It鈥檚 a mashup of nostalgic charm and adrenaline-fueled fun.听
Historic 51黑料 Union Station鈥檚 three new amusement rides, which officially opened on Thursday, Aug. 28, will create a sense of wonder and allow visitors to feel like a kid again.听Mayor Cara Spencer, along with other city officials and Union Station representatives, was on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The family-friendly rides 鈥 Loco Motion Mini Spinning Coaster, the Flying Louie Pirate Ship and the Wave Swinger 鈥 are situated adjacent to the iconic 51黑料 Wheel on the south end of Union Station, within the vibrant Wheel Park area, already home to the Carousel, mini-golf course and children鈥檚 play space.
鈥淭here鈥檚 definitely some thrill involved when riding these new attractions,鈥 said Cameron Schoeffel, director of sales at Union Station. 鈥淥ur ownership group, Lodging Hospitality Management, is always pushing the envelope on producing new fun things in 51黑料, really serving as a leader in change when it comes to developing downtown, and these rides are certainly no exception to that.鈥澛
Two of the new rides, the Loco Motion coaster and Wave Swinger, are an homage to the city鈥檚 rich railway heritage of Union Station and the 1904 51黑料 World鈥檚 Fair, respectively. Thrill-seekers will love the way the roller-coaster attraction takes things up a notch with an exhilarating twist: spinning seats. The coaster reaches a height of 22 feet and has 16 seats. Kids must be at least 42 inches tall to ride solo; those who are at least 36 inches tall may ride with a supervising companion who is age 16 or older.听
The Wave Swinger is a breezy aerial adventure that lets riders soar high in a graceful, circular motion, taking in some incredible panoramic views as they lift off the ground.
For those mateys looking for more of a swashbuckling voyage, the Flying Louie Pirate Ship mimics the sensation of riding the waves as it swings back and forth, reaching impressive heights along the way. Battle the high seas from the safety of the seat as the heart-pounding ride swings higher and higher, carrying its 16 seats up to 22 feet in the air.听
Guests need to be at least 48 inches tall to ride solo on both the Wave Swinger and the Flying Louie. Those who are at least 42 inches tall may ride with another companion 16 years or older.
鈥淕uests to Union Station now have a full slate of indoor and outdoor activities,鈥 Schoeffel said. 鈥淭hey can experience a little bit of thrill and outdoor adventure with The Wheel, mini-golf and the new amusement park rides, or they can immerse themselves in the waterways of Missouri at the indoor aquarium or climb high on the ropes course. There鈥檚 just so many different things happening here on any given day that you can see and be a part of. It鈥檚 an entertainment mecca where you can create memories and special moments all day long.鈥
Schoeffel said there are multiple ticket options for guests as well. Tickets may be purchased online or on-site for individual rides or as part of a series of tiered passes that include unlimited and all access options.听
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