You Don’t Have to Be a Kid to Enjoy These American Made Rides

By Bailey Pilgreen
Aug 21 2015 |
Photo Courtesy of Chance Rides

This amusement ride manufacturer stands behind these three things: quality, history, and fun.

You probably remember your first roller coaster ride. Maybe your first coaster was a rickety wooden one on a boardwalk, or perhaps a colorful steel one designed for smaller riders.

I haven’t let go of the magical feeling of strapping into these exciting contraptions. Which is why I’m happy to introduce you to Wichita-based amusement ride and attraction manufacturing company: Chance Rides.

“We have been proudly manufacturing amusement rides, roller coasters, and people movers in the United States for nearly 55 years,” says Chance Rides spokesperson Lisa Hargrove.

“The Zipper”

Officially incorporated in 1961, Chance Manufacturing Co. was founded by Harold Chance. “Our founder began producing our products here in Wichita back in the 1950’s, we take great pride in our American manufacturing heritage,” said Hargrove. So began the Chance family tradition of building amusement rides and attractions in the Sunflower State.

The 40-acre facility rises high above the Wichita skyline.  Most wouldn’t guess that Ferris wheels and 50-foot pieces of roller coaster track are stored behind those walls. “The most unique thing about Chance Rides would have to be our pure breadth of available products,” Hargrove explains what makes Chance stand out among manufacturers.

“Typically in our industry there are suppliers that specialize in certain products.  We have a broad assortment of rides, coasters, and people movers,” explains Hargrove.

Nearly 110 people are employed full-time at Chance Rides including engineers, artists, and fabricators. This team works closely together to design famous rides like the Zipper, Pharaoh’s Fury, and beautifully crafted Carrousels. The ever popular C.P. Huntington Trains can be found around the world in zoos, malls, and amusement parks are also Chance’s brainchild.

Hargrove explains that, “Each year we produce somewhere around 20 – 25 projects and they are almost always a completely different mix than the year before.” Chance Rides pour hours into each meticulous detail of their rides. For example, one single Carousel animal takes between 80-110 hours to build and paint by hand.

Every phase of manufacturing happens within the plant in Wichita. “We still believe this is the only way to produce quality rides that bear the name Chance,” says Hargrove, “We have a long proud history of a family owned business.”

(And just last night, ABC News featured Chance Rides in their Made in America segment.)