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The Top Spin is a thrill ride developed by HUSS Park Attractions, and is the generic name for a series of rides from other manufacturers that follow the same principle. The ride consists of a passenger platform suspended between two counterweighted arms. The arms are turned by motors, while the platform typically only has brakes that are engaged and disengaged at various points of the ride cycle. A typical top spin program runs the main arm motors while engaging and disengaging the platform brakes so that it will rotate in exciting ways. The minimum rider height requirement is 54 inches; maximum is 80 inches due to the seat and restraint design. The ride was introduced to the public in 1990 and proved an instant success with European fairgoers.
Huss has designed the ride so that park and carnival operators may choose one of eight preset ride "programs." Most last no more than two minutes and consist of several moderate-speed loops, flips, and face-down gondola "hangtime" before unlocking the gondola hydraulics and swinging the riders back and forth. Some Top Spin rides have the added feature of water fountains which are mainly used at the end of the ride sequence soaking the riders as they are slowly lowered face first into the un-escapable water jets. Cycles can be customized to include more intense repetitive flips and also be under manual operator control. A world record was set with over 100 gondola flips during a cycle with a theme park model in Germany. [1]
There are also numerous other Top Spin rides that were later developed by other companies as rivals to the Huss versions.
In addition to this, various manufacturers such as Mondial, Moser, Vekoma, and Zamperla make an improved version of the Top Spin where each individual arm is controlled separately; this results in diagonal gondola inversions. Examples include "Wind Shear", "Super Loop on Top", "Waikiki Wave Super Flip","Super Nova" and "Discovery".
The Top Spin was once a common ride at travelling funfairs, particularly in Germany. Over time, many of the travelling versions of the ride have been sold to amusement parks. Huss also makes several models of Top Spin specifically for static locations.
Name | Owner | Country | Manufacturer | Model | Premiere | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Top Spin No.1 [Prototype] | Peter Bausch | Germany | Huss | Top Spin | 1990 | Operating |
Colorado Rafting | Bruch Schneider | Germany | Huss | Top Spin | 1990 | Sold |
Revolution | Ronny Weber | Germany | Huss | Top Spin | 1990 | Stored |
Top Spin FRESH | E.Fleur | France | Huss | Top Spin | 1991 | Operating |
Top Spin | Ludewigt | Germany | Huss | Top Spin | 1991 | Stored |
Revolution | Naisse | France | Huss | Top Spin | 1992 | Stored |
Revolution/Top Spin | Dir.Paillet | France | Huss | Top Spin | 1992 | Stored |
Top Spin 2 | Plaenert | Germany | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 1993 | Sold |
Top Spin | Buser | Switzerland | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 1993 | Sold |
Top Spin | Strates Shows | United States | Huss | Top Spin | 1993 | Stored |
Top Spin FRESH | Decker-Schaak | Germany | Huss | Top Spin | 1993 | Operating |
Bat Spin Formerly: Top Spin | Picci | Italy | Huss | Top Spin | 1994 | Stored |
Top Spin | Straub | Germany | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 1994 | Stored |
Top Spin 2 | Meyer-Hadlok | Germany | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 1994 | Sold |
Top Spin Nº1 | Karl-Heinz Scheele | Germany | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 1996 | Sold |
Top Spin | Ludewigt | Germany | Huss | Top Spin | 1997 | Sold |
Top Spin | Plaenert | Germany | Huss | Top Spin | 1997 | Sold |
Top Spin Nº2 | Lucka | Germany | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 2001 | Operating |
Name | Park | Country | Manufacturer | Model | Premiere | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miner's Revenge Formerly: Colorado Rafting | Funfair (1990) Gold Reef City (1999) | South Africa | Huss | Top Spin | 1990 | Operating |
Aqua Spin | Heide Park | Germany | Huss | Top Spin | 1992 | Removed |
Top Spin | Yokohama Dreamland | Japan | Huss | Top Spin | 1992 | Removed |
Hurakan | Tibidabo | Spain | Huss | Top Spin | 1992 | Removed |
Top Spin Formerly: Texas Twister | California's Great America Geauga Lake | United States | Huss | Top Spin | 1993 | Removed |
Yukan Raft Formerly: Top Spin 2 | Funfair (1993) Fort Fun Abenteurland (2013) | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 1993 | Removed | |
Moon Chaser Formerly: Top Spin | Funfair (1993) Adventureland Amusement Park (2024) | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 1993 | Operating | |
GiraVolta Formerly: Top Spin | Miragica Gardaland | Italy | Huss | Top Spin | 1993 | Closed |
Top Spin | Liseberg | Sweden | Huss | Top Spin | 1993 | Removed |
Top Spin | Parque de Atracciones de Madrid | Spain | Huss | Top Spin | 1993 | Operating |
Kieputin | Linnanmäki | Finland | Huss | Top Spin | 1994 | Removed |
Top Spin | Nagashima Spa Land | Japan | Huss | Top Spin | 1994 | Removed |
Top Spin Formerly: Rameses Revenge | Chessington World of Adventures (1995) Sindibad Parc (2024) | Morocco | Huss | Top Spin | 1995 | Operating |
Shake, Rattle & Roll | Elitch Gardens | United States | Huss | Top Spin | 1995 | Removed |
Top Spin | La Feria de Chapultepec | Mexico | Huss | Top Spin | 1995 | Removed |
Top Spin | BenyLand | Japan | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 1995 | Removed |
Gantu Top Spin | Serengeti Park | Germany | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 1995 | Removed |
Waterspin | Duinrell | Netherlands | Huss | Top Spin | 1996 | Operating |
La Tornade | La Ronde | Canada | Huss | Top Spin | 1997 | Removed |
Top Spin | Seoul Land | South Korea | Huss | Top Spin | 1997 | Operating |
Twister | Six Flags New England | United States | Huss | Top Spin | 1997 | Removed |
La Tornade | La Ronde | Canada | Huss | Top Spin | 1997 | Removed |
Ripsaw | Alton Towers | United Kingdom | Huss | Top Spin | 1997 | Removed |
Top Spin | Toshimaen (1997) Prater (2007) EsselWorld (2013) | India | Huss | Top Spin | 1997 | Unknown |
Top Spin | Funfair (1997) Fantasilandia (2004) | Chile | Huss | Top Spin | 1997 | Operating |
Top Spin | Seoul Land | South Korea | Huss | Top Spin | 1997 | Operating |
VooDoo | Six Flags Discovery Kingdom | United States | Huss | Top Spin | 1998 | Removed |
Der Twister | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | United States | Huss | Top Spin | 1998 | Removed |
Galactic Spin | Lihpao Land | Taiwan | Huss | Top Spin | 1998 | Operating |
Top Spin | Happy Valley Shenzhen | China | Huss | Top Spin | 1998 | Operating |
Hang Time | Dorney Park | United States | Huss | Top Spin | 1998 | Removed |
Montezuma's Revenge | Avonturenpark Hellendoorn | Netherlands | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 1998 | Removed |
Ultimate Fun (勁爆樂翻天) | Janfusun Fancyworld | Taiwan | Huss | Top Spin | No data | Removed |
Top Spin | Expoland | Japan | Huss | Top Spin | No data | Removed |
NYC Transformer | Movie Park Germany | Germany | Huss | Top Spin | 1999 | Operating |
Top Spin | E-World | South Korea | Huss | Top Spin | 1999 | Removed |
The Candy | Luna Park Tel Aviv | Israel | Huss | Top Spin | 1999 | Closed |
Ekatomb | Hopi Hari | Brazil | Huss | Top Spin | 1999 | Operating |
Top Spin | Dream Park | Egypt | Huss | Top Spin | 1999 | Unknown |
Top Spin | Dreamland Nara | Japan | Huss | Top Spin | 1999 | Removed |
Twister | Six Flags Great Adventure | United States | Huss | Top Spin | 1999 | Removed |
Hell's Gate | Playland | Canada | Huss | Top Spin | 2000 | Operating |
Hurricane | Dream World | Thailand | Huss | Top Spin | 2000 | Operating |
Twister | Six Flags Darien Lake | United States | Huss | Top Spin | 2000 | Removed |
Blast Formerly Excalibur | Walibi Holland | Netherlands | Huss | Top Spin | 2000 | Operating |
Buzzsaw Formerly Screamer | Walibi Belgium | Belgium | Huss | Top Spin | 2001 | Operating |
Estrugensen | Xetulul Theme Park | Guatemala | Huss | Top Spin | 2002 | Operating |
Lex Luthor's Invertatron | Parque Warner Madrid | Spain | Huss | Top Spin | 2002 | Operating |
Perfect Storm | Happy Valley Shenzhen | China | Huss | Top Spin | 2002 | Operating |
The Crypt Formerly Tomb Raider: The Ride | Kings Island | United States | Huss | Giant Top Spin | 2002 | Removed |
Thunderhawk | Worlds of Fun | United States | Huss | Top Spin | 2002 | Removed |
King Kahuna | Kennywood | United States | Huss | Top Spin | 2003 | Removed |
Double Rock Spin | Everland | South Korea | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2003 | Operating |
RipTide | Knott's Berry Farm | United States | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2004 | Removed |
Top Spin | Astroland | United States | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 2004 | Removed |
Top Spin | Vidámpark | Hungary | Huss | Top Spin | 2004 | Removed |
King Chaos | Indiana Beach Six Flags Great America | United States | Huss | Top Spin | TBD 2004 - 2017 | In Storage |
RipTide | Valleyfair | United States | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2005 | Removed |
The Crypt Formerly Tomb Raider: Firefall | Kings Dominion | United States | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2005 | Removed |
Trojan Horse | Happy Valley Beijing | China | Huss | Top Spin | 2006 | Operating |
Top Spin | Harborland Ningbo | China | Huss | Top Spin | 2006 | Removed |
Talocan | Phantasialand | Germany | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2007 | Operating |
Tornado | Parque Diversiones | Costa Rica | Huss | Top Spin | 2010 | Operating |
Top Spin | Siam Park City | Thailand | Huss | Top Spin | 2010 | Unknown |
Top Spin | Funtown | United States | Huss | Top Spin 2 | 2012 | Unknown |
Perfect Storm | Happy Valley Wuhan | China | Huss | Top Spin | 2012 | Operating |
Splash Spin | Romon U-Park | China | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2014 | Operating |
Digging in the Mountain | Hefei Wanda Theme Park | China | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2016 | Operating |
Thor Thunder Spin Ride | IMG Worlds Of Adventure | United Arab Emirates | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2016 | Operating |
Monster Spin | Dragon Park Ha Long | Vietnam | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2017 | Operating |
Top Spin | Magic Mountain | India | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2019 | Operating |
Temple of Fire (Храм огня) | Dream Island | Russia | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2020 | Operating |
Vortex | Sea World | Australia | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2020 | Operating |
Unknown | Chongqing Locajoy Theme Park | China | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2020 | Operating |
Toxicator | Alton Towers Resort | United Kingdom | Huss | Suspended Top Spin | 2025 | Under Construction |
Name | Owner | Country | Manufacturer | Model | Premiere | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lex Luthor's Invertatron | Six Flags New Orleans | United States | Soriani and Moser | Super Loop On Top | 2003 | Closed |
Splash Over | Adventureland | United States | Moser's Rides | Maverick | 2006 | Removed |
La Cólera de Akiles | Terra Mitica | Spain | Mondial | Super Nova | 2006 | Operating |
Tomb Raider Machine | Movieland Park | Italy | Zamperla | Windshear | 2007 | Removed |
Tornado | Dunia Fantasi | Indonesia | Zamperla | Windshear | 2007 | Operating |
Splash Over | Happy Valley Chengdu | China | Mondial | Splash Over | 2009 | Operating |
Demon | La Ronde | Canada | Mondial | Roll Over | 2014 | Operating |
Vortigo | Etnaland | Italy | Moser's Rides | Super Loop on Top | 2013 | Operating |
Apocalypto | Energylandia | Poland | Fabbri Group | Dragon Fly | 2014 | Operating |
Twister | Lake Winnepesaukah | United States | Moser's Rides | Maverick | 2016 | Operating |
Galeon | Land of Legends Theme Park | Turkey | Moser's Rides | Loop On Top | 2018 | Operating |
Luna Swing | Space World | Japan | Vekoma | Waikiki Wave Super Flip | No data | Removed |
Desorbitados | Parque de la Costa | Argentina | Preston & Barbieri | Suspended Top Spin | No data | Operating |
Storm | Morey's Piers | United States | Moser's Rides | Super Loop on Top | No data | Removed |
Apocalipsis | Salitre Mágico | Colombia | Moser's Rides | Top Loop | No data | Operating |
Flying Tornado | Jawa Timur Park 1 | Indonesia | Moser's Rides | Maverick | No data | Operating |
Salto | Eram Park | Iran | Unknown | Unknown | No data | Operating |
Waikiki Wave | Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park | China | Vekoma | Waikiki Wave | No data | Operating |
Top Gun | VGP Universal Kingdom | India | Moser's Rides | Top Gun | No data | Operating |
Top Spin | Funfair | Spain | Moser's Rides | Top Loop | No data | Operating |
Top Loop | Funfair | Spain | THC | Loop on top | No data | Sold |
Top Gun | Funfair | Spain | Fabbri Group | Tsunami | No data | Operating |
Thor's Anger | Hangzhou Paradise | China | Unknown | Unknown | No data | Operating |
Twisting in Waves | Quancheng Euro Park | China | Unknown | Unknown | No data | Operating |
Revolution | Parque de Atracciones de Zaragoza | Spain | Atracciones Lorente | Top Spin | No data | Operating |
Revolution | Funfair | Spain | Atracciones Lorente | Top Spin | No data | Unknown |
The Crypt was an indoor Giant Top Spin ride located at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. Former park owner Paramount Parks collaborated with HUSS Park Attractions to design and manufacture the ride, which opened as Tomb Raider: The Ride on April 5, 2002. The flat ride featured a variety of special effects that correlated with the theme of the 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider from Paramount Pictures. Under new ownership by Cedar Fair, Kings Island removed all references to the film from both the ride and its indoor queue line following the 2007 season. It reopened as The Crypt in 2008. An outdoor, smaller version of the ride opened at sister park Kings Dominion in 2005 as Tomb Raider: FireFall and closed in 2019.
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The HUSS Swing Around is an amusement park ride formerly manufactured by HUSS. It was HUSS Maschinenfabrik's first ride model, debuted in 1969. It is not manufactured by the company anymore, but there are a handful of known units left around the world. The ride rotates in a circle, and the arms swing out, and then come in. They keep on doing this during the ride, in bigger and bigger increments until the very end, where they all swing out, using pneumatic pressure. Most parks require riders to be 42 inches tall to ride; anyone under 48 inches tall must ride with an adult.
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Riptide is a thrill ride at Canada's Wonderland manufactured by Mondial. The ride is similar to the park's Shockwave ride in terms of how the riders are spun. At the base of the ride there are a number of fountains that shoot up towards the riders as they are spinning and soak them. When the weather is cool, the fountains shoot up but go back down before the water hit the riders. Over the past couple of years, the ride cycle has been cut down and riders don't get as wet as they did in the past. Unlike the 'Topspins' made by Huss which feature one gondola, Riptide features two gondolas.
Delirium is the name of three Frisbee rides located at three Six Flags parks – California's Great America, Kings Island, and Kings Dominion. The installation at California's Great America, the smallest of the three, was designed by Chance Rides and opened in 2002. The installation at Kings Island was designed by HUSS Park Attractions and opened on April 12, 2003, as the largest Frisbee ride of its kind in the world. The record-setting ride is able to swing 50 passengers up to 76 mph (122 km/h) reaching a height of 137 feet (42 m). Mondial manufactured the version of Delirium at Kings Dominion, which opened in 2016. It accommodates up to 40 passengers, reaches a top speed of 60 mph (97 km/h), and swings to a maximum height of 115 feet (35 m).
Rainbow is an amusement park ride created by HUSS Maschinenfabrik of Bremen, Germany. The Rainbow was manufactured from 1982 to 2000 and is often confused with its cousins Ali Baba and 1001 Nachts plus other similar models. The HUSS Rainbow has developed a vast fan base due to its large stature, smooth ride, bright lights, iconic motor noise and amazing air-time ride experience.
Sol Spin is a swinging Top Scan ride at Knott's Berry Farm built by Mondial Rides. Riders spins in a circular rotation while swinging in an angle. The ride opened to the general public on April 21, 2017 in the Fiesta Village section of the park. Designed by Mondial, Sol Spin is a tipsy top turvy adventure taking places 6 stories high over Fiesta Village. As the ride lifts off the ground, riders begin spinning in a circular motion while guests are spun around. At its peak, Sol Spin rotates guests in circular motion at 60 feet in the air. Riders can experience up to 4gs at the peak of the ride. In addition, the ride is located on the former spot of Windseeker which was also built by Mondial. Sol Spin is unique as it is the largest Mondial Top Scan to this day. Knott's Sol Spin was customized to fit in the former location of Windseeker.