Rides geared towards children generally are a variation on the
transportation ride or a spinning ride (either horizontal or vertical),
with manufacturers always looking to create unique versions of the ride
experience. One of the leading manufacturers of these rides has been
Zamperla, who continue to innovate children's and family rides with new
styles and thematic options.
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One of the most
popular children's attractions offered by Zamperla is the "Crazy
Submarine/Bus" ride which offers a mild thrill to kids and allows
parents to ride with them. The rides have become a staple of theme
parks, amusement areas, and fairs with a wide variety of theme options
available. The ride's drive mechanism is located behind a backdrop wall
which offers more possibility for decorations.
The submarine
shaped ride vehicle is suspended by two arms with counterweights which
operate in synchronized motion. The ride vehicle remains level
throughout the ride cycle, rising and falling quickly as the arms move
clock wise or counter clockwise. At the midpoint of the ride, the arms
reverse direction.
Prior to being reinstalled in a sub-ground level pit, the ride briefly
operated with an elevated loading dock. Within a month of opening
the ride was repositioned and the loading area reconfigured. |
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Technical Specifications |
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Ride
Name: |
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Crazy Submarine |
Ride
Manufacturer: |
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Zamperla |
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Motive
Power: |
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20 KW |
RPM: |
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10 RPM Max |
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Weight: |
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9 tons |
Shipment: |
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1 x 40' O.T. |
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Seats: |
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24 Children |
Hourly
Capacity: |
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480 Children |
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The Daffy Diver was
added as part of the 1999 "War on Lines" in the Looney Tunes Seaport
children's area. The ride was located along the edge of the section,
with the ride's backdrop backing up to trees beneath the Riptide flume
ride.
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The Daffy Diver is a
"yellow submarine" in the tradition of the Beatle's song, harkening back
to one of the original planned attractions at Great Adventure.
The ride vehicle
features round port hole style windows along both sides. The front of
the ride features an over sized round window offering a great view for
the riders. The top of the ride vehicle features a "sail" like a real
submarine, complete with a periscope and hatch which Daffy Duck is
clinging to wearing a snorkel and diving mask. At the rear of the
submarine there is a rudder and propeller. |
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Behind the backdrop is the
mechanical heart of the ride, where the supports for the ride and the
motors and drive mechanism are located. The arms are synchronized
through the drive mechanism, keeping the ride vehicle level at all
times.
The arms are built offset, with the arms for the ride
vehicle forward, and the arms for the counterweights closer to the
backdrop, allowing the arms to pass each other in the ride cycle.
The backdrop features an underwater world with several of the Looney
Tunes characters diving under the sea in what appears to be the ruins of
a lost civilization. |
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Click Below to View a Video of
Daffy Diver
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The
Daffy Diver was immediately a huge success with park guests. The ride
was something for children to enjoy offering moderate thrills as well as
allowing parents to ride with them. The ride remains popular to this
day.
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