A carousel ride in which vehicles may move at differing speeds, in differing directions, and each be independently positioned relative to a load/unload platform. In one embodiment, a carousel ride is provided that includes: (1) an inner ring assembly including a first ring supporting vehicles and a drive system operable to rotate the first ring about a center axis of the carousel ride; and (2) an outer ring assembly including a second ring, concentric to the first ring, supporting vehicles and a drive system operable to rotate the second ring about a center axis of the carousel ride. During a portion of a ride, the drive system of the inner ring assembly operates to rotate the first ring at a first rotation rate, and the drive system of the outer ring assembly operates to rotate the second ring at a second rotation rate differing from the first rotation rate.

The invention relates to a merry-go-round comprising a podium having a vertical rotating shaft projecting therefrom, the upper part of said shaft including a structure from which the merry-go-round seats are suspended. The invention is characterised in that the upper surface of the podium has a first circular platform section which is solidly connected to the vertical shaft and surrounds said shaft and a second platform section which is coaxial to the first and surrounds same. In addition, the merry-go-round also includes a pedal driving system which is connected to a driving wheel that is in contact with the first platform section, such that the first platform section is driven when the pedals are rotated, causing the vertical shaft to rotate.