Carousels, or as they are also known ‘Mery Go Rounds’ have been among the most popular fairground and amusement park attractions rides for generations. In fact, the first carousels were invented hundreds of years ago as aids to train horsemen in the art of battle. The first truly modern carousel merry go round was unveiled at the Aylsham Fair in about 1861 by its inventor, Thomas Bradshaw. However, even before this steam-powered version of the carousel was launched there were variants already in use as fairground attractions or in the gardens of royalty in Europe.
Of course, the modern carousel is a far cry from the earlier versions. They are now available in a number of sizes and designs. Many also boast high-tech innovations such as digital high-definition screens and advanced sound systems. In fact, there are even double-decker versions of the modern carousel.
One of the reasons that the carousel is so popular is nostalgia. Many parents will take their children to a fairground or an amusement park to enjoy the same thrill as they did when they were exposed to the lights and sounds effect of a carousel as children.
However, how can an amusement park or a fairground ensure that their investment in a carousel pays dividends?
The attraction of the carousel has made it one of the ‘anchor rides’ at any entertainment destination. The fairground and amusement park management needs to ensure that the carousel is placed in a part of the park that is characterized by high foot traffic. Word of mouth is one of the most effective ways that any fairground attraction can be marketed – and those who have enjoyed the carousel, along with their children will quickly spread the word. Dinis has good reviews from international patrons.
However, in order for the carousel to be so attractive and marketable it is essential that it is well maintained, both mechanically and in terms of its appearance. A damaged or unattractive carousel (or one that is not functioning correctly) will simply not attract more visitors to the fairground or amusement park.
The choice of which carousel will suit the unique requirements of the park is also one that must be made extremely carefully. As mentioned previously there are an enormous variety of different types and sizes of carousel. There are traditional carousel designs with horses for seating that amplify the appeal of the ride based on nostalgia value – and there are also modern versions where the seating can be designed to look like spacecraft, airplanes, or popular characters from cartoons. The list is almost endless.
The size of the carousel is also important. There are versions that are small enough to be accommodated in a suburban backyard where they are an attraction merry go round at children’s birthday parties. There are also versions suitable for use at fairgrounds and amusement parks that can seat many more riders – but that has been designed with proportions that are suitable for young children. There are also versions that cater to both young and old.
Investing in a carousel makes sound commercial sense. However, the choice of just which carousel suits the needs of the investor is one that must be made extremely carefully.