Waltzer

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Waltzer is also the German word for waltz

A waltzer in motion, an operator spins the cars

A waltzer is a fairground ride that consists of a number of cars which are free to spin individually while rotating around a central point like a carousel. The floor of the ride is not flat and the cars lift and fall gently as the ride spins, the weight of the riders causing each car to rotate. Sometimes an operator will ride the platform and spin the cars by hand providing a more intense ride. Because of the combination of the ride spinning and the spinning cars, large varying g-forces are perceived as the spin of the car lines up with the rotation of the carousel and at other times opposes it. Most amusement parks and carnivals require the rider to be at least 42 inches tall unless accompanied by an adult.

[edit] Operation

Travelling fairground waltzers are rotated by an operator in the central booth of the ride. This operator controls the speed, the rotation, and sometimes the duration. Often, the assistants will stand on he rotating floor of the ride and spin the cars by hand. There will be no queue as such, with riders gathering around the edge of the platform, and finding themselves a seat when the ride stops.

They are usually at funfairs, rarely seen at amusemant parks. One town where 2 funfairs a year come, both including waltzers, is Abingdon, Oxfordshire, one of which at Ladygrove Field which consists of 2 main rides, the waltzers being the main attraction, and down Ock Street, an Octoberly fair lasting for 2 days. Although at static amusement parks, the ride controls may be located away from the ride platform, while the ride will usually have a "standard" organised queue system. It is unusual for amusement park Waltzers to have staff on the moving platform spinning the cars during the ride.

A Waltzer is typically a hybrid of a Musik Express(another fair ride) or Himalaya type ride and its more famous cousin, the Tilt-A-Whirl.