Whirlpool Aero Car Previously knows as the Spanish Aero Car
As a favourite attraction to many visitors to Niagara Falls, the Whirlpool Aero Car has been in service now for more than 90 years! Making it the oldest motorized attraction in Niagara Falls.
Originally named the Spanish Aero Car because it was designed and built in Spain and based on an existing ride already operating in Spain, the Whirlpool Aero Car began operations in August of 1916 and was built at a cost of just over one hundred twenty thousand dollars.
Starting back in 1913, some Spanish Business operators thought it would be a profitable venture to build a cable car that spanned across the Whirlpool in the Niagara River.
In order to do so, the businessmen would had to negotiate agreements with both the Niagara Parks Commission and the American government because although the cable car will have both ends located on Canadian ground, the cables car itself would pass over American waters on its journey across the whirlpool.
After being granted permission to build, the cables were hung from where the ticket office is now at Colt’s Point and span almost 1,800 feet across the Whirlpool to end at Thompson Point. The highest point of which is 250 feet above the rapids.The first cables actually had to be walked all the way around the whirlpool rapids to the other side and then hung in order to run the rest of the lines.
The Whirlpool Aero Car can hold up to 40 people at a time and is suspended by 6 one inch cables that are anchored to one end while a heavy counterweight keeps the tension perfect from the other.The ride is operated by a 60 horse powered engine that pulls a steel looped cable, driving the car back and forth across the river.
In case the ride gets stuck or any other emergency, there is a spare car that is kept at one of the terminals ready to go out and pick up 6 passengers at a time.In all the years of operation, this attraction has never had any accidents or injuries.
The Aero Car went through extensive renovations in 1984 which included replacing the wheels, cable and electrical components.
The ride is open yearly depending on weather conditions and runs from March to November carrying over 200,000 visitors every season.
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What Other Visitors Have Said About This Attraction...
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Looks too scary
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My parents took us to Niagara Falls for the weekend last summer and we went on a lot of the rides there like the Maid of the Mist and the Helicopters.
We ...
Took a ride on the Aero Car last summer....
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If you're afraid of heights this may want to choose another attraction however if you love them, this ride will take your breath away! The scenery is ...
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