It always starts the same at most of Houston’s fall festivals. An overzealous committee member says, “we should have a couple of rides this year, ” to which the others all agree enthusiastically. Then the real questions follow: how much does it cost? How many rides do we actually need? What’s involved on our end?
If you’re in that exact place right now, this guide takes you through each of these choices in the exact order you’ll be considering them. This is for the school PTA, church volunteers, HOA board members, HR managers and office managers that typically get tasked with putting together company family days or community festivals. By the end, you’ll know what to be looking for when comparing carnival ride rentals in Houston.
Begin With Your Guest List before Your Ride List.
It’s easy to reach for the rental catalog and select the first things that catch your eye. But there’s a smarter place to start. Sit down and list everyone who will be attending. How many guests? How old are they? Are they coming all at once? Or will they show up gradually?
An elementary school carnival of 300 kids and parents needs an entirely different configuration than a community wide carnival for teenagers and adults. Crowds of children will flock continually to gentle rides, while the larger, more aggressive rides will receive infrequent attention. The diverse crowd needs a diversity of attractions, so that the five year old and the fifteen year old both have plenty to do.
The scale of your audience makes a difference as well. Whatever audience you have is not going to be able to ride a single ride fast enough to keep everyone happy. A long line at one attraction will drive everyone crazy in short order, so for larger events, two, or three rides are usually better than one big one.
Selecting a Mix to Maintain Traffic Flow
Consider planning your ride selection the way a restaurant designs its menu. Include a few reliable options, something a bit unique, and perhaps one standout attraction.
The safe options are the rides that almost anyone can ride, like a carousel, a trackless train or a ferris wheel. These amuse parents and are fun for even the smallest kids. They are also easier to photograph, which is important if your organization posts pictures of the event. The unique options are the electric trackless train or the rock climbing wall, equipment your guests may not have encountered at other events. The “main event” is the bigger ride that would draw older kids and teens.
You won’t need all three for a small gathering. A neighborhood block party might be just fine with a Ferris wheel and a few outdoor games. A school event with hundreds of attendees will likely need more. When in doubt, tell the rental team about your event and ask what they would suggest for your number of guests. This is a common question and can save you guessing.
A good carnival ride in the fall season plan comes down to a few clear decisions: know your crowd, set a realistic budget, book early and handle the site details before the day arrives. Do those four things and most of the stress takes care of itself.
Common Questions
How far in advance should we reserve?
As early as your plans allow, especially for October weekends. Availability is limited per ride, and popular dates are in demand.
Do we need to hire our own ride operators?
Not necessarily. Events by ABA says its team handles operation where required, but confirm which rides need an operator and what’s included in your quote.
Is there a first-time customer discount?
The Events by ABA site currently advertises 10% off a first rental over $250 using the code ABA10OFF. Check the current terms when you book, since promotions can change.
Which areas do they deliver to?
The company lists Houston, Cypress, Katy, Missouri City, Richmond, Sugar Land, Spring, Tomball, The Woodlands, Rosenberg, Jersey Village, Pearland, Pasadena and Humble. If your event is outside those areas, contact the team to confirm.
