Chance Rides

Chance Rides
Name	Chance Rides
Industry	Amusement ride manufacturing
Founded	1961
Founder	Harold Chance
Headquarters	Wichita, Kansas, United States
Key people	Harold Chance; Michael Chance; Robert Chance
Products	Roller coasters, Ferris wheels, carousels, trains, dark ride systems

Chance Rides is an American manufacturer of amusement rides and roller coasters based in Wichita, Kansas. The company has supplied attractions to theme parks, zoos, and tourist sites across North America and internationally, producing carousels, Ferris wheels, trains, and family coasters. Its portfolio links to the broader histories of Coney Island, Six Flags, Disneyland, Universal Studios, and numerous regional parks and civic attractions.

History

Chance Rides traces its origins to the early 20th century traditions of American ride-making and the Chance family’s long involvement in manufacture. The company grew in the context of mid-century expansion in attractions exemplified by Knott's Berry Farm, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Cedar Point, and Europa-Park. During the 1960s and 1970s Chance interacted commercially and technologically with firms such as Intamin, Vekoma, Bolliger & Mabillard, Arrow Dynamics, and HUSS Park Attractions. The firm navigated economic cycles that affected Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Six Flags Over Texas, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, and municipal projects in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Over decades Chance Rides responded to regulatory developments influenced by agencies like Occupational Safety and Health Administration and industry groups including the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

Products and Models

Chance Rides' product lines include classic carousels that reflect styles seen at Coney Island Cyclone and civic plazas, miniature and full-size theme park trains analogous to units operating at Disneyland Railroad and Griffith Park, and Ferris wheels comparable to installations at Navy Pier, Santa Monica Pier, and international observation wheels. The company produced compact roller coaster models used by operators such as Kennywood, Playland, Silverwood Theme Park, and municipal fairs; these sit alongside dark ride systems, people movers, and flat rides similar in function to those at Alton Towers and Europa-Park. Chance manufactured parade and streetcar-style vehicles employed by Walt Disney World-adjacent developments and by historic preservation projects in cities like Philadelphia and Boston.

Manufacturing and Facilities

Manufacturing has been centered in Wichita, with fabrication and assembly utilizing techniques common to American heavy industries alongside precision work seen in Boeing supply chains and Midwestern machine shops. Components have been shipped to clients across Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and Australia. Installation and maintenance contracts placed Chance personnel on sites operated by corporations and institutions including Dollywood, Hersheypark, LEGOLAND, SegaJoypolis, and municipal governments of San Diego, Houston, Phoenix, and Toronto.

Safety and Standards

Chance adhered to safety standards promulgated by organizations such as the ASTM International committees for amusement rides and devices, and responded to statutory oversight in jurisdictions influenced by Consumer Product Safety Commission rulings and state-level authorities in California, Florida, and New York (state). Engineering practices referenced established manufacturers like Schindler Group in structural calculations, and compliance with electrical and fire codes involved coordination with entities such as National Fire Protection Association committees. Maintenance, inspection, and incident response protocols were developed to meet expectations of major operators including Universal Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and regional fair organizers.

Business Operations and Ownership

Chance Rides operated as a family-influenced enterprise with leadership roles held by members of the Chance family during multiple generations. The company negotiated supply and service agreements with large chains such as Six Flags Entertainment Corporation and Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, while also contracting with municipal authorities for civic installations and tourism developments tied to agencies like Economic Development Administration. Its commercial activities intersected with financial institutions and investment entities that finance capital projects, similar to arrangements used by operators of Madame Tussauds and developers of mixed-use projects in Las Vegas and Orlando.

Notable Installations and Projects

Notable installations include carousel and train projects at parks and civic sites reminiscent of attractions at Coney Island, Ferris wheels at piers and waterfronts like Navy Pier, and family coasters placed in regional parks connected to chains such as Six Flags Great Adventure and Kings Island. Contracted projects sometimes supported large-scale developments alongside firms like AECOM and contractors who have worked on venues for events such as the World's Fair and municipal festivals in Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Chance Rides contributed to the visual and cultural landscape of American leisure, aligning with the histories of Boardwalks of Atlantic City, Santa Monica Pier, and amusement traditions discussed in literature about Coney Island and American popular culture. Its carousels and family attractions feature in regional histories, preservation efforts, and the narratives of parks like Knoebels Amusement Resort and Silver Dollar City. The company’s legacy persists through surviving installations, references in museum exhibits on American leisure, and its influence on subsequent manufacturers included in comparative studies alongside Intamin and Vekoma.

Category:Amusement ride manufacturers