netdvn Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 My parents love to shop for antiques so this is the perfect spot to hit up when we're in the area. The dark rides are the icing on the already awesome cake. I can't get enough of that store. So much awesome old stuff in one place. The Williamsburg Antique Mall has nothing on psychedelic storefront with world's largest bobblehead.
gisco Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 This looks like a place made for a TPR visit!
cfc Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 While there are a lot of new coasters being built for 2012, I think that this is most exciting theme-park-related project in a long time.
DougMJr Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 It's great that this is being built at a store that already attracts tourism. Hopefully this will help make dark rides a little more popular. I'll definitely visit wild bill's if I ever get the opportunity.
Meteornotes Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 This is seriously one of the greatest things ever posted to this site. Thanks so much for taking the time to go out for a visit and returning with so many great photos. I look forward to watching this plan come together and visiting the place some day. dt
superlegostarwars Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 Reminds me of American Pickers. Awesome store!
spongey Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 Great report mate, looks like you could spend hours looking around in there!
forces Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 Looks really cool, one could possibly get lost in the store alone. The place will definitely be an attraction I can see being featured on a show on the travel channel. Thanks for the great photos and interesting report Larry. Wild Bill looks like a man whose got some great stories to tell.
Solid Gold Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 I think I will spend more time searching out dark ride nostalgia in the future. I think a Wild Bill's/Quassy/Compounce/SFNE/NYC trip has quickly been bumped into the top three most likely future trips anywhere for me. I think this was a VERY good TR to share. Reason #1 why TPR is the only coaster forum I pay attention to.
DaveH80 Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 Great TR Larry! I live about 25 min from Wild Bill's & have been going there since I was a teenager. I have got some excellent vintage concert tees, videos, & random nostalgic stuff there & everytime I drive by it seems like more has been added. I learned so much I never knew from your report so thanks so much for that! Looks like like many more great things are planned for the future there. Very exciting!!
ernierocker Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 I think a Wild Bill's/Quassy/Compounce/SFNE/NYC trip has quickly been bumped into the top three most likely future trips anywhere for me. That really would make a kick-ass "long-weekend" type of trip!
Ryancrash Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 Wow, this is seriously awesome! Can't wait to see those dark rides up and running. I will totally have to take a trip up there... nice that it's within easy driving distance. Thanks for sharing Larry!
BeemerBoy Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 Just got caught up here. Larry, this is awesome. Thanks for posting all of this!
COASTER FREAK 11 Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 WOW! I would love to see this place (and ride the rides he's making!)
WillFCody Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 We here at Wild Bill's would really like to thank Larry for coming to visit us personally. I would also like to reply to Forces(John C.) with this link http://www.roadsideamerica.com/blog/giant-jack-in-the-box/ from Roadside Attractions, who have been to Wild Bill's on 3 seperate instances. We are all looking forward to meeting you all here at Wild Bill's anytime. Thanks for all the support and wonderful comments. Buffalo Bill
Fallen Heretic Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 I haven't logged in here for ages and Im glad I did tonight. I had heard about this place before, but this is the first time I've really got to know what its about. This is a great project. I love the old classic dark rides. Sure the sally laser makeovers are great and all, but I do miss just sitting there rumbling along in the dark nervous about what's going to assault me round the next corner. I also cant get over the reality of that store! Its exactly the kind of place where you can happen upon a real unexpected gem that you would sell a kidney for. I look forward seeing this progress. Oh, and thanks to Larry for showing it to us!
cfc Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 Thanks for all the support and wonderful comments. Buffalo Bill Our thanks to you and Chuck Burnham for taking this on.
Philrad71 Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 This is just awesome! I am definitely going to have to talk my Dad into driving the motor home out there for the flea market and to check this place out next year. We love antiques, flea markets, old beer cans/bottles/signs...and the dark ride restoration project is the bonus win & a super cool idea! Thanks for sharing, Larry! PS - Anyone named 'Buffalo Bill' restoring dark rides is a winner in my book! Best of luck,guys!
aimster Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 This is really cool! I'm looking forward to reading more on the progress of everything!
ElToroExtreme Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 Fantastic PTR Larry! That is such an awesome place!
larrygator Posted November 30, 2011 Author Posted November 30, 2011 Thanks for all the support and wonderful comments. Our thanks to you and Chuck Burnham for taking this on. I know this is a little confusing, but just want the remind everyone for clarity's sake, the poster "WillFCody" is Wild Bill's son. Wild Bill Ziegler and Chuck Burnham are the driving forces behind the project from a financial, visionary and workmanship standpoint. I met a couple of the other guys on Chuck's crew while visiting and they may be joining the TPR site in the future, also.
BizzaroNumberOne Posted November 30, 2011 Posted November 30, 2011 WOW! I live in stratford and i love old dark rides! Are there functioning rides there? Haunted house? When will it open
larrygator Posted November 30, 2011 Author Posted November 30, 2011 Are there functioning rides there? No, not yet! Haunted house? When will it open The plan is for some time in 2012. No timetable is set, because you can't rush perfection.
WillFCody Posted December 1, 2011 Posted December 1, 2011 This funhouse draws influence from the former Riverside Park (Agawam, MA) dark ride , designed & decorated by Bill Tracy, himself in the spring of 1962. The façade was destroyed at the end of the 1983 season, and the best known photograph of it was taken that year by our friends at http://www.laffinthedark.com . Please visit their website to learn more about the great endeavors we are undertaking at this very moment. We will be updating every so often to keep you appraised on whats happening. http://www.flickr.com/photos/60904464@N02/sets/ . Thanks as always, Wild Bill
larrygator Posted December 1, 2011 Author Posted December 1, 2011 http://laffinthedark.com/articles/Staten/Staten.htm laffinthedark.com is also a great place to see a walkthrough tour of the Staten Island Pretzel as it once stood.
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