Twist (ride)

A sizzler twist made by KT Enterprises (Keith Emmett), in the sunset

The Twist, also known as the Twister, Cyclone, Sizzler, Scrambler, Merry Mixer, Jambalaya, or Grasscutter is an amusement ride in which suspended riders spinning in cars experience the illusion that they will crash into other suspended, spinning cars. Riders are seated in small carriages clustered together and connected by beams at the top to a central point. The clustered vehicles are spun in one direction, while the ride as a whole spins in the opposite direction.

The minimum height requirement is 36 inches; anyone under 48 inches tall must ride with a responsible person.

In Australia there are two versions of the ride one being The Sizzler, which always has a more menacing demeanor, while the Cha Cha looks to be more for the kids, while actually the Cha Cha goes much faster than The Sizzler, both rides have the same function, the paint jobs and the cart shapes distinguish the two.

Twist Types

There are three different types of the twist rides, the Grasscutter/Scrambler, Sizzler, and Gee Whizzer.

Grasscutter Twist

A grasscutter twist has a basic frame shape and no platform and is driven by a lower arm assembly. This type of twist is extremely popular in the USA, where it is known as the Scrambler.

• Scrambler—These rides usually have a circular structure near the top of the ride. There are vertical bars that go around the top along with lights on them. For the most part, these rides are made by the Eli Bridge Company.

• Wisdom's Sizzler—This ride does not have a platform, but it still has thick arms at the top and bottom of each seating assembly. The top of the ride has 3 twisted metal structures. There are also lights all over the ride including the cars. This ride goes much faster than the Scrambler or the Wisdom's Super Sizzler. These are popular in the US, but are no longer made by Wisdom.

Sizzler Twist

Main article: Sizzler (ride)

A Sizzler twist are twists which have thicker arms and a platform. It was when these type started being manufactured, the manufacturers concentrated on the ride aesthetics.

A Cha Cha ride in Australia

• Bennett & Pollards—These rides have a smaller circumference from the center of the ride to the seats. They are similar to Scrambler-type rides because they also have cylinder structures on top of the ride.

• PWS Sizzler, Sonacase Twister, & Twist—These rides each have a platform, but they do not have objects near the top of the ride such such as a cylinder structure. There are lights all around the center structure of the ride. Thus, these rides look similar.

• Wisdom's Family Sizzler—this ride has thick arms and a platform, along with a central structure with dazzling lights. It has wheels to guide the three pods along underneath, and is quite fast when compared to a "Grasscutter Twist." They are found mostly at indoor fun centers and are the only type of Sizzler being made by Wisdom.

• Wisdom's Super Sizzler—This ride has a platform, and it looks similar to the Sizzler. Another difference is that it goes backwards, and this ride also has a backdrop with some colorful art. Wisdom has recently stopped making this type of Twist ride.

Gee Whizzer

The 'Gee Whizzer' derrivative was constructed and commissioned by the operators King Carnival amusements of Tasmania, Australia during the 1950s. The project was carried out by rail engineers who utilised rail and tram parts which were common for the era. This machine is currently the largest and fastest of the Twister type rides utilising a unique fully suspended balanced single sweep arm design, driven from the top resulting in no lower arm assembly. The centre support core is fully independent and does not require a support deck, instead eight extended stablisers are fitted to the core during assembly. Only one of these machines are known to be in existence.

Appearances

• Scrambler - Kings Island (1972–present) originally operated at Coney Island, Cincinnati, Ohio (1957–1971)
• Scrambler - Bay Beach Amusement Park (Still here to date)
• Scrambler - Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (Still here to date)
• Scrambler - Idlewild and Soakzone (Still here to date)
• Scrambler - Hersheypark (Still here to date)
• Scrambler - Darien Lake (1999–present)
• Twister - Fantasy Island, UK (Still Here)
• Twist - Skeggness Pleasure Beach, UK (Still Here)
• Twister - Bridlington Coast, UK (Still Here)
• Sizzler- Mount Horeb Summer Frolic (Still Here)
• Scrambler- Oaks Amusement Park, Portland, Or(Still here)

Past Appearances

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

• Sizzler - Martin's Fantasy Island (1994–2010)

See also

• Troika (ride)

External links

• All the Fun of the Fair Twists A database of traveling twists in the UK with pictures.
• Twist History At the National Fairground Archive
• Twist Information Amusement Ride Extravaganza

Ride manufacturer sites

• PWS/Perrin Stevens (The UK Showmans Favourite
• Eli Bridge Company
• Sonacase LTD
• Wisdom Rides