Ghosts in the Grove_P3_Williams Grove Dark Ride

The Devil Made Them Do It

The newer Pretzel cars (the company’s most recent “tub” models) and track were retrofitted into the old Laff In The Dark building - the name having been updated to "Dante's Inferno" - along with a hodgepodge of stunts from various manufacturers. Installed on the back wall of the building were the

Gooney bird and falling tree stunts, and a rising Frankenstein’s Monster replaced the ride’s original Fighting Cats stunt. One simple but effective stunt was a large, industrial type fan that was hidden in a wall and turned on when a car was about to approach it, blasting riders with a forceful wind!

But most noticeable in the new attraction was not the stunts or even the updated cars and track. It was the artwork within the ride which bordered on an R-rated attraction. The walls displayed scenes straight from hell, demonic creatures draining blood from victims, hounds of hell chasing humans, sinister half human, half beast creatures and more, all deciphered in loud orange glowing spray paint. The murals were brought to life with multiple tube style blacklights. To say the artwork was demonic would be an understatement. Nevertheless the ride was a huge hit among park patrons.

Of note is that the Pretzel cars linkage to connect to the "hot rail" to power the cars, were replaced, perhaps out of lack of spare parts, and instead had a makeshift piece added that dragged along steel plates located on the floor to power the cars. Never have I ever seen such a homemade remedy to a power problem like this! Also, the Chambers cars had originally run across the loading area from left to right, but the Pretzel system was installed to operate right to left.

Above: Dante's Inferno showing original Chambers cars. Photo courtesy of NAPHA
Right: Loading area with replacement late-model Pretzel ride cars.
Below left: Dante's Inferno with Pretzel cars. Right: Restored Williams Grove Dante's Inferno Chambers car.