Dark Rides
www.parkworld-online.com
CARNESKY’S GHOST TRAIN
Blackpool’s newest and freakiest Ghost Train opened this spring on a prime position next to the British resort’s famous Pleasure Beach. Billed as a “dark ride across haunted borders,” the attraction was created by artist Marisa Carnesky and centres around the tale
a group of daughters that escaped from a war torn town on a night train. The train mysteriously disappeared and the daughters were never seen again …until now! After a pre-ride briefing from the macabre station master, riders are ushered into their car
before embarking on an eerie ride through a maze of darkened tunnels. Ghostly ladies in tattered vintage dresses and abandoned stations can be seen along the route, which is inhabited by live performers, creepy animatronics, effects and a very haunting soundtrack.
Unlike a standard Ghost Train, passengers complete several circuits of the ride in a 10- car train, driven by the station master. With each circuit, the scenes change, creating a disorientating but unforgettable experience culminating with an impressive “Pepper’s ghost” illusion. Carnesky’s Ghost Train began life as an art installation at Brick Lane in London, and has since appeared as part of events including Glastonbury Festival and Showzam at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. Now occupying a permanent home at Flagstaff Gardens, the ride operates as a standalone attraction in co- operation with Blackpool Council and the adjacent Sandcastle waterpark.
www.carneskysghosttrain.com
DEVIL’S MINE HOTEL Renowned for its bumper car tracks, go-kart pavilions and small amusement rides, the Italian manufacturer Gosetto has also constructed a number of fun houses, dark rides and effects in recent years. Its latest delivery was a Ghost Train called Devil’s Mine Hotel to Power Park in Finland, featuring four-seater spinning cars and an interactive shooting system.
Next season, Gosetto will supply a ride system for the new look Blå Tåget dark at Gröna Lund in Stockholm (see “Coming Soon,” page 38), as well as a ride for the new Rainbow Magic Land park near Rome. Full of ups and downs, this exciting ride will take passengers into a magic world on 4-seater suspended gondolas that rotate and oscillate during the ride.
www.powerpark.fi MEET SALLY’S NO.1 FAN!
Sally Corporation’s “number one fan” was among special guests at the opening of the new look Haunted Castle at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (SCCB) on June 4. Nine-year-old Taylor Andre, together with 15-year-old Nicholas Laschkewatsch, a member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts, were taken by surprise when they were asked to take the first ride on the new $9 million attraction. Taylor, who lives just 30 minutes away from the park, has followed construction of the ride avidly, both in person and on the internet. At home he draws dark ride designs and builds models in a basement workshop. In June 2008, he and his dad, Anthony, flew to Jacksonville, Florida, to visit the Sally headquarters and spend time with members of the design team. Taylor’s two favourite rides at Santa Cruz are Haunted Castle and Sally’s interactive Ghost Blasters
Nicholas Laschkewatsch and Taylor Andre are presented with design renderings of Haunted Castle duting the ride’s opening
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www.sallycorp.com AUGUST 2010
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