Next Dimension: Enterprise
We’re being taken for a spin at the fairground, with another new ride rolling in. What enterprise this is, seeing all these scary new attractions rolling in. Did someone say enterprise?
Enterprise is indeed one heck of a spin. The circle of twenty pods begins to turn with gradually increasing speed, such that centrifugal force pins passengers to their chairs, which must really be quite some feeling. On this, the other eye-opener; there are no safety belts or bars, only the cage around the pod. You will stay in your seat. Hmm…!
Once whirling at full pelt, the ominous looking arm beneath the wheel kicks into life, raising to a peak of eighty-seven degrees and, with that constant high speed, making the ride appear more stomach-turning than most others I can think of. I’m told it’s much more fun and not nearly so terrible as a passenger; I’m quite happy to take their word for it.
As you probably guessed, the name comes from Star Trek. For a contraption so ahead of its time – Enterprise first landed in theme parks in 1972 – perhaps such a connection wasn’t without merit. It still puts on quite the show.
Primary colours probably isn’t the pallette most synonymous with space nor Trekkies, but never mind – who wants to conform?
This process was something of a mish-mash of a couple of my previous rides, really. The wheel was reminiscent of the Rock-O-Plane – virtually identical, only slightly larger and with vastly more spokes to it; the pods themselves echoed the Dodgems, and the lessons learnt there in constructing the bumper car helped no end here – my Enterprise pod was rustled up in nowhere near the amount of time that took. The axis of the pod is set in correspondence with the circumference of the wheel, meaning the rotation can give the desired effect.
It was nice to do an exercise that built on some of the techniques learnt previously – good to flex those muscles again, I’m sure – use it or lose it, and all that!
jaywalks 
I think this would be a fantastic ride, but I can’t get on without a safety bar….I know the physics, but my brain can’t cope with the what ifs! Ride failure, lol, anyhow I bet that force pulling you in would feel great. Well done. When your park is complete, do we get special tickets to check it out first, VIP’s 😀
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Yes, I know what you mean! It was surprising to read that. Perhaps this was only true of the older models? You’d think, nowadays, such a ride would have to come with restraints.
Thanks! Haha – definite VIP access, and as such unlimited rides on this in the knowledge that it can’t break down! 😉
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Oh so true, no break downs, always a good thing.
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May the force be with all who get on this ride…well, we hope! Nice work. B
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I think that’s Star Wars, Bill! Hilarious though. Thank you!
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I am amazed! Not sure my stomach would be as amazed if I went for a ride!! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Susan – yeah, me neither!
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This looks awesome!! And sounds just a tad terrifying. I guess without safety belts you simply hope the ride doesn’t come to a halt at an inopportune moment. Yikes! Hehe…but love the rendering. It’s looks particularly beautiful at night! 😃
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Thanks, Charlie! Yes, that is a rather terrifying thought, isn’t it, and made my chances of riding this an even firmer zero than they already were. I guess it was the 70s, who needs safety precautions!
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Jacob the geometric whizzkid! I can’t think how you even begin to do this, but it’s fab. 🙂
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Thanks, Rebecca! Normally it’s done with lots of hair pulling and cursing, but we get there, eventually!
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There is NO way i’d get on it, but it certainly looks spectacular! I can’t believe this was an actual REAL ride O.o. No no no no no no no. Holy hell. I won’t even go on a rollercoaster!
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Thanks very much! I’m certainly with you on these crazy rides. I’ve only ever been on a couple of rollercoasters, which peaked at about 10cm high. Give me the Dodgems over this any day of the week!
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Absolutely. I much prefer rides that make me feel as though I’m NOT about to die!
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There was a ride like this at the fairground many years ago, although it must’ve been a cheaper version as there were no seats, and you had to stand in individual compartments. That spun you around at such speed you were pinned back into the compartment… I do believe that had no safety belts either… I wouldn’t go on it nowadays!
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My eyes opened pretty wide there, Tom, at the idea of a stand-up version! Interesting! I suppose it’s a similar deal to the Rotor ride, where you stand against the wall which spins as the floor beneath you drops away. At least that doesn’t throw you upside-down though!
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