Dance Express – Marlon Roder
A ride over hills and dips with music and changes of direction
Operator: Marlon Roder (Karlsruhe)
The Dance Express by Marlon Roder is a travelling ride over hills and dips that combines the classic Music Express principle with pronounced turns. The individual gondolas follow a wave-shaped circuit. This creates a constant alternation between climbs, descents and sideways movement. For many funfair visitors, this combination of speed, music and a clearly visible circular track is part of the familiar scene at a lively fairground.
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What to expect
- Backwards ride
- Sound system / music
- Family-friendly
Highlights & records
Classic ride over hills and dips with forward and reverse travel; 20 gondolas, each with three seats.
Dance Express is all about the interplay of turns, rolling hills and direction of travel – a Music Express ride where every lap develops its own rhythm.
What it’s like to ride Dance Express by Marlon Roder
On Dance Express, passengers sit in gondolas arranged one behind another on a closed track. The route is not flat: the hills and dips make you feel the change between climbing and descending on every lap. The turns also make the ride feel much more dynamic than an ordinary children’s carousel. According to ride descriptions, the ride can travel both forwards and backwards. The change of direction in particular means that another lap can feel different from the first.
The gondolas are designed for people to ride together. This is an important part of the experience: as the ride goes round, you take in the music, the movement and the reactions of your fellow passengers all at once. The attraction is an example of a Music Express ride where the dynamics of the ride itself take centre stage, rather than a single large loop.
General
- Manufacturer
- Cosmont / SDC
- Model
- Musik-Express / wavy track ride
- Year built
- 1995
- Premiere
- 1995
Vehicles & capacity
- Gondolas
- 20
- Riders per gondola
- 3
Set-up & transport
- Footprint
- 19 × 18 m
- Power rating
- 100 kW
History and change of operator
The ride dates from 1995 and Ride-Index lists Cosmont and SDC as its manufacturers. In its early years, it travelled with Fritz Kröckel. The ride then belonged to showman Marco Spindler’s operation in Freckenfeld from 1999 to 2022. Following the subsequent change of operator, Marlon Roder from Karlsruhe became responsible for Dance Express. This history sets this particular ride apart from other Music Express attractions with a similar name.
This ride over hills and dips therefore combines a long travelling history with a timeless ride principle. Its appeal comes from the repeated ups and downs, the speed and the music. As a classic circular ride, it complements the selection between family carousels and the most intense thrill rides.
Timeline
1995 launched by Fritz Kröckel; operated by Marco Spindler from 1999 to 2022; subsequently taken over by Marlon Roder.
- Operator
- Marlon Roder (Karlsruhe)
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
Previous operators
1995–1998 Fritz Kröckel; 1999–2022 Marco Spindler (Freckenfeld)
Who is Dance Express by Marlon Roder suitable for?
If you enjoy a fast, rhythmic circuit, this is an alternative to high-altitude rides and roller coasters. You can feel the movements directly, even though there are no high tracks or loops. Fans of classic rides over hills and dips will recognise the concept straight away. However, if you have a sensitive sense of balance, the combination of turns and changes of direction may be more demanding than the ride’s low height suggests.
The ride is a good option for a group funfair visit, as several people can ride side by side. The specific height and age requirements are displayed at the entrance. You can also find other circular rides in our attraction guide.
Upcoming funfair dates
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