When you think of Oktoberfest the first thing that comes to mind, and rightfully so, is beer… lots and lots of beer and the partying that happens within the traditional, large beer tents. However, Oktoberfest is not just a beer festival, but it is also a true Volksfest, “people’s festival”. A people’s festival is a beer or wine festival which features fun amusement park rides, various entertainment attractions, and an abundance of food and candy vendors. Additionally, there are fun games to test your skills and luck. This is all part of the enchantment that is the largest Volksfest, Oktoberfest. It boasts some of the oldest, best rides and attractions in the world. Explore the top ten oldest, unique, and most enjoyable Oktoberfest rides and attractions that you simply cannot miss. Please note that this is 2019 pricing.
Schichtl Attraction
The oldest attraction is a vaudeville theatre, created in 1869, by Michael August Schichtl. The cabaret show has changed and evolved over the years. However, in all of its countless forms the magic, comedy, and puppetry always focuses on a sharp, macabre wit resulting in the audience rolling in laughter. Throughout all the changes, the theatre stuck to its tradition of pulling a volunteer from the audience on stage to be beheaded by guillotine. This show never fails to entertain and astound its viewers with its vaudeville acts.
For the last 150 years, four fortunate individuals have managed this iconic vaudeville production. In 1985, Manfred Schauer purchased it and became the fourth and current manager. He is a theatrical treasure who loves entertaining his audience and is in no hurry to retire. Schauer says, “I’ve been doing this for 34 years, in 2083 you’re welcome to find me a successor”. Schauer believes, “the greatest gift that you can give is laughter”. This belief–and his unquenching energy–keeps hope alive that the great tradition of Schichtl has a bright future.
More on Schichtl variety theatre on Oktoberfest.de
Price: 6.00 Euro for Adult – 3.00 Euro for Children
Hexenschaukel Attraction
In 1894, the Hexenschaukel, or the “Witch’s Swing,” designed by Harris Wheels. It showcased its unique design which makes riders feel as if they are turning completely upside down, even though they are not. This fun-house attraction is an illusion. It is created through the benches and walls of the outside of the room moving in the same and/or opposite directions as the other part of the room. The outside wall achieves this because it is a large drum. It creates the feeling of disorientation and spinning that mystifies and delights the senses. The ride suffered a hiatus until, in 1994, in a paradox it was bought and restored by pastor Ulrich Keller. It is now staffed with his theology students. Oblivious to the irony, the fans have flocked to this ride, and it remains a crowd favorite returned to Oktoberfest.
See a German video on the “Witch’s Swing” on YouTube.
Price: 3.50 Euro for Adult – 3.00 Euro for Children
Teufelsrad Ride
This Oktoberfest ride is a giant roulette wheel. Men, women, boys, and girls pile into the center of the wheel and hold on to each other tightly, for there are no other handrails, or belts. It spins faster and faster to music, and the participants, to their despair, begin to slide off. In 1908, this ride was introduced by Carl Gabriel. He had traveled with his father’s circus during his youth. As an adult he was a legendary showman in both entertainment and cinema. Gabriel dubbed it the “Devil’s Wheel”. It is a tradition for many families who attend Oktoberfest every year. Riders plot and scheme on how to strategically position themselves on this slick wooden disc in order to stay in place as long as possible.
Teufelsrad also features rows of benches around the disk for spectators to watch and cheer on their favorite riders as the wild music plays. If the riders are doing too well, the owners, Karl Valentin and Liesl Karlstadt, add an additional challenge to the mix with swinging ropes and a large ball attempting to knock the participants over. This classic Oktoberfest ride, and possible attraction, has stood the test of time and is almost as much fun to watch as it is to participate in. This is one you certainly cannot miss, for it is a truly unique experience.
See the “Devil’s Wheel” on YouTube.
Price: 5.00 Euro for Adult – 1.00 Euro for Children
Krinoline Ride
Every fair needs a carousel and the Krinoline, built in 1924, boasts two very unique features in terms of a carousel–its unique movement and its music. The unique movement of the carousel’s swinging platform stole its name from the swinging hoop petticoat of fine ladies, crinoline. This swinging platform is not achieved through steel hoop and stiffened fabric as fabricated for a lady’s underskirt. However, rather through a complicated mechanical system three to four men powered using brute strength to make the rider swing up and down. This traditional design focused on manpower slowly ceased to be present at most fairs by the 1930s.
Fortunately for Oktoberfest attendees, Michael Grossmann had the knowledge coupled with the passion to convert the Krinoline mechanism to run electromechanically. By 1938, his patent was achieved. It was a glowing success. To add to the enchantment of the Krinoline, he deemed that this ride would have its own accompanying brass band to entertain the riders. A balcony was added to the outer wall which holds a five-man brass band and this secured the success of the Krinoline as a must for attendees every year. This is not your typical carousel with horses or individual animals. You ride in a beautifully decorated chariot of four for a slow, enjoyable Oktoberfest ride while the band plays.
Price: 4.50 Euro for Adult – 2.50 Euro for Children
Toboggan Ride
It is likely you will see this ride, which is eight meters high before you reach the queue for it, and you will definitely see the crowds watching those brave souls attempting the tricky ride before you are there. The crowds line up deep outside of it. The Toboggan is deeply embedded in the tradition established around 1900. The current operating ride was built in 1920 by the Konrad family, and it has been a yearly tradition since 1933. This ride is two parts. The first part can be particularly challenging for those who have been drinking. This only adds to the numbers watching as the day progresses. Those who watch are many hundreds more than those who actually participate, but it is all in good fun.
The rider lines up on a conveyor belt that is moving at a swift pace and at a steep incline to reach the top, yet unlike an elevator the handrail does not move with you. This fact causes mishaps for some of the riders as they reach for stability. Balance and coordination is essential and when it is accomplished the crowds go wild. Many of the riders lose their footing and fall then flop up the incline. They may still struggle to gain upright mobility then the hilarity ensues for both rider and viewer. Once at the top, the rider follows a ladder stairway to a snake-like slide that wraps around the tower where they quickly zoom to the bottom. This classic, matchless Oktoberfest ride is one to watch for as you make your way around the park, though you will likely hear the roars of laughter which can act as its own guide.
Of course you will find the Toboggan on YouTube!
Price: 5.00 Euro for Adult – 3.00 Euro for Children
Willenborg Ferris Wheel Ride
Since 1979, this iconic, spectacularly beautiful, large Ferris wheel is consistently one of the most photographed images. This glorious structure features colors of bright gold, deep red, and brilliant white colors and stands at fifty meters; its forty gondolas each hold ten passengers as it spins around as a symbol of Oktoberfest. The view is stunning over all of the fairgrounds. On a beautiful, clear day one can even glimpse the Alps in the distance.
The lines for this are always long so plan accordingly, though the ones at night can definitely be longer. Riders love to see the magic that is the festival at night with the illuminated beer tents, rides, and stands. Everyone, young and old, veteran and newcomer, want to experience this joy. No matter when you ride, the pictures you will take from your gondola, which offers a 360-degree view, will truly make your trip one to remember.
See the Willenborg Ferris Wheel and its amazing view of the fairgrounds on YouTube!
Price: 8.00 Euro for Adult – 4.00 Euro for Children
High Energy Ride
This kaleidoscopic wheel of colors forms a six-pointed star as it turns in circles and thrills its riders with a soaring height of thirty meters. This is one of the largest Oktoberfest rides. Each of the six arms contain five seats. They turn in a circle around the center horizontally and cross-ways around itself. Additionally, the main arm acts like a swing at a continuous rate of speed which offers a thrilling sensation. These two motions work together causing the rider to experience exhilaration, disorientation, and an electrifying time, particularly at a high speed. It definitely falls under the category of one of the best rides of the park. You will enjoy it if you are seeking a thrill on your trip.
See High Energy in action on YouTube.
Price: 6.00 Euro for Adult
Flea Circus Attraction
Attractions like this one have a long history dating back to the last part of the nineteenth century. This one in Munich might be one of the last ones still in existence. Do not miss this opportunity to witness such an unusual sight. The flea circus, founded by Roloff Otava, debuted in 1948; it showcased a number of fleas doing many different tasks. These tasks include kicking balls into a soccer net, pulling carts, spinning like a ballerina, and great feats of strength dragging “large objects” against the background of a tiny European town complete with a soccer field.
The current ringmaster and owner of the “smallest circus in the world” is Robert Birk. This passion is close to his heart. The giggles it elicits from children warms his heart. Additionally, it makes adult women and men laugh in amusement. There is no doubt he loves the sense of amazement he brings to his audience as they watch his tiny athletes perform. It is by far one of the most mobile of the attractions for all of its athletes, artists, and stage can be carried around in one suitcase. This novelty is one that is not available in many places in the world. It is a dying art-form to train, feed and teach the fleas. Make sure to see it before you lose the chance. It is entertaining for the whole family.
See a clip of the Flea Circus on YouTube.
Price: 4.00 Euro for Adult – 3.00 Euro for Children
Poseidon Ride
Every fun park needs a water ride. Above all, schedule to ride Poseidon during the warmer part of the day. This ride, with its length of 320 meters, will leave you soaked as you ride through the Greek God of the Sea’s ancient temple. The design is one of the largest mobile whitewater rides with a focus on water fountains, water splashing up on the passengers, and even a fire bowl with real flames. Perhaps, a sacrifice will be needed. Artistically, the ruins of the temple are beautifully carved and capture your imagination as you and four other people are seated in a “tree trunk boat” that carries you on a journey which guides you to meet other gods and goddesses of Greek mythology. In addition, this ode to another age is an entertaining Oktoberfest ride featuring double waterfalls which adds even more to the experience.
Watch the fun of Poseidon in Action on YouTube.
Price: 6.00 Euro for Adult – 4.00 Euro for Children
Olympia Looping Ride
The Olympia Looping, the world’s largest transportable steel roller coaster, offers thirty train wagons of riders an electrifying thrill with its massive size of 1214 meters of rails with five gigantic, vertical loops. It gained the moniker of the Olympia looping for its five colorful loops with regard to the rings of the Olympics. The setup for this ride takes about one week with ten workers due to its gigantic nature. Since its world premiere, in 1989, its five loops have made it a crowd favorite for those who have dared its unusually high g-forces which can be up 5.2g. Even with such intense acceleration due to its excellent design, it still allows for a relatively smooth ride that makes an incredible experience and a spectacular Oktoberfest ride.
Ride in the Front Seat of the Olympia Looping on YouTube!
Price: 10.00 Euro for Adult
Dr. Archibald – Master of Time Ride
This Oktoberfest ride is like no other at the festival, for it features an adventure ride which uses virtual reality glasses with high resolution, Oculus Rift, for its simulation. After three years of research, development, and production to make this ride a reality, it made its first appearance at Oktoberfest in 2019. The storyboard for this ride encompasses the search for Dr. Archibald, an inventor and history professor, who is missing. The searchers travel through time looking for him and during their journey they encounter dinosaurs, the fabled city of Atlantis, and the future. To add to the journey there are additional effects like shaking, water, and sound effects. It is fun for the whole family, but children have to be six years or older to ride.
See a Sneak Peak of Dr Achibald on YouTube.
Price: 10.00 Euro for Adult – 8.00 Euro for Children
These are the top Oktoberfest rides and attractions you will not want to miss, but there are many others that add to the experience. In conclusion, you can see there is more to Oktoberfest than beer, but you should fully enjoy that part also. Each aspect is something to enjoy and adds to the experience that is Oktoberfest and definitely something you should experience. There is a reason it is a must on so many people’s bucket list, and it should be on yours also. Go experience it for yourself!
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