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Dark Ride Paradise - Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center


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The following pictures were taken between February 16th - February 24th.

 

I'm not sure if you could tell from some of my previous pictures but they can't very well just build structures without a real floor in this day and age. When I toured the site at Wild Bill's some of the Haunted House facades were up and part of the Haunted House will occur in a trailer, the rest of the area was just dirt and rocks.

 

On February 16th, heavy equipment was bought in to level parts of the ground, remove huge boulders and dig holes for "footers" that will hold the floor. Additional pictures in this post show the framing being built and installed that will form the floors. These carpentry pictures were taken on February 22nd and 24th.

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First some final measurements are taken. Measure twice, dig once.

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If you can ignore the graffiti and look below it you will see the turnstyle that will be used for this attraction.

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Let the digging commence.

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More dirt, because if there is one thing I learned since joining TPR it is that you all love dirt.

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Wow that seems like a deep hole.

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It turns out that this one isn't actually a footer. Wild Bill is spending so much on this project that he needed Chuck to retrieve a bag of gold that he buried years ago.

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About a week later after the concrete footers have set you can see the framing for the floor laid on top of those footers.

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Further work being done on the same area.

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A better look at those footers.

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The next day it snowed but that didn't stop the team from getting back to work on the project.

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Similar picture from a different perspective.

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I'll continue to post pictures and info as I acquire it. Stay Tuned!

Edited by larrygator
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As a dirt enthusiast, I have to say this is another really awesome update, Larry. Looks like things are progressing along nicely. Thanks for the photos, and do they have a projected time line of when they want to open the dark ride(s)?

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As a dirt enthusiast, I have to say this is another really awesome update, Larry. Looks like things are progressing along nicely. Thanks for the photos, and do they have a projected time line of when they want to open the dark ride(s)?

 

Mark - There is no definitive date, but the Haunted House will open sometime in 2012.

Edited by larrygator
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SWEET!

 

I know it's been said before, but it's worth repeating over and over: the obvious care and dedication that's going into this whole project is freaking incredible. I don't suppose, by any chance, that any of the work is being captured on film? This will make/could have made for an award-winning documentary; I'm not joking.

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  • 1 month later...
SWEET!

 

I know it's been said before, but it's worth repeating over and over: the obvious care and dedication that's going into this whole project is freaking incredible. I don't suppose, by any chance, that any of the work is being captured on film? This will make/could have made for an award-winning documentary; I'm not joking.

 

 

Well is just so happens a documentary is in the works. I've known about this for a couple of weeks, but I'm standing by my promise to Chuck and Wild Bill to not reveal anything until they are comfortable with me posting information.

 

http://darkrideparadise.wordpress.com/

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I've spent about an hour going over page and page of this thread and that was one good hour spent. As a rider and amusement park flyer, if Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center gets his collection of dark rides up and running, then that'll put his place on the map (I already put it on my map). High praises for Wild Bill to bring back something that I fear is becoming lost in amusement parks nowadays, but while the larger parks may have done away with the simple dark rides in favor of the bigger, interactive dark rides (which I have no qualms about, mind you), but I'll take any old, simple dark ride for a breather and change of pace inbetween the flats and roller coasters anytime.

 

In the words of a movie I recently saw: If you build it, they will come . . .

 

"Yes, they already built beds, so please come to it now!"

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I've spent about an hour going over page and page of this thread and that was one good hour spent. As a rider and amusement park flyer, if Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center gets his collection of dark rides up and running, then that'll put his place on the map (I already put it on my map). High praises for Wild Bill to bring back something that I fear is becoming lost in amusement parks nowadays, but while the larger parks may have done away with the simple dark rides in favor of the bigger, interactive dark rides (which I have no qualms about, mind you), but I'll take any old, simple dark ride for a breather and change of pace inbetween the flats and roller coasters anytime.

 

In the words of a movie I recently saw: If you build it, they will come . . .

 

"Yes, they already built beds, so please come to it now!"

The Benchwarmers? In regards to the baseball stadium...

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^ In the movie Field of Dreams the line is "If you build it, they will come", in the Benchwarmers they changed it to reflect the 3 main characters.

 

I hear you, I'm just hoping that people realize that the line originated in a classic movie, and not Benchwarmers.

 

But to tie this all together, that phrase was one of my first thoughts upon visiting the site in November.

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I'm sorry to all my fellow riders and amusement park flyers to misquote a line from a movie. The movie I was trying to refer to was Field of Dreams and the correct line is "If you build it, he will come." As for the Benchwarmers movie, it is the character Mel who saids: "If you build it, nerds will come". I'm sorry for any and mass confusion and will end this post with this:

 

"You see, if you had stayed in bed with me more instead of trying to answer every post you find, then this wouldn't have happened."

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Wild Bill's Dark Ride Paradise

 

In a time of economic uncertainty, the proprietor of Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center, in Middletown, CT, Bill Ziegler, is busy building his dream of providing a fun, nostalgic place to celebrate a retro amusement experience for the entire family with an interesting “twist” to offer affordable fun and memories. Against the backdrop of the present day digitized and socially desensitized society, it's a breath of fresh air to experience a place to let your imagination run wild and rekindle the love of your childhood days on a midway full of fun houses, dark rides and old fashioned New England style treats long since forgotten. With the help of long time friend and well known midway artist/ designer, Chuck Burnham, the dream of building a working memorial filled to the brim with the sometimes scary, but always fun, dark rides and fun houses of midway's past has become a reality.

 

The fifteen minute walk through “Haunted House” fun house, is the first of many such rides this duo has diabolically devised for the growing public that misses these attractions dearly. “The only thing we are now missing is enough funds to build them faster,” Ziegler says. “Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center is not just a store, it's a way of life, and we have volunteers, plenty of spirit, and well wishes, but it's not enough,” says Chuck, adding that, “Most parks hang their hats on their “virtual experiences”, where here at Wild Bill's you can have “actual fun experiences.”

 

Wild Bill's has been an institution for almost three decades, and finally the time has come for a documentary film (which is currently being shot) to explore the planning, building, and opening of these wonderful old attractions that have completely disappeared from the amusement park landscape. Bill and Chuck are currently restoring five of these attractions at once, many of which are known as “Pretzel Dark Rides” (a type of ride which has currently dwindled into obscurity) and have accepted little help and in order to finish the dream for all those who are young at heart, the Kickstarter program has been recently mentioned as a resource for this incredibly unique project to flourish. The documentary itself will be a fascinating look into the lives of people who literally “work in the dark”.

 

By supporting the project on Kickstarter people will have the chance to participate in the creation of the documentary. There are rewards offered to all of our supporters on Kickstarter. We have until the 25th of may to raise at least $15,000. Check out our Kickstarter page (

) and follow the progress of the project at http://www.darkrideparadise.com

 

Here is a list of the gifts you receive for donations at varying pledge levels

 

Pledge $10 or more

For a $10 Pledge you will receive a silver Wild Bill's pin, a thank you note, hand written of course, and your name will be included in the credits of the documentary.

 

Estimated Delivery: May 2012

 

Pledge $15 or more

For a $15 pledge receive a Wild Bills poker chip!

 

Estimated Delivery: May 2012

 

Pledge $25 or more

For a $25 Pledge you will receive a numbered print of the first run of promotional posters from the film. These posters are printed on site using a block press. about 13x17" they are printed on cardboard, like old concert posters. Very cool stuff.

 

Estimated Delivery: Jun 2012

 

Pledge $50 or more

For a pledge of $50 you will receive a copy of the finished film on DVD. Delivered promptly after completion of the project.

 

Estimated Delivery: Oct 2012

 

Pledge $75 or more

A show poster promoting WWF Heavyweight Champion (1978) Bob Backlund. Signed by Mr. Backlund himself. We are only making 25 of these, each poster will be numbered and Mr. Backlund will sign it however you like

 

Estimated Delivery: Jun 2012

 

Pledge $100 or more

For a $100 pledge you will receive a personal video greeting from Dark ride artist Chuck Burnham one of the central characters in the film, Chuck will say anything you want, or leave the message up to us. Did we mention Chuck will be holding his 16 foot long 200 pound pet while he greets you?

 

Estimated Delivery: Jun 2012

 

Pledge $150 or more

For a pledge of $150 you will receive a Wild Bill Bobble head character, signed by the real live Wild Bill

 

Estimated Delivery: May 2012

 

Pledge $200 or more

For a pledge of $200 you will get your name inscribed on one of the set pieces in the fun house. Leave your mark on the fun house at Wild Bill's forever! You will also receive a framed 5x7 photograph of your name on the set piece with a thank you note on the back.

 

Estimated Delivery: May 2012

 

Pledge $400 or more

For $400 come out and spend a night in the haunted house with creators Chuck and Wild Bill. Get locked in for a night of fun house and dark ride lore in the fun house before it opens to the public. Overnights will be in June, dates flexible.

 

Estimated Delivery: Jun 2012

 

Pledge $500 or more

Come out to set for a day, get a personal tour of the property and fun house and cap it off with a cookout next to the fun house, in your honor! This segment will also be filmed for the documentary so if your interview is good you may appear in the film. Cookout and tour in June, dates flexible.

 

Estimated Delivery: Jun 2012

 

Pledge $1,000 or more

For any pledge $1000 and over you will be listed as an executive producer on the film. You will be invited to come out to the set meet the cast and crew and tour the fun house before it opens to the public. You will also be invited to any film festivals or openings that the film shows at. Join us!

 

Estimated Delivery: Jun 2012

 

Pledge $2,500 or more

For donations of $2500 or greater Former WWF heavy weight Champion Bob Backlund will come to you shake your hand and take you out to lunch. He may even bring out Mr. Backlund, put the crossface chickenwing on you! Support a great project and spend an afternoon with one of Wrestling's greatest in your hometown

 

Estimated Delivery: Aug 2012

Edited by larrygator
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Two additional pledge levels have been added. Wrestling legend Bob Backlund is a good friend of Wild Bill and supporter of the project. Now he is lending his support to the documentary's fundraising effort.

 

Pledge $75 or more

A show poster promoting WWF Heavyweight Champion (1978) Bob Backlund. Signed by Mr. Backlund himself. We are only making 25 of these, each poster will be numbered and Mr. Backlund will sign it however you like

 

Estimated Delivery: Jun 2012

 

Pledge $2,500 or more

For donations of $2500 or greater Former WWF heavy weight Champion Bob Backlund will come to you shake your hand and take you out to lunch. He may even bring out Mr. Backlund, put the crossface chickenwing on you! Support a great project and spend an afternoon with one of Wrestling's greatest in your hometown

 

Estimated Delivery: Aug 2012

Edited by larrygator
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This project is absolutely awesome, are there any new photo updates?

 

I'm waiting on Chuck's photographer to release some photos to me, otherwise I'll be taking a trip to Wild Bill's myself in June when Lake Compounce opens.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I'm planning a trip up to visit Wild's Bill next Wednesday, but in the interim here are a few pictures.

 

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Here's the current view of the walkthrough. An additional window has been added and the chimney is in place. Also, as you can see on the left, the back section (that I showed in my last update) has been walled and enclosed.

 

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Here is a "raven" that will be used as a prop. I'll post more photos as it evolves.

 

Fundraising continues for the filming of the documentary, but is proving problematic in reaching the goal.

The web site to donate via Kickstarter is

 

Wild Bill recruited Bob Backlund to film a promo for the fundraising effort that can be found here:

/posts Edited by larrygator
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Hey Larry, I'm glad to see this is still moving along!

 

If the people at Wild Bill's aren't already aware of this, you should let them know about "indiegogo". It looks as if they may not reach their goal on Kickstarter, and I know that if your goal is not reached, that all the money that has been donated is then refunded to the person that donated it. With indiegogo, you get to keep the money that has been donated even if your goal is not reached, and I believe that indiegogo just keeps a small percentage.

 

I really wanna see this happen, and I unfortunately am not in the position to donate right now, so I figure the best I can do is offer this tip.

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Yesterday after attending Goliath Media Day I had the time to stop by and talk to Wild Bill for about 45 minutes. There are currently issues that Wild Bill is working through with the city council regarding defining wetlands but this is expected to be only a small bump in the road. The plan is still to have the Haunted House open by October if not sooner.

 

I also took a stroll around the store as Wild Bill turns over the inventory quite frequently. Wild Bill was gracious enough to point out a lot of the changes in merchandise that I might not have caught on my own and share more stories.

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Wild Bill has added a non-traditional fence at the edge of the parking lot to match the haunted house.

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That two story structure in the back left went up pretty quickly and is now used for storage while props are being created.

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Here is the inside. It will be two floors of walkways and surprises.

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All the wood was cut on-site. Wild Bill has a saw mill also. Who knew? When completed light will not shine in through the cracks you currently see in the walls.

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Wild Bill shows me the animatronic raven that Chuck is creating. Those giant wings will flap when complete.

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Around the back of the building you can still see the original King trailer that will house a narrow switchback section.

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Inside the store Laughing Louie (one of only two in existence) has a new seat. The store is much more organized then on previous visits and Wild Bill credits his daughter Heather for the clean-up. Thank you Heather, I didn't trip over anything this time.

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Not surprisingly PT Barnum is a hero of Wild Bill. Wild Bill will sell anything, but when an item holds personal value he adds that into the price.

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This bike once belonged to Richard Boone who starred in Have Gun Will Travel, a western TV show from 1957-1963. It was modeled after a western TV show and the bike was owned by the star of the show.

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The seal came from Savin Beach. Do you see those Giant Pez Dispenser under the seal? There used to be a Spiderman but I bought it. These are samples the manufacturer sent out to select distributors to determine interest.

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I think the pig came from York's Beach but I'm not certain.

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Remember, If you ever need a bobblehead Wild Bill probably has it.

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It is becoming a habit for me to try iconic food places in recent travels so I present Shady Glen Dairy. This location is about 20 miles north of Wild Bills in Manchester, CT.

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From the inside it sure doesn't look like it belongs in a strip mall.

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This is the signature dish, a cheeseburger called "The Bernice". Those wings are fried cheese. They placed four pieces of cheese. Honestly, the meat was nothing special, but the flavor the cheese added was amazing.

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and a side dish of crispy cheese

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Not enough dairy???? I'll take a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough shake for the road.

Edited by larrygator
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