The Octopus opened in Aqualand in 1984, taking the site that had been occupied the previous season by the Spaceboat.
Fact File
- Location: Aqualand / Talbot Street
- Manufacturer: F.A.H.
- Distributor: HUSS
- Opening Year: 1984
- Closing Year: 1992
The very definition of a 1980’s fairground attraction, the Octopus was a marvellous ‘spin and spew’ ride with gondolas on the end of legs spinning on a wavy course.
Built by Dutch firm F.A.H. (successor to J. Bakker Denies, predecessor to C.A.H.) for German showman Erwin Ahrend, the ride was subsequently sold to Alton Towers in 1984. The ride stayed in Aqualand through to the area’s retheme in 1992 when it was then moved to Talbot Street to make way for the entrance to Katanga Canyon, but it was removed the following year when Talbot Street become the Land of Make Believe.
It was then purchased by Dutch showman Louis Vallentgoed, later passing to fellow Dutch showman H.C. Duinkerken in 2001. It suffered major fire damage in 2003. Frank Weber-Langenscheidt of Germany purchased the ride in 2004, before selling the ride to present owner Ernst Klinkerfuss of Germany, who travels the ride as “Beach Monster”.
