Which do you prefer? A fast and daring ride on a roller coaster or a serene swing on a ferris wheel? I’ve always chosen the roller coaster because life should be exciting, adventurous, challenging, and sometimes scary.
That’s what a ride on a roller coaster always felt like to me. I would search them out, stare at them warily from afar but itching, anxious to get aboard. I screamed the loudest in sheer fun and terror as the ride bumped me against corners, bounced me around, force-pushed me back against my seat and careened me full ahead (into the abyss, as I recalled, on the Disney World Space Mountain ride) for what seemed like eternity. Then it would glide me back to the flat safe spot where it all began.
I couldn’t wait to try it again, so I’d get back in line. Nutty, but wow, that was fun!
I rarely searched for the carousel; much, much too slow for me. It was for folks who liked the quiet life, with the sculpted tame horses dipping ever so lightly in place round and round the ring. Maybe if they had galloped or hiked up on their front legs forcing me to hang on, the ride would’ve been more exciting. I did enjoy the swing carousel, though, because I could always catch a slightly cool breeze on a hot summer day when the seats swung out.
The ferris wheel was also a relaxing experience. As it pulled me up and up and up, I could see the world – or the part of it surrounding the park. It could be both relaxing and carefree, allowing me to get lost in my thoughts, and sit back and ponder life without stress. It was just too cool.
I got into this pensive mood about amusement-park rides after seeing an array of them at auction recently. Someone’s collection of toy rides, buildings, trains cars and railroad tracks were laid out in an impressive display on a long table. An auction staffer had identified the items in handwritten letters for those of us unfamiliar with such collectibles (and as a way to spur higher bids): “Coney Island Amusements.” “World’s Fair Amusements.”
I assumed they referred to the types of rides, but learned later that these were brand names. On the web, I found tons of retail websites selling items from the Mr. Christmas Gold Label World’s Fair Collection. I could find no collection called Coney Island, but came across lots about the famous Brooklyn, NY, amusement park of that name. From the late 19th century to well into the 20th century, Coney Island was the place for fun rides, amazing hot dogs (so I’m told), a long stretch of beach, people-watching, and much more that was less than family-friendly.
The replica rides on the auction table were lovely and appeared to be in tip-top shape – a testament to the owner who apparently took very good care of them. This collector may also have been a train buff because close by were model train paraphernalia and a large Lionel train clock. One retail website noted that Lionel collectors used World’s Fair rides in their train displays.
Some of the rides were animated and some were music boxes. According to the Mr. Christmas website, they arrange their own music for their products.
The ride that set me off on my reverie was the Grand Ferris Wheel, a yellow contraption that stood out among the other rides, even topping the Coney Island wheel with the familiar and sinister-looking Steeplechase man. It towered over the other rides, some of which were low on the table.
When the bidding got started, it was obvious that some bidders were very familiar with these rides. But they weren’t willing to pay a lot of money for them. I found prices on the web from around $125 to $175. Here’s what the rides fetched at the auction:
Carousel, $30
Bumper cars, $35
Swing carousel, $35
Mr. Christmas ferris wheel, $55
Cyclone roller coaster, $40. Two others sold for $40 and $35.
Starship ride, $35
Parachute ride, $45
Circus tent, $45
Roundabout, $35
Super slide ride, $25
Coney Island ferris wheel, $45
Circus tent, $45
