Did you know that the first amusement park rides were used as training simulators for soldiers!
Read on to find out more…
So, just what constitutes a flat ride? In a previous column, I shared a video about the history of dark rides in amusements parks. Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan’s Flight and the Haunted Mansion are more of the typical dark rides, yet there are other types of rides and attractions in amusement parks . . . including the tried and true flat rides.
A traditional flat ride is often a carnival type ride with vehicles that rotate around a base. Some might call them spinners. At Disney parks, the most famous flat ride would be Dumbo or the Tea Cups!
Flat Rides in Amusement Parks Video:
A History of Flat Rides
Flat rides began with the very first carousels, which were used as devices to train knights for jousting. From there, the flat rides evolved into human, animal and steam-powered devices solely for entertainment at pleasure gardens, royal courts and parks.
An easy way to think about amusement park rides: if it isn’t a dark ride, roller coaster or water ride, then it is probably a flat ride.
Today, flat rides make up the staple of attractions that you will see in the children’s areas of most parks. Most of Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure and Country Fair at Dollywood consists of flat rides like scramblers, title-a-whirls, the whip, carousels, wave swings, Dumbo-style and more…and so many more make up the roster of flat rides. When you visit your state fair or a family entertainment center, like Fun Spot USA, a majority of the attractions are the smaller footprint flat rides.
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