Dark Rides: Past, Present, and Future

[clnancy50]

I think we all need to discuss; (and or agree), on the past of these wonderful, original dark rides, that we'll always remember fondly, the present rides, and what may lie in the future for that type of entertainment. We'll never replace all the fun and memories, from Wildwood, Dorney Park, etc., that the original structures brought us but it's still wonderful to talk about them. Where are all the Dark Rides situated at the present time? Where are the "best" ones? Does anyone know of any future plans for new ones? Another topic to discuss; where would you like to see any constructed? I'm sure if everyone would "cooperate", we could come up with alot to discuss.

[mclunatic4evr]

"Dare you enter the chamber of farts?"

[clnancy50]

And what's that suppose to mean?

[mclunatic4evr]

That is a reference to a south park episode. An episode where the boys go to cheap carnival and get suckered into paying for a cheap and dissapointing dark ride called the "Chamber of farts" which lasts for less then a minute (like the jersey junkyard in wildwood) and consists only of fart related props. I guess that post might sound odd if one is not familiar with that reference.

[clnancy50]

So sorry, wasn't familiar with that. No one seems that active on this board for quite awhile so I guess everything is at a standstill lately. Probably vacation time, who knows? People are jumping all over to different topics anyways; it doesn't really have to be under anything specific.

[clnancy50]

Wish someone would put something here. Since Cedar Fair seems to have all the loot, why don't they come over here and build something? It's bumper to bumper tourists all the time. I guantee, they wouldn't lose out.

[robert]

I like Cedar Fair's haunted houses that they put out for Sept. Oct. at their parks. Dorney Park no longer has any other dark rides otherwise. Well, they did put up a sign with a nice picture of the Journey to the Center of the Earth with the Zephyr train going by it from the 70's. It is located by the Zephyr train station by the bridge over the creek if you're heading toward the old coaster, Thunderhawk. Finally after 14 years they pay their respects to that lost classic. Most of my high school classmates rode that thing, in fact my graduation year, 1992 was the final year it was standing and operating. By the spring of 1993, it was gone. Here is a link to a video that I submitted www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7Ym82WJuKg

[Crippled Visions]

robert said:

I like Cedar Fair's haunted houses that they put out for Sept. Oct. at their parks. Dorney Park no longer has any other dark rides otherwise. Well, they did put up a sign with a nice picture of the Journey to the Center of the Earth with the Zephyr train going by it from the 70's. It is located by the Zephyr train station by the bridge over the creek if you're heading toward the old coaster, Thunderhawk. Finally after 14 years they pay their respects to that lost classic. Most of my high school classmates rode that thing, in fact my graduation year, 1992 was the final year it was standing and operating. By the spring of 1993, it was gone. Here is a link to a video that I submitted www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7Ym82WJuKg

Nice video robert. You should post the entire news report. I would like to see the interviews too.

[clnancy50]

That is so fantastic, robert!!! What memories that brought back! Where did you get that video? The rocket rides there are also gone. What exactly is there now right in that area? Thanks so much!

[clnancy50]

I just watched it again. It really is a shame they did away with that. : (

[robert]

That ride was one of my most favorite rides in Dorney Park. It just seemed so spooky floating down the dark cave in a boat with scary sounds and monster scenes. I remember the giant spider. That was all Bill Tracy's work who also did the Whacky Shack, Bucket O' Blood, Gold Mine, Iceberg and Alfundo the clown head over the old coaster building. Every one of those things is history now. I guess when the big corporates take over, all they care about is change. A ride like that would probably be a much higher liability today in a busier park like Dorney than in 1992. The park would be afraid that someone would start trouble in there, or smoke, or light a lighter. The haunted houses they have now are well guarded. If trouble starts, the guards are there on the spot to escort the troublemaker out the emergency exit. Nancy, they still have the old coaster (Thunderhawk), the Whip, and the Zephyr train. The bumper car building is the original building from the 70's. I saw a picture in one of my 70's DP brochures and it still looks the same except that it was called Disco Dodge with electric bumper cars and it was renamed Krazy Kars in 1992 the final season of the family ownership and changed to gasoline karts with round innertubes. Look at this- the defunct Hercules cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Certificate-Allentown-Dorney-Park-roller-coaster_W0QQitemZ230019894085QQihZ013QQcategoryZ13878QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem If you look at the big picture you will see the old logo for Dorney-Wildwater Kingdom from 1985-1992 and the three main people who ran the park. Harris Weinstein took over from Bob Ott and his son Bob in 1985, and the other two Robert Plarr and Craig Cope were there during Bob Ott's time as well. Harris was married to Deborah Plarr, and Ott is married to Sarah Plarr, daughter of former park owner up to 1967 Bob Plarr Sr. who passed away that year. Bob Ott is in his 80's and still alive. He lives a mile from me in a retirement home. He has book signings once in a while, he and another guy did a Dorney Park history book.

[clnancy50]

For some reason, I can't access that site. I've tried it a few times and it said to try later, so, I guess I will. Did you ever get to talk to Bob Ott? I'll bet he has some really neat stories to tell! I would love to talk to him! Yes, I know they have to be extre careful now a days because of law suits so that's probably the reason some of these older rides have been done away with. So, do they still have the cars in the same building as the Thunderhawk yet? There is NO WAY they would ever change that original building with the Thunderhawk and the karts!! Right beside that building was the main entrance years ago. I remember that so well. I rode the Hercules, too; very rough, but I still loved it because those are still my favorite, the old wooden roller coasters. I remember driving on the little road beside the park, which I think is no longer there, because that was the way you got in. It's not that the big corporates care so much about change, they have to decide what young kids like and what will bring in the money. There are still alot of rides out there that have been around quite sometime. Look at the tilt-a-whirl, the scrambler; those rides must be from the 40's, at least! But these newer generations are looking for thrills and excitement and the owners have to cater to that. What was the reason they took the Hercules down? I hope I can get on that site you have here. Maybe I'll watch Journey to the Center of the Earth again. I can't even tell you what that did to me---it like took me back in time.

[clnancy50]

What dorney Park history book are you talking about? I have one Images of America, is that it? If not, could you let me know what the books called and who wrote it? Well, I guess Bob Ott wrote it, right?

[clnancy50]

I still can't get to that site. Must I sign up for ebay?

[clnancy50]

Just watched it again. : )