Sharks have always been fascinating ever since Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" showed their ferocity as a force of nature to be reckoned with. Pacific Park recognizes this fear and fascination humans have with sharks by having rider sit inside shark heads in its newly-opened Shark Frenzy Tilt-A-Whirl.
The Pacific Ocean is known for the numerous shark breeds that live in the area. The Shark Frenzy Tilt-A-Whirl has seven types of sharks, the Blue, Bull, Great White, Lemon, Mako, Sand Tiger and Tiger Sharks, as the whirling cars. Riders are seated inside the shark's "mouth," which has a comfortable seat that could house three riders inside complete with rails to prevent overthrowing the riders as the ride twirls.
Los Angeles-based Strategy and Branding company VENT designed the Shark Frenzy with California-based artist DJ Neff designing the overall shark car designs and artistry. Larson Entertainment from Texas has manufactured the ride structure to complete safety and stability standards.
According to Pacific Park General Manager Jeff Klocke, the company remains proud to "introduce industry firsts" including the "world's first solar-powered Ferris wheel" and the "world's first wind-powered Midway (arcade) game." Shark Frenzy, the "the world's first shark-themed ride" Klocke said, "is a part of our ongoing commitment to our guests" as the park intends to deliver its signature California seaside theme park experience.
Seaside is indeed the proper term; buoys, bitten surfboats and other beach-wreck debris surround the ride to deliver an air of fantastic authenticity to the situation that sharks are circling and riders are "being eaten" by these different breeds of shark.
According to NBC LA, riders have to ride Shark Frenzy more than once because each shark's mouth is worth the photo opportunity. The ride would cost about $5-10 per person, a fair enough price to experience being hurled inside a shark's mouth, but not entirely digested like in the movies.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
