Defunct Flat Ride Da Vinci's Cradle

Attraction Type

Flat Ride

Status

Defunct

Manufacturer

Zierer

Model

Flying Carpet

Hamlet

San Marco (Italy)

Debut

1983

Closure

2022

Riders Per Cycle

40

Da Vinci's Cradle was a Zierer Flying Carpet flat ride located in the Da Vinci's Garden of Inventions area of Busch Gardens Williamsburg's San Marco hamlet. It debuted in 1983. After an extended closure, Busch Gardens Williamsburg announced on April 26, 2022 that Da Vinci's Cradle would be removed. Its final operating day is unknown.

---

Marketing Materials​

• Original Da Vinci's Cradle TV Advertisement
• The Old Country Chronicle (Spring 1983) Featuring Da Vinci's Cradle
• 2004 Media Kit Photos Featuring Da Vinci's Cradle

Ride Footage​

• Full Off-Ride Cycle from 2009

 

[FAL NR OX]

POV

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLyHrpb7dvA&feature=plcp

 

[ivansdaddy]

I rode this a few weeks ago, after not riding it for several years, and one thing immediately stood out to me about how times have changed. When I was a little kid, there used to be so much loose change flying around the floor of this ride. I would try to stop it with my foot and keep it there until the end of the ride. When I worked this ride as a teenager, I used to bring home at least a few dollars everyday from the change that would fly off the ride. When I rode it a few weeks ago, I didn't see or hear any change flying around. I guess that it's a result of everyone using credit/debit cards now, instead of cash. Or maybe everyone has Discovery Dollars

 

[Zachary]

I was milling around YouTube today and stumbled upon something I hadn't seen before: The original ad for Da Vinci's Cradle. Sounds pretty neat, right? Wrong. This is one of the creepiest ads I've ever seen. Between the crazy-looking old man, the young girl singing in the background, and the narrator's somewhat seductive tone, I'm royally disturbed. Watch at your own risk. This cannot be unseen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7u7-XHlk_c

 

[I305Evan]

Now I will never ride the ride i've never ridden.

 

[Shane]

I thought the commercial was kinda cool. Neat to see the themeing done on the little scale model. Makes me wonder, did not all of the rides in Da Vinci's garden open at the same time?

 

[Thomas]

Too bad they've made the cradle into a blob of lame. It sucks; change it back, BG.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

What are you referring to? Has the ride ever changed at all?

 

[Thomas]

They changed the ride's program this season. It doesn't do as much as it used to.

 

[Shane]

They changed the ride's program this season. It doesn't do as much as it used to.

I can also confirm the ride program has been swapped out with a tame-er one.

 

[Pretzel Kaiser]

To be fair, nobody really puts their hands down like they say.

 

[Shane]

Stupid people...

 

[Zachary]

What's the reason behind the hands down rule? Anyone know?

 

[Parkgoer]

To be fair, nobody really puts their hands down like they say.

Youre right. They do not and that is why they stop they ride regularly.

 

[Ben]

Why does this always have such a long line? it feels like so much of a dressed up carnival line...

 

[Parkgoer]

Because LeoD was not alive during the Renaissance and that is not common items for that era.

 

[chickenking]

I loved the commercial! Cool & creepy.

I have not ridden this yet. What is the hands-down rule or other problems/changes you guys are referring to?

 

[Ben]

You can't put your hands up on the ride. But it's like the 99 cent refill rule, they'll only enforce it if a supervisor is around

EDIT: Damn it! That's the second time today I have completely misread a post!

 

[Ziva]

What's the reason behind the hands down rule? Anyone know?

I don't know for sure, but I'd guess wrist injury.

 

[pandorazboxx]

They also stopped all the outside ropes and stuff from moving. And the ride does not go around as much. lame. I rode it this year and I got far less nauseous than usual. It's not as fun now.