Zodiac (ride)
| Zodiac | |||||||||
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 The original Zodiac | |||||||||
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| General statistics | |||||||||
| Attraction type | Spinning Ride | ||||||||
| Manufacturer | HUSS Park Attractions | ||||||||
| Model | Enterprise | ||||||||
| Height | 59 ft (18 m) | ||||||||
| Speed | 19 mph (31 km/h) | ||||||||
| Vehicles | 1 | ||||||||
| Riders per vehicle | 40 | ||||||||
| Riders per row | 2 | ||||||||
| Duration | 60 Seconds | ||||||||
| Height restriction | 90 cm (2 ft 11 in) | ||||||||
Zodiac is a ride at Thorpe Park, Surrey, United Kingdom.
History
The ride originally opened in 2000 under the name of Enterprise, though the designation became Zodiac the next year in order to better suit the rapidly growing Lost City theme alongside the opening of Vortex (Thorpe Park). This marked the decision to keep the ride as a permanent addition to the park, though it actually had to be replaced for 2006 after an incident involving a gondola becoming partially detached from the main frame of the ride. The eventual replacement was yet another Huss Enterprise, however, so many people won't have necessarily realised that there has been any change. The new installation has a different colour scheme and decoration to the original and this has still not been rectified, suggesting that the park have no intention of doing so.
Ride Experience
Riders enter small gondolas that are suspended next to a large disc that spins once the ride is in motion. The small gondolas seat two people and there are no restraints, the idea being that the force of the ride will hold you in place and allow you to experience the ride more freely. Ride operators run round the large disc to check that all the cabins have their gates closed correctly. When it is considered safe, Zodiac is put into motion. The disc starts to spin, slowly at first, but becoming faster and faster. Eventually, the suspended gondolas are being forced almost completely sideways and the disc starts to pitch upwards into the air on a powerful hydraulic arm. Once the spinning disc is upright, riders are inverting in the suspended cars, completing a manuveure similar to a vertical loop element of a rollercoaster. After several full rotations, the arm lowers, the disc slows and riders slowly come to a halt as gravity takes over and reorientates the base of the gondolas towards ground.
Incidents
On the rare occasion that Zodiac (or any other HUSS Enterprise), tilts over 90 degrees, an emergency stop procedure is initiated. This is a very uncomfortable situation for guests as the gondolas swing uncontrollably until the wheel comes to a halt. The ride slowly lowers itself back to a level position.
See also
- Thorpe Park
- Enterprise (ride)
References
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