Screamin' Swing
Encyclopedia
Pendulum ride
Pendulum rides are amusement rides based on the motion of a fixed pendulum. These rides consist of an arm attached to an axle. One end of the arm is fitted with a passenger-carrying gondola, while the other is usually fitted with a heavy counterweight...
designed by S&S Power
S&S Power
S&S Worldwide is a company known for its pneumatically powered amusement rides and roller coaster designing.-History:S&S Worldwide was founded by Stan Checketts as S&S Sports, Inc. S&S Sports manufactures bungee jumping and trampoline equipment. S&S Sports was sold in 1996...
. The ride was first installed and operated in 2004 at Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm is a theme park in Buena Park, California, now owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, and a line of jams, jellies, preserves, and other specialty food, now part of The J. M. Smucker Company based in Placentia, California....
in Buena Park
Buena Park, California
Buena Park is a city in northwestern Orange County, California. As of Census 2010 the population was 80,530. The city is adjacent to the city of Anaheim and is 12 miles northwest of downtown Santa Ana. The Current OMB metropolitan designation for Buena Park and the Orange County Area is "Santa...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, USA.
Design and operation
The original Screamin' Swing consists of a 62 feet (18.9 m) A-frame, supporting two arms. Each arm supports two rows of seating, back to back. The first Screamin' Swings developed had four seats per arm with two arms. The lowest variant is the four-seat/one-arm design, and the capacities increase to 8 seat, 16 seat, 32 seat, and 40 seat designs, all utilizing two arms. For two-arm models, the swings can operate individually or simultaneously (although in opposite directions) and are propelled by compressed air, provided by Ingersoll RandIngersoll Rand
Ingersoll-Rand plc is a $13 billion global diversified industrial company founded in 1871. The Ingersoll Rand name came into use in 1905 through the combination of Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill Company and Rand Drill Company...
or Sullair compressors. These compressors disperse air into tanks located within the arms, the movement triggering actuators and cables to produce the motion. Some parks operate Screamin' Swing as an upcharge attraction
Upcharge attraction
An upcharge ride or attraction at an amusement park is a ride that is not included with paid admission. These are commonly found at a number of park chains, including Six Flags, Cedar Fair, and Paramount Parks.Some examples of upcharge rides include:...
, like the one at Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm is a theme park in Buena Park, California, now owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, and a line of jams, jellies, preserves, and other specialty food, now part of The J. M. Smucker Company based in Placentia, California....
, which require a separate fare to experience Screamin' Swing in addition to general admission.
The tallest Screamin' Swing in the world is Skyhawk at Cedar Point
Cedar Point
Cedar Point is a 364 acre amusement park located in Sandusky, Ohio, United States on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. Cedar Point is the only amusement park with four roller coasters that are taller than...
. It stands 103 feet (31.4 m) tall, swings to a height of 125 feet (38.1 m), has a maximum arc of 120°, and can achieve a maximum speed of 60 mi/h.
The 100 feet (30.5 m) Apollo’s Swing at Mt. Olympus Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells opened in 2007 as an upcharge attraction
Upcharge attraction
An upcharge ride or attraction at an amusement park is a ride that is not included with paid admission. These are commonly found at a number of park chains, including Six Flags, Cedar Fair, and Paramount Parks.Some examples of upcharge rides include:...
, and seats only four passengers, allowing it to achieve 75 mi/h.
The first larger Screamin' Swing developed was Rush, located at Thorpe Park (UK). The ride stands at 62 feet (18.9 m) tall with a dynamic height of 70 feet (21.3 m). It opened in May 2005 as 'The Worlds Biggest Full Throttle Speed Swing'.
A recently installed Screamin' Swing located at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, swings riders out over a steep canyon, 1300 feet (396.2 m) above the Colorado River. The swing structure is 50 feet (15.2 m) tall and has a maximum arc of 122°. It opened in May 2010, and is billed 'The Giant Canyon Swing'.
Current installations
- Russia - At least one: Flying Swing at Divo Ostrov.
- United Kingdom - Rush at Thorpe ParkThorpe ParkThorpe Park is a theme park located in Chertsey, Surrey, England, UK. It was built in 1979 on the site of a gravel pit which was partially flooded, the intention of creating a water based theme for the park. The park's first large roller coaster, Colossus, was added in 2002...
. - United States of America - At least twelve: Screamin' Swing at Knott's Berry FarmKnott's Berry FarmKnott's Berry Farm is a theme park in Buena Park, California, now owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, and a line of jams, jellies, preserves, and other specialty food, now part of The J. M. Smucker Company based in Placentia, California....
(the test prototype) and Dorney Park & Wildwater KingdomDorney Park & Wildwater KingdomDorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is an American amusement and water park located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The park features nine roller coasters, other adult and children's rides, and a waterpark, Wildwater Kingdom....
, X-treme Swing at Valleyfair!Valleyfair!Valleyfair, sometimes stylized Valleyfair! is a 125 acre amusement park located in Shakopee, Minnesota, USA and is currently the largest amusement park in the Upper Midwest United States. The park has over 50 rides and water attractions and currently operates 8 roller coasters, one of the most...
, Swing Shot at KennywoodKennywoodKennywood is an amusement park located in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. The park first opened in 1898 as a "trolley park" at the end of the Monongahela Street Railway. The park was purchased in 1906 by F. W. Henninger and Andrew McSwigan and thus began the Kennywood...
, Skyhawk at Cedar PointCedar PointCedar Point is a 364 acre amusement park located in Sandusky, Ohio, United States on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. Cedar Point is the only amusement park with four roller coasters that are taller than...
, Thunder N' Lightning at Lake CompounceLake CompounceLake Compounce is an amusement park located in Bristol, Connecticut, United States and a part of the neighboring town of Southington, Connecticut; the lake itself lies completely in Southington. It is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America, having operated every year...
, Giant Swing at Silver Dollar CitySilver Dollar CitySilver Dollar City is a theme park in the state of Missouri. Opened on May 1, 1960, the park is located between Branson and Branson West, Missouri, on Highway 76...
, Giant Canyon Swing at Glenwood CavernsGlenwood CavernsGlenwood Caverns is an extensive cave system located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The Caverns are now part of the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, a popular Colorado tourist attraction. The caves are accessed by a cable car ride which takes visitors to the top of Iron Mountain. The park offers...
, Screamin' Swing at Morey's Piers, and Apollo's Swing at Mount Olympus Water & Theme Park, Screamin' Swing at Family Fun Center in Tukwila, WA, Screamin' Swing at Fun Spot Kissimee, FL, Screamin' Swing at Dixieland Fun Park in Fayetteville, GA, and Barnstormer at DollywoodDollywoodDollywood is a theme park owned by entertainer Dolly Parton and the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. It is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dollywood has 3,000 people on its payroll, making it the largest employer in that community....
in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. - Sweden - One: "Upppswinget" at LisebergLisebergLiseberg is an amusement park located in Gothenburg, Sweden, the park opened in 1923. Liseberg is one of the most visited amusement parks in Scandinavia, attracting around 3 million visitors annually. Among the noteworthy attractions is the wooden roller coaster Balder, voted twice as the Best...
.