Drop tower (ride)

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A drop tower is a type of amusement ride, based around a central structure or tower. With most drop towers, the gondola is lifted to the top of a large vertical structure, before being released and falling towards the ground. Brakes activate to slow the ride prior to reaching the ground. Some designs expand on this concept, with some designs promoting rotating gondalas or that riders be 'bounced' several times before coming to a rest. Most parks and carnivals require riders to be 48 inches or taller. The highest and fastest freefall/drop tower in the world is an intamin designed and manufactured ride named "the Giant Drop". The ride is 390 feet high and reaches a speed of 84.375 mph, the ride is located at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, Australia

Drop towers vary in height, passenger capacity, lift type, and brake type. Many are custom made, although there are some mass-produced designs, which are listed below.

The drop tower ride type should not be confused with the observation tower ride type.

See also: Freefall (ride)

[edit] Examples

Mass-produced tower rides include;

• Double Shot
• The Giant Drop
• The Piledriver
• Space Shot (air-powered blast up and down)
• Spring Ride / Family Tower
• Super Shot
• Turbo Drop (air-powered blast down)
• Intamin Drop Tower
• Z-Force (Zamperla shot'n'drop tower)
• Flash Tower (Zamperla shot'n'drop tower)