SkyQuest in testing phase at Indianapolis Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo has opened the world renowned Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center.  This exhibit is giving us a never before seen experience with orangutans that is much more like seeing orangutans in their natural environment.  As part of this exhibit the zoo has installed the Skyline so that guests will have an eye level view of these climbing creatures.  The Skyline is the Chance Rides SkyQuest aerial people mover and Indianapolis Zoo will have the first one.  The 4-passenger open air gondolas travel at heights of up to 60 feet in the air around 1200 feet of track, allowing guests to take in the entire Orangutan Center as well as the surrounding area.  Watch this video for a preview of the experience.  The exhibit is open now and the Skyline is scheduled to be open to the public by July 4th.

Lightning Run at Kentucky Kingdom - Chance Rides Hyper GT-X

After 5 long years of lying vacant collecting dust, Kentucky Kingdom has reopened to the public.  But Ed Hart and his team did far more than just reopen the doors.  After putting more than $44M dollars into the park it is opened anew.  Along with that came a brand new steel roller coaster to join a park favorite in the Thunder Run wooden coaster.  The new roller coaster, Lightning Run, is the first Chance Rides Hyper GT-X coaster.  The main idea behind the Hyper GT-X coaster is all the thrill without all the cost.  This roller coaster features 2500 ft of track, a 100 ft lift hill, an 80 degree 1st drop, 11 points of real air time and countless surprise twists and turns throughout.  Don't believe us, click here to see what the American Coaster Enthusiasts had to say about Lightning Run.  Kentucky Kingdom opened their doors to the ACE group on May 17th, one week before the park was opened to the general public.  We wish Ed Hart and all the staff at Kentucky Kingdom a long and happy future. 

Photo Courtesy Amusement Today

The Capital Wheel at National Harbor - Chance Rides R60 Giant Observation Wheel

Jon Peterson addresses the crowd at the grand opening.

A Ferris wheel is something that automatically conjures up nostalgic images in your mind, however, Chance Rides is one manufacturer that is helping to make Ferris wheels new again.  There is a brand new addition to the skyline in our nations capital and it is called The Capital Wheel.  This is no ordinary Ferris wheel though, this is a 180 ft tall observation wheel.  The Capital Wheel at National Harbor is an R60 Giant Observation Wheel designed by Ronald Bussink Ag and manufactured by Chance Rides.  The wheel features 42 climate controlled gondolas, providing 360 degree views of the beautiful Washington DC area.  Positioned right over the historic Potomac river, guests will have views of the National Monument, the U.S. Capital, the city of Alexandria and Prince Georges County.  The wheel features 1.6 million programmable LED lights making the wheel itself a show at night.  It is something that must truly be experienced.  Click here to see the whole project come together from the ground up. 

New C.P. Huntington Train Delight Zoo Guests

This summer guests at the Little Rock Zoo in Little Rock, Arkansas will have the opportunity to experience the zoo aboard a shiny new C.P. Huntington Train.  The C.P. Huntington train is the flagship item for Chance Rides and they are still as popular today as they were more than 53 years ago.  Each new C.P. Huntington is customized to the needs of our customers. 

CPH #377 - Little Rock Zoo, Little Rock, AR

At the Little Rock Zoo guests are being treated to an upgraded experience as the old train and tracks were replaced.
Read here about the inaugural weekend for Arkansas's Diamond Express.

San Antonio Zootenial Carousel

The San Antonio Zoo is turning 100 years old in 2014.  To celebrate this great history of animal conservation and community enjoyment they have added a beautiful 50' wildlife carousel.  This amazing custom carousel features 4 new wildlife figures that Chance Rides has added to the available catalog, the horny toed lizard, the tortoise, the hippopotamus and the sea turtle.  Each figure was painstakingly carved by our talented artists and then molded for fiberglass production.  Each figure is handpainted and no two are exactly alike.  The Zootennial Carousel includes a total of 60 figures and 2 custom chariots, 1 spinning and 1 ADA compliant.  The San Antonio Zoo sold naming rights to each of these locations as a fundraiser for the expansion. 

Zootenial Carousel at the San Antonio Zoo in San Antonio, TX

Swinging Ship Ride Thrills in Three New Cities.

For many of us the first thrill ride we experience is the good ole backyard swing.  And really, is there anything better than that wiggle in your stomach as you reach the peak of the swing just before coming back down?  How about a ride on a giant swinging ship?  That's right, for me the thrill of the good ole swing set is magnified 10 fold as I take my place on the Chance Rides Pharaoh's Fury.  This year three parks are welcoming this fantastic swinging ship into their parks.  Trader's Village in San Antonio, TX took delivery of our classic Pharaoh's Fury swinging ship complete with massive golden Pharaoh's perched at either end of the ship. 

Trader's Village, San Antonio, TX

Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN and Playland's Castaway Cove put a slightly different spin on their swinging ship rides.  Holiday World brought the Mayflower home to Thanksgiving land.  Their viking ship was complete with crests of armor at each opening and a detailed mast on each end. Watch this to see the Mayflower as it gets built.

At Playland's Castaway Cove their viking ship is called the Buccaneer, and it is poised to take riders on a ride over the stormy seas.

Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN

Playland's Castaway Cove, Ocean City, NJ

The Chance Rides Giant Wheel Makes it into Professional Baseball

Giant Wheel at Modern Woodmen Park

This summer when the people in and around Davenport, IA set out for a day at the ballpark, they will be treated to a whole new experience.  Just behind the fence in the left field of Modern Woodmen Park you will see a new Giant Wheel built by Chance Rides.  The Quad Cities River Bandits are the first minor league baseball team to host a permanent Ferris wheel inside their ball park.  The addition is part of a full entertainment concept being added to the stadium by team owner Dave Heller.  He wants to make the ballpark something that everyone in the family will enjoy.  Not to mention give people a reason to come out to the ballpark even when the team isn't in town.  Learn more in this story published by Ballpark Digest.