During the golden age of American amusement parks, few attractions matched the charm and swirling excitement of the Cuddle-Up ride. Originating in Pennsylvania, it made its debut in 1929 at Carsonia Park in Reading, later gaining new life and lasting popularity at both Hershey Park and Dorney Park in Allentown.
The Carsonia Park Origins (1929–1951)
The prototype Cuddle-Up ride was built at Carsonia Park, just outside Reading, PA, in 1929. It was developed and assembled by Berks Engineering Co., located at South 6th and Chestnut Streets in Reading. Though the original inventor remains uncertain, evidence suggests a collaborative creation. Charles Nathan Miller (1874–1957), a talented inventor and mechanic from Leesport and later Riverview Park, played a key role in its early development. He even established a small factory near the Berks Engineering site to help produce the ride.
Below: Cuddle-Up Ride at Carsonia Park.
The ride’s platform and car chassis were constructed by Berks Engineering, while the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC)—still in operation today—provided the upper bodies. Eventually, PTC would take over full production of the ride.
The Cuddle-Up was similar in concept to modern teacups but far more intense. The ride used a series of interlocking rotating gears beneath the floor, which hurled free-spinning cars from one gear to the next, creating unpredictable and aggressive lateral forces. Riders had no control over the spinning, and the early versions featured no restraints—just a large gap for loading and unloading. This design led to many modifications over the years, such as seat belts or doors, to improve rider safety.
The Carsonia Cuddle-Up thrilled guests until 1950. Afterward, the ride was purchased and refurbished by PTC and sold to Rocky Springs Park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Following that park’s closure, the ride was placed in storage. Though it never returned to operation, it remained the only known surviving Cuddle-Up ride. In a bittersweet turn, one of its cars surfaced on eBay for $3,500 years later—symbolizing the final chapter for this once-beloved attraction.
Hershey Park (1978–1989)
One of the last Cuddle-Ups built was Coal Shaker which opened in 1978 with coal-themed cars and five gears. Manufactured by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, it was a coal-themed version of the earlier Cuddle-Up ride, which had entertained guests for 30 seasons before being replaced. The Coal Shaker was removed after the 1989 season. Its removal made way for several kiddie attractions, including the Convoy, Red Baron, and Dinosaurs-Go-Round, the latter of which was eventually relocated to another area of the park.
Below: Coal Shaker at Carsonia Park.
The Dorney Park Era: Iceberg to Meteorite (1945–1993)
At Dorney Park, the Cuddle-Up ride debuted in 1945 as an outdoor attraction featuring four spinning gears. In 1968, the park gave it a dramatic makeover—enclosing it in a massive, air-conditioned building shaped like an iceberg. With flashing lights, cool air, and a disco soundtrack, the newly themed Iceberg quickly became a nostalgic favorite for a new generation of guests.
Below: Cuddle-Up Ride at Dorney Park.
In the late 1980s, the ride was rebranded as Meteorite, receiving a dark, space-themed exterior to match its new name. Despite these updates, the attraction couldn’t keep pace with evolving guest expectations and modern safety standards. It closed permanently in 1993, marking the end of the Cuddle-Up era as the last known operating model in the United States.
Below: Iceberg at Dorney Park.
From its local roots in Berks County to its swan song at one of Pennsylvania’s most iconic amusement parks, the Cuddle-Up represents a unique piece of Americana. Though none remain in operation today, its wild, gear-driven spins and inventive engineering continue to stir memories for those lucky enough to have experienced it.
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