Scott And Carol Present: PPP With A Twist!

As the leaves start turning and the cold winds blow, park lovers thoughts turn to what do I want my last park experience for the season to be? Do I want to do a multi-park trip? Should I visit my favorite park one last time? What about visiting a totally new-to-me amusement park? Should I do it by myself? For many, their last big bash of the summer is riding a final time with friends and comparing their season’s experiences. All roads lead to eastern Pennsylvania in early October.

One event that attracts hundred of coaster and park enthusiasts is the Phoenix Phall Phunfest with a Twister held annually at Knoebel’s Grove and Resort just outside of Elysburg PA. It started small and then kept growing. Held in conjunction with the Covered Bridge Festival, it combines a craft and food atmosphere during the day with more intense attractions as the dark creeps through the shedding trees. Some people ride in costume long after the contest is over, relishing the joy of the experience in a new way.

Attendees come from all regions of the country, even into Canada. One such group includes people from New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Florida, and Michigan. They all gather together to share their love of amusement parks and great roller coasters.

One of the first events of this year’s gathering was a haunted wedding staged appropriately just outside the dark ride. Dressed as their favorite spooky characters, they stayed in costume throughout the evening. Some of the scariest bridesmaids ever assembled, they even outdid the groomsmen. The last group weren't guests per say, they just great costumes.

A tradition of the Phunfest is riding in costume. Here are just a few examples of costumes from 2008. The best ones have some sort of inside joke. Here, Thor perused carrying a massive hammer through the park chanting “Less coasters, more condos.” For those who don’t understand, Thor Development wants to redevelop Coney Island into a more upscale shopping and residential area. The other picture may appear to be nothing special until you recognize Jeff Pike, lead designer for the Evil Kneivel roller coaster at Six Flags St Louis.

The haunted car ride is the number one attraction. The creative minds of the park strive to outdo themselves every year by adding unique twists along the trail. The many vignettes along the track always seem fresh every year. Giant pumpkins, a working model roller coaster, and creative use of black lights are just a brief sampling of the ride. Every fog machine was set to max, and the fog also enveloped the lowest parts of the Phoenix’s track. You can see some of the haunted displays as you “phly” by.



The coasters looked spectacular in daylight and rode even more so after dark. The park staff take special care of their rides because they know that people travel from everywhere for this special occasion. The Flying Turns project continues to advance, but not quick enough for everyone. It is a very special recreation of an old ride that requires some very special techniques to build and now full attention has turned to the trains. Hope springs eternal with the changing seasons.

Phoenix Phall Phunfest’s Grand Finale is a huge bonfire where attendees can gather to roast hot dogs, toast marsh mellows and remember the warm days of summer, we can also look forward to next year. Remember, the best coaster is the next one you’re standing in line for. So as we watch the leaves fall and dream about next summer, here’s a last message from everyone at Knoebels.

Random Dorney Park Haunt Photos

I've got a bit of a backlog of photos from my trips to the Haunt at Dorney Park over the last month or so, so here's a random collection of shots I've taken for various reasons.

The park does have up new banners for the different Haunt attractions. Here are the ones for ScreamWorks and Club Blood.

Also, and you'll have to click the larger photo to see, there are some flags by the entrance to the parking area next to Steel Force's station. For what? I don't know.

The Haunt was a real hit this year. The above photo was taken early on when crowds were less than they are now, and this was the long line to be found for ScreamWorks.

I like this shot. The fog makes everything so creepy - it's great when it's a fairly calm night and the fog just hovers over the entire park.

Big banner that went up at the entrance to the park, which looks like it is floating in space in this photo.

The acts make for some great action shots during General Jack's Sideshow Bizarro.

PG-13.

Boo - this photo is way too dark, but last week or so the park planted all new trees in every planter along the main midway. Great move!

Perhaps it's just me, but it's been quite a while since I've seen Hydra's sign with smoke coming out of it's nose.

We'll end with a photo of Laser. This weekend is the last for the park's 2008 season, and the last ever for Laser!

Doctor of Doom: The Haunt at Dorney Park

Afraid of clowns? If so, this could be your worst nightmare. A crazy Doctor is on the loose and he's trying to build the world's most evil clown.

Hong Kong Disneyland on YouTube

Sorry for back to back YouTube videos, but Hong Kong Disneyland made their own channel and it has some great videos from their Halloween event. They have some commercials they did for the event, as well as a video that overviews all the different offerings the park has this year.

And judging from the above video the park has not backed down from being 'undisney' with their seriously scary event!

Scott And Carol Present: Indiana Beach's Monster Beach Party

Indiana Beach looked very different this fall. Instead of shuttering the rides and resting up for the season, they hosted the Monster Beach Party. For the first time in memory the park was open to the public after Labor Day. Some monsters appeared on the boardwalk and a few new decorations were set along the midways.


The park’s trees had turned colors and it was strange to see some falling leaves blowing around the guest’s feet as they walked from ride to ride. Wearing sweatshirts at the beginning of the day rather than after dark, a few attendees braved the chill by wearing shorts, but swimwear was nonexistent.

Cobwebs fluttered in the breeze to the rustle of cornstalks. The rides that could coexist with cooler temperatures were open and the crowds evidently stayed home to watch football. Almost every coaster was a walk-on, and even some rerides in the front seat were available.



A nice cemetery scene with a “Gravekeeper” who rises to greet you if you get too close. The headstones are adorned with the management team, following the lead of other parks in the past.

The Wabash Cannonball has some extra surprises as the day goes longer. Pay special attention to the coffin in the south miniature golf course. Beware of the cutting crew, they want to use their chainsaws to cut you down to size. They roam the rail bed next to the lake.

It was a beautiful brisk day with the wind coming of the lake. Taking a ride on the Shaffer Queen revealed a nice panorama of the turning colors of fall that ringed the shoreline. Summer is over, and this was one last blast at Indiana Beach before winters closure. While it is sad to see another summer gone, seeing a different view of Indiana Beach made it easier to face the upcoming snow.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

CornStalkers: The Haunt at Dorney Park

"The fields are long gone, but the souls of the farmhands and scarecrows stayed. With no land to roam, no crows to scare, the ghosts of Solomon's farm have returned to reclaim their fields."

Club Blood @ Dorney Park Video

Dorney Park was kind enough to invite me to film some of the mazes at The Haunt for use on NewsPlusNotes - for that I thank the park!

This is the first video I got together: Club Blood. Take a trip through Club Blood - the only nightclub in town where you're welcome to stay forever! The vampires running the club would love to show you a bloody good time!

Remember to subscribe to NewsPlusNotes' YouTube channel to know when the latest videos are published!

More Hollywood Horror Nights Photos

© 2008 Theme Park Village

Theme Park Village had the chance to check out this year's Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood and has posted a photo report of their event.

The photos contain many of the different characters that can be see wondering around the park. Some of those costumes are pretty wild!

Click over here to head to TPV to see the report.

Busch Gardens Europe's Howl-O-Scream Pics

Coaster101 recently visited Busch Gardens Europe's Howl-O-Scream event and published many photos from their trip.

Busch Gardens does a really great job of decorating the property for their Halloween event.

You can check out Coaster101's photos here.

Darien Lake's 2008 Fright Fest

One of our readers, Rousea, was nice enough to send a link to this photo tour of Darien Lake's 2008 Fright Fest.

The event looks super popular as the park looks packed in many of the photos. The "field trip" they offer looks pretty wild, too! That's a neat idea for a haunt attraction.

General Jack's Sideshow Bizarro

As described by Dorney Park:

Come one, come any, come all! See scenes of the absurd, amazing and odd at the greatest sideshow on Earth. Meet Spike the sharp objects fanatic, Octane the pyromaniac, Heidi the fiery dancing damsel and Gretchen the Grinder Girl.

Don't get me wrong, the Haunts at Dorney Park are great this year, but so is the live entertainment!

Universal Hollywood's Horror Nights

© 2008 Westcoaster.net

I hadn't seen any reviews of Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights yet, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that Westcoaster just published a great photo review of the event!

I do not think it's fair to draw any comparisons to this event's sister in Orlando, as Hollywood's event is still young in it's 'rebirth.' That said, the event does look very nice this year. I really like how they've expanded upon the tram tour. I think it's so cool to walk the sets from War of the Worlds, especially as a haunt!

Click over here to check out Westcoaster's full update.

Scott + Carol Present: Kennywood's Phantom Fright Nights 2008

Editor's Note: Scott and Carol Holmes are back with a wonderful review of Kennywood's Phantom Fright Nights 2008. The event looks great this year! Read on to see what I mean...
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Kennywood has been thrilling patrons for 110 years. Located in the Pittsburgh metro area, the locals have become very discerning about what they like, and very vocal about what they don’t. So being successful for so long, the park has to be doing something right. As a National Historical Landmark, they have high standards to maintain. It has remained in the same two families for three generations, until being sold to Parques Renuidos earlier this year. But the mission remains the same, to provide thrills in the way they always have through the years. For the seventh year, Phantom Fright Nights combines “terror with taste,” in the inimitable Kennywood tradition. The Phantom greets you outside the gate, to welcome you to his Kennywood. Artfully staged, he presents a foreboding invite to the mayhem of the dark.

The planning starts in February, but construction ramps up when daily operations ceased for the season. The big new haunted attraction for 2008, Voodoo Bayou, is the brain child of Matt Eames. As the creative director, he says, “I’m living my dream – taking the bizarre ideas that gush from my head and coaxing them to life.”

Phantom Fright Nights is a big undertaking, and it requires a temporary expansion of the “scare force.” Three hundred monsters of all types are hired, trained, and prepared for duty. According to Jeff Filicko, “We have a priority system for makeup, where the more detailed characters move forward in the line. It’s always a rush, but our dedicated team makes it all come together.” Many of them appear in the bayou, whispering warnings that are unheeded, echoing throughout the shrunken heads.



For long time park regulars, the giant spider from the retired Gold Rusher makes an appearance. A long complicated experience filled with skulls, snakes, and rotting carcasses, some with inside jokes. One of the dead is met their untimely demise wearing a Kennywood shirt. If you dare, try to avoid becoming another shrunken head.


Kennywood’s new for 2008 is Ghostwood Estate, an interactive dark ride that changes every time guests ride it. Featuring spectacular three dimensional theming, guests challenge each other to drive away the ghosts that have taken over the place.

For those who would rather sit back and watch the scenes, there are digital displays disguised as pictures that constantly change, props that move when particular targets are hit, and a track-less vehicle that starts, stops and turns with no visible means of control. For others who want to fire away, there are around 200 targets, most of which reward your marksmanship with a trick as well as points. Whether you play the game or just enjoy the scenery, it’s always a good time. One last warning, be very observant near the giant cake. Make sure you hit that target.



Changing the mood of the park takes many man hours. Every light bulb is changed on the carousel, a job that takes two maintenance workers at entire week. Almost every other light in the park is also changed in some form or another. According to the park, that’s 10,479 different bulbs. Fifty strobe lights are added, along with between two and three thousand square feet of colored gels, for adding just the right touch of atmosphere.

But the scares are different here at Kennywood. They use surprise and loud noises, instead of merely gore. A wonderful change from having people just yell in your face, Phantom Fright Night participants find themselves misdirected into looking away, and then seeing the frightening apparitions right next to them.


If you brave the Villa of the Vampire, you are offered a “bite”, and directed past a coffin “just for you.” Enough coffins to fill a mortician’s warehouse, and more bats and werewolves than you have silver bullets. Beware of what lurks in the fog, it’s really you they’re after. As you enter the Dark Shadows Maze, is the wall really closing in? With all the fog, minimal lighting, and a deep subsonic pulsing beat, until they touch you you’ll never know. You fell like something bad is about to happen, but will it?


Parkside Café has been transformed into Mortem Manor. What was once beautiful has now become macabre? The unearthly zombies make you wish this is one pageant you passed by. With lots of places to move through the walls and approach you from unforeseen directions, the screams of the guests provide all the sound track this maze needs.

If you like 3-d chromatography, don’t miss Captain Skully’s Curse. With pirates waiting around every corner, the black lit backdrops hide many things, and they are all waiting for you. Don’t try to take their treasure; they’ll take you prisoner instead. Pretty wenches beware; a pirate wants to be your best friend.


The roller coasters are open, as well as most of the big rides. Many rides are on standby, available for quick use when larger crowds gather. If you wander the park enjoying the darkness, you see some of the scenes the creative team has set up for your enjoyment.

The Kennyville Cemetery with the glowing fountain and ghostly apparition show the park in a different light. Walking through Gory Park, the realization that no one is picking up trash in that area strikes a disquieting chord. The park is not usually like this.



As you leave, grabbing a bite at Potato Patch Fries on the way out, the fond memories of the best scares fill your head. The members of your group have varying opinions about what was best, and that’s alright; Kennywood means many different things to many different people. The best memories are your own experiences of your visit, and they should provide pleasant recollections throughout the cold winter.