A gondola 40 is mounted to move freely along an endless, sinuous track 20. With the track 20 rotating about a horizontal axis, the gondola 40 is raised and, as the track 20 presents a downhill section, the gondola 40 rolls down it under the influence of gravity. The steeper the downhill section, the greater the speed until the gondola 40 reaches its lowermost position (FIG. 1B). Its momentum cause the gondola 40 to carry on travelling along a momentarily uphill section of the track 20. Travel from then on depends on a number of variables, including the rotational speed, direction and acceleration of the track 20, the weight of the gondola 40 and its passengers, the natural damping effect of friction in the mounting of the gondola 40 on the track 20, and any additional braking and/or driving effect that may be applied to the gondola 40. As compared to a conventional rollercoaster, the ride 1 may occupy a very much smaller footprint, incur a much lower capital cost and be readily adaptable to mobile use. By varying the operating parameters, many differing ride experiences may be achieved.

An amusement ride includes a plurality of main arms which are moved by at least one motor along a circular path about a central rotation axis arranged substantially vertical to the ground, or to a platform. The main arms are rotatable about a rotation axis so that a first portion, which extends with respect to the rotation axis, can be raised or lowered with respect to the ground. The ride further includes at least one seat for at least one rider connected to the first portion of the main arm, at least one movable aerodynamic surface, and a control device for modifying the angle of incidence of the aerodynamic surface with respect to the air flow impacting it during the rotation of the main arm about the central axis.

An amusement ride includes a plurality of main arms which are moved by at least one motor along a circular path about a central rotation axis arranged substantially vertical to the ground, or to a platform. The main arms are rotatable about a rotation axis so that a first portion, which extends with respect to the rotation axis, can be raised or lowered with respect to the ground. The ride further includes at least one seat for at least one rider connected to the first portion of the main arm, at least one movable aerodynamic surface, and a control device for modifying the angle of incidence of the aerodynamic surface with respect to the air flow impacting it during the rotation of the main arm about the central axis.

An amusement system for entertaining a group of passengers by showing at least one event in at least one delimited space includes at least one pair of a neighbouring first and second structures. Each structure has a centre of rotation defining a vertical axis A-A, and at least one carriage for carrying at least one passenger. Each structure includes at least three wall portions which are laterally extending, wherein a segment TS is defined in between each neighbouring wall portion. The first and second structures are arranged as a cooperating pair of structures in that in operation the first and second structures are driven in rotation by a control unit in opposite directions with respect to each other.

An amusement system for entertaining a group of passengers by showing at least one event in at least one delimited space includes at least one pair of a neighbouring first and second structures. Each structure has a centre of rotation defining a vertical axis A-A, and at least one carriage for carrying at least one passenger. Each structure includes at least three wall portions which are laterally extending, wherein a segment TS is defined in between each neighbouring wall portion. The first and second structures are arranged as a cooperating pair of structures in that in operation the first and second structures are driven in rotation by a control unit in opposite directions with respect to each other.