The Gravitron can be found in countries all over the world and was first manufactured by Wisdom USA in 1983 and is now their number one seller. Several units were also made under license by ARM (UK) and Ferrari (Australia) in the 1980’s. Nowdays, Wisdom brands this ride “Starship 3000”
The ride movement can be summed up two words: centrifugal force – all 4 G’s of it pushing the standards of safe amusement ride physics. This was not the first ride to use centrifugal laws to pin its standing occupants – other prior examples include the Rotor and Roundup
When the automated door closes the fun really begins – riders barely realise they’re moving (everything they can see is moving with them). The ride quickly starts to rotate reaching its top speed of 24 rpm in less than 20 seconds. (fast given its wide diameter). At this speed (turned with a 33kW 3-phase motor), the 45 panels that riders stand against rise upwards leaving people stuck to the wall with their feet off the ground. Regular riders will always move into position as the ride gains speed, sometimes turning sideways or upside down.
Similar forces are achieved from NASA astronaut experiments simulating rocket take off and space travel G-Forces.
The recommended ride time is no longer than 80 seconds.
Since the amount of G’s felt by a rider corresponds with body weight, most adult riders feel G’s exerted on the chest and face a little too uncomfortable to be called fun (they always breathe a sigh of relief when the brakes come on) but ask any kid or teenager what they think of it and they’ll excitedly tell you how many times they’ve ridden it and how totally fantastic it was… the sight of a person lying on a wall sideways or upside-down is always a memorable one!
The interior of the ride consists of a central, circular control / supervisor booth with a futuristic swivelling chair over the centre axis of the ship. This small section is designed for the operator who rotates with the ride, although safe from any G-force. (being in the very centre) This section is usually surrounded by flashing lights, with a few disco lights on top – creating a really good ride atmosphere. Surrounding the sides of the flying-saucer ship are 45 padded vertical panels, each the height and width of an average human body. These panels are angled slightly outward, making them nearly vertical. Each panel is on a set of rollers, and with the laws of centrifugal force, naturally rises upwards when the optimum speed is reached. Since the ride is completely enclosed, some units have surveillance cameras installed, with monitor screens on the outside giving spectators outside the ship a visual of what’s happening inside the ride.
Gravitron’s huge capacity of 45 people, and the ease at which it can be loaded / unloaded (simply by walking in) gives it a great theoretical capacity of 1000 people / hour. The ride can be racked on one 50ft trailer, making it one of the most well designed amusement ride ever produced as far as portability / rider capacity is concerned.
The ride can be set up in 6 hours, and torn down in 3 with an experienced crew.
There are upwards of 40 units in North America, at least 5 in Europe and approximately 7 Gravitrons in Australia.
Butler Amusements has that ride and it’s calls The Thriller.
Adam - April 25th, 2009 at 5:24 am
Hello there,
I would like price and further information on the Gravitron unit. I am also interested in the pricing of a used unit if possible. Thanks.
rob - May 21st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
hi i am interested in buying a gravitron are you able to help
jason white - May 23rd, 2009 at 3:10 am
was scared to death the first time but love it now
jenn - June 3rd, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Hi, I need to contact you for some parts I have 1991 gravitron in puerto rico.
George Rios - June 4th, 2009 at 8:49 am
I was on one of these in Seattle, and this one kid tried to peel himself off the wall at the height of the G-forces. He jacknifed himself at the waist and spent the remainder of the ride doubled-up, since he wasn’t strong enough to straighten up again. He was purplish at the end.
KnoxWarner - June 10th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Honestly, the BEST ride out there at small-town fairs. Too bad they haven’t had it at the Father Hennipen Festival for like two years now and I am really disappointed.
Chris - June 15th, 2009 at 4:39 am
Oh no no no no no,I would NEVER go on that ride,I would chunk for sure!
ba-boss-bomb - July 2nd, 2009 at 7:47 am
I tried it for the first time the other day, and I loved it. The kid next to me was humming the spiderman theme song as he turned sideways, and it was fun to go upsidedown and see other people doing the same. Long hair looked funny there too, and the only person on the ride who didn’t seem to be enjoying it was this one girl who spent the whole time texting.
BEST FAIR RIDE EVER!
J - July 12th, 2009 at 3:35 am
I would definitely not recommend eating before riding. I’m a 225 lb guy and it felt like more than 4Gs to me. I barely made it through the ride without yaking. I had the sweats just trying to keep my meal down. My son had a blast….not for big people!
OC NJ Adult Rider - July 21st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
I roccomend this ride for people seeking to have fun but not recommended for truoble making children,people with truopble breathing,elderly, or people with cluastrophobia.It is a wicked fun ride.
Melissa - August 10th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I ALWAYS have several Gravitrons for sale at any given time as trade ins. E mail if interested
Mark Blumhagen - August 17th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
it seemed to me that it turned vertical during the ride; i watched it run and know it doesnt; what caused that feeling? fluid in inner ear?
Tom - August 30th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Love it until people barf; then it hovers and it’s like Russian roulette when the ride stops ;D
Erin - September 5th, 2009 at 10:26 am
I went on this ride 2 times today at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe, Washington and loved it!
Alex - September 8th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
HI just come back from Dreamworld in the goldcoast Aussie they had a ride called the vortex same as the gravoton but i see its gone any body got any idea what happened to it cheers Bruce
Bruce - September 16th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Gravitron is by far rated number 1 ride at Buckwheat Festival here in West Virginia. I’ve ridden it over and over again for the past 4 days. It is an amazing ride. I love it a lot. My best friend operates this ride. I even get to help run this ride as well. It is so fun. I can ride it as many times as possible and no pukingis done. We are soon to be making huge updates to our Gravitron here. It is going to take hard work and it’s going to be awesome. New music equipments not only that new boards and everything.GRAVITRON ROCKS!!!!!
Heather - September 28th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Does anyone know how much a brand new Gravitron cost from Wisdom? I know it cost a lot!
Prince06 - October 12th, 2009 at 11:43 am
OC NJ, Indeed, the more more you weight the more force your body will experience. Your body may have very well seen more than 4g’s. I would have hurled.
The physics: Force=mromega^2 <-it’s a function of mass.
Phrog - October 17th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
got one here at thomas Amusements, called the star ship 2000
Ride enthuist - October 21st, 2009 at 4:43 am
Gravitrons and all starship themed rides are dangarous and need to be delt with withgreat care! Ive ran two different gravitrons one for Wade and ill tell you ith experience keep you ears focused on wall pin breakings thAts what cuased old blue to through a wall pannel! I left wade after that and havnt steped foot in a grav since then! My oppinion wisdom should elimenate the pin/wedge combo and have the car be bolted i stead
Chris - January 20th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
I visited your web site earlier today and firstly wanted to congratulate you on the appearance, excellent content and accessibility I discovered there. It is not often I come across a web site that offers such a positive user experience and great information too.
Karishma Patel - February 1st, 2010 at 11:14 pm
a new gravitron runs about 400.000 from wisdom, chris is very right the wedge system IS VERY DANGEROUS, but thats what wisdom builds “disposable rides” they are safe for the first few years till the metal fatigue and rust from the inside of the tubing sets in, they simply are not built strong enough. wisdom didnt invent the gravitron they stole the idea from someone else. the original gravitron was covered in canvas and had aliens painted on it and was in san antonio texas fair in the ealy 80s.
wisdom also stole the single trailer himalaya idea as did majestic mfg. from david brewer in 88.
Dave - February 9th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Hey, just saying that I liked this site. Very informative, and it helped a lot with a project I’m doing. I remember the gravitron from when I was a kid-you don’t see them often anymore-and I remember having a blast with them.
Brittany - February 16th, 2010 at 7:35 am
I run Skerbeck brothers J-Unit Gravitron! I love the ride…wouldnt run anything else. and to be honest with you… it is up to the ride operator to make sure the ride is safe… replace floor bolts…
wall wedges bottom middle and top pins and top wedges often and they wouldnt break! Keep your stuff tight and right and check that every day and you wouldn’t have the issue of walls flying off!!!!!!!!!!
Wesley - March 14th, 2010 at 2:10 am
whats the height?
chiara - April 8th, 2010 at 4:34 am
im 10 so im so scared !!!!!!!!!!!! today im going to ride it eeeeeeeeeeeeeee !!!!!!!!!!! :)
summer - April 16th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
The BEST RIDE ever! I rode it for the first time at 39. To me it feels like I’m having sex! AWESOME!!!!
Ann - May 11th, 2010 at 4:35 am
OMG, i was @ my fair, and my friend and i saw each other and we went on the gravitron. One girl puked. I however didn’t but felt like it, AND i felt like i had rocks in my mouth!
Isabella - Kristy Henderschmidt - May 13th, 2010 at 7:23 am
I absolutely LOVE this ride, I meant to go on it about 11 times before I actually did so, but when I finally decided stayed……It became my favorite ride!
Dylan - May 25th, 2010 at 10:53 am
i just rode the gravitron for the first time last nite at one of the carnivals in town. it was great! the first time was a little strange & scary but after that it was amazing!!
blair - June 12th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Gravitron is the one ride that I can just never grow tired of. It’s so weirdly fun to get squished to the side of something, and it’s really encouraged me to try every single different version of these centrifugal force rides. :D
Sarah - July 8th, 2010 at 12:28 am
I loved the gravitron as a child, we recently went on one… and I am (was) a healthy adult… I had several ovarian cysts burst internally while on the ride. I am not joking and this has been medically proven it happened. Shocked my doctor though. Fair warning to women. I love the ride, but cannot go on anymore.
Jenny - July 15th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Moreys Piers had a Gravitron. They now have Cygnys X-1 which I love.
mb - July 21st, 2010 at 12:40 am
what is the name of the song played on the ride I heard it in castle park in CA it was a techno song with a deep voice saying “your about to take off …..” I don’t remeber the rest but It was a nice song
erick garcia - July 28th, 2010 at 11:16 am
hola nescecito saber el precio de un GRAVITRON tengo 13 años y me gustaria tener mi propio GRAVITRON yo soy fanatico del GRAVITRON. dejame el mensaje.
Carlos - August 2nd, 2010 at 2:43 pm
tiene q ser en puerto rico y con trailer
Carlos - August 2nd, 2010 at 2:44 pm
They had one of these at the West Virginia Interstate Fair this year! It was fun!
Anonymous - August 3rd, 2010 at 7:31 am
The unit we had when I worked for Gold Crown Shows had the operator in a little larger area surround by a wait high guardrail…..
That was strong enough to hang off of when the ride was spinning :D (Great fun to hang off of & let your leg float up in the air)
It also had tv/monitors inside where you could either play videos(from a VCR under the control board) or show video from a camera mounted on the outside.
GTS - August 23rd, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Hi you seem to know about these things… I was on a Starship 3000 yesterday with a run time of just less than 8 mins. I think this is quite unsafe but I was assured by the ride manager that in Europe they run the ride at full speed for about 10 mins per ride with no issues at all… Of course writing wisdom in the past has failed to produce any response so I have to rely on knowledgeable public to give me info. I plan to make a case against the midway company regarding this 8 min ride which left many people incapacitated on the midway ground.
I hope to gain more info on if I am right, or way off base.
TheFiend - September 6th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
i heard rob thomas song on this ride i think it was called someday. gravitron is awesome g pulling stuff
wavymouth - September 10th, 2010 at 7:13 am
I would like some general pricing information about buying a gravitron for personal use. I’ve always loved these rides and dreamed of buying one.
Mac - September 23rd, 2010 at 3:39 pm
First Garvatron, then starship 2000, and now starship 3000???? What’s next??? Starship 295,000,000??????????????????
Unknown - October 2nd, 2010 at 3:45 am
I sure do miss the Gravitron and Starship 2000… Make them use it again for the fairs in Florida… I havent seen it here since the 90s & 2000 era =/….
Stellerex - October 29th, 2010 at 1:42 am
QUOTE:
“After the accident, the state shut down every Gravitron in Florida. On June 1, the Fair Bureau, the ride’s manufacturer (Sterling, Colo.-based Wisdom Industries ) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued revised safety guidelines that allowed rides to operate again as long as they met the new standards, the newspaper reported.”
http://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4556784-1.html
Michael Honez - October 29th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
i’ve worled a grav for 10 summers and done work to it in the off time fell in love at age 12 i’ve got hurt many time playing around like walking the walls doing the superman my younger years wish i hade them back because they were fun 2000 – 2010 and many more to come this is one ride every show sould have …
lit cris - November 13th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
hehe yes ride yyerrr i loved it haha, cooooll, i tugged myself off the panel and gave the ocnrol guy a hig-five
paris - November 16th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
i kissed someone on it, out lips were stuck from the gravatational pull :) yumm tho hehe
paris - November 16th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
I WOULD LOVE TO RIDE THIS!!! BTW DOn’t ya think rides look scary when they are on the back of trucks??
Angel - December 21st, 2010 at 6:48 am
In reply to Bruce’s comment (number 16) the Vortex was removed for the Alien Vs Predator Vs You laser skirmish ride that is now there. I remember riding the Vortex with my cousins and their parents – the sight of one of them upside down was rather memorable!
Erik N - December 24th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Very good, but I would throw up during the ride. Yuck. And my friend threw up during the ride. Double yuck.
Lindsey - January 3rd, 2011 at 6:21 am
She would be okay.
Lindsey - January 3rd, 2011 at 6:23 am
Last time I rode this, which was years ago, I peeled myself off the wall and made it to the bar towards the center. The closer to the center you can get, the less force there is fighting you, so getting off the wall is the hardest part.
kiv - January 10th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
best ride….in the world!!!!
Kaitlin - February 17th, 2011 at 4:25 am
OMG i rode this twice and i was fine a little woozy but fine ok i quickly rode the octopus ride after and then chunked it hardcore…hahah thanks graviron!!!
chunky - February 22nd, 2011 at 8:56 am
ohmygoodness i rode this a few years back and i rode it every other ride! but ever since it hasnt been at the washington county fair here in RI. if someone wants to make a girl happy make it come here(:
love, ellen <3
Ellen - March 2nd, 2011 at 3:28 am
Please respond, this is David A House, grandson of the true inventor!
david alan house - March 14th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
This is my most favorite ride to go on when I am at Carnivals
Nora - May 10th, 2011 at 7:22 am
you suck
bob - May 14th, 2011 at 3:23 am
hahaha i win muuuahahahahahahahha
bob - May 14th, 2011 at 3:24 am
i am king of the world… or queen
bob - May 14th, 2011 at 3:24 am
Just wondering the contact details for all the graviton rides in australia and in-particularly if there is still one left in Queensland?
Alex
Alex - June 2nd, 2011 at 5:18 pm
hi Alex. Unfortuntaely no travelling Gravitrons based in QLD. Nearest ones are in NSW (Garry O’Neill and Robert Young) also one in ACT owned by Durkins. Good luck.
david - June 2nd, 2011 at 7:42 pm
Guess I’m the only one who hates this ride…
Jess - June 4th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Best ride, /ever/. We have a tradition of going upside down or sideways on it. xD
Ella - June 5th, 2011 at 5:04 am
like exept i got really dizzy cause i got on it 6 times
paola paz - June 11th, 2011 at 6:56 am
Does anyone have one of these in Ohio that they would donate the use of for the USAF Marathon. It would be part of a display and not actually used. I just need a giant spaceship looking thing. please email at photonfury@yahoo.com
Matt D - June 13th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
i wanted to go there but i was scared and i never got to try it cuz my mom told me not 2 but im lucky cuz i get 2 try it out in the oc fair this july 15 and im 11 and i want to know if i can b able 2 go on it plz let me know!!!! DX
sydney - July 5th, 2011 at 7:26 am
Rode this as a kid when they had it at Adventureland. Operator thought we were nuts because we went on it like 10 or more times in a row. Loved the loud music and light show. watched several people get sick on it, so we nicknamed et the barfitron and the vomitron.
Ted Russell - July 13th, 2011 at 6:18 am
Makes me dizzy just watching it
MB - July 16th, 2011 at 12:02 am
I rode this ride two days ago for the first time and it was really fun, Except for my family has heart problems and I wondered if it could be hazardous for me. It feels like every thing inside of me is being squished in a not-so-good way! yikes
Brianna - September 4th, 2011 at 1:19 am
best ride ever rode it at 3:00 A.M. at the winne texas rice festival…
p.s. it was awesome
Ryan Deaton - October 3rd, 2011 at 11:32 am
Worked on these for years. Awesome ride to set up and run. FYI, There is a new theme. It’s called Alien Nation.
Chuck - October 31st, 2011 at 2:38 pm
It’s Alien Abduction not Alien Nation. Sorry for the misprint.
Here’s one model owned by Powers Great American Midways.
http://www.powersmidways.com/pages/rides-pages/spectacular-pages/alien-abduction.html
Chuck - October 31st, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Another theme which utilizes both names. It is owned and operated by Blue Sky Amusements. New for 2011.
http://www.blueskyamusements.com/our_midway/attractions_detail.asp?ID=125
Chuck - October 31st, 2011 at 4:00 pm
I love amusement park rides… but not this one. Rode this once when I was 16 with a few of the players from our HS football team. When I got off the ride, had pulled muscles and could barely walk. Was dizzy for several days afterward and missed school. When I went back, the football players and everyone else that was on that particular ride of the Gravitron ended up in the Emergency room and a few were hospitalized. The HS football coach was upset because he lost several key players for the week. I never did find out what the malfunction was or what happened to have caused this. I will never forget being pinned to the wall, flung suddenly and then repinned. It was like someone was trying to crush my windpipe and I wasn’t the only one that struggled to breathe. Definitely NOT FUN.
kittygirl - November 13th, 2011 at 3:08 am
The gravitron rocks I looooove going upside down that ride is my favorite thing in the universe ya GRAVITRON
Robert - November 24th, 2011 at 4:31 am
THE BEST RIDE EVER :) THE BOM
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regulatory scientist - January 4th, 2012 at 4:08 am
To properly inspect a Gravitron is not just to check the wedges and pins. If they are breaking then the ride is not being properly inspected. The pin and wedge system is exactly what engineering calls for. Bolts snap under stress… wedges loosen. If the ride is breaking pins you have BIGGER issues… check the condition or the floor, if it is severely warped that is a reason pins will break. Tires being adjusted to high is another biggie. The top cable is the stress absorber… and YES even it can be TOO tight causing bending of the top sweeps and stress to the top pins. It’s all the difference between being the guy who plays music and checks the rides versus the guy who KNOWS the ride and sights problems BEFORE they become a safety issue.
I know Wesley personally and have worked with him… he KNOWS a Gravitron VERY well.
Justin - January 11th, 2012 at 2:20 am
How much does a Gravitron weigh
Daniel - February 14th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Okay when i went on the gravitron is was not fun… because when me and my friends went onto the gravitron for about the 6th time we saw crying babies and sick children and some were terribly ingured one of those kids were my sister she was ejected back behind the seat and she was burned by wires and screws me and my friends couldnt turn our heads but we noticed she was missing so our (boy) cousin was goofing around and fell off and we heard a tiny voice saying “MOM HELP ME!!! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!” and we addmeadily thought of my sister so we saw some tiny fingers and we pulled her by her arms she was missing a shoe she had scrapes burns bruises and even scratches! so when she was in a coma for about 20 minutes we shouted at the ride operater to STOP the ride but he looked at us and didnt do anything!!so when the ride stopped 5 minutes later we saw hurt babies and hurt children with crying parents and even sick teenagers! so when we got off we addmidelty w=ran to our parents and told them what happened when my sister woke up she didnt know what was going on and she went to sleep we tryed to keep her awake so we put her in the car and crove quickly to the hospital… when we got their they said that a 8 year old girl (my sister) had the a old man’s back stucture! and that she could be cripled! so when we told my sister it was going to be okay we had a talk with Butler Amusment that night and I DONT RECCOMEND THIS RIDE WORST RIDE EVER ITS SO DANGEROUS AND NEARLY CRIPPLED MY 9 YEAR OLD SISTER!!!!! DONT GET INVOVLED WITH THIS RIDE IT SUCKS
Dee - February 17th, 2012 at 2:36 pm
AT SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW FOR 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!
oliver - March 31st, 2012 at 7:28 am
Hi there, I know this is an old page, but I’m interested in the costs of purchasing a gravitron for the sake of renovation. I was struck by the idea of turning a gravitron into a studio home recently and wanted to investigate the costs of doing so.
Peyton Mo - May 5th, 2012 at 7:15 am
I like the ride I’ve went on it before but they keep on disappearing . I’ll miss it
Braedon - May 11th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Give it up Peyton
Braedon - May 11th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
How aboutthis year we went on this starship 3000 i hadnt been on one since i was in 5th grade and im now in 8th back then i can honestly say i loved this expeirience but i dont know what happend this time i went on thinking that this ride would take me back to my elementary days but instead when the ride started i felt like i was being brought into my death bed i literaly felt like a 450 pound person was sitting on my neck i couldnt breath at all i tried waving my hands and feet to the operator but he wasnt looking i qiuckly gave it 5 more seconds untill i thought i was a goner then in a instant we started to slow down but the ride wasnt finished yet i quickly got over there before he started to speed up again luckily i made it out that day i got off of that deathship 30000 walk away and never looked back and i swore to myselfe i will never get on one of those death traps again..
shana james - May 21st, 2012 at 1:46 pm
I wouldnt throw my worse enemy onto this
alAnna wyche - May 21st, 2012 at 1:58 pm
your all idiots who say this ride is un safe I have rode this ride many many times its great fun never once seen any accidents or had any medical problems maybe only fat people have problems with this ride
nekoneko - June 17th, 2012 at 10:26 pm
Hi I am looking at creating a Model of this ride and wondering if anyone has blueprints so I can design this ride to spec’s.. I have gone to youtube and they show some of the setups But would like some more info on this… Looking at making it a setup teardown single trailer model
John - June 26th, 2012 at 7:25 am
Yea nekoneko is right. I just went on yesterday my first time ( I’m 10) I was scared at first then the ride went really fast and the lights went out and seats went up and I started laughing cuz it was so fun. When it ended i thought it was awesome. Todays the last day in Newington conecticut. The rides gonna be even more awesome because today there’s more peopl and fireworks.
Jj - July 22nd, 2012 at 3:53 am
Loved it!! Went on many times. Want one of my own :) how fast does it go?
Lilly - August 1st, 2012 at 12:50 pm
In the second photo it make me wonder that kid in green shirt who was upside down got kicked out and banned cause your not supposed to do that. At my fair I onced got yelled at “to get back agianst the Wall” cause hanging on the the handrail.
Shawn - August 14th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
The best way to ride this is eat a huge meal of nasty food right before you go on, then chug a bottle of vodka. Then, you will be able to walk on the walls, and give everyone a nice chunky gift!
Cheeno - September 2nd, 2012 at 9:26 am
I was riding this once, and I felt a rumble followed by an extremely loud noise, and lots of smoke. Then, the ship lifted off the ground and we all shot up into the air. We landed, and everyone was killed except me.It was a very traumatic experience.I’m not sure if
I will ride again or not.
Asser - September 2nd, 2012 at 9:32 am
Last time i got on it i threw up i got on the ride when i got off i was feeling like i was going to throw up but i ate a corn dog and then i threw up so now im scared to get on that RIDE GRAVITRON
Devin - September 23rd, 2012 at 10:48 am
Last weekend I went on the Starship ride at our local fair.I only lasted a couple of minutes.Being my 70 year old back couild not take it.The pain was unbearable.Fortunely the operator saw my signal of thumbs down sign and shut down the ride.Three quarters of the rides got off.This ride is only for the young and fit.
Ron - September 25th, 2012 at 11:49 am
I used to love riding the gravitron till they got rid of it at the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair. A bolt broke allowing an outer panel to fly off along with 6 riders. It’s too bad because this ride was fun and now they’ll never bring it back to Miami and I’m not sure anyone here would like to ride it after that accident.
Mario - October 4th, 2012 at 5:53 am
I rode the Starship 2000 at the GA National Fair, the other day.But I noticed that there was a Starship 2000 and a Starship 3000.Is there a difference?
Justin H. - October 10th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
I LOVE THE GRAVATRON!!!!!!!!!!!
I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I’VE WENT ON IT.
IT IS SOOO FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GG - October 15th, 2012 at 11:57 am
IT IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUN!ITS LIKE A MAGNET BUT IT HURT MY BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Milniya - March 11th, 2013 at 5:10 am
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over here.
"parrot" - March 20th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
Hello,
The first time I rode the Gravitron, I did not even know what it was, only the fact that it was the Starship, for that is what the sign proclaimed. Later after doing some research I lerned about it. This was nine years after I have ridden it.
At the time I rode the unit, I was exhilarated by the sensations, for I I am very sensational and enjoy describing things never thought to be possible. When I first got on it, I felt the walls, which were slightly put at an angel, about thirty degrees from the vertical point. So when the ride started, I was surprised to feel myself lying down, as if I was in bed. Naturally I sat up, thinking it would feel different, but the sight of me sitting on a wall was too amusing, for I learned that standing on the pads is loke standing on a wall, though it is genrally forbidden. Still, I like to experiment with sensations and how it is perceived.
Alfredo Castaneda-Garcia - April 2nd, 2013 at 10:05 pm
I first went on one of these when I was about twelve at Fun Forest Amusement Park in Seattle when my cousin introduced me to it. I thought it was so weird that time not knowing really what centrifugal force was, or what was happening to me. Now, over 100 rides later in these Gravitron rides, I still love it. I am in my mid-thirties, believe it or not and I still like to go upside down when I can get away with it. (I’ve gotten in trouble for that at least a couple of times.)
Mike Ford - April 28th, 2013 at 5:32 am
i went on the alen abduction last nigh and now i adore it
none ya beeswax - July 15th, 2013 at 12:21 am
this might be dumb, but I don’t understand what happens to the ride operator in the middle. He’s not blurred during the ride meaning he’s spinning as well, but do they really spin along with every ride? I can’t figure it out.
Moe - July 20th, 2013 at 7:11 pm
I was obsessed with the Gravitron at Rehoboth Beach in like the summer of 2007 or 2008 but I didn’t go on it when my family and I went to the boardwalk but my 1st ride on it was at the fair with my friend! I LOVED it! It was so much fun! :D
Jen - July 29th, 2013 at 1:56 am
Been on the one at Texas State Fair. It was super fun. In the middle, there was some metal railing that was for riders to secure their bags/purses and what not. I thought it was so cool how during the ride as all our feet lifted off the ground, the bags were hovering in mid air as well. Really weird looking!
Kelsey - August 1st, 2013 at 1:39 pm
Love the Gravitron. I have probably been on it at least 200 times. I have probably thrown up at least half the time. But for me, that is half of the fun.
Walter Subchek - August 12th, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Uhm… it’s actually CENTRIPETAL force that causes the accelerations you are calling “G’s”. The wall exerts a force on the riders that acts toward the CENTER of the circle (hence “centripetal” or center-seeking force). This force from the wall causes the riders to deviate from moving in a straight line. It feels like we’re being thrown to the outside but we’re really being pushed inward by the wall. It would be nice if the author of the page would correct it so physics students could get the right information here.
kathy - November 4th, 2013 at 2:11 am
I ride these every time, and I usually flip upside down, and then spend the rest of the ride texting.
Candy - November 18th, 2013 at 12:37 pm
I went on this ride for the first time last year at the state fair. Right before I went on I had a greasy corn dog and a warm beer. I should have known better because I hurled on this teenager in a halter top. Her boyfriend got made at me but what could I do. It’s all physics don’t you know.
Bob - December 5th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
I love the ride but I absolutely hate the operators (most of them anyway). Most of them take the safety guidelines waaayy too seriously. Like I understand if they at least RECOMMEND that you don’t stand or anything (I tried this once and it’s really difficult and if you don’t have strong legs or good balance you’re gonna be in a world of pain). But legit one time I got 37 kinds of shit from the op because my head was tilted forward, and another time because my body was rotated about 10 degrees from vertical! Like are you FUCKING serious?!?! But luckily The one time I was good friends with the owner of the show (Mr. James Strates himself). And I told him what happened and basically the operator got in shit and was taken off the midway for a day. So that was a proud moment right there! But he wasn’t the only one. I am actually aspiring to eventually buy my own gravitron just so I can have the slightest bit of fucking freedom on the thing! Cause usually when I go on one at a fair there’s nothing I want to do more than smash the operator’s head in with a fucking mace! Gravitron operators are fucking OCD-stricken punks! End of story.
Mack - December 7th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
I don’t know the capacity of the ride guys do you guys know?
Patty - December 25th, 2013 at 10:28 am
Hi there I opperated and set up the gravitron now called allien abduction for astro.. I know live in South africa and want to buy one.. Cause under my knowledge we sont have one here and I think its time the people here experience it. So would be nice if you could help me out … Oh and to the person said that the opperators are to full of shit with the rules .. They have to be the riders live is in their hands believe me its not easy for one person to check on 30plus people at a time while spinning at that speed so try and understand their point aswell
rolo - January 28th, 2014 at 6:15 am
centripetal force* not centrifugal….
Austin Woerner - May 5th, 2014 at 3:16 am
I did not like this ride it was fun but it almost gave me a heart attack
Christopher hofacker - June 23rd, 2014 at 8:38 am
This is my favorite ride of all time
Janelle hartwick - June 23rd, 2014 at 8:42 am
Straightened my back – better than a chiropractor!
Griff - July 4th, 2014 at 4:52 am
The second weekend in March, at the rattlesnake roundup in Sweetwater, TX I rode this ride with my children. First off I want to say that I have always loved thrill rides, and have rode this many times. It is an easy ride, no real thrill to me..just an interesting experience to feel so much gravity pulling on you, and it looks cool. While we were on the ride, we started to smell something, and then it started to get smokey. I knew something was not right and a couple of the teenagers started to panic. I told my kids and the kids next to me that the gears were grinding together, but not to worry..the man controlling the ride opened a hatch door which was very close to where we were standing to vent out the smoke. I was worried that if I looked scared some dumb kid or my own might try to get out through that hole. I knew as big as it was and as fast as it was going if a person jumped down they could get their head chopped off, or some similar horrific event. I just talked calmly and rationally, let them know I was the adult and the boy freaking out was an idiot who was not worth listening to. I told the kids that there was no way it will catch fire because it was metal, and we were much safer just waiting because the ride stops fast enough for the smoke to not hurt us. (not necessarily true, but it made them not as scared, I had no idea what was actually happening) As soon as the ride stopped I asked the controller what happened…he didn’t release the brakes!! This has always been one of my favorite rides, but if I get on it again I might fell compelled to tell the carnie to release the brake before the ride starts. It was funny how as soon as the ride was over he was trying his best to get the kids to stay on again for a full ride, but they were laughing at him and saying yeah right! I’m sure he didn’t want anyone to find out about his mistake. Who would have thought the gravitron could be scary?
Holly - July 22nd, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Hi there,
I managed to ride the Gravitron two days ago, at the Washington County Fair in Hollsboro, Oregon. However, I didn’t know riders were not allowed to go alone. I also didn’t see any rules here as to what the requirements are for the Gravitron, so I’m wondering if it’s up to the operator who should decide what is safe or not. I should mention that I have not ridden the Gravitron since 2004, so I was very anxious when I finally found it, and when I was told I can’t go alone, even as an adult, I really felt torn apart. Was there something that the operator holding back? Did I need a spotter of some sort?
Sensation Experience - July 27th, 2014 at 2:22 am
I’ve ridden the gravitron before, today I rode it again multiple times. I ate some before-hand. I wasn’t sick during the demolition derby. When I get home and try to go to sleep, I feel like I’m going to vomit, but can’t; and also I feel dizzy, I’m shaking, and I couldn’t balance normally to save my life. DON’T EAT BEFORE RIDING!!! Otherwise this ride is fun.
Tucker - September 1st, 2014 at 6:57 pm
They took out the gravatron at the south florida fair after the 2013 year. they used the starship 2 0 0 0 for 2014 and this year they have the centrifuge
Green Ninja - January 12th, 2015 at 11:28 am
I need in one in Washington.
Lucian Sidorov - February 1st, 2015 at 7:04 pm
Hi, get this, I’m 39 and have never ridden one of hose. I’m totally blind and a little nervous to try it but at the same time I want too so damn bad!
Kerri - February 24th, 2015 at 3:33 pm
Mack your a tossed mate don’t put down gravitron operator’s if you want to get seriously hurt don’t listen to the operator’s morons like you should never ever own one as your a fxxxn idiot that will kill yourself or someone else you clown I’ve operated one for years and never had accident
craig hallam - June 16th, 2015 at 3:50 pm
Hi,Arlene here. I’ve ridden the this ride since my late teens. because of my partial vision. I thought I was going into a school portable to watch some music videos. Big mistake! I found myself laying on what I thought was a bed! What turned out I and the others were taken up the wall. I told some kids I looked after that you ride this thing it puts you onto a bed then it takes you off. They thought it was funny! Since then I’ve liked this ride! the last time I rode it was in the late 90s. I don’t remember what fair it was at. I’ve never ridden the star ship. I was told it’s like the gravitron. Okay all you attendents who run this ride. Have yourselves a good laugh! Because of my partial vision I thought the operator did everything at the door! Cause when you get in. he’s at the door. When you leave he’s at the door! Oh yeah, to the dude who doesn’t like the attendents who run the ride, they got a job to do and they are responsible for everybody who’s on either the gravitron or the starship. it’s hard when you are trying to run this ride when you get riders who come in and act like a bunch of dorks! I hope I see this ride again! Just my 2 cents!
Arlene - July 27th, 2015 at 5:23 am
Comment 10 you realize if you weigh 225 with 4G you would weigh 900lbs and you think it was more than that?
???? - September 8th, 2015 at 2:09 pm
Wow, I remember really enjoying Gravitron when I was about 12. I’m now 34 and I rode it today for the first time in 22 years.
I also now weight 323 pounds.
Let me just say, it was very uncomfortable. I have heard differing reports that the ride is either 3 g’s or 4 g’s at max speed. Either way, I effectively weighed somewhere between 969 and 1292 pounds.
Yeah. My belly was pushing up into my chest and I found it difficult to breathe.
Could definitely be a concern for middle aged men at risk for heart attack.
So… Not really recommended for people my size. WAY more intense than I remember it being from when I was 12
Scott - October 8th, 2015 at 3:58 pm
I need to purchase the gravitron as soon as possible. I am conducting and experiment where I remain in the gravitron for 2 months to see physical results to my body. Thank you! “Let’s make history”!
Logan Bellamy - December 14th, 2015 at 3:30 pm
I STILL say it is a waste of space on the midway! They just all need to fly into space where all flying saucers belong!!! Love ya Arnie!
anthony - December 22nd, 2015 at 3:14 pm
The ride movement can be summed up two words: centrifugal force – all 4 G’s of it pushing the standards of safe amusement ride physics. This was not the first ride to use centrifugal laws to pin its standing occupants – other prior examples include the Rotor and Roundup
Sorry to be pedantic but the above is incorrect. Its standing occupants, as rotating masses, will be exerting a centrifugal force not subject to such a force. Any decent book on physics will confirm this.
Frank Smith - December 25th, 2015 at 9:24 am
What’s your problem with my ride? Its a good ride just peoples kids dont know how to lisson to the opprater of the ride
Arnie Hallum - June 12th, 2016 at 9:23 am
I used to love standing horizonal in those things.
Meot - February 20th, 2017 at 11:45 am
Where can I purchase a “UFO” for myself. I’m trying to fly to the moon for space cheese and alien life forms. I was contacted by Aliens from the dark side of the moon to fly there.
Wig Wam wade - March 8th, 2017 at 3:13 am
There used to be a Gravitron at the fair where i live, but now they rebranded it as the Centrifuge
Michael - April 5th, 2017 at 8:11 am
Pretty bad time today at the Auckland fair. Never saw the warning sign. Never received instruction or advice about positioning the body once started. Had an extremely uncomforable experience. I weigh 100 Kg. 1.9m tall. 54 years old. Reasonably fit. Mtb etc. standing on an angle and having the weight of my guts and blood pressed into my upper torso and face was extruciating and unexpected. Highly irresponsible to not provide a proper briefing. And if you decide to ridicule or have a go at me… the. I’m prepared to listen, but only once you’ve reached my age, strapped some extra kilos to your chest and belly snd remained in the slanted standing position. Otherwise piss off! Dangerous ride.
Smart enough to do it only once - April 14th, 2017 at 7:16 pm
What happens if the operator suddenly dropped dead? Does the ride have a timer on it or something?
Greg - May 2nd, 2017 at 8:07 am
I love the gravitron when on it for the first time today and was so much fun
Matthew Smith - August 6th, 2017 at 4:09 pm
That ride is fun it’s totally worth after the first time going on it and makes me think of using the sanitare vacuum at church and the lunch startup repair on the computer at school
Matthew Smith - August 6th, 2017 at 4:13 pm
There’s one at Funland in Rehoboth, Delaware . It’s my fave ride, typically has good music playing (This year best song was Animals by Martin Garrix).
Lily
Lily - August 28th, 2017 at 10:35 am
There used to be one of these at Alton Towers. It got moved around a bit (a lot) and now it is in an awful condition.
Terra Verso - October 22nd, 2017 at 6:59 pm
this ride has lots of different names i have seen gravitron starship 2000 starship 3000 starship 4000 starship gravitron starship exodus alien abduction alien invasion devils hole area 51 and starship area 51.
j a y d e n - December 31st, 2017 at 6:05 am
I LIKE GRAVITRON RIDE.
NICKLAUS LEE WEISS - June 8th, 2018 at 11:39 am
Does this make your stomach drop like the same feeling of a roller coaster?
Idk about this - July 27th, 2018 at 2:11 am
to me the experience wasn’t pleasant at all, it made me TOO dizzy, my neck was sore the whole next week, and it messed up my back!
Natalie Ross - October 14th, 2018 at 8:53 am
Been operating gravatron 2 years if u ride mine u will never forget it I put on a show
Capone - October 22nd, 2018 at 7:12 am
Listen here this ride made me dizzy I didn’t even wan go bck on anymore rides I hate it?
Doggie Doe - March 21st, 2019 at 12:17 am
Please tell me where I can find a Graviton ride. I live in Southern California, but would travel for this.
Jim Pamplin - April 3rd, 2019 at 2:02 am
I LOVE THIS RIDE.. Anytime I go to a carnival I rush to it. I freak out the operators by sitting indian style (Upright) so I experience the full effect of the G’s. lol
Scarecrow7170 - January 1st, 2020 at 7:22 pm
I really like this ride. I don’t know if there’s any in FL but there was a fair in NY that always brought it at the end of summer! I still miss the Gravitron! <3
Serena Melody - April 10th, 2020 at 12:22 am
Gravitron landed in my country Kenya in 2017, the fast one in Africa, and it’s a unique amusement and a BIG business now.
https://www.facebook.com/592632157758467/videos/243548919651809
Being a technical technician for its maintenance and upgrading I appreciate the kind of experience and satisfaction it gives our riders.
Douglas Muthamia - July 30th, 2021 at 12:07 pm
Does anybody have a 3-view drawing of the Gravitron? I’d like to 3d-print one.
Rex Barrington - April 1st, 2022 at 3:52 am
THAT is my favorite carnival ride. Closest I can come to being an astronaut until I come up with the dollars to pay for a real rocket ride :)
Lynn Magnuson - April 9th, 2022 at 8:18 am
I lost my virginity on a Gravitron!
Mikey - July 31st, 2022 at 1:28 am
Does anybody know where a Gravitron is in Hawaii or California? I’m dying to get one of those rides!!
Please HELP!!!
Just Text me if you do know about one
I can always travel to it
707-515-0990
Turo - February 20th, 2023 at 4:30 am
I used to love this ride as a kid. I would ride it so many times! But now when I go on it, I feel like I will suffocate, it’s super hard to breathe sometimes. Super fun for your kids, but would not recommend for adults or teens :/
Sam - May 15th, 2023 at 11:52 pm
Worked for 7 different carnivals in 12 years, 3 of those years on either the starship or alien abduction. It’s still a very light pull in the center seat, but isn’t bad. I have rode this ride (on the walls) over 10k times, over 30 in one day from open to close. I sit indian style off the wall, like a monk in meditation. It’s not for the weak or freshly filled stomach, claustrophobic, or any people that over think about things. Do not try to stand on the walls, for more than safety reasons. Doing so, if you have a loss of balance, you could end up either falling on others, injuring yourself majorly, or possibly even end your own life. Smashing your head on an empty pad has enough force to break your nose, break your arms, or snap your neck. I don’t feel the nausea, as I have become accustomed to the feeling through the years. Wild fun after dark, as temps lower and lights tend to give disorienting effects to sight, along with turning your head to the left or right.
Stitch - June 3rd, 2024 at 12:26 pm