Mama Caramba – Jansen
Historic waltzer, now travelling as Mama Caramba
Operator: Jansen (Mönchengladbach) · since 2022
Mama Caramba Jansen is a historic roundabout ride with an unusual movement pattern. The ride was built in 1963 and was known for decades as Taumler. Today, it travels under the name Mama Caramba with the Jansen showman operation from Mönchengladbach. If you enjoy classic rides with a surprisingly lively motion, this waltzer is worth getting to know.
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What to expect
A funfair classic with plenty of movement that delivers a lively ride without any loops.
What makes Mama Caramba Jansen special?
Today’s design combines a traditional ride type with a new identity. As a prototype Schunkler, Mama Caramba is not one of the identical rides found everywhere. The specific ride is documented as being around nine metres high and requiring a space of approximately 13,5 by 14,5 metres. A published capacity is 32 people. The signage at the ride naturally determines the permitted number of passengers.
The manufacturer is listed in specialist documents as Hutterer/Höpler. Different spellings and manufacturer details are not always used consistently in the literature, so they should not be applied to other Schunkler rides without checking. Technical details such as maximum acceleration or speed are deliberately not taken here from general model specifications.
Mama Caramba Jansen: A ride full of movement
Unlike an ordinary carousel, this ride does not simply turn a flat platform. The circular ride platform moves up and down as it rotates. This creates a changing sensation of rocking, spinning and momentum. The combination is what makes this type of ride appealing: at first, the movement seems familiar, but during the ride it can feel much more dynamic.
With this type of ride, your seating position and holding on are especially important. Be sure to follow the staff’s instructions. If you are sensitive to repeated spinning or rapid changes in movement, watch how the platform actually moves before taking a ride. This is more informative than a general assessment based on its appearance.
Video
General
- Manufacturer
- Hutterer/Höpler
- Model
- Schunkler (prototype)
- Year built
- 1963
- Original name
- Taumler
- Also known as
- Taumler (until 2022)
Ride
- Height
- 9 m
Set-up & transport
- Footprint
- 13.5 × 14.5 m
History: From Taumler to a new design
The ride was associated with the Lechner showman business from Munich from 1963 until September 2022. After the change of operator to Jansen, it became known under the new name Mama Caramba. This change shows how an older ride can live on with a new design without losing its original style of movement.
This operator history matters to funfair fans: old photos bearing the name Taumler may show the same ride. Conversely, not every Taumler travelling today is automatically Mama Caramba. For archive photos, the year, location and operator’s name can help you avoid confusion.
Timeline
Known as Taumler under Lechner since 1963; 2022 transfer to Jansen, followed later by a redesign and the new name Mama Caramba.
- Operator
- Jansen (Mönchengladbach)
- With operator since
- 2022
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
Previous operators
Lechner (Munich), 1963 to September 2022
Tips for your visit
First, watch a complete ride from the outside. This lets you see its rhythm and decide whether the movement suits you. Its appeal lies less in spectacular loops than in the shared rocking motion and the changes between spinning and rising and falling. No minimum height or current ride price is reliably documented; the notices at the ride are what count.
A documented on-ride video from Sprödentalkirmes 2023 already shows the ride under Jansen. The video is a historical ride and does not confirm a current appearance. Check the relevant organisers’ websites for current official events and changes, for example the Kläschen overview from the City of Lemgo. You can find more rides and their stories in our attractions overview.
Upcoming funfair dates
Ride Mama Caramba – Jansen live
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