DARK RIDE Aficionados ANNOUNCE FAVORITE “SCARE-CONDITIONED” ATTRACTIONS

VIENNA, OH - 4.3.08 - Officials of the Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts (DAFE) announce results of the Seventh Annual Member Survey for their “favorite” dark ride attractions (i.e., “haunted house” and funhouse related amusement and theme park attractions). Topping the list for the seventh consecutive year is Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, PA, receiving top honors as DAFE’s Favorite Dark Attraction Park.

Number one on the list of Top Ten Favorite Walkthrough Attractions was Kennywood’s Noah’s Ark, a large, rocking boat-shaped funhouse. Built in 1936 the Ark is the last of its kind in the US and one of two left in the world. DAFE Director Rick Davis comments, “Kennywood should be commended for preserving this rare historic attraction for future generations to enjoy.”

On the opposite side of Pennsylvania, the Haunted Mansion (also known as the Haunted House) at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, PA was again the number one choice in DAFE’s Top Ten Favorite Darkrides list. Davis adds, “Knoebels has been keeping the traditional style darkride alive, a fact that DAFE members obviously appreciate—the Haunted Mansion has been our members’ favorite seven years in a row! Of course our members love all kinds of darkrides; a glance at the top ten lists reveals a mix of the old and the new, and of the traditional and the high tech. The attractions of small family-run parks keep company with the giants of the industry like Disney and Universal. We love them all. As we say, ‘We keep our members in the dark!’’

DAFE (pronounced “daffy”) annually polls its membership on various issues, the highlight of which is asking members to name their favorite dark attractions-walk through or ride through attractions related to funhouses and haunted houses-from around the world. This year approximately 90 full-time and summer seasonal attractions worldwide were nominated. (Halloween seasonal attractions are not included in this survey.)


The Top Ten Favorite Darkrides- 2008

#10- Haunted Mansion- Disneyland®- Anaheim, CA
#9- Haunted House- Trimper’s Rides and Amusements- Ocean City,MD
#8- Revenge of the Mummy- The Ride-©™ Universal Studios Florida©™-
Orlando, FL
#7- Amazing Adventures of Spiderman- Universal’s Islands of
Adventure®- Orlando, FL
#6- Haunted Mansion- Funland- Rehoboth, DE
#5- Curse of Darkastle- Busch Gardens Europe- Williamsburg, VA
#4- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™- Disney’s Hollywood Studios™-
Orlando, FL
#3- Whacky Shack- Waldameer Park- Erie, PA
#2- Haunted Mansion- Disney’s Magic Kingdom®- Orlando, FL
#1- Haunted Mansion- Knoebel’s Amusement Resort- Elysburg, PA

The Top Ten Favorite Walkthrough Attractions- 2008

#10- Confusion Hill- Idlewild Park- Ligonier, PA
#9- Haunted Hospital- Fujikyu Highland Park- Japan
#8- Ripley’s Haunted Adventure- Gatlinburg, TN
#7- Pirate’s Cove- Trimper’s Rides and Amusements-
Ocean City, MD
#6- Funhouse- Jenkinson’s Beach Boardwalk- Point Pleasant, NJ
#5- Mysterious Mansion- Gatlinburg, TN
#4- Ghostly Manor- Sandusky, OH
#3- Pirate’s Cove- Waldameer Park- Erie, PA
#2- Frankenstein’s Castle- Indiana Beach- Monticello, IN
#1- Noah’s Ark- Kennywood Park- West Mifflin, PA


DAFE, which was founded October 31st, 2000, has over 300 members worldwide. DAFE’s Daffy Klub web site www.dafe.org contains articles about dark attractions, club events, and a downloadable membership application.

MADAME TUSSAUDS LONDON LAUNCHES JELLYBEAN BAR FIT FOR THE STARS

(April 2, 2008) Top tourist spot Madame Tussauds London, part of Europe’s largest visitor attraction company Merlin Entertainments Group, has opened the world’s first ever jellybean cocktail bar for its star-spotting visitors.

Situated in the attraction’s interactive Hollywood party zone, Jellybean Bar offers guests a fun yet sophisticated opportunity to mix the cocktail of their dreams from between 50 distinctly different, wildly individual jellybean flavours – everything from Lemon Drop and Liquorice to Buttered Popcorn and Blueberry.

A partnership with Jelly Belly® gourmet jellybeans, Madame Tussauds’ funky, colourful bar space was designed ‘in house’ by Merlin Studios, and installed last month prior to the Easter school holidays. Stocking close to one million beans, the one-of-a-kind area comes complete with classic stemmed cocktail glasses, recipe-suggesting ‘waiters’ and a luxurious stretch of bar, from which tourists can sit and soak up the heady atmosphere of an A-list celebrity bash.

Claire Oliver, Head Of Commercial, Madame Tussauds London said: ‘Jellybean Bar makes Madame Tussauds an even more exciting and immersive destination for our wide spectrum of domestic and overseas visitors. Who wouldn’t enjoy a cocktail or two in the company of Brad Pitt, Leonardo Di Caprio and Nicole Kidman? We’re really pleased to be adding another unique and engaging experience to our world famous attraction.’

Waldameer Park Ravine Flyer II Opening May 17

News from Waldameer Park

The long awaited Ravine Flyer II opening has slipped to Saturday May 17, 2008. The delay was caused by one of the coldest and snowiest months of March on record. Despite the weather, much has been completed:

- all steel structure is erected
- Station, Motor House and Control House are constructed
- steel arched bridge over Peninsula Drive is complete, coaster track over it will be done soon
- 5 tunnels are built
- trains are complete and sit in the warm shop at Philadelphia Toboggan

Attached is a photo I took this afternoon from the top of the lift hill.

We are well on our way. We look forward to seeing many of you this summer.

Steve Gorman
Waldameer Park, Inc