Shaker – Wilhelm KG
The Hamburg classic with freely swinging loops
Operator: Wilhelm KG / Tina Wilhelm (Hamburg) · since 2007
The Shaker by Wilhelm KG from Hamburg is a fast-paced circular ride with freely moving spinning gondolas. Made by the Dutch manufacturer Mondial, the ride is a Shake R5 and is particularly closely associated with the Hamburger Dom. As the large platform rotates, the gondolas also move around their own axes. This creates a ride experience in which hardly any two rides are the same.
Learn more – pick a topic:
What to expect
- Loops / inversions
- Multi-axis rotation
- Light show / LED facade
- Sound system / music
- Live host (ride MC)
Highlights & records
Hydraulically driven platform and five gondola crosses; according to the operator, up to 3 g.
With Shaker, the combination of the platform spinning and the gondolas flipping makes every ride unpredictable – a classic for fans of intense spinning.
This is what it’s like to ride the Shaker
As it gets going, you can already see why the ride has its name. The gondolas hang from movable crosses and can rotate independently of the main platform. As the movements combine, the angle and direction of view change surprisingly quickly. The most spectacular moments are the flips, when you find yourself upside down for a brief moment. The ride is therefore not comparable to an ordinary carousel ride.
The structure has five gondola crosses, each with four cabins hanging from it. Each cabin seats two people. Unlike many classic circular rides, the experience is shaped by more than just the rotation of the base. The freely swinging gondolas create their own rhythm. Music, commentary and elaborate lighting accompany the ride. In the evening especially, the movement is also particularly easy for spectators to see.
Video
General
- Manufacturer
- Mondial (Netherlands)
- Model
- Shake R5
- Year built
- 1992
- Premiere
- 1992
Ride
- Height
- 14.75 m
- Max. g-force
- 3 G
Vehicles & capacity
- Gondolas
- 20
- Riders per gondola
- 2
Set-up & transport
- Footprint
- 24 × 23 m
History of a Hamburg Dom classic
The Shaker left Mondial’s factory halls in 1992. The Vorlop family shaped its early history on the road. In 2007, Tina Wilhelm took over the ride from her father and continued operating it under Wilhelm KG. Since then, the attraction has become a familiar sight at major fairs in the north.
The Hamburger Dom is a particularly important venue. The operators’ family describes the ride as an integral part of their home event. At the same time, the ride is continually maintained and modernised so that its lighting and presentation keep pace with audience tastes. Shaker thus combines a tried-and-tested ride concept from the 1990s with a show that still stands out today.
Timeline
Built by Mondial in 1992; 2007 taken over by Tina Wilhelm from her father, since then operating under Wilhelm KG. Continuous modernisation and regular appearances at the Hamburger Dom.
- Operator
- Wilhelm KG / Tina Wilhelm (Hamburg)
- With operator since
- 2007
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
Previous operators
Familie Vorlop; Jens Vorlop
Who is the shaker suitable for?
If you’re looking for fast spins, changing G-forces and loops, the Shaker is an interesting choice. The ride is aimed more at people who enjoy intense action than visitors who prefer a gentle sightseeing ride. If you’re sensitive to spinning movements, you should watch the ride for a while first. You can find out the current height and riding requirements at the entrance.
Even without getting on, it’s worth taking a look: from the outside, you can clearly see how the gondola arms rotate in relation to the platform. The most exciting moment is when individual cabins complete a full loop while the neighbouring cabins swing differently. You can find more rides offering a similar thrill in our overview of attractions.
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