Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Manufacturing |
Founded | 1998 |
Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Products | Amusement rides |
Website | www |
Funtime is an amusement ride manufacturer based in Dölsach, Austria and Bundall, Australia.[1][2] The company manufactures rides such as the Sling Shot, Star Flyer, and Vomatron.[3]
Ride Entertainment handles the distribution and operation of rides in North America.[4]
History
[edit]In 1998, Funtime was established in the suburb of Bundall on the Gold Coast, Australia.[1] Shortly after, the company opened a small amusement park in Surfers Paradise, a nearby Gold Coast suburb. At the time, the amusement park was known as Adrenalin Park and featured the company's Sling Shot and Vomatron rides.[5][6][7]
In 2010, Funtime threatened legal action against Dutch amusement ride manufacturer, Mondial, after that company unveiled the WindSeeker which bears similarities to Funtime's patented Star Flyer ride.[1][8] Mondial responded to the threat by stating that "there is no merit to Funtime's claim".[9] The matter did not progress.
In 2015 Funtime and Ride Entertainment Group partnered to open 2 Sing Shot rides at Canada’s Wonderland (Vaughn, Ontario, Canada) and Carowinds (Charlotte, North Carolina, USA).[10] They would both would continue to open additional rides in North America, as well as beginning to unveil Star Flyers at Six Flag amusement parks under this partnership.[11]
Products
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/VolksfestStarFlyer.jpg/220px-VolksfestStarFlyer.jpg)
- The Bell – a ride similar to a Frisbee, except they are located inside a giant bell[12]
- Chaos Pendle – riders are mounted on the ends of several arms and spun around in a propeller-like fashion[13]
- Rocket – riders are harnessed into a rocket shaped car which is raised into the air and spun around a tower and on its own axis[14]
- Sky Diver – an amusement ride similar to a Skycoaster where riders are winched to the top of a launch tower and then dropped towards the ground, swinging from a cable tether back and forth until brought to a rest[15]
- Sling Shot – a reverse bungee ride where passengers are propelled over 100 metres at speeds in the region of 160 kilometres per hour. The machine does not utilise rubber ropes or bungee cords as in a slingshot, but is powered by a patented spring propulsion device incorporating up to 720 specially-designed springs. The SlingShot can be custom designed to cause minimal disruption to existing venues.
- Star Flyer – a variation of the traditional swing ride where riders are swung around the top of a tower[16]
- Tornado – a ride that simulates a tornado by sending riders in a figure-eight motion[17]
- Vomatron – a type of ride similar to the centrifuges used in astronaut training, except on a vertical axis[6]
- Skyfall – currently the highest transportable drop tower in the world with a height of 85 metres (279 ft)[18]
Ride installations
[edit]Ride name | Park | Location | Model | Opened | Status | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adirondack Outlaw | Six Flags Great Escape | ![]() |
Vomatron | 2021 | Operating | |
Allgäuflieger | Skyline Park | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2020 | Operating | One of The Tallest Swing Rides in the world. 465–493 feet (142–150 m) |
AtmosFear | Playland | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2011 | Operating | |
Black Mamba | Wiener Prater | ![]() |
Chaos Pendle | 2011 | Operating | |
Catwoman Whip | Six Flags St. Louis | ![]() |
Vomatron | 2022 | Operating | |
Catapult | Lagoon | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2002 | Operating | |
Die Glocke | Hansa-Park | ![]() |
The Bell | 2006 | Removed 2019 | Replaced by Awilda's World |
Donjon de l’Extrême | Nigloland | ![]() |
Skyfall | 2016 | Operating | |
Drop Line | Dollywood | ![]() |
Skyfall | 2017 | Operating | |
Eclipse | Gröna Lund | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2013 | Operating | [19] |
El Grito | Djurs Sommerland | ![]() |
Skyfall | 2024 | Operating | 60 meters (200 feet) tall. |
FlyOver | Fantasilandia | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2018 | Operating | |
HangOver The Tower | Ewald Schneider | ![]() |
Skyfall | 2015 | Operating | Travels on the fair circuit and is 85 meters (279 feet) tall. |
Highlander | Hansa-Park | ![]() |
Skyfall | 2019 | Operating | 395 feet (120 meters) tall. |
Himmelskibet | Tivoli Gardens | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2006 | Operating | |
Lighthouse Tower | Holiday Park | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2006 | Operating | |
Merlí | Tibidabo Amusement Park | ![]() |
Skyfall | 2024 | Under construction | 50 meters (160 feet) tall. |
Merlin and the Magic Circle | Freizeit-Land Geiselwind | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2021 | Operating | |
Mega Mindy Flyer | Plopsa Coo | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2010 | Operating | |
New England SkyScreamer | Six Flags New England | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2014 | Operating | Eighth Starflyer at a Six Flags park; 403-feet tall.[20] |
North Star | Valleyfair | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2017 | Operating | 230 feet (70.1 m) tall.[21][22] |
Orlando FreeFall | ICON Park | ![]() |
Skyfall | 2021 | Removed 2022 | The ride was closed after the fall related death of Tyre Sampson, aged 14, in March 2022.[23] |
Orlando Slingshot | ICON Park | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2021 | Operating | |
Orlando StarFlyer | ICON Park | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2018 | Operating | Opened as the World's Tallest Swing ride at 450 feet tall. |
Prater Turm | Wiener Prater | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2010 | Operating | 385 feet (117 meters) tall |
ROX-Flyer Formerly SpringFlyer |
Plopsaland | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2006 | Operating | |
Sky Diver | Walibi Holland | ![]() |
Sky Diver | 1994 | Operating | |
Sky Diver | Walibi Belgium | ![]() |
Sky Diver | 2004 | Removed 2006 | |
SkyFall | Michael Goetzke | ![]() |
Skyfall | 2013 | Operating | Travels on the fair circuit and is 80 meters (260 feet) tall. |
SkyFall | Superland | ![]() |
Skyfall | 2024 | Under construction | |
Six Flags SkyScreamer | Six Flags Darien Lake | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2019 | Operating | |
SkyScreamer | Six Flags Discovery Kingdom | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2011 | Operating | |
SkyScreamer | Six Flags Great Adventure | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2012 | Operating | [24] |
SkyScreamer | Six Flags Over Georgia | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2013 | Operating | [25] |
SkyScreamer | Six Flags St. Louis | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2011 | Operating | |
Sky Shot | Skyline Park | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2000 | Operating | 90 meters tall |
Sling Shot | Funtime | ![]() |
Sling Shot | Unknown | Operating | [5] |
Sling Shot | Magical Midway | ![]() |
Sling Shot | Unknown | Removed 2024 | |
Sling Shot | Kentucky Kingdom | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2002 | Operating | |
Sling Shot | Elitch Gardens | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2006 | Operating | |
Sling Shot | Six Flags Magic Mountain | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2012 | Removed 2019 | Last operated in 2019 and never reopened due to high maintenance costs. Removed in September 2022. |
Sling Shot | Six Flags Great Adventure | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2011 | Operating | |
Sling Shot | Six Flags St. Louis | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2002 | 2008 | |
Sling Shot | Six Flags Mexico | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2013 | Operating | 60 meters tall.[26] |
Sling Shot | Carowinds | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2015 | Operating | |
Sling Shot | Cedar Point | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2015 | Operating | |
Sling Shot | Kings Island | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2002 | 2022 | |
Sling Shot | Canada's Wonderland | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2015 | Operating | |
Sling Shot | Al-Shallal Theme Park | ![]() |
Sling Shot | Unknown | Operating | |
Sling Shot | Old Town | ![]() |
Sling Shot | November 2001 | Operating | |
Snake | Gröna Lund | ![]() |
Chaos Pendle | 2019 | Operating | |
Spring Shot | Morey's Piers | ![]() |
Sling Shot | Unknown | Operating | |
Star Flyer | Divo Ostrov | ![]() |
Star Flyer | Unknown | Operating | |
Sling Shot | Parko Paliatso | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 1999 | Operating | 90 meters tall. |
Star Flyer | Elitch Gardens | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2017 | Operating | 17 stories tall.[27][21] |
Star Flyer | Greenland Kyushu | ![]() |
Star Flyer | Unknown | Operating | |
Star Flyer | Allou Fun Park | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2008 | Operating | |
Star Flyer | Luna Park Tel Aviv | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2016 | Operating | |
Star Flyer | Magical Midway | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2006 | Removed 2024 | |
Star Flyer | Manchester Town Centre | ![]() |
Star Flyer | Unknown | Operating | |
Star Flyer | Nagashima Spa Land | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2012 | Operating | Height of around 63.4 metres (208 ft) |
Star Flyer | Oktoberfest | ![]() |
Star Flyer | Unknown | Unknown | |
Star Flyer | Pacific National Exhibition | ![]() |
Star Flyer | Unknown | Unknown | |
Star Flyer | Parque de Atracciones de Madrid | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2010 | Operating | 80 meters tall |
Star Flyer | Steel Pier | ![]() |
Star Flyer | N/A | Never Materialized | [28] |
Star Flyer | Tykkimäki | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2009 | Operating | |
Stars Flyer Formerly Bollywood Skyflyer |
Real Madrid World | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2021 | Operating | Tallest swing ride in the world at 460 feet in height, was manufactured and intended for the cancelled Six Flags Dubai.[29] |
Stupet | Kongeparken | ![]() |
Skyfall | 2019 | Operating | |
Supergirl Sky Flight Formerly SkyScreamer |
Six Flags Fiesta Texas | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2012 | Operating | [24] |
Supergirl Sky Flight Formerly SkyScreamer |
Six Flags Mexico | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2015 | Operating | [20] |
Tekkotsubanchou - Sky Tower Swinger | Fuji-Q Highland | ![]() |
Star Flyer | Unknown | Operating | First Skyflyer in Japan.[30] |
Texas Gunslinger | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | ![]() |
Sling Shot | 2013 | Operating | |
Texas SkyScreamer | Six Flags Over Texas | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2013 | Operating | [19][31] |
Texas Star Flyer | Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2012 | Operating | [32] |
Tornado | Terra Mítica | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2015 | Operating | |
Torre del Mar | Hansa-Park | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2005 | Removed 2015 | |
Tornado | Wiener Prater | ![]() |
Tornado | 2007 | Operating | |
Vol Ultime | La Ronde | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2012 | Operating | [33] |
Vomatron | Funtime | ![]() |
Vomatron | Unknown | Operating | [6] |
Vomatron | Old Town | ![]() |
Vomatron | Unknown | Operating | |
Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth | Six Flags America | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2017 | Operating | 242 feet (73.8 m) ft tall.[21] |
Unknown | COTAland | ![]() |
Star Flyer | 2025 | Under construction | |
Unknown | COTAland | ![]() |
Skyfall | 2025 | Under construction |
Amusement park
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Adrenalin_Park.jpg/221px-Adrenalin_Park.jpg)
Funtime operates a small amusement park in the centre of Surfers Paradise, aptly named Funtime.[7] The park features installations of their Sling Shot and Vomatron rides.[5][6] The park was previously known as Adrenalin Park and featured several other rides and attractions, including an Intamin Parachute Drop tower, a mini golf course and a bungee tower.[34][35]
See also
[edit]- Category:Amusement rides manufactured by Funtime
- Booster (Fabbri ride), an amusement ride similar to the Vomatron
- Speed (ride), another amusement ride similar to the Vomatron
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Slind-Flor, Victoria (27 August 2010). "Cedar Fair's New Thrill Ride Infringes Patent, Funtime Claims". Bloomberg. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ "Contact Details for Funtime". www.funtime.com.au. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ "SkyScreamer: Extreme swings thrill and terrify". CNET. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ "Funtime Takes Flight StarFlyers Soar Across North America | rideentertainment.com". Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ a b c "Sling Shot (Funtime)". Parkz.
- ^ a b c d "Vomatron (Funtime)". Parkz.
- ^ a b "Funtime". Parkz. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ US patent 7666103, Walter Pondorfer & Laurence Ross Petrie, "Amusement ride", published 27 October 2005, issued 23 February 2010, assigned to Cottingham Agencies Ltd.
- ^ Fogarty, Steve (25 August 2010). "Cedar Point's new ride a swing at variety". Chronicle Online. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ "Ride Entertainment Brings Funtime's Slingshot to Canada's Wonderland and Carowinds". InPark Magazine. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ "Funtime Takes Flight StarFlyers Soar Across North America | rideentertainment.com". Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ "The Bell". Funtime. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ "Chaos Pendle". Funtime. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ "Rocket". Funtime. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ "Sky Diver". Funtime. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ Jackson, Jerry W.; Kassab, Beth (23 January 2006). "StarFlyer takes riders for a twirl". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ "Tornado". Funtime. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ "About Skyfall". Funtime. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
- ^ a b "Officially the world's tallest Star Flyer!". Park World Magazine. Datateam Business Media Limited. 13 June 2013. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Funtime Thrills Riders Across The Globe". Ride Entertainment. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ a b c "Funtime Takes Flight StarFlyers Soar Across North America". Ride Entertainment. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ "The Stars Align in 2017 For New Thrills at Valleyfair!". valley-fair.com. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
- ^ "Boy, 14, dies after falling from FreeFall ride at ICON Park in Orlando". 25 March 2022.
- ^ a b MacDonald, Brady (1 September 2011). "Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2012". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ "Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags White Water Announce New Thrills for 2013" (PDF). SixFlags.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- ^ "Ninth StarFlyer Soars at Six Flags Mexico". Ride Entertainment. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- ^ "New for 2017 - Star Flyer - Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park". www.elitchgardens.com. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- ^ MacDonald, Brady (12 April 2012). "Steel Pier expansion moves forward minus diving horse act". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ Saundalkar, Aarti (13 January 2021). "Bollywood Parks Dubai relaunches with world's tallest swing ride and many more". whatson.ae. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- ^ "Height 50m over! One of the largest swing ride in Japan!". 富士急ハイランド. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ "Texas SkyScreamer" (PDF). SixFlags.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ MacDonald, Brady (9 February 2012). "Galveston Pleasure Pier brings thrill rides back to Texas coast". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ Mayné, François (22 January 2012). "La Ronde annonce Vol Ultime pour son 45ème anniversaire". NewsParcs (in French). Retrieved 27 April 2012.
- ^ "Unknown Parachute Drop (Magic Mountain)". Parkz.
- ^ Tuttiett, Henry (25 September 2010). "Coast's Adrenalin Park to close". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- US 7666103 Amusement ride