Larson International

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Larson International, Inc.
TypePrivate
IndustryManufacturing
FounderWalter Larson
Headquarters
Plainview, Texas
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Jeff Novotny (President)
Websitelarsonintl.com

Larson International is a designer and manufacturer of amusement rides based in Plainview, Texas. The company has designed its own collection of amusement rides, as well as owning rights to rides originally designed by Bisch-Rocco and Sellner Manufacturing.

History[]

El Diablo, a Larson 22M Giant Loop, at Six Flags Great Adventure.

J & S, Rides, Inc., currently doing business as Larson International, dates back to at least 1988.[1][2]

In January 2002, Larson International, along with AmTech and International Ride Services, hosted the annual Amusement Industry Manufacturers & Suppliers (AIMS) Safety Seminar.[3]

In February 2002, Larson International acquired the rights to Bisch-Rocco's Flying Scooters ride.[4] In the late 1920s, Alvin Bisch and Ralph Rocco designed a rotating, ride-like device for training pilots.[5] In the 1930s, this design evolved into the Flying Scooters amusement ride.[6] Several installations were manufactured by Bisch and Rocco. The first new installation by Larson International was purchased by California's Great America and installed in 2002.[7]

In January 2011, Larson International purchased Sellner Manufacturing, an amusement ride company based in Faribault, Minnesota.[8] Sellner Manufacturing's foundations date back to 1923 when Herbert W. Sellner invented a Water-Toboggan Slide. In 1926, Sellner invented the Tilt-A-Whirl ride and founded Sellner Manufacturing. The company invented other products over the years, but the Tilt-A-Whirl was its most popular ride, with nearly 1,000 units manufactured to 2010.[9] In the late 2000s, Sellner Manufacturing, which was then led by great-granddaughter Erin Sellner Ward, was facing financial difficulties. The State Bank of Faribault approached Larson International for a possible takeover. Larson International's acquisition saw the company gain ownership of everything except Sellner's building. This included the relocation of all ride plans, molds, computers, office furniture, equipment and machines, to Larson International's Plainview facility.[1]

Products[]

Name Introduced Original designer In association with Description
22M Giant Loop Larson International N/A A larger version of the Fire Ball, measuring 22 metres (72 ft) in diameter. [10]
Giga Loop 2018 Larson International N/A A larger version of the Fire Ball, measuring 30 metres (98 ft) in diameter.
Flying Rides 2011 Sellner Manufacturing N/A Aerial carousels that come in a variety of themes, including Bumble Bee Bop, Jumping Jumbos, and Star Command. [11]
Flying Scooters 2002 Bisch-Rocco N/A [4]
Flying Scooters (portable) Bisch-Rocco A portable, fairground version of Larson's ride is in development. [12]
Fire Ball 2000 Larson International N/A originally named Super Loop (early 1970s) and renamed as Ring of Fire (1988).[13] [14]
Funnel Force Larson International N/A [15]
The Hubless Wheel Larson International N/A Combines the 22M Giant Loop structure with Star Dancer ride vehicles to result in a ferris wheel-like experience. [16]
Huff-n-Puff 2011 Sellner Manufacturing N/A A self-powered handcar ride for children. [17]
Kiddie Star Dancer Larson International N/A [18]
Mega Bounce N/A [19]
The Ships Ahoy Larson International N/A A themed teacups-style ride. [20]
Spin Rides 2011 Sellner Manufacturing N/A Teacups-style rides that come in a variety of themes, including Barrels of Fun, Bear Affair, Berry-Go-Round, Chilly Willy, Dizzy Dragon, Martian Madness, Monkey Mayhem, Pumpkin Patch, Spin the Apple, Tea Time and Tons of Fun. [21]
Star Dancer Larson International N/A [22]
Super Shot N/A Originally known as Atmosfear. [23][24]
Tilt-A-Whirl 2011 Sellner Manufacturing N/A [8]
Track Rides 2011 Sellner Manufacturing N/A Small track-based fairground rides, with themes available of Jalopy Junction and Rock Town. [25]

Former products[]

In the past, Larson International has had informal alliances with other manufacturers including Chance Rides, S&S Power and , whereby the manufacturers would assist in the fabrication of each other's rides in exchange for revenue sharing.[26] Products previously designed and manufactured by Larson International are shown in the table below.

Name Introduced Description
High Roller/Crazy Train 1989 [27]
Moby Dick [28]
Ring of Fire 1988 new name replacing Super Loop (early 1970s) and renamed Fire Ball (1999). [29]
Space Loop [30]
Super Loop early 1970s renamed Ring of Fire in 1988 and Fire Ball in 1999. [31]

Installations[]

Many of Larson International's ride have been sold to fairground operators as portable, travelling rides.[32][33][34][35][36] A listing of rides permanently installed at amusement parks is shown in the table below.

Ride name Park Country Type Opened Status Ref
Air Crow Indiana Beach United States United States Flying Scooters 2005 Operating
AtmosFEAR Morey's Piers United States United States Super Shot 2005 Operating
Bourbon Street Fireball Six Flags America United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2015 Operating [37]
Brain Drain Elitch Gardens Theme Park United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2014 Operating [38]
Brain Drain Frontier City United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2015 Operating [38]
Brain Drain Magic Springs and Crystal Falls United States United States Super Shot 2018 Operating
Cedar Creek Flyer Dorney Park United States United States Flying Scooters 2015 Operating [39]
Chaos
El Diablo Loop Coaster		 La Ronde
Six Flags Great Adventure		 Canada Canada 22M Giant Loop 2019
2015		 Operating
Dare Devil Chaos Coaster Six Flags Discovery Kingdom United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2015 Operating [37]
Delirious Valleyfair United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2018 Operating
Dragons Fly Castle Park United States United States Flying Scooters 2008 Operating [40]
El Diablo Loop Coaster Six Flags Over Texas United States United States Giga Loop 2019 Operating
Eye Of The Storm Kentucky Kingdom United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2017 Operating
Fearfall Kentucky Kingdom United States United States Super Shot 2014 Operating
Fireball Six Flags Fiesta Texas United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2016 Removed [41]
Fireball Six Flags New England United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2016 Operating [41]
Fireball Six Flags St. Louis United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2016 Operating [41]
Flying Aces Idlewild Park United States United States Flying Scooters 2007 Operating
Flying Eagles California's Great America United States United States Flying Scooters 2002 Operating [7]
Flying Eagles Canada's Wonderland Canada Canada Flying Scooters 2016 Operating
Flying Eagles Valleyfair United States United States Flying Scooters 2016 Operating [42]
Flying Fish Story Land United States United States Flying Scooters <2006 Operating [43]
French Quarter Flyers Six Flags America United States United States Flying Scooters 2014 Operating
Frontier Flyers Hersheypark United States United States Flying Scooters 2003 Operating [44]
Greezed Lightnin' Great Escape United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2016 Operating [41]
Hair Raiser Luna Park Sydney Australia Australia Super Shot 2013 Operating
Harley Quinn Spinsanity Six Flags Over Georgia United States United States Tilt-A-Whirl 2015 Operating [37]
Hornet's Nest Darien Lake United States United States Flying Scooters 2012 Operating [45]
Kong Morey's Piers United States United States Flying Scooters 2015 Operating
Lake Erie Eagles Cedar Point United States United States Flying Scooters 2014 Operating
Lakeside Gliders Michigan's Adventure United States United States Flying Scooters 2013 Operating
Mardi Gras Hangover Six Flags Great America United States United States Giga Loop 2018 Operating [46]
Phoenix La Ronde Canada Canada Flying Scooters 2016 Operating [41]
Professor John's Flying Machines Kentucky Kingdom United States United States Flying Scooters 2014 Operating
Ring Wing Speed / 环翼飞车 Happy Valley Shenzhen China China 22M Giant Loop 2018 Operating [47]
Rolling Thunder Six Flags Darien Lake United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2015 Operating [48]
Screamin 'Eagles Great Escape United States United States Flying Scooters 2013 Operating
Spinsanity Six Flags Fiesta Texas United States United States Tilt-A-Whirl 2016 Operating
Surfside Gliders Knott's Berry Farm United States United States Flying Scooters 2013 Operating [49]
The Joker Chaos Coaster Six Flags Over Georgia United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2015 Operating [37]
The Mad Mocking Bird Dollywood United States United States Flying Scooters 2019 Operating
Tourbillon La Ronde Canada Canada Tilt-A-Whirl 2018 Operating
Winged Warrior Frontier City United States United States Flying Scooters 2014 Operating
Wonder Woman Flight School Six Flags Over Georgia United States United States Flying Scooters 2016 Operating [41]
Woodstock Gliders Kings Island United States United States Flying Scooters 2015 Operating
Woodstock Gliders Worlds of Fun United States United States Flying Scooters 2016 Operating
Zenith Canada Canada Hubbles Wheel 2019 Operating
Zero G Indiana Beach United States United States 22M Giant Loop 2016 Removed [50]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Larson gains new dimension with Sellner purchase" (PDF). Amusement Today. 14 (11): 1. February 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  2. ^ "Larson International, Inc". Larson International. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  3. ^ O'Brien, Tim (January 29, 2001). "Hundreds of students attend seminar; seven honored at awards banquet". Amusement Business. 113 (4): 16.
  4. ^ a b Mooradian, Don (February 18, 2002). "M&S news". Amusement Business. 114 (7): 4.
  5. ^ US patent 1912174, Bisch, Alvin, "Device to train aviators or for amusement purposes", published May 30, 1933, assigned to Rocco, Ralph 
  6. ^ US patent 2162877, Bisch, Alvin, "Amusement device", published June 20, 1939, assigned to Rocco, Ralph 
  7. ^ a b O'Brien, Tim (May 13, 2002). "Parks holding off on adding major rides". Amusement Business. 114 (19): 20–22.
  8. ^ a b McDonough, Doug (January 25, 2011). "Larson International acquires Tilt-a-Whirl manufacturer". My Plainview. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  9. ^ "Fast Facts" (PDF). Amusement Today. 14 (11): 1. February 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  10. ^ "22M Giant Loop". Larson International. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  11. ^ "Flying Rides". Larson International. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  12. ^ "What's New". Larson International, Inc. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  13. ^ Muret, Don (May 1, 2000). "Windy City 'Flings' itself into outdoor season". Amusement Business. 112 (18): 36.
  14. ^ "The Fire Ball". Larson International. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  15. ^ "Funnel Force". Larson International. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  16. ^ "The Hubless Wheel". Larson International. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  17. ^ "Huff-n-Puff". Larson International. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  18. ^ Muret, Don (July 1, 2002). "Minnesota State Fair set for 68 rides, new attractions". Amusement Business. 114 (26): 17, 24.
  19. ^ "Mega Bounce". Larson International. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  20. ^ "Ships Ahoy". Larson International. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  21. ^ "Spin Rides". Larson International. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  22. ^ "Star Dancer". Larson International. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  23. ^ Millbauer, Katie (June 2005). "Pier Review". Amusement Business. 117 (6): 16–19.
  24. ^ "Super Shot". Larson International. Archived from the original on December 23, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  25. ^ "Track Rides". Larson International. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  26. ^ O'Brien, Tim (May 13, 2002). "Suppliers point to weather as key for sales in 2003". Amusement Business. 114 (19): 12–16.
  27. ^ Emmons, Natasha (February 3, 2003). "Mason having 'Fun' with new signing". Amusement Business. 115 (5): 15.
  28. ^ Powell, Tom (May 31, 2004). "Good Weather Makes PBJ Owners 'Happee'". Amusement Business. 116 (22): 13, 20.
  29. ^ Powell, Tom (August 7, 2000). "Business picking up for Interstate". Amusement Business. 112 (32): 28.
  30. ^ Powell, Tom (December 6, 1999). "Reithoffers nearing deal for rides". Amusement Business. 111 (49): 32.
  31. ^ Powell, Tom (November 8, 1999). "Amusement industry expo still growing; attendance tops 4,000". Amusement Business. 111 (45): 44.
  32. ^ Muret, Don (April 28, 2003). "Geren acquires 13 fair/festival dates". Amusement Business. 115 (17): 1, 16.
  33. ^ Muret, Don (August 21, 2000). "Warm weather and short jump good for Salernos at Rib America". Amusement Business. 112 (34): 48.
  34. ^ Barbieri, Kelly (August 11, 2003). "McDonagh's invests $1.3 million into show". Amusement Business. 115 (32): 14–15.
  35. ^ Powell, Tom (November 18, 2002). "Carnival owners discuss plans for spending at IAAPA trade show". Amusement Business. 114 (46).
  36. ^ Powell, Tom (December 8, 2003). "Macaronis Have Great Season; Eye More Foreign Help Next Year". Amusement Business. 115 (49): 11, 12.
  37. ^ a b c d MacDonald, Brady (August 28, 2014). "Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2015". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  38. ^ a b "Oklahoma's Most Thrilling Theme Park - Frontier City".
  39. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 19, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  40. ^ "Dragons Fly at Castle Park: Larson Scooters now open". Park World Magazine. May 30, 2008. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  41. ^ a b c d e f MacDonald, Brady (September 3, 2015). "Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2016". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  42. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  43. ^ Ruben, Paul (May 7, 2009). "Story Land". Park World Magazine. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  44. ^ Barbieri, Kelly (February 3, 2003). "Hersheypark prepares for new rides, food". Amusement Business. 115 (5).
  45. ^ "Kernels – May 2012". Park World Magazine. May 9, 2012. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  46. ^ "World's Largest Larson Loop coming to Six Flags Great America - WildGravity Travels". WildGravity Travels. August 31, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  47. ^ "环翼飞车-主题·项目-深圳欢乐谷官方网站".
  48. ^ "Buffalo's Most Exciting Theme Park - Six Flags Darien Lake".
  49. ^ "New at Knott's". Park World Magazine. December 12, 2012. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  50. ^ https://www.facebook.com/IndianaBeachAmusementPark/photos/a.337714677198.150905.337613147198/10153641891002199/?type=1&theater/

External links[]

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