Zamperla "Vertical Swing" at Holiday World

Trust me, we've had a couple of dandies ... I always wonder if people are messing with us purposefully with their name entries or if I just have a particularly dirty mind.

All in a day's work ...

Paula

I sent it a legitimate name, but I wonder if it'll be too close to something else. We'll have to see, I suppose.

I think moving the Star Spangled Carousel to Paul Revere's old spot is a great idea. The Carousel's current spot feels a little "out of the way" to me for such a classic family ride.

That spot right past the entrance to '4th of July' should suit it nicely.

I agree, Brad. That plot will be a great location for the carousel.

I do think it might look kind of funny having the park's two tower rides directly across the midway from each other, though. No offense, Paula. ;)

Actually I think in this case being near another tall structure just makes the ride 'more potent'.

On the Star Flyer in Orlando you feel you are all too close to the nearby Slingshot and drop tower. On the Coney Island Vertical Swing you feel very close to nearby taller rides. On the Starflyer at Six Flags St. Louis, you're really not near anything else tall and while the view is spectacular you really loose something from not being near other tall structures.

For families, the placement is great logistically - if your child isn't tall enough for Liberty Launch, he/she can still ride our Vertical Swing Ride right across the walkway.

Thanks, Paula

I'm curious how the seat belts are unlocked on this ride. Are they manually released individually, or do all the swings unlock at the same time? I've seen a few rides with a little hold in a metal clip over the belt buckle - and the ride op has to individually release every one.

^Like IB's Air Crow....not a big fan of those.

The few I've ridden in Germany all released at the same time.

Not to mention that in my opinion those belts are not strictly compliant with ASTM F 2291*. An out of reach release button or handle on the back of the seat would fix that.

I haven't ridden the Zamperla tower swing, but on the ARM version, the crotch belt (which secures the lap bar) plugs into a socket in the seat and is released electrically, or by means of a lever under the seat if that fails.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

* That's also why new PTC trains now have a foot pedal to release the lap bars...

--DCAjr

^^^So the ride ops have to unlock each one of them, one at a time?

I'm lost :)

^Yes, with that key thingy. Not that inserting a twig won't also release them. Or so I've heard... ;)

The Zamperla Vertical swings have an electronic unlock mechanism and manual unlock lever just like the ARM version. The ride cannot operate unless all the seat belts are locked.

What does the ARM version look like?