French Frolics

Anybody remeber this ride? I have been curious for years on just what kind of ride this was. According to the history book the ride was more of an illusion than a ride and the ride last for only a few seasons on the new midway.

Count me in with the other Tim. I remember it on the Midway when I was a wee nipper, but don't recall ever going inside. To this day it bugs me.

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Tim Bretz
The Alamo. The Maine. Pearl Harbor. The Trades.

My mother told me the the French Frolics was a ride that took place in a room. You sat on a bench and the house flipped over and you sat still. You were right in that it was an illusion. She said it felt like you were moving but it really was the room that was moving. There is a picture of it in the town hall museum

steve

stephen10 said:
My mother told me the the French Frolics was a ride that took place in a room. You sat on a bench and the house flipped over and you sat still. You were right in that it was an illusion. She said it felt like you were moving but it really was the room that was moving. There is a picture of it in the town hall museum. Im not sure how many times the house but she said it made several revolutions

steve

Stephen10: Your mom is correct. I went on this ride as a kid. The room was decorated to look like a French parlor. Once the door was closed, music would begin playing, and the enclosure (room) would start slowly revolving around you. It made you feel like you were rotating 360 deg (althought the bench never moved) and was very effective. Used to make people clutch the arms of the bench or each other. Actually would make you disoriented after awhile and a little nauseous. Also, no A/C in the enclosure during summer - so could be stifling (I think they had a fan though).

It's just like houdini at six flags.

They still have two of them operating. One is in six flags Jersey, and the other is in six flags new England. I have been on the ride, and it is VERY disorienting.

Here is the houdini ride.(Not the best video, but you get the point of the ride)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvvAlKw1wpE&feature=related

I also have been on the one at idlewild park in Pa.

Here is a video of the "dizzy lizie" at idlewild park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAY50UqY-_Q

That Houdini ride was alot of fun I remember it well!!! :)

Jo
Lifetime Raptor flights: 2300 :)

i have never heard of this ride until this topic lol. does anybody have a photo of this ride?

I'm not sure how big french frolics was. But, there is (or was) a small version of the houdini ride at Arnolds Park. It's called Bug House. I don't seeit mentioned on thier website. I looked through my pics from my one visit to the park and couldn't find a shot of it.

Sorry about digging up an old topic but I know some old timer on here will know the answer that has me stumped. This attraction was originally toward the right front midway in 1964 (next to the Rotor), then moved in 1965 back by the old Monorail station and Calypso. Here's where I'm stumped: I have 2 old ticket books from 1966 and 1967 saying that the ride coupons were good for French Frolic yet for the life of me I can't figure out where this attraction was moved during those years. It definitely wasn't in 2 of the above mentioned locations later on (the 66 map/brochure is wrong BTW because the newer Silver Dollar Cafe/Pirate Ride was built in that area and monorail wasn't there). Anyone know where the French Frolics went during the later years/or was it totally taken out after 65' and left misprinted in the ticket books for 2 more years? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

The ride was a version of the age-old Haunted Swing attraction. The large versions that we see today are either a Huss Magic Room or a Vekoma Mad House, and are far more elaborate than the original.
Rides operating today include the Dutch Wonder House at Dutch Wonderland and there's one as part of Impossible at Blackpool. Idlewild's Dizzy Lizzy was removed this season.
CPfan1976, I'm trying very hard to think where French Frolic moved after it left the Blue Streak midway. I seem to visualize it near the Upsidedown Fun House, but I can't be certain. I'll keep trying to remember.