minnesota, United States. Owned by Six Flags, the park opened in 1976 and now features over 75 rides and attractions including eight roller coasters. Valleyfair also has a water park called Soak City which is included with the price of admission. Cedar Point and Valleyfair were the first two parks in the Cedar Fair chain and a combination of the park names – "cedar" and "fair" – were used to name the original company.
A pirate ship is a type of amusement ride based on pirate ships, consisting of an open, seated gondola which swings back and forth, subjecting the rider to various levels of angular momentum. A variant where the riders must pull on ropes to swing the ride is known as a swing boat.
Intamin Amusement Rides is a design and manufacturing company in Schaan, Liechtenstein, best-known for designing and constructing thrill rides and roller coasters at dozens of international theme parks, amusement parks and other establishments. The Intamin brand name is a syllabic abbreviation for "international amusement installations". The company has corporate offices across the world, including three in Europe, three in Asia, and two in the United States.
Canobie Lake Park is an amusement park in Salem, New Hampshire, located about 31 miles (50 km) north of Boston. It was founded as a trolley park on the shore of Canobie Lake in 1902. Three local families currently run the park, which draws visitors from throughout the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions. Canobie Lake Park's age and history inspired author Stephen King to use rides and elements from the park in his Joyland novel. It is one of only thirteen trolley parks still operating in the United States as of 2021.
Trimper Rides Of Ocean City is a amusement park located near the inlet at South First Street and the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, United States. It was founded in 1893 as The Windsor Resort. It is located at the south end of the boardwalk and consists of three outdoor lots and an indoor section.
Camden Park is a twenty-six acre amusement park located near Huntington, West Virginia. Established in 1903 as a picnic spot by the Camden Interstate Railway Company, it is one of only thirteen trolley parks that remain open in the United States. Whereas most trolley parks were located at the end of trolley lines, Camden Park is unusual in that it was built where riders traveling between Huntington and nearby cities would stop to change lines. Not long after opening, the park soon gained a carousel and other roadside attractions. Camden Park is West Virginia's only amusement park. The park is home to more than thirty rides and attractions, including a full-size traditional wooden roller coaster, the Big Dipper, and several other vintage rides.
Fun Spot Amusement Park & Zoo was an amusement park located in Angola, Indiana. Although it was small in comparison to parks in neighboring states, it remained one of the largest parks in the region throughout its existence. It also once boasted the only operating roller coaster (Afterburner) with an inversion in the state of Indiana, until Steel Hawg at Indiana Beach opened in 2008. The park closed its doors in 2008.
The Enterprise is an amusement ride, manufactured primarily by HUSS Park Attractions and Anton Schwarzkopf beginning in 1972. The HUSS ride was an adaptation and improvement of a design produced earlier that year by Schwarzkopf, with an increased passenger capacity. Despite not owning the original incarnation of the ride, HUSS was issued the patent.
Jack Rabbit is an "out and back" wooden roller coaster located at Seabreeze Amusement Park in Irondequoit, New York. The Jack Rabbit is a terrain coaster that features seven dips, a helix, and a tunnel. It opened on May 31, 1920. Jack Rabbit is the fourth oldest operating roller coaster in the world and the second oldest in the United States. The oldest, Leap-The-Dips in Altoona, Pennsylvania, was closed from 1985 to 1999, making Jack Rabbit the oldest continuously operating coaster in the country.
The Scrambler, Twist, Twister, Cha Cha, Sizzler, or Merry Mixer, is an amusement ride in which suspended riders spinning in cars experience centrifugal force, while spinning along two separate axes. Riders are seated in small carriages clustered together and connected by beams at the top to a central point. The clustered vehicles are spun in one direction, while the ride as a whole spins in the opposite direction. There are a number of variations of the design.
The Troika is an amusement park ride designed and manufactured by HUSS Park Attractions in the mid-1970s. The name Troika means "group of three" in Russian, a reference to its three armed design. There are several variations on the design.
The Wipeout and Trabant are models of amusement rides manufactured by Chance Rides. Often seen at fairs and traveling carnivals, their design consists of a giant wheel which tilts at a steep angle, fluctuates in a wavelike manner, and spins at various speeds. There is a motor underneath the ride that makes both of these rides raise up and down.
The Whip was a ride originally designed and built by W.F. Mangels Company of Coney Island, New York, United States. William F. Mangels patented the ride in 1914 and it soon became extremely popular.
Rockin' Tug is a flat tugboat ride manufactured by Zamperla. The ride is manufactured in both traveling and park versions. It is the first of a line of new "halfpiperides". Zamperla's Disk'O is another popular ride from that "family". The difference is that the Rockin' Tug has a friction wheel, while the Disk'O is powered driven.
Waldameer Park & Water World is an amusement park and water park at the base of Presque Isle in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. Waldameer is the fourth oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania, the tenth oldest in the nation, and one of only thirteen trolley parks still operating in the country. It is home to several notable rides, including the Ravine Flyer II roller coaster.
Flying Scooters, also known simply as Flyers, is an amusement ride consisting of a center post with ride vehicles suspended from arms attached to the center post. The ride dates back to the 1930s and 1940s when Bisch-Rocco manufactured the ride. In the early 2000s, Larson International revived the concept. In the early 2010s, Larson partnered with Majestic Manufacturing, Inc. to create a portable version of the ride.
Miracle Strip at Pier Park was an amusement park in Panama City Beach, Florida, owned by Miracle Strip Carousel, LLC. The original Miracle Strip closed in 2004 after 41 years of operation, but a new amusement park using the same name was resurrected and began with moving the carousel from its original location to Pier Park in March 2009. After the success of the carousel, the few remaining rides were purchased and moved as well, opening in March 2010. This retro park reopened with a few new rides, games and food vendors on a much larger 14-acre tract on April 18, 2014. The park closed in 2015. Many of the rides permanently moved to Lake Winnepesaukah.
Funland Amusement Park was a small amusement park located in Burns Park, North Little Rock, Arkansas. The park featured several small family rides including a Ferris wheel and a train ride. The park was damaged by a tornado on March 31, 2023. New plans for the park are to feature a playground and splash pad in place of all of the rides except for the train ride which is part of the revised park.
Eyerly Aircraft Company was an amusement ride manufacturing company in Salem, Oregon, founded by Lee Eyerly in 1930. The company originally intended to design flight simulators for the aircraft industry but shifted to amusement rides after an early simulator, called Orientator, became a popular pay-per-ride attraction with the public. The company manufactured rides until 1985 and went bankrupt in 1990, following a fatal accident in 1988 on a ride built by the company.
