Magic – Meyer & Sohn
Huss classic from 1989 with twelve moving gondolas
Operator: Meyer & Sohn (Stahnsdorf) · since 2014
Magic – Meyer & Sohn is a travelling circular ride made by the German manufacturer Huss in 1989. The ride belongs to the first generation of the Magic type and is now operated by the Meyer & Sohn showman business from Stahnsdorf. From the outside, you can see a round platform with four large arms. But its real speciality only becomes apparent during the ride: not only do the large arms rotate, but the gondola groups and individual seat units also change direction.
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What to expect
- Multi-axis rotation
- Family-friendly
Highlights & records
Early example of the Huss Magic type (Magic No. 1); four main arms, each with three moving gondolas. Net weight according to the operator: approx. 70 t.
Four rotating arms, twelve gondolas and constantly changing views: this early Huss Magic combines classic funfair looks with an unusual ride sequence.
The ride on the funfair site
With its large, circular structure, Magic needs a suitably spacious area at the fairground. Meyer & Sohn gives a diameter of approximately 23 metres, a power requirement of around 220 kilowatts and a net weight of about 70 tonnes. This striking structure is not just a ride, but also an elaborate travelling showman's business.
The family business traces its showman tradition back to 1864 and offers other attractions alongside Magic. However, this company history should not be confused with the year the ride was built: the Magic featured here dates from 1989. If you’re looking for it at a fair, the operator’s name can also help, as Huss built several Magic rides. You can find more rides in our overview of attractions.
Magic – Meyer & Sohn: How the ride works
At the centre of Magic, four main arms move around the hub. Each arm has a gondola cross with three gondolas. This means that twelve gondolas are in motion, each with room for four passengers. The different rotational movements overlap. One moment you may be facing outwards, and the next your gondola can swing in another direction. At the same time, the movement of the arms changes their position relative to the platform.
This makes the ride less predictable than a traditional swing carousel. The changing views and the combination of several axes of rotation are what shape the experience. The ride also looks different from the edge of the fairground than it does from one of the seats: from the outside, you can make out the four large arms particularly well, while in the gondola you feel the additional movements directly.
General
- Manufacturer
- Huss (Deutschland)
- Model
- Magic (No. 1)
- Year built
- 1989
- Serial number
- 54 011
Vehicles & capacity
- Gondolas
- 12
- Riders per gondola
- 4
Set-up & transport
- Footprint
- 23 × 23 m
- Power rating
- 220 kW
Magic – Meyer & Sohn: History
The carousel was built by Huss in 1989 and is listed in the Ride-Index ride database as “Magic No. 1”. It is therefore one of the early examples of this ride type. Its first documented operator was Ludewigt from Oldenburg, who ran the ride from 1989 to 1990. This was followed by Kopp from Paris from 1991 to 1996.
In 1997, Meyer from Dresden first appears in the operator history. From 1997 to 2006, the ride was listed under Hainlein & Meyer in Berlin, followed by Rudi Hainlein from 2007 to 2013. The ride has been attributed to Meyer & Sohn since 2014. These changes of operator are part of the history of this particular Magic; other Huss Magic rides with similar names are separate rides.
Timeline
1989–1990 Ludewigt (Oldenburg); 1991–1996 Kopp (Paris); 1997 Meyer (Dresden); 1997–2006 Hainlein & Meyer (Berlin); 2007–2013 Rudi Hainlein (Berlin); since 2014 Meyer & Sohn (Stahnsdorf).
- Operator
- Meyer & Sohn (Stahnsdorf)
- With operator since
- 2014
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
Previous operators
Ludewigt (1989–1990), Kopp (1991–1996), Meyer (1997), Hainlein & Meyer (1997–2006), Rudi Hainlein (2007–2013), according to Ride-Index.
Who is the Huss Magic suitable for?
Meyer & Sohn describes Magic as a classic ride for the whole family. However, this is not a leisurely carousel ride. The interlocking rotational movements can feel intense, especially if you are sensitive to changing directions of rotation. If you enjoy round rides and are not necessarily looking for inversions, this offers a different experience from a typical Break Dance or a ride that simply lifts you high.
Whether children are allowed to ride depends not only on the ride's family-friendly nature. The current height and age requirements and the staff's instructions always apply. The actual intensity can also vary depending on how the ride is operated. So it is worth watching a ride cycle before you get on.
Upcoming funfair dates
Ride Magic – Meyer & Sohn live
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