ZIERER, a leading manufacturer of family-friendly amusement rides, signed a contract with Sanoyas Rides Corporation to provide a Drifter attraction for Tobu Zoo in Japan, at last year’s IAAPA Expo in Orlando.
With this contract, ZIERER has already sold four units of this new product: one in Japan and three in Europe.
The Drifter for Tobu Zoo will have a unique decoration, combining a popcorn themed central decoration with airboat themed gondolas. The gondolas will also be illuminated with curved LED strips. The ride will be shipped to Japan at the end of 2025 and open to the public in spring 2026.
The Drifter
The Drifter is an interactive carousel, based on ZIERER’s popular Jet Skis. It consists of nine gondolas that rotate around a central decoration on a pavement or underground concrete.
Each gondola is equipped with a lever that riders can control. As long as the lever stays in its starting position, the wheels of the gondola are fixed and follow the track of the vehicle. The wheels adjust freely once the lever is engaged, creating the drifting effect. This allows the gondolas to reach speeds up to 21.6 km/h (13.4 mph).
This element provides an interactive and fun adventure.
The popularity of the Drifter since launch shows that the demand for new family rides is still high. The Drifter combines several of ZIERER’s core strengths: family rides, great theming opportunities and exciting ride experiences, delivering a unique ride experience for young and old alike.
“Integrating a new product into our existing lineup always comes with significant effort and challenges,” says Marina Ernst, head of sales and marketing.
“Therefore, I am even more pleased that the hard work of our team has paid off. The numbers speak for themselves: with four units already sold, our Drifter is getting more and more popular. We are excited to announce that the first unit will open at a park in Europe in late spring 2025.”
ZIERER also recently celebrated the success of the Minifigure Speedway Coaster at Legoland Windsor, which has surpassed 675,000 riders since it launched in April 2024.
