The beginning of what are now commonly known as Miami’s stemmed from Anton Schwarzkopf’s Flying Carpet rides. In the early 1990s, a Dutch showman, Kroon, bought a Topper ride for his son [with side-ways seating], and told him he could have it if he could make a success of it. The showman’s son decided to fit a frontward facing bench, making way for the world’s first Miami. (Incidentally, this prototype ride model was since sold to an Australian showman, re-named Sidewinder)
The showman’s family was surprised with the success of this ride and soon manufactured a Miami of their own. The Kroon family later went on to form the Dutch-based KMG Manufacturing, now a highly respected manufacturer in the world ride industry.
Other manufacturers soon latched on to KMG’s success to make their own Miami’s. These include UK based: Nottingham UK Ltd, KT Enterprises, and ARM (producing only 2 units, now based in USA under Chance), Belgium-based manufacturer Sobema [no longer in business], US manufacturer Wisdom and a number also manufactured in the Czech Republic.
The Miami is highly compact single trailer ride with minimal set-up & tear-down time – they practically fold themselves up. The ride movement is essentially a high speed Rainbow with alternating clockwise / counter-clockwise movement of varied speeds. While the swing height is nothing in comparison to the Rainbow, the Miami makes up for its modest size with quick accelerating rotations. Due to the high negative g-forces experienced at the top of rotation i.e.. the rider is lifted from their seat, all Miami’s have over-shoulder safety restraints. These quick accelerating movements are assisted by counter weights on each arm, which in all models except Wisdom’s, are located behind the backdrop.
Miami’s have a high reputation when it comes to art since each Miami has its own large backdrop of artistic flare. Some of the best examples are in the UK painted by Paul Wright.
As of 2010 there are 9 Miami rides in Australia
We have hundreds of these machines in the UK, great fun and very popular with everybody, although dont eat or drink and ride, the contents of your stomach goes round like a washing machine lol
Danny - July 22nd, 2009 at 5:30 am
I LOVE THE MIAMI RIDES!! I have been on one called the La Bamba.I live in Carnoustie and theres a carnival that comes once or twice a year.I was wondering is there another carnival coming with a miami???
Thanks..
Amy - August 26th, 2009 at 4:45 am
I love miamis there is so many over here now mainly notts uk ones and a few emmett ones.i worked on the very first kmg ride that came into the uk which was called miami back in eary 1990.
simon - October 31st, 2009 at 5:00 am
i love the miamis iv been on one could the hysteria
aaliyah - June 26th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
all the rest er rubish so ther
aaliyah - June 26th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
A complete classic. :3
I’m on it as soon as I spot/hear it. :D
Sarah - July 8th, 2010 at 12:30 am
I went on one called the Ali Baba and it was shaped like a flying carpet. i was nine the first time. it was the funnest ride of the carnival.
Dallas - July 25th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
At the royal melbourne show, it was called Ali Babba
Loki - September 7th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
WE HAVE ONE CALLES THE MUSIC TRIP SOO KOOL GO ON IT WVERY YEAR
BOBRICK - September 12th, 2010 at 12:29 am
THIS SOUNDS SO COOL :)
Angel - December 21st, 2010 at 6:51 am
ther was also a role over miami built, the cars wear like the cars fownd on the zipper, in a big line along the bote. The ride was converted to a standard one soon after beacus it didnt work very well.
George - April 26th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
Ride Review:Love this ride,it kind of is a miniature version of the Flying Carpet “family” 9=(Ali Baba,Rainnbow,1001 Nachts)
MB - July 16th, 2011 at 12:04 am
I like the backdrops.
The Flaming Pencil - September 15th, 2011 at 1:57 am
The website for the Miami rides needs to be updated… could not find any photos or a gallery of the rides on the site mentioned there.
kittygirl - November 12th, 2011 at 3:23 am
i have been on it many times before verry fun
cagla - March 31st, 2012 at 3:47 am
We have something like this in the US in Wisconsin called the Gee Whiz. It’s got awesome strobe lights for night. Our carnival is tonight so I’m gonna have a blast! Going on the Gee Whiz first!
Abby - July 27th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
This model was the old Crazy Surf @ the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Dylan Salada - February 18th, 2013 at 8:07 am
Its the moby dick
Green Ninja - January 12th, 2015 at 11:50 am
haw mats miami,s.
Tivolitapsa - August 4th, 2015 at 6:08 pm
I love Miamis! So far, I’ve only been on two different Miamis in my life, those being the Miami Wave at Butlins Skegness and Roger Tuby’s Disco Fever at Spalding fair, but I’m hoping to ride more Miamis soon. I’m planning to ride Charlie Appleton’s High Energy at King’s Lynn mart, Miami Trip at Rainbow Park in Hunstanton, Dance Zone at Luna Park in Scarborough, and Miami Fever at Bayside Pleasure Park in Bridlington.
Sam Bee - February 13th, 2016 at 6:30 am
love these rides
j a y d e n - December 31st, 2017 at 6:13 am
I’ve been ridden on the miami ride once, and I think it has been one of the most wonderful experience. A miami ride is really fun!
Mia Wang - July 23rd, 2018 at 12:39 pm
Hi looking at buying a Miami do you no any for sale 0p
Brad watson - August 28th, 2018 at 6:05 am