All About Pendulum Amusement Rides: Top Attractions and Expert Insights

All About Pendulum Amusement Rides: Top Attractions and Expert Insights

This article provides a comprehensive overview of pendulum amusement rides, including an introduction to the world’s most popular ones, their design principles, various types, and a sharing of the ride experiences.

The Most Popular Pendulum Amusement Rides in the World

1. CraZanity – Six Flags Magic Mountain (California, USA)
2. Wonder Woman: Lasso of Truth – Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey, USA)
3. Delirium – Kings Island (Ohio, USA)
4. MaXair – Cedar Point (Ohio, USA)
5. Talon – Fantasy Valley (Chongqing, China)
6. The Giant Frisbee – Nagashima Spa Land (Nagoya, Japan)
7. Spin Cycle – Silverwood Theme Park (Idaho, USA)
8. Kamikaze – Wiener Prater (Vienna, Austria)
9. Berserker – Liseberg (Gothenburg, Sweden)
10. Claw – Dreamworld (Australia)

1.CraZanity – Six Flags Magic Mountain (California, USA)

At Six Flags Magic Mountain, CraZanity — known as the “Mad Pendulum” — proudly holds the title of the world’s tallest pendulum ride, towering at an astonishing 172 feet. What truly sets it apart is its ability to swing riders through the air at a breathtaking 75 mph, delivering an intense rush of speed, height, and pure adrenaline.
⦁ Maximum Height: 172 feet (about 52.4 meters)
⦁ Top Speed: 75 mph (120 km/h)
⦁ Rider Capacity: Fully loaded with 40 passengers

2.Wonder Woman: Lasso of Truth – Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey, USA)

It is a wise choice to build an amusement park by combining popular IPs, because it can bring you extremely high popularity. The Wonder Woman-themed Pendulum Amusement Rides has attracted countless people to challenge it. It has the same height and speed as CraZanity. Do you dare to ride it?
⦁ Maximum Height:  172 feet (about 52.4 meters)
⦁ Top Speed:  75 mph (120 km/h)
⦁ Rider Capacity: Fully loaded with 40 passengers

3.Delirium – Kings Island (Ohio, USA)

Delirium was one of the first Pendulum Rides introduced in the U.S., thrilling countless riders with its intense yet exhilarating experience. But don’t let its age fool you — standing at 137 feet, it’s still enough to send chills down the spines of many thrill-seekers. 
⦁ Maximum Height:  137 feet (about 41.8 meters)
⦁ Top Speed:  76 mph (122 km/h)
⦁ Rider Capacity: Fully loaded with 50 passengers

4.MaXair – Cedar Point (Ohio, USA)

Located in a theme park known for its world-class roller coasters and mesmerizing nighttime lights, MaXair is a top destination for nighttime visitors. However, its Pendulum Amusement Ride is a star attraction in its own right and continues to cause a stir in the local area. As it swings through the night sky at speeds of 70 mph, dazzling lights combine with an extreme feeling of weightlessness to create a one-of-a-kind experience that is unmatched by any other Pendulum Amusement Ride.
⦁ Maximum Height:  140 feet (about 42.7 meters)
⦁ Top Speed:  70 mph (113 km/h)
⦁ Rider Capacity: Fully loaded with 50 passengers

5.Talon – Fantasy Valley (Chongqing, China)

Talon comes from Fantasy Valley in Chongqing, China. With its spectacular nighttime light show and extreme thrills, it has become one of the most popular attractions in the park. Many tourists wait until nightfall to ride it in order to experience Talon's lighting system and Chongqing's unique mountain city night view.
⦁ Maximum Height:  150 feet (about 45.7 meters)
⦁ Top Speed:  Undisclosed
⦁ Rider Capacity: Fully loaded with 40 passengers

6.The Giant Frisbee – Nagashima Spa Land (Nagoya, Japan)

Giant Frisbee is one of the iconic facilities of Nagashima Spa Land, Japan's largest amusement park. It is warmly welcomed by the Japanese people because it can bring visitors a revolutionary experience. It is one of the attractions that must be experienced in Nagoya.
⦁ Maximum Height:  147 feet (about 45meters)
⦁ Top Speed:  65 mph (105 km/h)
⦁ Rider Capacity: Fully loaded with 50 passengers

7.Spin Cycle – Silverwood Theme Park (Idaho, USA)

Spin Cycle is more exciting than the pirate ship but not as extreme as the large pendulum. It slides back and forth on a U-shaped track while the disc itself rotates at high speed to create a sense of suspension and weightlessness. It is an extremely unique pendulum ride and an amusement park ride that local tourists are keen to experience.
⦁ Maximum Height:  104 feet (about 31.7meters)
⦁ Top Speed:  Undisclosed
⦁ Rider Capacity: Fully loaded with 24 passengers

8.Kamikaze – Wiener Prater (Vienna, Austria)

The biggest advantage of the Kamikaze pendulum is that it perfectly combines extreme excitement with European historical culture: from gentle swinging to breathtaking 360-degree rotation, especially the strong sense of weightlessness brought by the inversion at the top, which is in sharp contrast to the 250-year-old environment of Vienna's Prater Amusement Park.
⦁ Maximum Height:  130 feet (about 40 meters)
⦁ Top Speed:  55 mph (88 km/h)
⦁ Rider Capacity:  Fully loaded with 32 passengers

9.Berserker – Liseberg (Gothenburg, Sweden)

The Berserker pendulum is an iconic Nordic Viking-themed facility at Sweden's Liseberg amusement park. Its 42-meter-high swing arm makes it one of the tallest pendulums in Europe. While experiencing a strong sense of weightlessness, visitors can also feel the roar of Viking warriors and the cultural atmosphere of Nordic mythology elements.
⦁ Maximum Height:  131 feet (about 40 meters)
⦁ Top Speed:  60 mph (97 km/h)
⦁ Rider Capacity:  Fully loaded with 40 passengers

10.King Claw – Dreamworld (Australia)

Unfortunately, The Claw will be closed in January 2025 after 20 years of operation, and its successor, King Claw, will be put into operation in December 2025. After upgrading, King Claw will be faster and higher. By then, it will be the most dazzling new generation of super-large pendulum rides in Dreamworld Theme Park on the Gold Coast of Australia.
⦁ Maximum Height:  138 feet (about 42 meters)
⦁ Top Speed:  61 mph (97 km/h)
⦁ Rider Capacity:  Fully loaded with 40 passengers

These amusement equipment are ranked in no particular order, and they are the most popular Pendulum Amusement Rides in each country and region. If you travel to these places, it is an amusement park experience not to be missed. Finding a suitable Pendulum Amusement Rides manufacturer and purchasing safe and reliable Pendulum Amusement Rides equipment for Amusement Rides park operations is crucial. SUNHONG has 20 years of experience in producing Pendulum Amusement Rides. Click here to see more!

Everythirg You Need to know About Pendulum Amusement Rides

What is the pendulum swing?

When Pendulum Amusement Rides is in motion, it is like a hammer, with the tail fixed and the head facing down swinging. To increase the fun, the hammer will rise to a vertical angle and swing freely. At the same time, the head of the "hammer" can also make a 360° horizontal rotation. When the equipment is started, the adrenaline of the tourists will surge, and the cold sweat will flow. Experiencing Pendulum Amusement Rides is an extreme adventure.

You will experience three kinds of fun:
⦁ Feel the breathtaking strong gravity at the bottom of the swing
⦁ The weightlessness of your feet dangling at the highest point
⦁ Flying like a free fall
It’s this swinging motion, combined with height and speed, that makes pendulum amusement rides so exciting and popular.

What is the Pendulum Ride Called?

Different countries and regions have different cultural identities for pendulum rides, so pendulum rides have multiple names.
General Names:
⦁ Pendulum Ride: The standard industry term
⦁ Swing Ride: This is the overall name for rotating amusement equipment, and a pendulum ride is a type of device in the Swing Ride category. Notably, swing ride often refers specifically to chair swings.
⦁ Frisbee Ride: The bottom of the pendulum ride rotates like a frisbee.
⦁ Gyro Swing: A version that combines swinging and 360° spinning.
⦁ Giant Swing: Often refers to large amusement equipment. You can see this distinction in the amusement park to identify the Pendulum Ride.

How does a pendulum ride work?

The working principle of pendulum rides is very simple. Its core structure includes a large swing arm and a suspended cabin, which swings based on simple physical principles. Here is the operation process:
⦁ Start: When the ride starts, the swing arm is accelerated and lifted left and right by an electric motor or hydraulic system until it is lifted to a large angle and height.
⦁ Swing Principle: The swing arm of the pendulum ride swings left and right around a fixed point. When the swing arm reaches the highest point, the left swing arm swings quickly to the right, giving passengers a strong sense of acceleration and gravity changes.
⦁ Rotation and Centrifugal Force: Unlike the pendulum rides invented in 1980, the cabin at the bottom of the modern pendulum ride rotates by itself (for example, 360 degrees). This rotation increases the centrifugal force, making passengers experience a stronger sense of dizziness.
⦁ Gravity and Inertia: At the extreme position of the swing, passengers will feel the weightlessness or strong acceleration brought by gravity and inertia, which is also the charm of pendulum rides.
Overall, pendulum rides provide passengers with an exciting and fun experience through the combined effects of swinging, rotation, gravity, and centrifugal force.

What are the different types of Pendulum Rides?

Pendulum rides have become one of the most popular attractions in amusement parks due to their wide variety of types. We have divided pendulum rides into five types based on the movement, design, and excitement of the rides:

There are several different types of pendulum rides, each offering unique ride motions, designs, and thrill levels. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular categories:Pendulum rides are popular attractions in amusement parks due to their variety. We categorize them into five types based on movement, design, and thrill level:
1.Classic Pendulum
It resembles a giant swing that moves back and forth. However, compared to modern rides, the classic pendulum is less entertaining because it has only the simplest swinging design and does not have a rotating function, which is suitable for family members and children to play together.
2.Gyro Pendulum
Gyro Pendulum CraZanity at Six Flags Magic Mountain is a representative of the gyro pendulum. The gyro pendulum is famous for its higher and faster thrills.
3.Frisbee Ride
Many people call this ride the Frisbee Pendulum because its bottom is shaped like a Frisbee. Its horizontal rotation and large swing make passengers love this Frisbee-shaped ride.
4.360° Flip Pendulum
This is the most exciting of all pendulum types. It can swing 360° and give passengers a very high thrill, making them feel dizzy. Before experiencing this ride, you need to confirm whether you can withstand such excitement.
5.Family Pendulum
This small swing ride is designed for children and families. Its compact size makes it perfect for indoor amusement parks, while also capturing children’s attention in outdoor settings.

SUNHONG has been specializing in the production of mini pendulum rides for 20 years. We are a one-stop manufacturer offering design, production, installation, and amusement park operation guidance. Learn more about mini pendulum rides.

What does a pendulum ride feel like?

The pendulum ride feels like a swing combined with the thrills of a roller coaster. Imagine a swing you ride at a park, but higher, faster, and with a 360°spin. Here’ s what the different stages of a pendulum ride feel like:
⦁ Power: Strong G-forces press you into your seat, especially at the bottom of the swing. When the pendulum swings to the bottom, you will feel a strong gravity that presses you into the seat, accompanied by difficulty breathing, but don't worry, this will not make you go crazy.
⦁ Weightlessness: When your legs reach the highest point, you can stop briefly, although only for two seconds, but because the body's feelings are magnified, time seems to have stopped, which brings the highest sense of weightlessness when your legs can swing freely.
⦁ Speed: The next moment, when the pendulum reaches the maximum angle, the rapid downward swing combined with the rotational movement will produce a feeling of excitement and slight disorientation.
⦁ Body Changes: Many passengers have been stimulated by screams while queuing and begin to secrete adrenaline. When the device is turned on, the passengers' adrenaline will be secreted rapidly, and the body's vision, hearing, and gravity perception will be magnified
In short, riding a pendulum ride is like momentarily defying gravity while enjoying an adrenaline-pumping, heart-stopping adventure.

Are Pendulum Rides safe for passengers?

Yes, pendulum rides are designed to be very safe.
A safe pendulum amusement ride is built according to strict production standards. Each ride is equipped with a safe braking design to ensure that the operator can respond to emergencies and stop the ride safely.
Passengers will be secured in their seats using seat belts and safety clips, which are often automatic. All data will be fed back to the control center. As long as the guidelines provided by the staff on-site are followed, the ride will be safe.
However, these rides aren’t for everyone. If you have heart problems, high blood pressure, neck or back issues, or if you’re pregnant, you should avoid it.

Top Tips for First-Time Pendulum Ride Adventurers

Here are some practical and friendly Tips for First:

Relax: Take a deep breath to reduce tension
Eat light: A full stomach can cause discomfort
Clothing Options: Wear comfortable clothes & secure shoes:
Follow the Instructions: keep your belongings in a safe, especially your phone
Trust the Gear and Staff: This is a very safe ride
Scream if You're Scared: It helps!
Rest: dizziness is normal, please drink water

How to Choose a Pendulum Amusement Ride Manufacturer for My Amusement Park?

Key factors in choosing quality pendulum rides:
1.Compliance with international Safety Standards
The equipment must comply with strict safety regulations, such as ASTM, EN or local amusement ride safety standards.
2.Daily Inspections and Regular Maintenance
The amusement park conducts safety inspections before daily operations and schedules daily maintenance based on recommendations.
3.Real-time Monitoring System
Sensors track speed, swing angle, and pressure. Any abnormal readings automatically trigger shutdown protocols.
4.Reliable Restraint System
Shoulder restraints, seat belts, and locking seat belts keep passengers safe and ensure complete stability.
5.Professionally Trained Operators
The ride staff is professionally trained in safety procedures and emergency response.

Why Choose SUNHONG?

SUNHONG is a professional pendulum rides manufacturer committed to meeting international quality and safety standards. Our equipment:
⦁ Complies with ISO 9001 quality management standards
⦁ Uses structural steel that complies with European EN regulations
⦁ Motors are designed to meet ISO 13849 industrial safety standards
⦁ Durable with a service life of more than 15 years
⦁ Provide one-stop service for amusement parks, including design, production, installation and operation guidance;

Conclusion

This guide has explored the top attractions, ride types, safety features, and expert tips to help you make the most of your ride. So whether you're planning your first visit or you're a seasoned theme park enthusiast, pendulum rides are where the adventure begins. 
Whether you're operating a theme park or planning your next investment in attractions, SUNHONG stands out as your most trusted partner in pendulum amusement ride manufacturing.