Polyp – Pailhe / Dotremont

What it’s like to ride Polyp Pailhe Dotremont

You sit in one of the gondolas suspended from the ends of the long arms. As the central column rotates, the arms rise and fall like tentacles. At the same time, the gondolas swing freely. This sends you soaring high above the fairground, then swooping close to the ground. You feel the centrifugal force particularly clearly as you swoop down.

A Polyp doesn’t do inversions. Even so, the ride feels livelier than it looks from the outside. So it’s worth watching a full circuit first.

History of Polyp Pailhe Dotremont

Schwarzkopf delivered the ride in 1983 to German showman Kinzler, who operated it until 1989. It then travelled around France with Tricoire from 1990 to 1992. After that, it operated in Belgium with Paul Lauwers for 25 years, from 1993 to 2017. Pailhe and Dotremont have operated it since 2018.

Operators and guest appearances

The Dotremont family travels around Belgium with other attractions, including the G-Force pendulum ride, which also used to belong to the Lauwers family. The organiser’s line-up of rides will tell you whether Polyp is at your funfair. You can also find the dates in the funfair calendar and more octopus rides in the attractions overview.

Who is the octopus ride suitable for?

Polyp is an action-packed classic for teenagers and adults. Older children often ride too, provided they meet the minimum height at the entrance. If you’re sensitive to spinning movements, it’s best to try a gentler ride first. Stow loose items safely before the ride, as the gondolas swing vigorously.