originally posted on 11/6/2020
All photos by Gerhard Waldmann. View full-sized image.
Anyone who has ever been to Austria and has visited Vienna has undoubtedly been drawn to the park’s famous Ferris wheel, Weiner Riesenrad. It’s a world-renowned icon. Ironically, the “fairgrounds” upon which it stands are a hodgepodge of midway rides owned by multiple showmen. Because there are several vendors, tickets must be purchased for all attractions.
Throughout its history, at least 40 roller coasters have operated on the property. For 2020, a total of 14 were available. One of the newest is Roller Ball. This compact coaster is owned and operated by Kern & Waldmann.
Roller Ball in Vienna is the largest of two models, standing more than 90 feet tall. The selling point of the ride is its extremely compact layout. The entirety of track is stacked on a vertical plane. Of note, the track is turned 90 degrees, so the vehicles are attached at the side, not underneath or above the vehicle.
The entire ride layout is structured on a vertical plane. View full-sized image.
All such coasters reside in Europe. The first opened at Schwaben Park (Kaisersback, Germany) in 2018. It stands just under 70 feet tall. Another opened in 2019 at Parc Spirou Provence (Monteux, France) and was the first of the larger models. Following this year’s installation, another is preparing to open in 2021 in Thale, Germany, at Erlebniswelt Seilbahnen Thale. It is the slightly shorter model.
The coasters are manufactured by Ride Engineers of Switzerland (RES), the same company that supplied Mystic River Falls at Silver Dollar City (Branson, Missouri).
Three vehicles that seat four in back-to-back pairs first climb a vertical lift hill. This unusual ascent differs from many vertical-lift coasters as riders do not look up into the sky. Riders aboard Roller Ball have sweeping vistas. Much like the lifts on the S&S 4D FreeSpin coasters, riders remain upright.
View full-sized image.
Once over the top, the action sets in as the gondolas work their way down a curved zig-zag layout. Clearly, the ride’s allure is its unique nature and not gut-wrenching thrills. At no point is a significant amount of speed felt. The vehicles are slowed before entering the drops, but there is a freefall sensation when going over the curves. The real fun comes from the pivoted gondolas that allow riders to swing once they drop over the curves. At some points riders are staring at the sky, while other moments find passengers facedown toward the ground. It’s just enough thrill to elevate this family coaster to something quirky and new.
Riders only have to be 42 inches tall.
View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
The selling point to carnival operators is its lack of needed space. With its vertical structure, the ride requires only 50 by 21 feet.
While not apt to jump on any ACE member’s Top Ten list, this ride is one that most enthusiasts would enjoy finding at a U.S. fairground to give this rare type of ride a go.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
Like most rides at Prater, a light package makes it attractive at night. View full-sized image.
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