Is The Zipper a World Class Attraction? • FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT

[@hypotheticalforest]

Petition for “Every safety measure on this ride was written in blood” to be the the motto of all carnival/fair rides

[@normf9020]

Petition for "Every safety measure on this ride was written in blood" to be the next FYA shirt.

[@EchosOfTravel]

Yes!

[@beckymccarthy7016]

I think we need video of you in/on the attraction your talking about every week. That was hilarious

[@flyingsaucereyes777]

seconded!!

[@ef1987]

Third!

[@Matt561]

The loose change eliminator

[@KYLO_JEN]

I went on this ride with a friend who, for some reason, had sharp tweezers in her purse. They fell out of her bag and flipped around the cage, poking us the whole time. It was like a very well lit torture device

[@derpmang5539]

"Wanna play a game...?" as the ride starts. 😂

[@HisRedCoat]

Like 10 years ago my mom's flip phone came out of her pocket and beat the everloving crap out of us for the entirety of the ride lol. I haven't been the same since.

[@dancebrittany23]

This podcast has been my new favorite thing. PLEASE do a "most intense" ride list. The Hulk at Universal's Island of Adventure has to be on there. That thing goes nuts

[@Trashious12345]

My mom rode this in the 70's at the OC fair, previously the lap bar was connected to the front door. So when she and her bff got in, the attendant didn't successfully latch the front door, they had to ride the zipper without the front door which had slung open, and no lap bar, the only thing holding them in was themselves bracing their arms to the sides of the cage. The operator couldn't emergency stop the ride even though people were screaming and he saw what was happening. They couldn't sue because these fairs change their names, owners and operators at every stop back then. So luckily they were not seriously injured, but this was the one and only ride she was never comfortable having me ride, and I understood.

[@mmh290]

Omg😮. But she lived to tell her story. 👏👏👏🙌

[@benjaminpetersen1952]

Hate to be the one to tell you, but your mom just didn't want you to ride the Zipper. That never happened. There is absolutely no way they would be able to keep themselves inside one of those cages on the merits of their arm strength alone. If you've ever ridden one, you'd know why.

[@zacharyeversole]

This election season has felt like riding the zipper on OG speed for like 6 months.

[@1tmunar]

Zipperheads assemble! The video of you guys scream-laughing is an absolute joy! Can you add a test to the World Class test that considers if an attraction is iconic? If an attraction is iconic like this one, I think that deserves a point on the scale. The Zipper was a middle school carnival rite of passage for a lot of us in the 80's (yes, I'm that old.) The only soundtrack I would ever put to this ride would be 80's hair metal bands, Enter Sandman and Love In An Elevator specifically OR Prodigy's first album, Fat of the Land. Tip: Sea-Bands are the greatest invention ever for motion sickness.

[@mandismiles123]

That intro was hilarious 😂😂😂

[@captainusagi]

The real fun is rocking the cage yourself while waiting to get started and trying to keep that momentum going to see how many flips you can do in a row. Its been a family tradition since i was a child

[@nnneeeiiidddaaa]

was invested in the history of the zipper on my hoodie lowkey

[@patch6247]

Throwing out another Carnie classic: THE GRAVITRON

[@Narcoleptic_Goat]

@@patch6247 I thought of this one, too, and was surprised they didn’t mention it once.

[@leilanipigatt1275]

The definitive "optional safety precautions" ride

[@austinwilcox6542]

No hall of presidents on Election Day opportunity missed

[@ashoakthorn369]

Listening to this with my husband. We are both in our early 40s and went on the Zipper as teens. When they showed padding inside the cages we were shocked lol! We had a chain across our laps and being told to brace ourselves 😂. So glad things have changed!

[@regina_filange2.0]

You two are braver than most: not only get on this ride... but to post your reaction during the ride😳😅🏆

[@skinslip]

Ryan gets a damned Joker laugh during the ride, love that

[@TheRaicomm]

Best intro ever

[@coasterfreakawesome]

The Zipper has always been the GOAT of fair rides for me. Brings back many great memories of being thrashed around.

[@rct3isepic]

"Eh, zipper rides are cool, but imagine them on the side of a roller coaster train. Then you'd have something!" - Alan Schilke

[@poppyonline4034]

Great quote

[@lt80149]

Absolutely losing it at Byron at 50:10 😂 I’m laughing because I know I’d react exactly the same way if I ever went on this ride. I’ve been on Tango at the OC Fair and absolutely HATED it, so I refused to go on this ride because I knew this was worse lol

[@wordledad]

I love this show so much, and the fact you did a show on The Zipper demonstrates why we all should.

[@floridafamilyfun1597]

I screamed when I saw this pop up! I am DYING laughing at you two on the ride! This is an apt ride to put up for how we are all feeling on Election Day!

[@michaellott5007]

I remember the first time riding the zipper. I was 6 yrs old. I begged my dad to take me on this ride and when I did I cried the entire time begging to STOP! LOL After that it became my favorite ride. I haven't been on the ride since I was 12. I'm 56 and 6'4" and I remember it being a bit tight for my big feet. But it was a fun and violet twirl. Happy times.

[@drdremd]

Thanks for explaining why you have not yet covered the world class attraction Marers Junkyard Jamboree. You are waiting for a bigger guest!

[@CC-vp5oz]

hey guys just wanted to say i've been enjoying your channel/podcast even as someone who was never super interested in theme park rides. all the info i've been learning about each ride has actually made more more interested haha. keep it up

[@hootowl2112]

Zipper operator here. The OTSR option isn't all its cracked up to be, makes the ride capable of headbanging. Extra locks, three of them required on the door be exact, including your "cotter pin" which is of the thickest and highest quality and called an r-key. Two minutes is too long, let the boom go round about 6 times one way, and then the other.

[@amaliabalash]

one of the most horrifying moments of my life was probably in about 2001 when i was like 11 and my friend talked me into going on the zipper and the door opened while we were on it, i yanked it back shut, closed my eyes, and just prayed. absolutely never again 😂

[@juliannafranchini7975]

Those little pieces of wood may look strange, but they are actually there to make the ride more stable! While I’ve never set up an amusement ride, I have set up trailer concert stages before, and the wood is there to provide a uniform buffer between the ground and the trailer’s metal legs that get screwed down. You can kick them in with steel toe boots and those legs aren’t going anywhere, as opposed to if it were just metal on bare concrete or grass.

[@michaelrodriguez2784]

Love that you mentioned the best State Fair in the country, The Great Minnesota Get-Together.

[@mutecryptid]

Y’all are brave for getting into that thing 😂

[@jackieosam4976]

The wrong Zipper! I’m dead Byron 😂

[@racecar6278]

The zipper is one of the most iconic American rides, perfect for election day FYA!

[@SEANFRANK-g8x]

I first rode this when I was 8 I remember my friend and I had our pockets bulging full of candy from the fair before the ride started and it was mostly gone by the time we got off. It honestly made the ride even better

[@claudekaneiii2283]

I rode the zipper with a friend of mine in middle school once. It wasn’t until we both got locked in that I realized he had two giant pockets full of coins. We were then continuously pelted my small metal objects falling out of his pockets for the next five minutes straight 😂😂😂

[@Keychaine]

The Zipper is legit a modern torture device. I barely fit on, but the attendant forced the leg locks shut. I was pinned to the seat and stuck in a spinning cage while I vomited. The Zipper can burn in hell. 😅

[@ick.mp3]

The zipper is my FAVORIYE fair ride, I once in one day rode it 75 times in a row. I’ve had a massive hyperfixation on both the ghoul boys (just Ryan on here I suppose) and the zipper and I am so happy this episode exists

[@ick.mp3]

also riding the zipper with someone who has never ridden it as someone who LOVES this ride too much is the FUNNIEST thing to watch ever. Then when you’re at the top talking with the people in the other cage it’s a diffrent situation every time and it makes me SO happy

[@Schwansonian_Townsonian]

This was my favorite carnival/fair ride since I was 7. Until at 17, on line, it caught on fire. RIP fair rides for me, forever.

[@iMarrowsJ]

Can this be every intro, please? So good, love y'all!

[@Pixel-Pop]

LOL the zipper broke the collarbone of this 17 year old girl I kind of knew. I’ll never forget seeing her wear a neck brace smoking a cigarette “I fkn hate that ride, don’t go on it okay? unless you want to look like me!!” at 14 year old me.

[@tacobella6474]

I’ve seen this ride every year at my county fair. Every year, I refuse to ride it. I never will but it’s cool seeing this ride talked about here!

[@jadedk1tten]

the way ryan just flies up sends me

[@starsfall4us199]

the visceral reaction I had to the title, thumbnail, and intro of this video should be enough background for this ride

[@rapla310]

If whenever possible, from now on need ride footage of the two of you on the rides 🙌

[@davidjohney2338]

Tower of Terror to Zipper. I &*()_*&)$*& LOVE THIS PODCAST!!!

[@Narcoleptic_Goat]

This is my most FAVORITE ride.

[@you-surper]

I don't usually watch FYA (sorry) but I HAD TO watch for the zipper, and I'm very happy I can say I've ridden a World Class Attraction now!!

[@poppyonline4034]

I am so in love with the ride footage of you and Byron. Thank you for sharing it with us. It made my week!!

[@feistyy]

Up until now I've never heard Byron yell like he did here 😆

[@HisRedCoat]

The Zipper literally traumatized me. I haven't been able to enjoy thrill rides the same way since.

[@hmcraig86]

I think this ride would be great for a Final Destination type movie lol

[@Aliwaggs42]

The zipper was my number one ride as a kid! I’m sure the ones set up in Miami in the 80s and 90s still have my blood sweat and tears in their gears somewhere! Always a terrifying good time.

[@dougbriglmen716]

On the question of whether there is enough to keep you occupied, while waiting to get on without looking at your phone, like you said, it really depends on the atmosphere for me. For example, strobe lights fog machines, smoke, machines, lasers, and LED, moving heads are pretty common in the UK and European circuit for a lot of the bigger rides, and that all really adds to the atmosphere.

[@viradechtis]

I loved the zipper bit, 10/10 Byron.

[@KhurtKhave669]

I've been on the Zipper - once. That was 30 years ago. I didn't puke, put it was close; had to hang out by the trashcan for about 10 minutes. 🤣

[@GangaKris]

I live in Colorado and I'm actually surprised our main "amusement park" Elitch Gardens doesn't have one. It's mostly carnival rides with a few cookie cutter amusement park rides, and a couple originals. Rumor is it will be moving for the second time sometime in the next few years.

[@heyimsasa]

this was the first and only ride i cried and screamed on-and that's as a six flags thrill seeker. i was a small 8y/o screaming at the top of my lungs next to my sister who was meekly asking the operator to please stop the ride and let me down only for the operator to leave us on this hell-ride for longer than anyone else. if people ever want to feel what it feels like to be "a penny in a jar", go on the zipper.

[@JSXSProductions]

16:10 ARIZONA MENTIONED, LET'S GOOOO! Yeah Twin Mill Racer at Barbieland ™ has been basically done since summer, but there's a billboard in the way of one turnaround that they're waiting to remove. So there's like 2 or 3 sections of track left to put in place. The family coaster has been done for over a year IIRC. But overall the park is like 2-3 years behind schedule at this point. And that's a huge bummer because our newest, tallest, and fastest roller coaster is Desert Storm at Castles N Coasters, the 1992 Hopkins coaster standing 90ft tall. You may have recently seen videos of a guy jumping out of it right before the first drop because his restraint was never verified. At least it hits 5.5Gs in the wonky loops tho.

[@chelsiem4079]

I love these, they call to me at every fair. Last time I went to a fair I probably rode this thing like 5 times in a row. And then there was my poor friend, who after one ride on this swore off rides forever

[@ef1987]

Oh god that intro and all the ride videos were incredible

[@CraigRoccanova]

The Zipper? I think I went on it once at my elementary school fair. I immediately lost my lunch right after and never went again. But kudos to you guys!

[@Andrewboi29]

Never hear of a zipper but watch the episode anyway because I just like your personalities

[@thisismissmic]

Regional parks are great, highly recommend trying the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk for thrills, and the Cave Train for chills

[@lauren9053]

Thank you for recruiting us zipperheads, chief ryan

[@EggleggMaximus]

If you guys wanna hit up the Minnesota State Fair next year me and my wife would be more than happy to be your guides!

[@meganchatters9966]

I’ve only been on this ride once. My phone flew out of my pocket and hit me in the face 😂

[@pame4248]

Just seeing the thumbnail for this video gave me horrible flashbacks.

[@rakeitupgoddy]

45:48 HAMSTER DANCE MENTIONED HAMSTER DANCE MENTIONED

[@catherinekress2138]

Byron sung it perfectly

[@ThePandaeatingaTaco]

My mom was on one of these in the 70s when the door swung open. I was never allowed to ride one as a kid but maybe I'll check it out next year at the fair.

[@mwatson7474]

mouse fair coasters are pretty common too. You should review one of those. I love the dark rides at the fairs because they are often so random.

[@Nojintt]

I needed this today!

[@charliebucket515]

My absolute favorite episode EVER!!! I LOVE THE ZIPPER!!!

[@shrekacey]

thank you byron for the arizona shoutout 😭 every time i drive past the new park tho the roller coaster they’re working on doesn’t get any bigger so idk what’s taking them so long

[@bobbykagreene1844]

In some places like Montana and Wyoming they are called "The Bear Trap" which makes sense.

[@barbehrhart]

I listened to this on my way home but had to watch it when I got home for the ride POV. Definitely one to watch not just listen to!!

[@fleabhag]

My first memory of the Zipper is when my towns yearly carnival was held and prior to the carnival opening they were testing out the (empty) Zipper when one of the cars launched off the ride and flew into the giant river next to where the carnival was located.

[@Robaato_unleashed]

45:22 My onboard soundtrack would have to be "The Raising Fighting Spirit" from the OG Naruto anime. The song will actually make you feel like you're in a real life ninja fight and the ride puts you in some sort of genjutsu lol

[@cocotollini2081]

Eejyanaika is pronounced with Eh like in Ben! I rode it in highschool the first year it was open and it was crazy. You guys should definitely to a Fujikyu Highland trip!

[@TsunamiSide22]

great pick for your ride nothing beats this at the county fair

[@brerkris]

My favorite flatride!

[@samanthaye1286]

This is my favorite ride because it makes me laugh so fucking much at how insanely dangerous it is

[@drawsomethewizard3006]

Zippers are insane looking rides Similar thoughts with Gerstlauer Sky Roller/ Sky Fly, well if you know what you are doing anyway

[@mattxeof]

new FYA classic

[@toddjones1480]

I also rode this for the first time in Costa Mesa, but at the Costa Mesa Fish Fry, not the Orange County Fair.

[@cvaneyken]

Loving the intros, guys!

[@PavelKrypto]

I would argue that because it exists in so many locations it is not unique enough to be considered world class.

[@gr33ngirlsea]

The one time I rode the Zipper, it was with my crush as he gaslit me the whole time (about something that happened in line). It was unpleasant and kept my eyes closed the whole time and hoped I didn't vomit.

[@sdc5914]

A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one

[@LegPressWhizzer]

Great ep as always! Really loved the cutaways to them screaming on the ride; absolutely hilarious. Also, just an fyi but z!pperhead is a racial slur. Obv Ryan didn't know that and was just coming up with a name for enthusiasts of the ride so figured I'd drop a comment in. It appears to originate from the Korean war with American soldiers describing East Asian ppl

[@fyapod]

OH GOD. NOTED, apologies!!! - Ryan

[@harleygeneannett6547]

When you get the budget, I hope you go to regional parks! Silverwood is a great one and is considered the most remote theme park in the US.

[@MrSleightohand]

Dude you cannot use the work "ZIPPERHEAD" to describe the fandom of Zipper lovers

[@catherinekress2138]

Fantastic episode! Thank you for doing a regular fair ride!!!

[@derekdelago4808]

Cannot wait for the episode on Music Expresses

[@caseypowell6342]

I'm one of those freaks who doesn't make any sounds on rides, so I'll definitely have to give this one a try someday to see if it really will force a reaction out of me.

[@kendrapain6500]

Happy Tuesday!

[@josephmorris7447]

about 20 years ago my best friend and I rode this ride completely STONED off our a$$es. We were the only riders and I have to imagine that carny knew we were obliterated because I don't know how he did it but he manipulated the rotation on that ride so that we flipped 20+ times in a row! We felt like play things for the Gods! It was an experience to say the least.

[@KhurtKhave669]

50 minutes on a Zipper would probably, at the bare minimum, give you a concussion from your brain sloshing around inside your skull. But you'd probably have internal bleeding, brain swelling, then ☠. It's like being in a pillow fight with Mike Tyson for 50 minutes - you're still taking massive brain trauma. 🧠💀🥊

[@bryanhikes7248]

That is so funny yall. When I suggested covering some carnival rides months ago a bunch of people roasted me in the comments.

[@ReikaSensei]

It's "Eh" jyanaika. Romanized Japanese doesn't follow English phonics rules. Double "letters" in Japanese just extends the sound. E by itself is "eh" in general. Ee is more like "Eeh". It's actually a phrase that has historical context as a kind of celebration, but toward the end of the Edo Period it became a protest as well because the regime was collapsing and there were a bunch of social problems. The phrase means, "It's great, isn't it?" But it's sarcastic and actually meant more like "Who cares?" or I think more modern thinking, "F it all". A phrase real appropriate with the election.

[@thedistorychannel]

I'm wondering if Cars Road Trip @ DLP would even score 1 point in the World Class Test