In Memory of Walter Pondorfer

A stranger from Tyrol, with no connection to the Prater, who spontaneously decided to build the tallest and most thrilling rides. This is how Roland Girtler begins the chapter on Walter Pondorfer in his book "Streifzug durch den Wiener Wurstelprater". Walter Pondorfer was a mechanic, roofer, and visionary. The many rides he not only created and operated, but also sold across the globe, are a testament to his creativity and passion. Sadly, we will never know what other crazy and innovative ideas Walter might have conceived and realized.

On June 4th, 2026, Walter Pondorfer was taken from us far too soon. We will remember him with the utmost respect as a passionate climber, inventor, visionary, generous person, and a member of our Prater community. Our deepest condolences go to his family and all his friends.

Thank you, Walter, for showing us what is possible.

🕯 Obituary and digital condolence book

Walter Pondorfer: Church Tower Roofer, Inventor, Showman

Walter Pondorfer was born on July 12th, 1961, in East Tyrol. His father was a church tower roofer and carpenter, and his mother ran a guesthouse. At 15, he began an apprenticeship as a mechanic, and at 22, he founded his first company—a church tower roofing business. His brother took over his father's company, which primarily operated in western Austria.

Walter Pondorfer was drawn to the east—to Vienna and Lower Austria. He received his first independent commission from Klosterneuburg Abbey. He placed great importance on performing decent and clean work. And he pitched in everywhere himself. "I never asked any worker to do anything I wouldn't do myself," he is quoted by Roland Girtler.

Of Balls and Rubber Ropes

It was only through a series of coincidences that Walter Pondorfer became a showman. During a trip with his then-father-in-law, he stumbled upon the Toronto State Fair by chance. There he watched people being launched into the air inside spheres suspended by bungee cords. "They're crazy," he thought. What began as skepticism quickly turned into fascination. So, after a beer, he mustered all his courage and climbed into one of the spheres himself.

At that time, Walter Pondorfer had no personal connection to the Wurstelprater. But the sphere contraption captivated him, and he had the idea that such an attraction would be a perfect fit for the Viennese amusement park.

When a Plan Alone Is Not Enough

Walter Pondorfer later acquired the plans from the attraction's owner. However, it quickly became apparent that these plans couldn't be implemented in Austria as is – they had to be adapted to the local conditions and regulations. Together with his team, he recalculated the design and developed an independent construction. To move the project forward, he founded a company with two partners.

The first attempt to realize the attraction on Danube Island failed two days before the start of the Danube Island Festival. Walter Pondorfer wasn't discouraged, however. He firmly believed in his project.

Third Time's The Charm

After a few detours, Walter Pondorfer finally got the opportunity to realize his vision. The spherical attraction also captivated others who wanted to see it in the Prater. With their support, he succeeded in realizing the Kugel-Maschine (as he colloquially called it) on his third attempt. With its opening in 1995, Walter Pondorfer officially became part of the Prater amusement park, laying the foundation for his career as a showman.

A passionate tinkerer and optimizer, he strove to continuously develop and technically refine his creations. For example, he quickly replaced the original rubber ropes used in his ball ride with a steel spring system he developed himself, which proved to be significantly more durable. He eventually patented this innovation.

Subsequently, he began creating other rides. "When I build a new ride," he's quoted, "I don't think about whether it's profitable or not. I build it because I enjoy it. If the idea is good, the rest follows."

The Tallest Carousel

Walter Pondorfer had a pronounced fascination with heights. During his time as a church steeple roofer, he spent many hours high above the rooftops. Years later, when he saw a children's carousel and a tall tower at a trade fair in Italy, the idea of ​​combining the two was born. "This could be a sensation," he thought. Ultimately, this vision became the StarFlyer – the official name of the current Prater Turm.

Walter Pondorfer subsequently realized the first version of his giant carousel at a height of 72 meters in the Prater amusement park. It opened in 2004. The Prater Turm, as you probably know it, opened in 2010 in the Wurstelprater amusement park and, at 117 meters, marked the second generation of the StarFlyer. But that wasn't the end of the story – the current tallest version, at 140 meters, stands in Dubai.

Amazing people With Common Sense

His commitment to delivering clean and accurate work also helped Walter Pondorfer in the fairground business, where safety is paramount. He was particularly proud of his employees, whose dedication and expertise he could rely on – both as sparring partners during the planning phases for new attractions and as his stand-ins when he was abroad for extended periods.

The Many Creations of Walter Pondorfer

If you're familiar with the Wurstelprater, you'll surely recognize the Black Mama. It's another of Walter Pondorfer's creations and has been a crowd favorite with thrill-seekers since 2011. He also designed the Tornado, the BergRallye Gokart, and the Turbo Booster Kingsize. All of these are operated in the Prater by Walter Pondorfer's company, FUN Vergnügungsbetriebe GmbH. The Wiener Freifallturm – known and sold worldwide as Skyfall – is also the work of this Tyrolean inventor. The Prater version is operated by Koidls Vergnügungsbetriebe. His other inventions include: Vomatron, SkyDiver, Chaos Pendulum, The Bell, and Rocket.

Walter Pondorfer loved the Vienna Prater in all its facets. He worked tirelessly, but at the same time, he was someone who enjoyed being in the thick of things, observing the vibrant activity, and soaking up the Prater's unique atmosphere. His humor and zest for life were his defining characteristics – it wasn't uncommon to hear him say things like, "It's a blessing not to have bad luck," or "The show must go on." This attitude shaped not only his career but also how he dealt with the challenges of his personal and professional life.

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If you'd like to learn more about Walter Pondorfer, we highly recommend Roland Girtler's book, "Streifzug durch den Wiener Wurstelprater" (A Stroll Through the Vienna Prater), published in 2016 to commemorate the Prater's 250th anniversary.

For more information about Funtime's rides, visit funtime.com.au

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We thank Roland Girtler for permission to use quotes from his book.