EastCoastn07 Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Well, as we are all already aware of, Gold Rusher at Kennywood Park ran for the last time this season. Even though the ride closed down last month, I didn't think any work would begin on the ride until the offseason, but when I stopped by the park today, I was shocked by what I saw. It looks like Kennywood has already begun on whatever they have planned for the 2008 season at the site of the late Gold Rusher. Seems like my original idea that a new dark ride would just replace the Gold Rusher in the existing building has been proven false considering they have already ripped out a majority of the building. One thing that really caught my eye was that they stopped all the demolition once they reached the structure of the building that the games sit in. I have a very strong feeling that this whole building might be on its way out to make room for whatever the park has planned for next season. The park has already shown us that they aren't afraid to take some of the games at the park after taking out the building to put the 3-point basketball game in. The only thing I see actually staying in this area is the bathrooms, considering they just put those in a few years ago. But that's just what I think is going to happen. Anyways, here's the pictures. Sorry for the crappy quality of some of them, I took these with a 1.3mp camera phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Awww, boooo. That ride was so awful that it became wonderful, I loved it. I'm glad I got to ride it in August before this happened. The spider scene was so "amazing". Hopefully they get a worth replacement. I'd love to see a more modern dark ride (maybe shooting) at KW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N'at Man Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 One of the problems the Gold Rusher had was a lack of space for a queue and loading area. Everything is pointing to a shooting dark ride so the question is how will the park fit a new ride in that area with the extra queue area and updated ride experience the park desires. I became more of a fan of the Gold Rusher after Le Cachot was removed. There was nothing outstanding or amazing about it but it was a nice, standard dark ride. The spider and bats (stings) were surprising. With newer dark rides you rarely get those type of simple surprises that have worked for generations but have gone by the wayside for elements such as shooting games and 3-D effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnewton34 Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 I'm glad I got to ride it in August too. I loved it, it was so bad it was awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeelTheFORCE Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 A new dark ride would be cool, or maybe it's another flat ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewlcoasterdude Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 The park needs a new coaster. They are long overdue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginzo Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 I'd really hate to see them not replace a dark ride with another dark ride. There are precious few dark rides left. And if you think Gold Rusher is craptacular, you should check out the portable ones found at fairs. Those make Gold Rusher look like Spidey @ IOA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeelTheFORCE Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 The park needs a new coaster. They are long overdue. They'll get one, probably not in 2008, though. My guess is 2010 at the earliest, or when the Mon Expressway is finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldogmom Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Very sad. First Le Cachot, then the Old Mill, now this. Kennywood used to be famous for its classic dark rides. I loved the Gold Rusher, especially the part with the waterfall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 I'd really hate to see them not replace a dark ride with another dark ride. There are precious few dark rides left. And if you think Gold Rusher is craptacular, you should check out the portable ones found at fairs. Those make Gold Rusher look like Spidey @ IOA. Completely agree, I don't understand what people expect out of a classic dark ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastn07 Posted September 9, 2007 Author Share Posted September 9, 2007 Well I certainly don't think any type of ride will replace it unless of course the park decides to make more room. Like I said, I have a feeling that entire buiding that houses several games may be on its way out this season. I just don't see how they could put any new ride in that area unless this happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dailey Enterprizes Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 Some of you might not agree with me, but I hope they don't put anything there! My point is that the area seemed a little dreary for some reason (like walking down a dark alley), so I'd be pleased if they just put in a garden to even everything out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastn07 Posted September 10, 2007 Author Share Posted September 10, 2007 Well there's a rumor that the park might actually salvage the upstairs of that building and install some sort of new ride in it...I really don't see how it would work, especially considering they'll have so little to work with. They've started construction pretty early so I can only assume its gonna be a semi-large project. I don't know, hopefully we'll see some sort of announcement soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianpike503 Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 Then your going to be very upset to learn the new ride will use just the upstairs part of the building Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastn07 Posted September 11, 2007 Author Share Posted September 11, 2007 How did I know you would eventually find your way onto these forums... If it ends up on the upstairs, it'll most likely be another crappy dark ride like Garfield's Nightmare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissorkill2night Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Which ride was the gold rush? I haven't been in about 2 years so I can't think of which ride that it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastCoastn07 Posted September 12, 2007 Author Share Posted September 12, 2007 It was the dark ride that was next to the entrance to the Thunderbolt... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goliath513 Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 It's always sad to see classic rides like these go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DenDen Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Well, if you haven't read by now, Looks like Kennywood is getting a new DarkRide to replace the Goldrusher. To quote from a forum at http://hauntworld.com/haunted_house_forums/showthread.php?t=3076 This will be a 2 million dollar project for Kennywood, located in Pittsburgh. The outside will be a HUGE four sided haunted mansion facade, while inside a scary interactive targeting haunted mansion dark ride. The ride system will be a trackless system provided by ETF systems. The inside will have CGI effects, 8 elaborate haunted mansion rooms, and over 200 animations. This ride will open in April 08. The apparent company designing it is... http://www.halloweenproductions.com/ Same company that did Garfield's Nightmare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myself Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Facade going all the way around the building=win. That's going to be real cool. From what I've heard this is supposed to be a WHOLE lot better than Garfield's Nightmare. Thank God for that. The programmed trackless cars seem cool. If you go on their page on the company website, it looks as if they can go to deqad ends, turn around, and come back and go elsewhere. Sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exit english Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I have no doubt this is going to be better than Garfield's Nightmare. Walking through my apartment when the lights are off to find the bathroom in the middle of the night is better than that cartoony mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterFanatic Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 More dark-ride goodness from the people who brought us Terror-Visions in 3D and Garfield's Nightmare. I can't wait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LcHg5265 Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Looking at the video on their website of the "monster mansion" it seems to be *much* better than Garfields. http://www.halloweenproductions.com/MM_ride.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeelTheFORCE Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 Article on Ghostwood Estate. Sounds pretty cool that you have so much freedom with your vehicle. You can stop, turn, and if there is a fork in the road, choose which way to go. This ride is going to be better than I expected! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennyweird Posted May 2, 2008 Share Posted May 2, 2008 ^ That's just too cool. Although I'll miss the Goldrusher, Ghostwood Estate should more than make up for its removal. I wish I could go on Saturday, but I have to help my grandparents move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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