Larson International

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.

Larson International, Inc.

Type	Private
Industry	Manufacturing
Founder	Walter Larson
Headquarters	Plainview, Texas , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Jeff Novotny (President)
Website	larsonintl.com

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

References

1. "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. 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. O'Brien, Tim (May 13, 2002). "Parks holding off on adding major rides". Amusement Business. 114 (19): 20–22.
8. 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. MacDonald, Brady (August 28, 2014). "Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2015". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
38. https://www.frontiercity.com/rides/new-brain-drain/
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. 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. https://www.darienlake.com/rides/rides-thrill/rolling-thunder/
48. "New at Knott's". Park World Magazine. December 12, 2012. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
49. https://www.facebook.com/IndianaBeachAmusementPark/photos/a.337714677198.150905.337613147198/10153641891002199/?type=1&theater/

External links

• Official website