One of the things that have been giving children and adults enjoyment for centuries is carousels. These rides are known by many worldwide words, among them roundabout and merry-go-round, some names that paint an immediate picture in people’s minds. The best thing about carousels is that they have stood the test of time, and everyone will agree that their popularity now is as high as it was when these contraptions first came about. Despite their popularity, however, people know pretty little about the nitty-gritty of a carousel. With that in mind, if you hire a carousel in Melbourne, here are some things you should know about the contraption first.

These are the things to know about Carousels:

• Variations:

The thing to understand before going for a carousel hire is that they are going to be turning in a different direction than they would in America. Carousels turn anticlockwise on the other side of the Atlantic, while in England, they rotate clockwise. The origin of this tradition is believed to be from how actual horses were mounted back in the day. In England, the contraption stays true to the tradition of mounting a horse from the left. Whichever side of the horse is more decorated is known as the ‘romance’ side.

• Horse Stances:

Another thing to know before hiring carnival rides in Melbourne is about the stances of the horses. When you see a carousel with horses with all their feet on the ground, they are known as ‘standing figures’. You will also come across horses with their front two feet in the air and the hind two on the ground. These horses go by the name ‘prancers’. More commonly, nowadays, you will see horses that move vertically up and down the poles with none of the four feet ever touching the ground. Quite appropriately, these horses are known as ‘jumpers’.

• Other Names

As mentioned earlier, merry-go-round and roundabout are two terms that are commonly used to refer to a carousel. However, you can rest assured that there are other terms, too. Americans may also refer to carousels as flying horses, whirligigs, and hobby horses. On the other hand, carousels are called ‘maneges de chevaux de bois’, which can be translated to ‘wooden horse rides’. The Germans call these rides ‘karussel’.

• Contemporary Situation

You can be sure that if you choose to hire a carousel in London for a kids’ party, it will be one of the most enjoyed rides. Carousels have held onto their popularity despite having been around for as long as they have, which is a testament to how time-tested they are.

Now that you are more aware of the different aspects of a carousel, you will be better prepared to decide between hiring one. The children will have the time of their lives, so you can bet that the occasion will be a roaring success.