Dark ride

A dark ride or ghost train is an indoor amusement ride on which passengers aboard guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sound, music and special effects.[1] Appearing as early as the 19th century, exhibits such as tunnels of love, scary themes and interactive stories have been the subject of rides under the original definition.

Terminology

In its most traditional form, the term light dark refers to ride-through attractions with scenes that use black lights, whereby visible light is prevented from entering the space, and only show elements that fluoresce under ultraviolet radiation are seen by the riders. The size of each room containing a scene or scenes is thus concealed, and the set designer can use forced perspective, pepper's ghost and other visual tricks to create the illusion of distance. Typically, these experiences also use a series of opaque doors between scenes to further control riders' views within a space-constrained building. Prominent examples include Disneyland's Snow White's Scary Adventures, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, Peter Pan's Flight, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Alice in Wonderland, which all rely on the use of blacklights in almost every scene.[2]

History

The first dark rides appeared in the late 19th century and were called "scenic railways" and "pleasure railways".[3] A popular type of dark ride commonly referred to as an old mill or tunnel of love used small boats to carry riders through water-filled canals. A Trip to the Moon began operation at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition. Leon Cassidy of the Pretzel Amusement Ride Company patented the first single-rail electric dark ride in 1928. Historically notable dark rides include Futurama at the 1939 New York World's Fair, and Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.

Modern attractions in this genre vary widely in technical sophistication. Smaller-scale rides often feature the same sorts of simple animation and sounds used since the genre's early days, while more ambitious projects feature complex animatronics, special effects and ride vehicles utilizing cutting-edge technology.[4]

To improve the effect and give a sense of journey, passages in dark rides frequently change direction. Sudden curves give a sense of disorientation and allow new scenes to surprise the rider. The rides may also feature sudden ascents or descents to further the excitement.

Empirical research

Although ever increasing investments are made in dark rides, empirical research in this area is relatively scarce. Based on a systematic literature review, a team of researchers from the University of Liechtenstein developed a model that illustrates the underlying effect mechanism that attendees of Dark Rides experience. The model suggests that "Storytelling" in Dark Rides influences an attendee's "emotional attachment" to the ride through the mediator of "Immersion". It is assumed that a person's prior knowledge about the ride's story and a person's cultural background have moderating effects on the relationship between "storytelling" and "immersion".[5]

Variations

Dark rides have a number of variations that are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Ghost train

Ghost train

In the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia, dark rides with a scary theme are called ghost trains.

The first ride to use the name "Ghost Train" was that of Blackpool Pleasure Beach.[6] The ride was imported in 1930 and originally called The Pretzel (due to the curving shape of its track layout); but as pretzels were little-known in Britain, it was soon renamed after The Ghost Train, a play which ran for a year in London, a film adaptation of which was showing in 1931.[7] It was rebuilt in 1936 and has remained unchanged since. Blackpool Pleasure Beach is also home to Valhalla, the world's largest indoor dark ride, known for its many complex effects.

Prolific designers of dark rides in the UK include Keith Sparks and John Wardley between the 1970s and 1990s. Notable UK dark rides include Phantom Fantasia at Thorpe Park; The 5th Dimension, Terror Tomb, The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure and Professor Burp's Bubbleworks at Chessington World of Adventures; Around The World in 80 Days, The Haunted House, Toyland Tours and Hex – The Legend of the Towers at Alton Towers; and Valhalla at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. (Not a ghost train per se, Derren Brown's Ghost Train at Thorpe Park is a motion simulation and virtual reality attraction.)

In Australia, a dark ride is named The Ghost Train at Luna Park, Melbourne,[8] and a similarly-named ride was destroyed by fire in 1979 at Luna Park Sydney.

Interactive dark ride

Interactive dark rides feature a component that allows riders to be involved in the attraction's story. The first interactive dark ride ever built is El Paso at the Belgium theme park Bobbejaanland.[9][10]

The vast majority of interactive dark rides are shooting dark rides,[11] which require riders to aim and shoot at targets throughout the ride using handheld or vehicle-mounted light guns. Successfully shooting a target usually triggers special animation, such as flashing lights or moving the target. The more targets riders hit, the higher their scores at the end of the ride. The use of light guns varies between rides, from killing aliens on Men in Black: Alien Attack at Universal Studios Florida to calling turkeys on Gobbler Getaway at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari.[12][13] The ride systems of conventional dark rides can be easily converted into shooting dark rides. Such conversions include Duel: The Haunted House Strikes Back! at Alton Towers and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at Disney's Magic Kingdom. The latter uses facilities that previously housed If You Had Wings, Delta Dreamflight, and Take Flight. A recent dark ride, Wonder Mountain's Guardian at Canada's Wonderland, has the world's longest interactive screen at over 500 feet (150 m).

Among non-shooting interactive dark rides, Etnaland's[14] award-winning[15] Haunted School[16] is described by Park World magazine as "one of the most idiosyncratic dark rides". It is themed to a school exam, with riders individually answering multiple-choice questions throughout it. Riders are graded on their responses, and each receives a school report at the end of the ride.[11] While technically a coaster, the Gekion Live coaster at Joypolis had elements of a dark ride. It used to have a shooting element, only for it to be refurbished with a dance element (tapping buttons on the restraints) later.

Trackless dark ride

Trackless dark rides utilize automated guided vehicles that do not require guide rails, and thus are able to cross existing paths, reverse, and rotate. Some trackless dark rides, such as the Big Red Car Ride at Dreamworld, rely on a buried wire for navigation. Others, such as Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland or Ratatouille: L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy at Disneyland Paris, use Wi-Fi and RFID-based local positioning systems.[17]

Enclosed roller coaster

While some roller coasters may be indoors, simply enclosing a roller coaster does not make it a dark ride. Dark coasters are roller coasters that feature heavily themed layouts, special effects (such as animated characters, fire, smoke, and sound/lighting effects), and a dark ride portion that abruptly transitions into a roller coaster-style layout with heavily banked turns, sharp turns, steep drops, and helices. Some of them include backward motion, and many have launch mechanisms rather than lifts. Examples include:

Test Track at Epcot, Journey to the Center of the Earth at Tokyo DisneySea, and Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure each use a slot car track rather than that of a roller coaster, but they provide a similar pairing of dark ride scenes with a high-speed thrill ride.

Other attractions incorporating dark ride elements

Particularly in Disney-built or -influenced parks, a number of attractions use traditional dark-ride features, such as animatronics and theatrical lighting, but are not "dark rides" in that patrons do not board vehicles. Examples include the walk-through dioramas in Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle, and theater-based Disney attractions like Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, The Hall of Presidents, The American Adventure and Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress (and its now-closed Disneyland replacement America Sings) had four auditoriums that rotated audiences around a stationary core with show scenes.

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Railroad both include brief dark-ride scenes, but for the most part transport guests outdoors. Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain at several Disney parks, and Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars at Hong Kong Disneyland likewise include some dark-ride elements, but function primarily as indoor/outdoor roller coasters.

List of dark rides

  • Name in italics means that it has been closed; date of closure follows "−".
List of dark rides
TitleOpenLocationNotes
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage1971−1994
2001
Magic Kingdom
Tokyo DisneySea
Adventure Thru Inner Space1967−1985Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)Replaced in 1985 by Star Tours
Alice in Wonderland1961Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Alice in Wonderland1958Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
Apiland2000Parc du Bocasse
Apirama1979−1999Meli Park8-min. water dark ride with one drop; Transformed by new owner into Het Bos van Plop (Plopsaland)
Atlantis Adventure2007Europa-Park
Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin2013SeaWorld OrlandoA first-of-its-kind motion-based trackless dark ride developed by Oceaneering International
Bermuda Triangle1994−2010Sea WorldReplaced by Storm Coaster
Blå Tåget1935Gröna LundRenovated 2011
Boo Blasters on Boo Hill2010Canada's Wonderland
Carowinds
Kings Island
Kings Dominion
Formerly a Scooby-Doo-themed ride, rebranded after the parks did not renew the licence
Bubbleworks1990−2016Chessington World of AdventuresWater dark ride, originally Prof. Burp's Bubble Works, later called Imperial Leather Bubbleworks.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters2005
2005−2017
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland version closed to make way for Iron Man Experience motion simulator
Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters2004Tokyo Disneyland
Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast2006Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris)
Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue2016Shanghai Disneyland Park
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin1998Magic Kingdom
Calico Mine Ride1960Knott's Berry Farm
Capitán Balas2007Isla Mágica
Carnaval Festival1984Efteling
Castillo del TerrorTivoli World
Cave Train1961Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Challenge of Mondor2008Enchanted Forest
Challenge of Tutankhamon2001Walibi Belgium
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride2006−2015Alton TowersFormerly Around The World In 80 Days (1981-1993), then Toyland Tours (1994-2005). Currently closed
Chocolate Tour at Hershey's Chocolate World1973Hersheypark
Crush's Coaster2007Walt Disney Studios ParkThis attraction is also a roller coaster
Cueva de las Tarántulas2006Parque de Atracciones de MadridReplacing The Old Mine 1910
Cueva del HorrorParque de Atracciones de Zaragoza
Curse of DarKastle2005−2017Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Den Flyvende Kuffert1993Tivoli Gardens
The Den of Lost Thieves1998Indiana BeachPreviously opened in 1969 as the Mystery Mansion
Derren Brown's Ghost Train2016Thorpe ParkAn attraction that incorporates virtual reality headsets and motion simulation
DinolandiaTivoli World
Dinosaur1998Disney's Animal Kingdom
Dracula's Castle1974Lagoon Amusement ParkRefurbished with new scenes in 2007; featured in episode 27 ("Blind Luck") of the 1987-88 television series Werewolf
Dream River2019Parque de Atracciones de ZaragozaFormerly Río Misterioso
Droomvlucht1993Efteling
Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back!1992Alton TowersFormerly The Haunted House, refurbished with new scenes and laser-gun game system in 2003
Dwarf City1975Europa-Park
El Laberinto del Minotauro2000Terra Mítica
El Rescate de Ulises2001Terra MíticaBoat ride. The longest dark ride in Europe
El Rio del Tiempo1982−2007EpcotChanged to Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
El Último Minuto2006Dinópolis
Elf Ride1979Europa-Park
Escape from Pompeii1996Busch Gardens Williamsburg
E.T. Adventure1990
1991−2003
2001−2009
Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Japan
Fantasía1999−2016Parque de Atracciones de Madrid
Fata Morgana1986Efteling
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage2007Disneyland ParkRe-theming of the Submarine Voyage
Fire in the Hole1972Silver Dollar City
Frozen Ever After2016Walt Disney WorldReplaced Maelstrom |
Ghost Train1930Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Ghostwood Estate2008Kennywood
Gobbler Getaway2006Holiday World
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros2007EpcotFormerly El Rio del Tiempo dark ride (1982)
The Great Movie Ride1989−2017Disney's Hollywood Studios
The Great Pistolero Roundup1999Family Kingdom Amusement Park
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey2010
2014
2016
Universal's Islands of Adventure
Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Hollywood
The Haunted Mansion1969
1971
1983
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
Magic Kingdom
Tokyo Disneyland
Het Bos van Plop1999Plopsaland8-minute boat dark ride with one drop, on track of former Apirama
High Dive1994Wakayama Marina City | Porto EuropaArrow Dynamics flume ride
I Corsari: la Vendetta del Fantasma1991GardalandOpened as I Corsari in 1991, in 2018 was renovated and changed the name
If You Had Wings1972−1989Magic Kingdom
Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull2001Tokyo DisneySea
Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye1995Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
It's a Small World1964
1966
1971
1983
1992
2008
1964 New York World's Fair
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
Magic Kingdom
Tokyo Disneyland
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris)
Hong Kong Disneyland
Jocco's Mardi Gras Madness2000−2005Six Flags New Orleans
Journey to Atlantis1998
2004
2007
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld San Diego
Refurbished in Orlando in 2017; elevator segment in San Diego version
Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D2012Warner Bros. Movie World
Justice League: Battle for Metropolis2015
2015
2016
Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags St. Louis
Six Flags Great America
Kärlekstunneln1917Gröna LundRefurbished in 1987
Kingdom of the Dinosaurs1987−2004Knott's Berry FarmReplaced by Voyage to the Iron Reef
Knott's Bear-y Tales1975−1987Knott's Berry FarmReplaced by Kingdom of the Dinosaurs
KosmikarMount Igueldo Amusement Park
La Aventura de Scooby-Doo2005Parque Warner Madrid
La Furia de los Dioses1999−2010Isla Mágica
The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure2011
2012
Disney California Adventure Park
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom installation opened as “Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid”.
Living with the Land1982Epcot
Looney Tunes River Ride1991−2011
1996−2004
Warner Bros. Movie World
Warner Bros. Movie World Germany
Los Piratas1984−1996Parque de Atracciones de MadridReplaced by The Old Mine 1910
Madame Freudenreich Curiosités2018Europa-ParkReplaced Universe of Energy, being a retheme of that ride
Maelstrom1988−2014EpcotClosed for conversion to Frozen Ever After
Magical Powder2002Lagunasia
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh1999
2003
2005
Magic Kingdom
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
Hong Kong Disneyland
Magic Kingdom installation replaced Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort) installation replaced Country Bear Jamboree
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!2006Disney California Adventure Park
Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek2009Tokyo Disneyland
Men in Black: Alien Attack2000Universal Studios Florida
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway2020
2022
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disneyland Park
The Mine of Lost Souls1985Canobie Lake ParkRefurbished in 1992 by the Sally Corporation
Minen2003Tivoli Gardens
Monster Mansion2009Six Flags Over GeorgiaTales of the Okefenokee 1967-1980; Monster Plantation 1981-2009
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride1955
1971−1998
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom installation replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mysterious RiverMonte Igueldo Amusement Park
Mystic Manor2013Hong Kong Disneyland
Mystic Motel2013Ladera RanchNotable for being homemade, Mystic Motel contains a small walkthrough section as well as the 60-ft ride
The Old Mine 19101997−2004Parque de Atracciones de MadridReplaced by Cueva de las Tarántulas
Peter Pan's Flight1955
1971
1983
1992
2016
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
Magic Kingdom
Tokyo Disneyland
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris)
Shanghai Disneyland Park
Phantasmagoria 1973−2007 Bell's Amusement Park Was one of the largest and longest haunted amusements in the country with a two-story track and 27 tricks and surprises, ride was demolished June 19, 2007 when Bell's Amusement Park was permanently closed
Phantom Fantasia1983−2000Thorpe ParkLater Wicked Witches Haunt; closed in 2000 by fire.
Phantom Manor1992Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris)
Phantom Theater1972−2002Kings IslandReplaced with Scooby-Doo's Haunted Mansion and later with Boo Blasters on Boo Hill
Piccolo Mondo1982Europa-ParkBefore 2011 refurbishment was called Ciao Bambini
PinocchioTivoli World
Pinocchio's Daring Journey1983
1983
1992
Tokyo Disneyland
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris)
Pirates in Batavia1987−2018Europa-ParkBoat ride with one big drop
Pirates Cove1972Waldameer Park
Pirates of the Caribbean1967
1973
1983
1992
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
Magic Kingdom
Tokyo Disneyland
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris)
Pooh's Hunny Hunt2000Tokyo Disneyland
Popcorn Revenge2019Walibi Belgium
Puppet Boat Ride1992Europa-Park
Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy2014
2020
Walt Disney Studios Park
Epcot
Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge2006-2018Hersheypark
Río Misterioso1978-2018Parque de Atracciones de ZaragozaReopened as Dream River
River Caves1905Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith1999
2002—2019
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Walt Disney Studios Park
This attraction is also a roller coaster. This attraction also existed at Walt Disney Studios Park, in Paris. The roller coaster closed for the construction of the new Marvel theme area Avengers Campus
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin1994
1996
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
Tokyo Disneyland
Scooby-Doo's Haunted Mansion2000−2009
2001−2009
2002−2018
2003−2014
2004−2009
2005−2009
Canada's Wonderland*
Carowinds*
Six Flags Fiesta Texas***
Six Flags St. Louis**
Kings Island*
Kings Dominion*
* indicates replaced by Boo Blasters on Boo Hill
** indicates replaced by Justice League: Battle for Metropolis
*** indicates replaced by Pirates of the Deep Sea
Shootout at the Flooded Mine1968Silver Dollar City
Sinbad's Storybook Voyage2001Tokyo DisneySea
Snow White's Scary Adventures1955
1971−2012
1983
1992
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
Magic Kingdom
Tokyo Disneyland
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris)
Magic Kingdom installation replaced by Princess Fairytale Hall
Snowflake Sleigh Ride1998Europa-Park
Spaceship Earth1982Epcot
Spectacolo2005Wiener PraterFree-fall dark ride
Splash Mountain1989
1992
1992
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)
Magic Kingdom
Tokyo Disneyland
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance2019
2020
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disneyland Park
Submarine Voyage1959−1998Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)Reopened as Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage in 2007
The Swiss Chocolate Adventure[18]2014Swiss Museum of Transport (Verkehrshaus), LucerneCovers an area of 700 square metres (7,500 sq ft)
Symbolica2017EftelingDark ride about Efteling's mascot, Pardoes; system delivered by Dutch company ETF, developed from cancelled project Hartenhof
Terroride1967Lagoon Amusement ParkRefurbished with all-new scenes and updated animatronics in 2017. Temporarily renamed Terroride: A Classic Reimagined for its 50th season operating.
Timber Mountain Log Ride1969Knott's Berry Farm
Tomb Blaster2002Chessington World of AdventuresFormerly Terror Tomb, refurbished in 2002 with new scenes and laser-gun game system; replaced The 5th Dimension in 1994
Toy Story Midway Mania!2008
2008
2012
Disney California Adventure Park
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Tokyo DisneySea
Transformers: The Ride 3D2011
2012
2013
2021
Universal Studios Singapore
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Beijing
TV's Family Favourites1995−1998Crinkley Bottom at Cricket St Thomas
Universe of Energy1994−2017Europa-ParkRethemed as Madame Freudenreich Curiosités
Valhalla2000Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Viaje al Centro de la Tierra1970−1979Parque de Atracciones de Madrid
Viaje en el Tiempo2001Dinópolis
Viaje Galáctico1970−1986Parque de Atracciones de MadridReplaced by Los Piratas
Voyage to the Iron Reef2015Knott's Berry Farm
Wacky Factory2010Lake WinnepesaukahFormerly Castle
Wallace & Gromit's Thrill-O-Matic2013Blackpool Pleasure Beach
The Whacky Shack1982Joyland Amusement Park
The Whacky Shack1970Waldameer Park
Wild West Adventure2000Attractiepark Slagharen
Wonder Mountain's Guardian2014Canada's Wonderland

See also

References

  1. "Shining a Light on Dark Rides". Entertainment Designer. February 9, 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  2. Acorn, S. (2010). Theme park design: Behind the scenes with an engineer. Orlando, FL: Theme Perks Press.
  3. "Archaeology of a Dark Ride". academia.edu.
  4. MacDonald, Brady (October 19, 2015). "25 best theme park dark rides in the world". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  5. Langhof, J. G. & Güldenberg, S. (2019). Pirates, ghosts and customer loyalty – Reviewing the dark ride experience. Tourism Management Perspectives, 31, 398-420.
  6. "Ghost train". blackpoolpleasurebeach.com.
  7. "Ghost Train". ukrides.info.
  8. "Ghost Train (Luna Park)". Parkz. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  9. "Bobbejaanland - El Paso".
  10. "Parkplanet".
  11. "The School". Park World Magazine: 38. August 2013.
  12. "Alien Invasion on the Gold Coast". Park World Magazine: 13. October 2012.
  13. "Gobbler Getaway". Sally Corporation. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  14. "Etnaland". www.etnaland.eu.
  15. "European Star Award 2013". Gosetto. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  16. "The School - Etnaland Themepark". www.etnaland.eu.
  17. Niles, Robert (9 August 2013). "The Imagineers behind Hong Kong Disneyland's Mystic Manor talk about their award-winning attraction, at Disney's D23". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  18. Mani, Mohan (13 July 2014). "Chocoholics, ahoy! Swiss Chocolate Adventure in Luzern". Newly Swissed. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
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