Amusement Park Rides and Equipment

Pasargad Company, designer, builder, and executor of amusement park rides and equipment (in unique recreational experiences)

An amusement park is a venue designed to entertain large groups with a variety of recreational rides and attractions. Compared to traditional urban parks or playgrounds, these spaces offer a far richer and more diverse array of entertainment options.

With the rise of modern lifestyles and urbanization, recreational structures and games have undergone considerable evolution, and amusement parks are no exception to this trend, embracing significant innovations.

Essential steps for launching an amusement park

1. Choosing the Ideal Location: Focus on densely populated or tourist-attractive cities for a higher return on investment.

2. Selecting a Suitable Construction Site: Evaluate accessibility, surrounding land use, site layout, soil conditions, climate, and structural load considerations—especially for indoor amusement parks.

3. Conducting Financial and Feasibility Studies: Leverage professional consultants to analyze economic feasibility and potential profitability.

4. Securing Necessary Licenses and Permits: Ensure all regulatory requirements for the park’s establishment are met.

5. Selecting the Right Rides and Equipment: The placement and selection of each ride are crucial. These decisions must align with the technical and architectural specifications, the target audience, and the space’s overall layout.

6. Interior Design: A cornerstone of amusement park planning, particularly for indoor venues. Key considerations include lighting, ventilation, selecting appropriate colors and materials, and more.

The above-mentioned are critical factors for any investor to address.

Types of Amusement Parks

Amusement parks fall into two main categories: indoor amusement parks and outdoor amusement parks. Each category has unique requirements for implementation and equipment.

Indoor Amusement Parks

The design of an indoor amusement park must prioritize space dimensions and ceiling height, as these directly impact the selection of equipment. Challenges such as height restrictions, structural weight limitations, and foundational requirements need careful assessment to prevent risks. Due to these constraints, extremely heavy equipment is rarely used. However, if the park is built on level ground, incorporating some foundation-requiring structures may be possible.

Indoor parks typically feature electronic or gaming devices, which, due to their compact size and variety, can drive a park’s success. Popular options for these spaces include simulators, virtual reality systems, and laser tag arenas, offering engaging and modern attractions for visitors.

Although the amusement park industry in Iran has grown significantly in recent years, only a few centers have achieved notable success. By adhering to the guidelines presented in this article and seeking professional advice, you can set up a highly profitable business.

Outdoor Amusement Parks

Outdoor amusement parks embody the classic image of vibrant, larger-than-life attractions, from towering Ferris wheels to dazzling lights that captivate every visitor. Without the height and size constraints of indoor spaces, these parks allow for more diverse and expansive equipment options. Nevertheless, outdoor parks require careful planning. Equipment varies from lightweight and semi-heavy rides to massive structures, all demanding expert design and placement.

Solid foundational work is essential, as most rides require substantial groundwork to ensure stability and safety.

Amusement park equipment should be arranged in a way that maximizes the use of the entire space, ensuring no part of the park goes unused. Given the unique nature of these projects, it’s crucial to thoroughly evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of potential locations before purchasing and finalizing the site. The best location should then be selected to ensure the success of the project.

The final location must also meet the regulatory standards set by relevant authorities.

Outdoor Park Equipment Categories

Light weight Equipment:

Lightweight equipment refers to devices that adhere to proper standards and do not require production inspections during manufacturing. However, obtaining a production permit is mandatory. This category includes kiddie rides, Euro bungee systems, trampolines, and other low-risk devices designed for safe use.

Semi-Heavy Equipment:

Semi-heavy equipment refers to devices that offer higher levels of risk and excitement, like bumper cars. These require stricter oversight during production and mandatory manufacturing inspections. Once the design and construction plans are approved, an inspection company monitors the entire process, from sourcing raw materials to final installation. Key inspection steps include shaft scans, weld evaluations, and weld testing, ensuring quality and safety throughout the production process.

Heavy Equipment:

This category includes rides that only select manufacturers are authorized to produce, such as the Frisbee ride, Saba ship aka Pirate Ship, large Ferris wheels, and U-shaped skate rides.

Giant Equipment:

Giant equipment refers to rides like roller coasters, sky flyers, and other attractions that go beyond the standard requirements of regular amusement parks. Due to their exceptionally high costs, these rides are not economically feasible for typical parks and are mainly installed in specialized amusement parks. Examples include roller coasters, extended-track U-shaped skates, massive swings, and oversized Ferris wheels exceeding 17–20 meters, which are commonly found in larger parks.

Aria Gostar Pasargad Khavaran Company takes pride in its extensive experience in the design and construction of recreational centers. With a team of leading experts in the field, we are here to guide you toward establishing a thriving business.

Types of Amusement Park Rides

One crucial aspect of amusement park rides (whether indoor or outdoor) is the mandatory requirement for certification and compliance with safety standards. Additionally, the selection and placement of these rides are highly important and must be tailored to the specific characteristics of the park’s environment.

Mechanical Rides (Attraction Games or Rides):

Known for their high capacity, these rides are typically large and heavy, making them ideal for outdoor amusement parks. However, smaller and lighter versions are also suitable for certain indoor parks. The installation of these rides often demands properly engineered foundations and groundwork.

Below is an overview of mechanical rides commonly found in amusement parks:

Ferris Wheels

Ferris wheels are among the most iconic outdoor amusement park attractions, drawing enthusiasts of all ages for decades. These large installations operate by rotating around a central axis, with the ride continuing until the ticket duration ends.

Types of Ferris Wheels:

Ferris Wheel (Vertical):

A towering vertical wheel with cabins attached around its circumference, allowing passengers to enjoy panoramic views. These are widely used in tourist destinations and amusement parks.

Fun fact: The tallest Ferris wheel in the world, standing at 167.6 meters, is in Las Vegas. Another notable example is the London Eye, the third-tallest Ferris wheel and a renowned London landmark.

Carousel (Horizontal):

Often found in parks and amusement areas, especially for children. Basic models have simple seating for kids, operated manually, while the more elaborate merry-go-rounds or carousels feature horse-shaped seats powered by electricity.

Pasargad Company can handle the entire process of design, production, and installation of Ferris wheels. Note that foundation work is required before installation, which is the responsibility of the client.

Ferris Wheels are among notable amusement park rides

Saba Ship aka Pirate Ship

A staple of outdoor amusement parks, this large pendulum-like ride accommodates 40-50 passengers, swinging them up to a height of 20 meters at an angle of 75 degrees. It’s a must-have for thrilling, large-scale parks.

Saba Ship (Pirate Ship), another thrilling mecanical ride found in amusement parks

Roller Coaster

Roller coasters feature long tracks with thrilling curves, inclines, and drops. They highly require meticulous engineering to ensure safety. Known for their adrenaline-pumping routes, they are among the most popular amusement park attractions.

The presence and quality of roller coasters are often seen as defining features of a top-tier amusement park. They also come in various sizes and designs.

Roller Coaster, one of the most popular amusement park attractions.

Frisbee (Giant Swing)

A circular ride that oscillates like a pendulum while spinning, offering passengers a combination of thrilling swings and rotations.

Frisbee (Giant Swing), a one-of-a-kind ride in amusement parks

Sky Flyer (Swing Ride)

One essential attraction for amusement parks, it is often seen in recreational parks across Iran. These rides resemble Ferris wheels in concept, adding charm and excitement to any amusement park. Multiple swings are suspended from a rotating canopy, which starts spinning, lifting riders into the air and twirling them around for a captivating experience.

Sky Flyer, a must have in amusement parks

Helicopter rides, U-shaped roller coasters (often called Half Pipe Coasters or UFO rides), Bumper Cars, Booster Rides, Skate Rides, Trains, Gyroscopes, Stop Spin rides, various Pirate Ships, Frisbee rides, Ranger rides, and rotating flat rides such as Balloon Towers, Flying Chairs, Tornado Rides, Spaceships, Acrojets, Free Fall Towers (or Drop Towers), Space Explorers, Whirlpools, Monorails, Spinning Stars, Hurricane Rides, and many others are examples of mechanical rides in amusement parks.

Ranger rides