Sky Whirl / Triple Wheel off-ride scenes, Santa Clara 1995
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- Опубликовано: 11 авг 2012
- See the Sky Whirl in operation in Santa Clara, California. An original ride at Marriott's GREAT AMERICA, this triple Ferris wheel opened in 1976. Another Sky Whirl opened the same year at the other Marriott's GREAT AMERICA in Gurnee, Illinois. The California Sky Whirl was later renamed to Triple Wheel. Sold by Intamin AG as the Tree Triple Wheel, the massive ride was manufactured by Waagner Biro. The Santa Clara Triple Wheel was dismantled in 1997 and eventually scrapped.
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I can't even begin to count the number of times I went on this ride as a young teenager. Great America was "the place to hang out" back in the early 90's. I had a season pass every year. We called this ride "the bird cages" because they remind you of tweety birds cage lol. The sound was atrocious from the motors, but it almost acted as a white noise and when you added the wind blowing through and the slight vibration, it was actually very relaxing. It also was a good option if you and your "significant other" needed some "alone" time lol, as it was pretty regular that you would see at least one young couple making out lol. I do always remember there being a line and it didn't seem like there were ever very many empty "cages." I was so sad when they removed it! To me, when I thought of Great America, that's the ride that came to mind. I really wish they would recreate it so we could have our old friend back! Another piece of my childhood has vanished 😞
Definitely a landmark. It was visible from quite a distance. I always made sure to look at it when riding in the car on 101. With Dad or Mom and grandparents. Fond memories. If we get to choose heaven then my childhood is where I want to be.
Haha my family called them bird cages too
One of my favorite rides. And surprisingly scary. Especially when your wheel would start turning. They NEVER should have taken it down. There's never been another ride like it since. An amazing piece of engineering.
Sky.Whirl.was.pretty.good...but.I.liked.the.Turn.Of.The.Century...then.Great.America.had.it.converted.to.The.Demon.later
Parts were becoming hard to find, and the ride had a design flaw, which caused it to be removed
what was the design flaw?@@ChuckE.CheesesIllinois
@@ChuckE.CheesesIllinois What design flaw? Only issue I've read was rust.
@@Darkk6969 i think it was something about the fans rusting because the vents were open, but that's all I know
I will always remember the sound of that whine while walking through Great America as a kid.
It wasnt the ride itself, it was seeing it from the parking lot that got me excited. Marriott's was wonderful.
One of the iconic staples of Marriott's Great America. Seeing it from the freeway always got me excited when I was a kid growing up in the 80's.
The noises this thing makes though.
We called this the Tweety Bird Cages. Sorry to see they're closing the park in 2033. Was a staple when growing up in the 70 / 80's.
Perhaps I'm weird but I actually like the noise from that ride (I used to recall going on it a few times in the mid 1990s).
One of my favorite ride.. it’s perfect ride and peaceful. Also beautiful view
Yes! I was lucky to ride Hershey's the year before it was removed. Grew up riding the Sky Whirl at Gurnee though, and I will never forget the sound of the motors and the way it would surprise you when the wheel started up. Great family ride with good capacity/duration and what a view. Wish something like this would make a comeback - parks will always need something the whole family can enjoy.
that noise would drive me nuts all day! sounds like a really loud fire siren.
What a great ride on a hot summer day, but the god awful scream from those motors could be heard throughout the Santa Clara Valley
I will never forget the SOUND that this ride made - and totally agree, Steven - this attraction MADE the parks what they were. I do wonder if Intamin would ever make them again with modern technology if a park requested it.
Highlight of this ride was my idiot cousin pointing at the cage next us and yelling at the occupants "your chain snapped!!!!!" Ahhh the mid 80's were great
This was the _perfect_ ride to end your day after a long, hot, Summer day of roller coasters and arcades. Golden sunset, high up with a cool breeze, and a gorgeous view of the park. Man, I miss this. Spent most of my summers as a kid in Frontier Land with that epic pirate ship jungle gym, vast rope bridges, and wooden forts.
this is so unique and such a capacity wise smart model!!!
Thank you so much for posting this. I miss the Santa Clara Great America of the past. Great memories. So many classics are gone now.
So glad to see this here! Miss this ride so much. What an incredible marvel of engineering.
The chains holding the cages scared me. *Snap*
We always called this ride "THE BIRD CAGES!" I grew up in Gurnee, Illinois and in my later teen years, we would ride it just to smoke a joint.
Smokin a joint on this sounds like a vibe lol!!
I was terrified of roller coasters but loved heights. The sky whirl was that nice compromise. I remember the awful scream of the motors though. Man, some insulation could have done it wonders!
+zx1400a7f Great comment. I'm writing a book about the second generation of amusement rides and I'm going to use your quote to describe the voice of this giant.
YES! I used to work at the one in Gurnee, IL (Great America). I remember as a guess, the ride would be stopped for some reason and you could hear it all the way on the other side of the park! We'd get so used to hear the drive motors that it would seem odd for it to stop all of a sudden.
This is such a cool and unique concept for a Ferris wheel. I hope someday in the future this type of wheel gets revived. With a muted motor and safer gondolas of course.
I actually kinda like the sound of the motor though......
The gondolas weren’t unsafe.
Got to love Intamin! What an awesome and innovative design, and think of how long ago it debuted! Incredible…..
I remember this ride very well as a kid, and the noise of the motors.. very nostalgic
Sky Whirl was a huge part of the charm and skyline at both Great Americas, and is sorely missed. Just look at what was/is in its place at both parks now: Gurnee - constantly broken low-capacity coaster, and now unpopular boat ride. Santa Clara - decent low-capacity coaster, and now Lawn: The Ride.
They had the same ride at Hershey Park Pennsylvania from 1972 to 2004 and then took it out. It was two wheels not three and you could spin it. It was fun because I was on it a lot of times. Hershey park named it the giant wheel.
I loved it too. I don't think it ran as fast as this one did. The wheel also started turning as soon as it left the ground and kept turning until the end. It also was quieter than this one and instead made a loud humming noise.
Hershey Park had a 2-arm version of this, (the Giant Wheel) which lasted through 2004. I like how 2/3 of the ride can be at full speed and height while 1/3 is being loaded. This was better for rider capacity than a regular wheel.
Did Eddie Murphy used this ride in Beverly Hills Cop 3 ?
yes
Duh. Yes
BRING THIS BACK!!!!! I NEVER GOT TO RIDE!!!!!
Thank you.
On of my fond memories as a child was the rush of a whirling motor in the center just before each arm would start to spin. You thought you were going to take off!
I love all the people saying there was no line and nobody wanted to ride it. This thing was a people eater as this thing could hold 180 people if all three wheels were filled to capacity.
Themeparkfanatic The ride's capacity was one of many of its great features. :-)
These ride were very popular, most were removed because Intamin wouldn't supply spare parts, I can't personally speak for this one but here in Pennsylvania Hershey always had trouble getting spare parts for theirs.
butlins bognor regis
Themeparkfanatic I agree this ride got a lot of attention but this Park is notorious for taking things out
@@randomtraveler9854 Hershey had a double, closed in 04 if I recall correctly
I really miss this ride!!!
How tall is this ride when it used to be open?
@@Darkaxelgaming-tt7ip I think like around 100 ft?
Great video of a triple Ferris wheel. I added it to my observation wheel directory site.
I live in Pennsylvania and have been trying in vain to find video of Hershey's version of this ride. If anyone knows where I can find any footage of Giant Wheel (POV or off ride) let me know. But none the less thanks for the video of a ride just like it that's almost sending me down memory lane.
Before That Incident The Ride Is Lucky To Not Have Incidents
Wow. Just listened to the video via my headphones and I don't recall the motor whine being that loud and high pitched like that. It was a low hum and not too terribly loud. Sounds like the entire motor assembly and gearbox that needed to be serviced or replaced. Probably one of the reasons why the ride was decommissioned. My last ride was in 1980 or 1981.
I was more familiar with the G/A in Illinois, which also had this ride... Only difference between the two were their paint jobs... In the Illinois Park, the Skywhirl's main pedestal was mostly white with the stars and stripes up to the tri-arms and the covers over the motor hubs on each wheel were white with the "Six Flags Great America" star logo instead of just a flat red, white, and blue paintover... Other than that, they both ran and sounded the same...
I remember this ride was always closed because kids would pee or puke in the cages. lol
I.guess.that.explains.why.Great.America.took.it.down...I.always.asked.why.they.did.away.with.it...that.ride.gave.everybody.who.rode.it.including.myself..a.great.view.of.surrounding.areas
It's crazy to think that Eddie Murphy was up on top for Beverly hills cop 3 so epic
These were a staple of Great America for so many years, I was surprised when they tore it down. They were scary to ride, you felt like you were gonna fall out.
I liked this ride. I was sorry to see it go, the view of it always looked menacing too me and this is what I thought of when someone said “Great America”
This is the my most terrifying ride in history.
I loved the Sky Whirl. I wish they would bring it back...or at least a new one. We went to Great America in Gurnee, IL. from the beginning and I always looked forward to that ride.
Looks like a vintage Disney land ride from the 60's. lol Reminds me of War of the worlds
They should have kept the one at Great America in Gurnee, Il. Kool looking ferris wheel. Love looking at it, and riding on it.
My memories With my Father here
What i wouldnt give to go back to 1995
It's like having 3 hands wirh multiple fingers!
This was my favorite ride, I am scared of Roller Coasters since they way to fast and way too high, so when they had this ride I would always ride it.
Thanks, Kris. I do believe that a modernized version would be built if a customer wanted it. It seems, however, that no one these days wants a ride like this.
I think these things are really cool
This pattern is soooo familiar...it's based off the Actual sky wheels I see everyday in the sky ...as above so below as below so above....
The reason I liked this ride was because it was right next to the food court (the one with Burger Barn in it), and this would be something you could right after eating. It's long enough to get you to settle your food and not upset your stomach.
I guess Beverly Hills Cop 3 didn't stop people from riding this ride.
Oh ok. Thanks for the reply :)
I know Hersheypark Pennsylvania had a double ferris wheel similar to that. It wasn't a triple but a double. It's not in Hershey anymore
It was called Giant Wheel and was removed in 2004.
This ride was so loud. I remember I always wanted to ride it but it was always closed due to a kid peeing or throwing up in one of the cages.
qué chido bola ése juego mecánico, me acuerdo de Beverly Hill's Cop 3
You can ride one of these in No limits 2
Hershey Park had one like this but it was a 2 Arm Version
This ride was used in Beverly Hills Cop 3 .
Esta atracción de feria le podía valer para el Parque de Atracciones de Madrid y también para Terra Mítica y Parque de Atracciones de Monte Igueldo.
used to make a heck of a lot of noise...LOL
Alle verfügbaren Einheuten werden gebeten, zum Wonderworld Park zu kommen......!?!?.....AXEL!!!!!! XD
All units are asked to come to the Wonder World Park....!?!?.....AXEL!!!!! :-D
they took this ride down in 1997 before the season even ended to start early construction on the invertigo roller coaster which is now gone also
Thanks to Cedar Fair! They have not been kind to Great America.
diesixdie2
But they also added Gold Striker, Railblazer and have a lot in store for the Park, look up the Great America 20 year masterplan.
@@diesixdie2 actually that was Paramount's decision Cedar Fair did not own the park at the time
It's been a while since I've been there. I didn't know it was dismantled. That's a shame. What is in it's place now? o.0
What a view to a kill
too bad there isn’t video footage of Magic Mountain’s ferris wheel
Six Flags AstroWorld had a Ride liked this it was called AstroWheel...
No way!!!
Back when six flags was actually fun to go to
Great America I think has gotten better with its coasters and rides but Sky Whirl is still sorely missed.
This is actually the one in California, not Illinois
@@seanlewis1148 Both did have Sky Whirls though
is it safe?
Of course.
Beverly hills cop 3...LOL
One I saw this ride, the Movie Beverly Hills Cop cane right to me, they used this ride when the kids were in trouble because the car they were riding in, almost came disengaged from those white things, Eddie, or his stuntman had to jump from car to car until he reached the kids, then he lowered them by rope to the ground just before the car broke loose and crashed to the ground, I am going there next month, any easy way to locate where this used to be?? Thank you so very much....
It's the former Invertigo, now RailBlazer site.
Ohhhhhh sky whirl why did they destroy you, I never even got to ride youuuu
Lack of spare parts, mostly. It was a nice ride, indeed. I didn't go on it every trip to Great America, but it was a nice break in the action if you just wanted to sit down and chill on a tranquil, meditative kind of ride. I miss it.
A very noisy ride. I'm sure it was great for it's time. Maybe a ride manufacturer will recreate this one day with a quieter motor. Maybe it will be recreated where all the arms lower so it has a greater hourly capacity. I don't think the original Manufacturer Intamin will recreate this anytime soon so maybe someone else will. :)
+John Brooks John, I agree with your comment and prediction; however, an Austrian company by the name of Waagner-Biro actually designed and built these Tree Triple Wheels. Intamin had larger international distribution networks and marketed them under the Intamin name. I learned this for a new book I'm writing called "Hang on Tight" (released March 2016). But as we know, Intamin only sold 3 models, including one in Korea which I'll have to research to see if it is still in operation or not. Do we know where the Sky Whirl pieces are today?
bandsreunited Yeah, I realized Waagner-Biro had designed and built the Triple Wheels and Intamin sold them after I had posted this comment, which was a year and a half ago. :-) The Triple wheel in Korea was demolished sometime ago (early-2000's) I believe from the research I was doing on my own time. You see, I had to look at Satellite imagery, web archive, and random websites to find the information. Hopefully this helps find information with your book. It sounds like an interesting book. I'll look out for it's release. :-)
Thanks John. Would you like to be a point of reference should I need a second opinion, given your expertise, for any questions that might arise in my endeavors? I'll credit you on any information shared in the publication.
bandsreunited Sure, that would be neat. Thanks. :-)
The.Sky.Whirl.ride.no.longer.exists...but.before.they.took.it.apart.and.dissasembled.that.ride...I.did.manage.to.ride.it.a.few.times
Where is it ?
Henrique M it's gone
No place, now. I believe they're all gone. Intamin stopped suppying spare parts for it. It came to a point where it was getting too expensive to maintain it, so they dismantled it. It was not that old of a ride. It was only in operation for 21 years.
i thought operating mass effect gave me a headache!
man this thing doesn't even look safe
what held those on, chains and what??
From what I remember talking to a mechanic at the park years back, it was a pair of chains (each able to support the weight of the basket) along with a cable which allowed the descent of a detached cabin. The cable seemed pretty small, but if it's only purpose was as a descent brake, them it wouldn't need to be that big.
How?
Railblazer will soon occupy this space.
This ride is loud
i like it
canary cages.
The park is no longer fun ='(
Why the F does this exist?
Uh huhuhuhuhuh. Time to burn one with homies from games
PLease get off the damn handrails!! Why dont people listen??
Great America sucks now. It absolutely sucks. But this ride used to scare the everloving hell out of me.
Nah man! There are plenty of fantastic rides there still. I actually enjoy the new one, Gold Striker.
Neon Frost Last time I was there I was bored to tears and ready to leave after about 40 minutes. Compared to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Magic Mountain where I could stay for an entire day or more.
***** this ride is nice because you actually get to ride it for more than 5 seconds. Most rides today you wait so long to get on for something that lasts 5 seconds. Also the reason you didn't have fun is you didn't spin the car. Not sure if you could do that in this one but I have fond memories of the one in Hershey park that was the same idea as this ride and you could spin the car with a wheel in the center, shit got interesting. There weren't any sort of mechanism to limit the speed.
GA has hit a low point under Cedar Fair. For being a legendary coaster park company with Cedar Point, you'd think they'd give the place a lot more love and attention. They've added a couple of rides, but overall, the park needs a lot of cosmetic maintenance. It feels very ditchy compared to what it used to be like. For me, the park was at it's peak under Paramount.
@@diesixdie2 NOW Cedar Fair sold Great America and is set to close forever within the next 11 yrs......bummer
I don’t know whether that ride is exciting or not but it is excruciatingly boring to watch. It’s like watching paint dry.
This ride, along with turbo in my opinion are the ugliest rides ever built! Very bulky
food luv this ride has a great retro 60’s look.
I was terrified of roller coasters but loved heights. The sky whirl was that nice compromise. I remember the awful scream of the motors though. Man, some insulation could have done it wonders!