The iconic Conneaut Lake Park made an exciting announcement last month – for the first time since being virtually abandoned several years ago. Not only did the park find itself millions of dollars in debt, but two of its oldest buildings were lost in arson. The park’s Web site says “90 percent of the rides” will be open this summer including the carousel, miniature train and pony track (which isn’t really a ride, but still an attraction). The Blue Streak is still in need of years of repair, but nobody cares about that. The ride that NEEDS to be open this summer is The Devil’s Den.
Est. 1968
Also known as Dr. Moriarty’s Wild Ride, The Devil’s Den was built in 1968 by famous dark ride manufacturers Pretzel Company. Throughout the 20th century they were responsible for more than 1400 dark rides, including the famous Le Cachot from Kennywood in Pittsburgh.
Most of the stuff in the ride isn't that scary.
Dark rides reached their peak in popularity in the 1950s. People enjoyed their tunnels of love and old mills greatly. But times change. Most dark rides from the past have been destroyed and replaced with other “indoor-rail” rides, but they aren’t entirely dark. Rides like Kennywood’s Exterminator and the new Ghostwood Estate contain elements of a class dark ride (as in they are in the dark and they are rides). But the Exterminator is more of a dizzying, horrible roller coaster while Ghostwood Estate is an incredibly slow-moving cart moving through a mostly-computer-animted environment.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Everyone should visit Conneaut Lake Park this summer, even if they don’t have The Devil’s Den up and running yet. The classic dark ride’s days are numbered, and if you want to enjoy an old-fashioned thrill ride before it’s gone forever The Devil’s Den is perfect for you.
Don’t forget your chewing gum to throw on the ride’s famous GUM WALL! There’s seriously like a million pieces of gum on this one wall.
A gum wall is a pretty important thing in itself. Tune in next week.
Not a fan of the Blue Streak? I think its the most underrated wood roller coaster on the east coast. No joke.
No way, man.
I can think off the top of my head about 5 classics that can top it.
though I do agree with you about it being underrated.
I have to admit that the last time I rode it was in the 80s.
It is a classic and has a ride very much like the Racer at Kennywood.
Love the gum wall … although my last addition was probably 10 years ago.
If the Devil’s Den is open I will definitely make the trip this summer. It’s sad that all these classic dark rides are disappearing or being modernized like the Old Mill at Kennywood (Garfield’s Nightmare? What the hell is that all about?!!!).
Yeah Garfields Nightmare, tell me about it!
Way to destroy a classic for the most blatant piece of shit ever. How is it even a nightmare? The inside is all pepsi advertisements (you can check it out on youtube).
Thanks for the input!