The Dark Side of Kennywood, Page 7

Rick Davis

Photo - Jim Futrell

Photo - Rick Davis

The current Ark was litteraly built from the ground up, but still looks the same as it has for more than 50 years, even old Noah himself is still around.

Noah’s Ark (one of only two left in the world) was due to receive another major renovation in 1996 with plans to remove boat from its foundation. The renovation was almost tragic. When the time came to hoist it off its base, it was discovered that after 60 years of the exposure to the weather, the entire boat had deteriorated beyond repair. All that would remain was the foundation and the original rocking mechanism. At any other park this would be the end of the story for the Noah’s Ark, but not at Kennywood! They painstakingly recreated the Ark from scratch. The boat that would be installed would be brand new from the outside structure to the new interior. (Two “shaker floor” stunts are the only gags that remain from the original Ark.) The recreation was so perfect that most park goers have no idea that this is not the original boat.

While a trip through the Ark would still present guests with Noah and some animals, several new devices were added to bring the attraction up to date. Entry into the Ark would be through a rickety old elevator which “malfunctions” sending guests “plunging” down the mine shaft to the “caverns” below. Walking through an excavation area, guests would walk a precarious path avoe an area where the ancient remains of skeletons could be seen below. Further ahead, a room which rocked side to side was added to give the feeling of being on a ship at sea in a storm. For a bit of nostalgia, below in the hold, guests would again cross the shaking floor boards salvaged from the old Ark. Another nod to the “old days” is the inclusion of some of the old funhouse mirrors from Daffy Klub just before the final room of the Ark. To make their way out our adventurers would have to enter the “bathyscaphe” in order to return to the “surface.” Of course, that would not be without incident either as they soon discover that the vessel is succumbing to the pressure of the sea with its walls buckling and spraying water everywhere.

When Le Cochot was demolished in 1988, it's ride cars were sold to Bushkill Park and the gags were sold on eBay. Photo - Rick Davis

Exterminator arrived in Kennywood in 1999. Part rollercoaster, part darkride, all fun! Photo - Rick Davis

Much to the dismay of its fans, a long time favorite at the park, Le Cachot, was removed in 1998 due to the deteriorated condition of the building. A brand new ride sensation would make its appearance in 1999. Part rollercoaster, part darkride, Exterminator would combine features of past rides and would introduce riders to a brand new experience. Combine a the spinning cars of Safari with the giant rats of Ghost Ship, throw in a Wild Mouse rollercoaster and put it all in the dark and you have a unique ride unlike any other to ever thrill Kennywood guests. Exterminator was a joint effort of R & R Creative Amusement Design, Sally Corp., and coaster manufacturer Reverchon.

The park’s oldest and most beloved ride, the Old Mill, once again experienced a face-lift in the 2004 season. The skeletons and ghost were evicted and had been replaced with something from a nightmare! Garfield’s Nightmare to be exact! Get your special 3-D glasses ready and join Garfield for a trip through his bad dream with food gone wild in 3-D!

The 2004 variation of the Old Mill was created by Dark Rider/Halloween Productions, Inc. as the industries first Garfield themed dark attraction. The rides formerly open areas were enclosed and its long dark passages were changed to present a festival of color. The entire ride was decorated with a variety of brightly painted fluorescent colored items which glow brilliantly under the extensive blacklight illumination and which seem to pop out or even move when viewed with the supplied ChromaDepth® glasses. Even without the glasses, the effects are great.

Photos - Rick Davis

The new Old Mill follows Garfield through a nightmare featuring frolicking food items, despicable dogs, ferocious fish, malicious mice, a demented delivery man, and a vengeful vet. The Franken-weenie especially fun!

For the first time, the queue line (now located between the loading platform and the rides structure) features video monitors relating the history of the Old Mill from the early days to the current Garfield configuration.

Thankfully, Kennywood decided to re-theme the Old Mill to entertain yet another generation of park goers, despite the fact that this slow moving ride could have been leveled and replaced with several new rides, each with a larger capacity for riders. Some things are much more important than making a few more dollars.

Photo - Rick Davis

Kennywood did manage to make up for a portion of that potential lost income by installing a new game, snack bar, gift shop, and two photo booths (for Garfield and the antique car ride) all within the area of the former queue line.

Though many changes have occurred at Kennywood over the last the last century, there is one thing will never change - Kennywood will always be the place to go for a day of fun!

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This article ©2004 Rick Davis
All uncredited photos - Kennywood archive.
Research - Rick Davis and Sarah Windisch
Sources - Kennywood Archive, Carl O. Hughes, Harry Henninger, Kennywood... Roller Coaster Capital of the World and More Kennywood Memories by Charles Jaques, History of Kennywood Park by Marie McSwigan
Special thanks to Marie Riles and Mary Lou Rosemeyer of Kennywood Park, Dave Hahner, Jim Futrell, and Joel Styler.