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Once Upon A Rumpus
An in-depth journey into the history of the long-gone Pretzel dark ride that
once thrilled the patrons of Pennsylvania's Idlewild Park.
By Jennifer Sopko |
Fantasma!
The story of the greatest European creator of dark ride facades and stunts!
By Bill Luca |
Fear Over The Falls Part 1
The Canadian Falls have long been fertile ground for dark attractions. In this installment
we explore the history of the single rail dark rides of that region.
By Adam Lopata |
Creature Comforts!
A Rhode Island teenager acquires and lovingly restores a ride car
from a Bill Tracy attraction that operated before he was born.
By George LaCross |
HersheyPark - A Look Back To The Dark Ages
Our Hershey Park Dark Ride and Funhouse feature story has been revised and
expanded by its author, with additional historical information included.
By Stephen Oxenrider with Harry Michelson
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Screech At The Beach
Gillian's Wonderland Pier in Ocean City, NJ goes back to the future
and creates an instant classic - The Haunted House Dark Ride!.
By George LaCross |
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Spook-A-Rama Strikes Back
Triumphing over a devastating hurricane and record-high flood waters,
read how Deno's Wonder Wheel Park rescued this Coney Island classic!
By George LaCross |
Dark Side Of The Moon
Travel back in time to the former Crescent Park to experience its dark attractions including a one-of-a-kind dark ride designed by Bill Tracy.
By George LaCross |
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Crystal Beach Magic Palace
Revisit one of the best-loved funhouses of all time.
The Magic Palace at Crystal Beach, Ontario.
By Rick Doan |
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Tracy: Art Of Darkness
The most fascinating dark ride designer of all time - and one man's
odyssey to find the ghost that launched a million nightmares!
By Ralph Grassi |
Playland After Dark
Climb aboard our time machine for a trip back to Rye's Playland Park in the 1930s. Join us as we take a walk through the past and explore long-gone funhouses - and, of course - Laff In The Dark!
By Bill Luca |
William F. Cassidy - A Memorial Tribute
Laff In The Dark bids a fond farewell to former Pretzel Amusement Co. owner Bill Cassidy, the last of the classic dark ride builders from the "Golden Age of American Amusement Parks", and a truly nice guy. |
Voyage Of the Ghost Ship
Kennywood Park's legendary Bill Tracy Ghost Ship rises from the deep -
and the ashes - to take you on one more cruise to Davy Jones' Locker!
By Ned Johnstone and Brian Gallo |
Hell On Wheels!
Come On Down for a Hot Time at Dante's Inferno at Coney Island's Astroland Park!
By George LaCross |
Raiding The LAST Ark
Explore the history of Britain's only Noah's Ark funhouse from stem to stern.
By Paul Beesley |
Rocky Point's Era Of Terror
Remembering Rhode Island's Rocky Point Park and its menu of dark attractions
By John Malone and George LaCross |
Saving Sal
San Francisco's Playland may be gone, but its most famous resident has come back to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It's a laffing matter!
By Bill Luca |
Fear On The Pier
The dark history of Stillwalk Manor awaits you at the legendary amusement center of Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey
By Gary Heller with George LaCross |
Still Spooky After 50 Years!
Coney Island's Classic Spook-A-Rama celebrates its 50th birthday at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, as we present our third Laff Achievement Award! |
Over A Barrel
Whalom Park in Massachusetts has been closed for five years, but their funhouse still stands. Laff In The Dark explores this classic walk-through.
By George LaCross |
Send 'Em Out Laffing!
The story of the man who invented dark rides, and the business he built to make them, the Pretzel Amusement Ride Company.
By Bill Luca |
A Walk On The Wildwood Side
New Jersey's Wildwood boardwalk and piers have been home to some of the great classic dark attractions over the years. We take a look at what's 'on board' these days.
By George LaCross |
The Last Laff At Lake Compounce
Take a nostalgic trip back to Lake Compounce in Bristol, CT and the
fondly-remembered Laff In The Dark ride that delighted park-goers for over forty years.
By Charlie Burnham |
Fear and Fantasy
The history, business and art of pioneering dark ride stunt designer Van A. Olkon and the company he built - Animated Display Creators of Miami.
By Bill Luca |
The Dark Past Of Dorney Park
The former owner of Dorney park shares his memories of the Whacky Shack, Bucket O' Blood and other attractions that once brought fun and thrills to Dorney's patrons.
By Bob Ott |
The Haunted House - Trimper's Rides and Amusements
We explore one of the greatest surviving Bill Tracy-designed dark rides in existence.This multi-level extravaganza on the boardwalk of Trimper's Rides and Amusements in Ocean City, MD, contains almost every trick in the book.
By George LaCross |
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Flying Witch Project
Laff in the Dark investigates this super three-level dark ride at Rye Playland, NY. Do you dare to join us?
By George LaCross
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Fun in the Dark At Glen Echo Park
Laff in the Dark returns to this fondly remembered Washington, DC area park and its fine array of funhouse and dark ride attractions.
By Bill Luca |
SpookHouse!
It may be the oldest operating Pretzel dark ride in existence! Still spooky since 1931! Join us as we visit SpookHouse, at Keansburg Amusement Park, NJ.
By George LaCross
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The Legend Of Le Cachot
Kennywood's great Le Cachot may be gone forever, but Laff In The Dark
takes you back in time for another look at this classic Pretzel dark ride.
By George LaCross
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Out Of This World!
Mountain Park in Holyoke, Massachusetts once had an impressive array of dark rides and funhouses. Learn about these great rides and the artists who created them.
By Jay Ducharme
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Return to Zombie Castle
There's something Rotten in Rye! The classic Zombie Castle at Playand in Rye, NY gets a sinister makeover. Come on in...we'd love to have you for dinner!
By George LaCross |
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Kastle Frankenstein
The last little dark ride in Massachusetts awaits you at this perennial resort town on the shores of Salisbury Beach.
By Bill Luca |
The Mine of Lost Souls
Take a picturesque trip through Canobie Lake Park's gold mine, but beware...things get spooky "Way down in the mine".
By George LaCross |
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Staten Island Funhouse
Although it may be the end of the line for this little Pretzel gem, you can still join us for one more ride.
By Bret Malone |
Asbury Park Casino
It was a building full of amusement rides open year-round, and it also featured a Pretzel dark ride and a Circus Fun House. Step back in time and take a ride.
By Bret Malone |
Asbury Park Palace
The story of the classic Asbury Park ride pavilion, companion to the Casino.
It may be long gone, but yes, you can go back again.
By Bret Malone |
The Haunting of Sandy Lake
Among the many delights of this traditional family-owned park in Carrolton, Texas is a fine dark ride from the early days of the Pretzel Amusement Co.
By William Rutledge lll |
Spook-A-Rama
The spectacular all-time thriller still rules in legendary Coney Island
By Bill Luca |
Under The Boardwalk
The Haunted Castle and Cave Train Adventure Await You in Santa Cruz, CA
By Warren Crandall |
Ghost Train
Thrilling riders since 1930 at England's famed Blackpool Pleasure Beach
By Neil Saunderson |
Zombie Castle
A tribute to the last existing Laff In The Dark ride, at Playland Park, Rye, NY
By Bret Malone and George LaCross |
Lost Funhouses
A look back at some classic walk-throughs from the days when fun was FUN!
By Jack McDougall |
Haunted Hotel
The legendary evil inn at Pavillion Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach, SC
By Bret Malone |
Pretzel Logic
Remember your first dark ride? Memories of the original 1935 Pretzel Ride at Crescent Park, East Providence, RI by George LaCross |
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Flight To Mars
Follows the trail of the last Flight To Mars ride
by Bret Malone |
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