10 Amusement Park Rides That Wouldn’t Be Allowed Today
These rides were once thrilling but would never pass today's safety standards.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Some amusement park rides from decades past pushed the limits of safety and common sense. Packed with shaky structures, questionable designs, and little concern for modern regulations, these rides would would be instantly shut down today. Here is a closer look at 10 rides that simply would not survive in today’s world.
1. Loop-the-Loop Coasters of the 1900s
Jeremy Thompson on Wikimedia Commons
Early loop coasters like the Flip Flap Railway snapped necks and caused whiplash injuries. Riders were often jerked through tight, brutal loops at unsafe speeds. It was a short-lived thrill that most would not survive unscathed.
2. Unsafe Ferris Wheels Without Restraints Sky
Ethan Swartz on Pexels
Early Ferris wheels often lacked proper bars or doors, leaving riders clinging for dear life. Sudden stops or strong winds could easily toss someone out. It was breathtaking for all the wrong reasons.
3. Swing Rides That Flung Riders Too Far
Siva Seshappan on Pexels
Old swing rides spun riders dangerously high without secure harnesses. Chains snapped more often than you would believe. It was a thrilling gamble every time you climbed aboard.
4. Spooky Dark Rides With No Safety Lights
cottonbro studio on Pexels
Haunted house rides used to go pitch black inside, leaving riders trapped in total darkness. Broken tracks and exposed wiring added real danger to the fake scares. Today’s strict safety codes would shut them down in a heartbeat.
5. Rickety Wooden Coasters Without Inspections
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Old wooden roller coasters creaked and swayed so much that riders often feared collapse. Regular inspections were not even a thing back then. Somehow, thrill outweighed survival instinct.
6. Carousels That Never Slowed Down
Alin Musteata on Pexels
Vintage carousels often spun way faster than today’s tame versions. Kids were thrown off if they did not hold on tightly. What seemed whimsical hid a real risk underneath.
7. Bumper Cars Without Seatbelts
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Old-school bumper cars had no seatbelts, and drivers slammed into each other without warning. Whiplash was more common than winning a round. It was chaotic, reckless, and somehow considered “fun.”
8. Waterslides That Sent Riders Airborne
Vika Glitteron Pexels
Early waterslides had steep drops that launched people into the air. Padding was minimal, and landings were often painful. Some people left more bruised than refreshed.
9. Speedy Spinning Rides Without Height Limits
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Spinning rides like the Round-Up whirled so fast that smaller riders sometimes slipped through the gaps. Operators rarely checked if you were tall enough to hold on. Rules were an afterthought in those days.
10. Experimental Coasters That Became Lawsuits
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Some parks built experimental coasters that tossed riders into rough turns and brutal forces. Injuries piled up before the parks quietly retired them. Today, those rides would never even open to the public.