May's Himalaya Fan Website

Where The Strobe Flashes and The Mirror Ball Spins

Welcome Fellow Himalaya Fans!!!!

Hello.

 

My name is Tyrone May, and I'm a "Himalaya Ride Enthusiast".

 

 I've seen and ridden many different types of these rides, but I'm personally a die-hard fan of the original Himalaya rides built by Reverchon Industries of Samois, France.

 

 The sights and sounds from the sleigh-shaped cars to the beautiful artwork, the lighting as well as the wailing of the siren on this beautiful masterpiece is just pure magic!!

 

Please sit back, and relax and check out photos as well as some mind-blowing information on this beautiful classic masterpiece.


Himalaya History

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 The Himalaya ride was first introduced back in 1960, by a gentleman by the name of Edy Mier, who first imported the ride in the United States to different amusement parks and carnivals.  The Himalaya was a new and rare piece, until it became popular when a French Manufacturer by the name of Reverchon bought the rights in 1970, when they gave the ride a new flashy upgrade.

 

Edy was also known for his famous microphone phrases such as:

 

"Its, the Himalaya!! Aye-yie-yie!!" and "Excuse me, lady in car #24. Would you please put your dress down!!"" 


Around the early 1970's the Himalaya had 2 different building models:

The original "Round" model, and the "GRAND" Model.

The original "Round" Model had a flashy sign which is usually in red lights, with "Himalaya" in cursive lettering with a small star doting the "i" in its name, along with stairs which were located on each side of the ride.

The "GRAND" Model which came a couple of years later, had more massive pieces than its original version.  The lettering on the sign is different which features huge rigged lettering in verious sizes and lengths, alomg with several flashing snowflake decors in various sizes surrounding the main "Himalaya" sign.  The stairs were also different on the "Grand" version, which were more wide, almost reaching the front of the ride.

 Around the early 1970's the Himalaya had 2 different building models:


The original "Round" model, and the "GRAND" Model.

The original "Round" Model had a flashy sign which is usually in red lights, with "Himalaya" in cursive lettering with a small star doting the "i" in its name, along with stairs which were located on each side of the ride.

The "GRAND" Model which came a couple of years later, had more massive pieces than its original version.  The lettering on the sign is different which features huge rigged lettering in verious sizes and lengths, alomg with several flashing snowflake decors in various sizes surrounding the main "Himalaya" sign.  The stairs were also different on the "Grand" version, which were more wide, almost reaching the front of the ride

 

 The original "Round" model, and the "GRAND" Model.

 

 The original "Round" Model had a flashy sign which is usually in red lights, with "Himalaya" in cursive lettering with a small star doting the "i" in its name, along with stairs which were located on each side of the ride.

 
 The "GRAND" Model which came a couple of years later, had more massive pieces than its original version.  The lettering on the sign is different which features huge rigged lettering in various sizes and lengths, alomg with several flashing snowflake decors in various sizes surrounding the main "Himalaya" sign.  The stairs were also different on the "Grand" version, which were more wide, almost reaching the front of the ride.
  

Himalaya Lighting
Himalaya Lighting
Himalaya Lighting
Himalaya Lighting

 

The lighting on the Himalaya rides besides the flashing sign, were light poles which were in a fancy triangular shaped, almost surrounding the entire ride.  The inside lighting depends on the building structure.  The "Round" version usually had a string of white lights surrounding the front of the ride which were normally used when people were either boarding or departing the ride.  The "GRAND" version had extra spotlights (or flood lights) which were hung from the rafters.  Both version normally had various colorful lighting such as "color-wheels" which were special lights that had a special "wheel" which had about 6 different colors and spins slowly to illuminate the inside of the ride, changing many colors.  The Himalaya also had theatrical lighting which had 4 different colors and had a controller which you can choose the color or you could also mix the colors of the lighting illuminating the inside of the ride.  Another effect the Himalaya ride has is the Mirror Ball (aka Disco Ball) which spins in the center of the ride, creating a blizzard effect, by the help of 2 to 4 white spotlights. There also a smaller mirror ball which hangs in the middle of the roof structure, but this one slowly spins vertically to create a "snowfall" effect.
 The lighting on the Himalaya rides besides the flashing sign, were light poles which were in a fancy triangular shaped, almost surrounding the entire ride.  The inside lighting depends on the building structure.  The "Round" version usually had a string of white lights surrounding the front of the ride which were normally used when people were either boarding or departing the ride.  The "GRAND" version had extra spotlights (or flood lights) which were hung from the rafters.  Both version normally had various colorful lighting such as "color-wheels" which were special lights that had a special "wheel" which had about 6 different colors and spins slowly to illuminate the inside of the ride, changing many colors.  The Himalaya also had theatrical lighting which had 4 different colors and had a controller which you can choose the color or you could also mix the colors of the lighting illuminating the inside of the ride.  Another effect the Himalaya ride has is the Mirror Ball (aka Disco Ball) which spins in the center of the ride, creating a blizzard effect, by the help of 2 to 4 white spotlights. There also a smaller mirror ball which hangs in the middle of the roof structure, but this one slowly spins vertically to create a "snowfall" effect.

 

Himalaya Artwork.

The artwork on the Himalaya (made by Reverchon) was painted by an artist by the name of Madame Riva, who painted all of the rides in a shop near the factory. She also painted a picture of herself in some of her artwork.
 The artwork on the Himalaya (made by Reverchon) was painted by an artist by the name of Madame Riva, who painted all of the rides in a shop near the factory. She also painted a picture of herself in some of her artwork.
 

The Himalaya also came with a sound system, which came with a turntable, an amplifier, many speakers, and also a microphone, along with a siren.
The Himalaya also came with a sound system, which came with a turntable, an amplifier, many speakers, and also a microphone, along with a siren.

 The Himalaya also came with a sound system, which came with a turntable, an amplifier, many speakers, and also a microphone, along with a siren.  The Himalaya also came with an album which featured a popular Europian Artist

 

 Click on the photo gallery on the navigator and you will find many photos of this beautiful ride from carnivals like Drew Exposition, as well as amusements like Trimper's rides, Wonderland Park, and many more...  And you will also find some vintage photos of some Himalaya rides which used to rock the Jersey Shore!!! 


You will also find photos as well as videos of my prized Himalaya model which I build myself and fully functional!!!

 You will also find photos as well as videos of my prized Himalaya model which I build myself and fully functional!!!


Amusement Parks and Carnivals that still has the Himalaya Ride:

Drew Exposition

James Gang Amusements

 Wade Shows

 Trimper's Rides

Wonderland Park

 Oscar Amusements

 

Latest Projects

 

 I'm currently working on a book titled:  "The Himalaya:  Where The Strobe Flashes, And The Mirror Ball Spins."  This book will contain 20 chapters as well as many photos.  This book is about my story of how I first became fascinated with the Himalaya ride from the first time I laid eyes on it, to all of my experiences, great and not-so-great, to my life-long journey to one day call one of those classic rides my very own.

 

 Being a Himalaya Ride Enthusiast to me personally is a way of life, because its different and original, which is why I made a necklace which actually has a piece of the large mirror ball.  I normally wear my necklace everywhere, as people normally ask me what its all about. To anyone its just a mirror piece, but to me it means so much more.



 

 The Himalaya are sadly becoming a rare fixture on the midway due to its massive structure and has been discontinued for some time, but I'm proud to say that there are still amusement parks and carnivals that still carry the original Himalaya rides to this very day, and thanks to my website, the Himalaya and its legacy will live on!!

 

 Are you a REAL fan of the Himalaya?  Do you wish you have something to show your love of the #1 ride of ALL TIME??  Thanks to my new online store, that wish has came true!!  

 

Click on the link below to take a visit to

"May's Himalaya Fan $tore" for T-shirts, and other cool items!!! 

 May's Himalaya Fan Store

  

 Be sure to "like" me on facebook. 
 
and become a member of my website's facebook fan page!!
 
 
 If you have any suggestions or comments, you can also send me an email: revehimi@gmail.com

 

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