Zamperla "Vertical Swing" at Holiday World

I wanted to start a discussion on whether or not the new Star Flyer at Holiday World is a good idea or not. HW is one of my favorite parks, and I don't think they flipped through a few pics of flat rides and picked this one after five minutes. But, I feel like it is too similar to Hallowswings for such a small park. The midnight ride is such a fun ride, I kind of wish they would have opted for a new model with a more adequate load time.

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I wouldn't be surprised if Holiday World already has some sort of replacement/similar ride (to Paul Revere's) in mind for a later addition.

I asked on Twitter if the new ride was a Star Flyer.

@holidayworld says:

"Our new ride is a Zamperla Vertical Swing."

Which is just another version of a Star Flyer

http://www.zamperla.com/en/product/105/vertical-swing.html

Star Flyer is a brand name for the Funtime model of this type of ride.

The main difference between the Funtime Star Flyer and the Zamperla Vertical swing is how the ride operates. To get around the Funtime patents - the entire tower of the Zamperla ride rotates as opposed to just the ride carriage on the Star Flyer.

The Vertical Swing seems to rotate just a LITTLE bit faster than the Star Flyer, but the chains make you feel considerably more secure...

I'm not sure that gets around the Star Flyer patent. In fact, the rotating tower is, if I remember correctly, listed in one of the embodiments of the invention.

What is interesting is that most of the claims for the Star Flyer are based on the design of the tower, so changes to the tower structure (for instance, making the tower out of a large cylindrical column instead of a frame of rectangular tubing) would escape the Star Flyer patent claims.

I think it is possible that Zamperla and ARM may be licensees to the smaller versions of the Funtime design.

--Dave Althoff, Jr

I find it fascinating that you can patent "seats attached to arms that radiate from a tall pole that rotates". There have been rides like this since the invention of amusement rides.

They had one of these at the county fair. My first opinion of it was that it was pretty much the same as any swing ride, but it has an entirely different feel to it. The height of the ride certainly makes a difference, and there is a different feel to being lifted and swinging at the same time, and the wind can make a big difference.

But, I actually enjoy riding the wave swinger rides, as they are less jerky, and there is less of a fear of falling to your death, as there isn't much restraint on the Flyer. I may be wrong, but I think Holiday World is looking for a Windseeker-like ride without having to dish out the big bucks for the real thing. But, I'm sure their guests will like it.

^I would think Holiday World is getting exactly what they want - a 65 foot tall family ride. If they wanted a 400 foot tall 'windseeker' model, they would get it. In this instance, I believe they are getting the "real thing."

They're having a contest to name the ride.

Here are some answers...
1. The new ride is a Zamperla "Vertical Swing" ride (oh, Gonch ... any chance you could correct the name of this post?);
2. We've been considering removal of PRMR for several years ... and are at the point that we feel we must - it's just not dependable any more;
3. PRMR has a minimum height requirement of 36" ... we wanted our new ride to have the same requirement;
4. HallowSwings has a height limit of 48" ... lots of younger children are disappointed each season when they don't "measure up";
5. PRMR leaves a small footprint; here's something new: we're moving the Star Spangled Carousel there and the new ride will go across the walkway from Liberty Launch.
6. We have a ride-naming contest underway: http://bit.ly/q9d7uY
7. And yes, we're always talking about new rides to add in the future. :)

Thanks, Paula

Raven Maven said:
Here are some answers...
5. PRMR leaves a small footprint; here's something new: we're moving the Star Spangled Carousel there and the new ride will go across the walkway from Liberty Launch.
6. We have a ride-naming contest underway: http://bit.ly/q9d7uY
Thanks, Paula

Is the Carousel getting a new Halloween name too then?

*Paul Revere's* Midnight Ride is located in the 4th of July section. :-)

Raven Maven said:
Here are some answers...
1. The new ride is a Zamperla "Vertical Swing" ride (oh, Gonch ... any chance you could correct the name of this post?);

:)

Thank you, your Lordness.

Paula

Oooh, "your Lordness". Paula, you're going to feed his ego even more.

I hope someone submits the name 'WindBreaker'. *snickers*

Raven-Phile said:
Oooh, "your Lordness". Paula, you're going to feed his ego even more.

Silence!

Pagoda Gift Shop said:
I hope someone submits the name 'WindBreaker'. *snickers*

Too late.

J/K..although I DID enter the contest.