Feel the force of the stars as you cycle through the signs of the Zodiac
Feel the force of the stars as you cycle through the signs of the Zodiac
| Theme Park | Thorpe Park |
|---|---|
| Park Area | Lost City |
| Type | Enterprise |
| Audience | Older Families and Thrillseekers |
| Opened | 2000 (temporary attraction as "Enterprise") 2001 (permanent attraction as "Zodiac") 2006 (replacement ride hardware) |
| Manufacturer | Huss |
| Model | Enterprise |
| Height | 59 ft |
| Max Speed | 19 mph |
| Capacity | 500 riders per hour |
Zodiac rises
Zodiac is an Enterprise style ride, typically found in fairgrounds and as a filler ride at theme parks.
Riders sit in carriages attached to the outside of a large wheel, which rotates and is gradually lifted by an arm to an upright position. The riders are held in by centrifugal force, which is strong enough to keep them in their seats without the need for any kind of restraint.
Zodiac originally arrived at Thorpe Park as a temporary attraction to fill the gap left by the loss of several rides in the major fire which broke out at the park in 2000. It became a permanent addition for the 2001 season, having been rethemed over the winter with zodiac symbols and a spectacular gold and turquoise paint job.
The original Enterprise wheel was replaced in 2006 with Cyclone from Drayton Manor which had to be removed from the Tamworth theme park after noise complaints. Unfortunately, Thorpe never bothered to replicate the theming of the original version of the ride and today’s Zodiac retains the silver/white paint job it had at Drayton. In fact, when it first arrived at Thorpe, the old Drayton Manor name signs were still clearly visible on the carriages!
Although not as thrilling as some of Thorpe’s other flat rides, Zodiac gives a fantastic ride. Once you realise that the forces are strong enough to hold you in place, it is easy to sit back, relax, and feel the summer breeze in your face as you race around the inside of the vertical wheel.
Zodiac rises from the ground
The current Zodiac, seen through the trees
Zodiac, in its sparse white colour scheme
Towering over the Vortex queueline
Theming detail
Riders taking a spin around the Zodiac wheel
Theming detail on the original version of Zodiac
The original Zodiac
