Breakdance (ride)
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Breakdance is an amusement ride designed by Huss Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG in 1985.
Upon release, the ride design proved to be an instant hit, with HUSS now producing four varying designs, all of which can be acquired in transportable, semi-permanent, or permanent forms.[citation needed]
Design and operation
[edit]Breakdance consists of a dodecagonal platform with a diameter of 20 meters, upon which are mounted four hubs, each bearing four two-person cars. The entire ride is on an incline of 7.5°. When the ride is activated, the platform rotates, the hubs rotate in the opposite direction to the platform. The combination of the platform slope, hub movement, and weight displacement within the cars cause them to rock back and forth, the oblique join mount and the motion of the ride allowing the cars to rotate through 360°. Huss recommends that riders be a minimum of 48 in (120 cm) tall with an adult and over 54 in (140 cm) tall to ride alone on all models except for the Rodeo/Breakdance 4 variant; on this model riders must be at least 42 in (110 cm) tall.
Breakdances incorporate backdrops, and the provision for sound systems, elaborate light displays, and special effects equipment is made. Controls for these additional systems can easily be routed through the operator's console.
Traveling versions of this ride can be disassembled and stowed on two 12 m (40 ft) trailers, one for the ride itself, the other carrying the platforms, backdrop, special effects equipment and ticketbox.
Variants
[edit]The success of the design has prompted HUSS to manufacture three additional variants to the Breakdance design. These are:
- Breakdance 2 - Six four-car hubs are installed on the 25-metre (82 ft) Octadecagon platform.
- Breakdance 3 - The dodecagonal platform is reduced to 18-metre (59 ft) in diameter, and the slope of the platform is changed, making the platform slightly cone-shaped. No backdrop is sold with this ride, which in combination with the size and slope reductions, significantly reduces the overall weight of the ride. The 8 ton difference makes this variant popular for transportable operations.
- Breakdance 4 - Also known as a Rodeo, this variant removes the platform entirely. Instead, three four-members of a "crew" are connected to the central dance by extended arms. There is no slope to the dance. It is much better suited for families than the other variants.
- Breakdance 5 - The decagonal main disc will be reduced to a diameter of less than 18-metre (59 ft). The ride will feature cross-shaped gyros with four gondolas that are capable of carrying two passengers.[1]
Although officially a different ride and not a variant of Breakdance, after the success of Breakdance HUSS developed the Booster ride, which takes the idea a step further. It did not, however, gain the kind of success that Breakdance did.[citation needed]
Similar rides
[edit]Rides almost identical to the Breakdance have been produced by other companies.[citation needed] Below are listed the companies, with the ride name in brackets.
- Safeco (Blade Runner)
- Sobema (Break Dance)
- Fabbri Group (Crazy Dance)
- Top Fun (Magic Dance)
- Nauta Bussink (Star Dancer)
- Parkash (Break Dance)
- Funlight (Break Dance)
Appearances
[edit]Over 110 Breakdance rides have been manufactured by HUSS, the vast majority of which are still in operation.[citation needed]
Transportable
[edit]| Country | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 4 | 3 manufactured by Sobema, 1 by Fabbri |
| Belgium | 4 | Deca Dance by HUSS, Crazy Dance by Sobema, Break Dance by HUSS, Grease (movie) built by Jabu Amusements |
| Germany | 46 | at least 46 |
| Netherlands | 5 | plus 1 transportable Stardancer owned by Frank Vale, and one Break Dance owned by R. van der Wiel, built by ARM Rides |
| Portugal | 1 | the only transportable Huss Rodeo Breakdance (named Maxi Dance), originally built as a travelling prototype to visit tradefairs |
| United Kingdom | 3 | Ryan McCole (Safeco), Jonathan Hart (Stumpf & Partner [Hungary]) |
| United States | 4 | All made by Fabbri |
Theme parks
[edit]| Country | Location | Ride name | Manufacturer | Model | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Luna Park Sydney | Spider | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 1995 | 2020 |
| Belgium | Bellewaerde | El Toro | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 2006 | |
| Belgium | Bobbejaanland | Breakdance | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 1987 | 2007 |
| Belgium | Walibi Belgium | Spinning Vibe (formerly Cilindri Rotanti) | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 2001 | |
| Canada | Playland | Breakdance | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 2005 | |
| Canada | La Ronde | Disco Ronde | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 1986 | |
| Chile | Fantasilandia | Crazy Dance | Fabbri Group | Crazy Dance | 1999 | |
| China | Romon U-Park | Crazy Cap | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 4 (Indoor) | 2014 | |
| Denmark | Tivoli Gardens | Snurretoppen | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 1988 | 2017 |
| Finland | Linnanmäki | Breakdance | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 1988 | 2001 |
| Germany | Heide Park | Woga Woga/Breakdance | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 1991 | |
| Germany | Serengeti Park | Breakdance | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 1995 | |
| Germany | CentrO Park | Rodeo | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 4 | 2001 | 2010 |
| Germany | Freizeit-Land Geiselwind | Piraten Schleuder (formerly Breakdance) | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 1994 | |
| Germany | Freizeitpark Plohn | Westernrodeo | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 1996 | |
| Germany | Holiday Park | Spinning Barrels | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 4 | 2000 | 2014 |
| Germany | Phantasialand | Crazy Loop | Fabbri Group | Crazy Dance (indoor) | 1995 | 2004 |
| Hungary | Vidám Park | Breakdance | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 1993 | 2013 |
| Israel | Luna Park | Breakdancer | ||||
| Japan | Toshimaen | Break Dance | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 1987 | 2020 |
| Korea | Everland | Championship Rodeo (formerly Breakdance) | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 2 | 1991 | |
| Kuwait | Hawally Park | Crazy Dance | Fabbri Group | Breakdance 1 | 2004 | |
| Netherlands | Drouwenerzand | Break Dance | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 2011 | |
| Netherlands | Drievliet | Draaikolk | Nauta Bussink | Star Dancer | 2011 | |
| Netherlands | Walibi Holland | El Toro | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 2000 | 2006 |
| South Africa | Gold Reef City | Tornado (formerly The Old Mill) | ||||
| Spain | Parque Warner Madrid | Los Carros de la Mina (formerly Silver Mine Spinner) | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 2002 | |
| Spain | PortAventura Park | Crazy Barrels | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 1995 | |
| Sweden | Gröna Lund | Pop expressen | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 1996 | |
| Sweden | Öland Amusement Park | Break Dance | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 2014 | |
| Sweden | Skara Sommarland | Rodeo | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 4 | 2011 | 2021 |
| United Kingdom | Lightwater Valley | Powder Kegs | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 4 | 2011 | |
| United Kingdom | Chessington World of Adventures | The Juggler/Rodeo | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 1989 | 2004 |
| United Kingdom | Alton Towers | Dynamo/Astro Dancer/Dino Dancer | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 1993 | 2004 [2] |
| United Kingdom | South Pier | Break Dance | Sobema | Break Dance | 1997 | |
| United Kingdom | Pleasure Island Family Theme Park | Breakdance | Sobema | Break Dance | 1994 | 2001 |
| United Kingdom | Funland Hayling Island | Breakdance | I.E. Park | Breakdance | 2003 | 2013 |
| United Kingdom | Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach | It's Bad | Sobema | Break Dance | 1990 | 1995 |
| United Kingdom | Barry Island Pleasure Park | Rhythm Dancer | William Thurston | Breakdance | 1995 | 2006 |
| United Kingdom | Ocean Beach, Rhyl | Tango Sensation | Sobema | Break Dance | 1994 | 1996 |
| United Kingdom | Loudoun Castle | Storm Breaker | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 4 | 2008 | 2010 |
| United Kingdom | M&D's | Street Dancer | Fabbri Group | Crazy Dance | 1991 | 2002 |
| United States | Six Flags America | Rodeo | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 4 | 1999 | |
| United States | Six Flags Great Adventure | Rodeo Stampede | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 1999 | 2005 |
| United States | Six Flags New England | Rodeo | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 4 | 1998 | 2007 |
| United States | Six Flags Over Texas | Rodeo | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 2006 | |
| United States | Astroland | Break Dance | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 1988 | 2008 |
| United States | Elitch Gardens | Paradise/Hollywood and Vine | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 1987 | |
| United States | Kentucky Kingdom | Breakdance | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 3 | 1990 | |
| United States | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | WipeOut (formerly whirlwind) | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 4 (Indoor) | 2006 | |
| United States | California's Great America | Peanuts Pirates/SpongeBob's Boat Mobiles | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 4 | 2003 | |
| United States | Morey's Piers | Break Dance | HUSS Park Attractions | Breakdance 1 | 1985 | 2005 |
External links
[edit]
- Technical specifications available at HUSS Park Attractions's website
- Amusement Ride Extravaganza - Breakdance
- a video of a huss breakdance onride
| Current ride models |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notable rides | |||||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ "BREAK DANCE 5 is coming! | Huss Park Attractions". www.hussrides.com. 20 September 2023.
- ^ Bennett, Dave. "Alton Towers Almanac: Retired Rides: Dynamo". Retrieved 20 March 2012.