The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Monday, May 27, 2002

VIENNA

DAFE names top dark rides in U.S.

The Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts, based in Vienna, recently announced the results of its first annual survey of the best dark rides in the country.

The list includes:

1. The Haunted House, Knoebel's Amusement Park, Elysburg, Pa.

2. The Haunted Mansion, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Fla.

3. Indiana Jones Adventure, Disneyland, Anaheim, Calif.

4. The Haunted Mansion, Disneyland.

5. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney MGM Studios, Orlando, Fla.

6. Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland.

7. The Gold Rusher, Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, Pa.

8. The Old Mill, Kennywood.

9. The Haunted House, Funland, Rehoboth, Del.

10. The Phantom Theater, Paramount's Kings Island, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kennywood Park received top honors as the group's favorite "Darkride Park." According to its Web site, Kennywood has four darkrides -- The Old Mill, the Goldrusher, Noah's Ark and the Exterminator.

DAFE uses the following criteria to classify a darkride:

  • An enclosed structure with a dimly lit interior. It may have open areas, but the majority of the ride remains in the building.

  • The ride system uses a passenger-carrying vehicle that is guided by a track, waterway or other method that follows a seemingly random path.

  • Scenery that makes the ride experience. Scenery can include simple pop-up or boxed gags or tricks, figures, paintings, complex animatronic scenes and effects.

  • Sound effects, ranging from simple horns and buzzers triggered by the passing ride vehicle, to isolated sound bites for each gag, to a complex musical score complete with narration.

    DAFE members note that simply enclosing a roller coaster, Scrambler, Tilt-A-Whirl or other common ride in a dark building does not classify it as a darkride.



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