Hupferl – André Roder
The classic Munich Schunkler with its rotating circular bench
Operator: André Roder (Karlsruhe) · since 2015
Hupferl by André Roder is a Schunkler rooted in the classic Munich fair tradition: instead of sitting in individual gondolas, you sit with other passengers on a large circular bench. Its distinctive feature is the combination of rotation and rhythmic raising and lowering. This creates a ride experience that is unlike either a regular carousel ride or a modern looping attraction. The shared experience and holding on are very much part of the concept.
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What to expect
- Live host (ride MC)
- Family-friendly
Highlights & records
Schunkler with a shared circular bench, hydraulically driven platform, and rhythmic spinning and lifting motion.
On Hupferl, a carousel ride becomes a shared swaying experience: holding on, laughing together and the surprising movements all go hand in hand.
What it’s like to ride Hupferl by André Roder
You take a seat on the revolving bench and hold on to the handholds provided. As the platform spins and begins to sway, the forces acting on you keep changing. The alternation between rising, falling and rotating creates a characteristic mix of laughter, surprise and physical movement. The passengers are not separated into individual cars but experience one another’s reactions at close quarters. This makes the Schunkler an unusually sociable attraction.
The Munich operator describes the ride as a hydraulically powered attraction with a large circular bench. Its special appeal is therefore less about extreme heights and more about sharing the ups and downs. If you are riding for the first time, follow the staff’s instructions and hold on securely throughout the ride.
Video
General
- Manufacturer
- Höpler (Germany)
- Model
- Schunkler / hopper
- Year built
- 1987
- Premiere
- 1987
Ride
- Height
- 8.5 m
Set-up & transport
- Footprint
- 15 × 15 m
History: Hupferl by André Roder
Hupferl by André Roder was built by Höpler and began operating in the late 1980s. It first travelled with Margarethe and Johann Agtsch from Munich. Angelo and Katharina Agtsch then operated the ride until summer 2015. Since then, it has travelled with André Roder from Karlsruhe. This traceable history of operators is important, as there are several Schunkler rides with similar names; another showman’s Super-Hupferl is not the same ride.
Its appearance at Oktoberfest 2024 made the ride’s connection to Munich’s fair culture particularly visible. The City of Munich introduced it at the time in a dedicated press release. Hupferl thus combines a long history with the unmistakable concept of a circular bench swaying together.
Timeline
Opened under Agtsch in 1987; passed to André Roder in summer 2015. Represented again at Munich Oktoberfest in 2024.
- Operator
- André Roder (Karlsruhe)
- With operator since
- 2015
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
Previous operators
1987–1999 Margarethe and Johann Agtsch (Munich); 2000–June 2015 Angelo and Katharina Agtsch (Munich)
Who is Hupferl suitable for?
Hupferl is especially appealing to people who enjoy classic funfair entertainment and are looking for a lively group experience. Unlike on bumper cars, you do not control anything yourself here; unlike on a roller coaster, the movement does not follow a track. You respond directly to the impulses of the rotating bench. This can feel surprisingly intense, even though the ride stays much closer to the ground than large high rides.
If you are sensitive to spinning movements, the way the ride moves is especially important. If you are visiting with children or a larger group, check the current participation requirements at the entrance. You can find more comparable classics in the attractions overview.
Upcoming funfair dates
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