Mr Blobby Boat

 This boat was released in 1994, the second Mr Blobby ride to be manufactured by Jolly Roger, following on from 1993's Mr Blobby See-Saw.  It used the same mould as their Popeye ride, also released that year, but with the sailor man replaced by Mr Blobby.


Merrivale Model Village, Great Yarmouth, June 2021.  I was very lucky to get a film of this rare ride.  We were staying in Norfolk for the week and visited Merrivale on the first day of our holiday.  At this point, Blobby was not there.  I happened to walk past the Model Village again after closing time the day before we went home, and noticed that Mr Blobby had replaced the broken Whittaker Brothers' Welephant ride!  So popped back the following morning to film the ride before we returned to London.

Popeye

 Manufactured by Jolly Roger, this Popeye ride made its debut at the ATEI in January 1994.  The ride took the shape of a yellow boat with Popeye sitting opposite the rider.  His right arm was held across his chest with a can of spinach clasped in his hand.  The start button was located on the back of his right hand while a sound effect button, positioned on his chest, caused Popeye to laugh.  The ride originally played the Popeye theme tune when in action and was sold on a blue base with the Popeye logo on the side.  A Jolly Roger catalogue claims that the ride also "incorporated flashing lights"...I can only imagine this means the start and sound effect buttons?

The same boat design was used for Jolly Roger's Mr Blobby boat ride which was released at the same time.  Mr Blobby was a far more common ride in the UK, while Popeye was popular with the American market.

According to a Jolly Roger catalogue, the ride measured 47" x 27" 55".

Production of the ride ceased around 2000.


Pier Bandstand Amusements, Weymouth, May 2019.  Unfortunately, this unit had been badly refurbished, presumably when it was upgraded to 50p play.  The start button had been bypassed all together and, although the ride theoretically still gave "two" rides for the money, it skipped over the "one ride available" message to create one super long ride...albeit with a momentary pause in the middle.  The sound effect button also no longer worked.

Thomas the Tank Engine (RG Mitchell)

1994 RG Mitchell Flyer

RG Mitchell released the first Thomas the Tank Engine ride in 1994.  It was a relatively large two-seater machines which moved gently back and forth while playing the Thomas theme tune.  Interactive feaures included a "rolling road" display screen to make you feel as though you were really rolling along the railway tracks, and four push buttons for sound effects taken from the TV series.


1994 RG Mitchell Flyer

This was a very popular ride with arcades and shopping centres alike as you might imagine of a ride based on such a popular children's character.


Merrivale Model Village, Great Yarmouth, June 2023

It did take up a lot of space though, prompting Mitchell to release a smaller single seater version for sites with less space.


Mini Thomas - Tesco, Lewes (?), August 2020

The Mini Thomas the Tank Engine ride was released in 1995.  Despite its compact size, this ride still included all of the same interactive features, namely a rolling road screen and four push buttons for sound effects.

Thunderbird 2

 The most popular Thunderbirds ride by far, the Thunderbird 2 rocket was released by RG Mitchell in 1994.  It was a common sight throughout the 1990s, in shops and amusement arcades alike.


2002 RG Mitchell Catalogue

When in motion, it played the original Thunderbirds soundtrack along with clips of Virgil Tracey's voice.


Joyland, Great Yarmouth, April 2017

The ride was still in production well into the 21st century.  It measured 60" x 31" x 39", weighed 132lbs, and cosr £2,495.00 to purchase as of the 2001 price list.

Thunderbird 1

 Manufactured by RG Mitchell, the Thunderbird 1 rocket was released in 1994.  While Thunderbird 2 was far more popular, this one was advertised as a compact alternative for locations with less floor space.


1990s RG Mitchell Flyer

When in motion, the ride gently rotated 180 degrees back and forth while playing a digitised recording of the Thunderbirds soundtrack, along with Scott Tracey's voice.  Special features included a rolling action screen, and two push buttons and two levers for sound effects.


Joyland, Great Yarmouth, June 2023

Budgie the Little Helicopter

 Manufactured by RG Mitchell, the Budgie the Little Helicopter ride was released in 1994.  It was a very popular ride at both amusement arcades and shopping locations.


Pensarn Pleasure Beach, May 2017

This ride holds special memories for me personally.  I was a huge fan of Budgie the Little Helicopter as a child and I remember being thrilled when I saw my first Budgie ride at Primark in Wembley.  I rode it many times while singing the theme tune at the top of my voice, much to other shoppers' disgust and my mum's embarrassment!

1900 Carousel

 Manufactured by Falgas, this three horse carousel has been around for many years and I believe is still in production as of 2025.  I don't know the exact release date but have fond memories of riding these as a child in the 1990s.  The design has changed very little over the years apart from the colour scheme.


Haven Golden Sands Holiday Park, Mablethorpe, October 2024