tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10221608298461058952024-02-01T23:25:18.846-06:00I RODE PHANTASMAGORIAKirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1022160829846105895.post-50788751595038337532007-09-12T16:41:00.000-05:002020-06-15T14:45:54.469-05:00RIDE OVERVIEW<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Vws_hKe5dNolyXJaBwlke8YGHU2xMigeaBqWND2Kwb-4OMFhgjhUxWWR-ImN6eIr6XLkRjA9IbdrCl41dBuXd7gR5FrF1vKswKcNXIApdERFSOKx9kgMXM-WXnTQedYMuRedl8JoSfw/s1600-h/phan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="438" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096173710309507874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Vws_hKe5dNolyXJaBwlke8YGHU2xMigeaBqWND2Kwb-4OMFhgjhUxWWR-ImN6eIr6XLkRjA9IbdrCl41dBuXd7gR5FrF1vKswKcNXIApdERFSOKx9kgMXM-WXnTQedYMuRedl8JoSfw/s640/phan.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a>The Phantasmagoria just before its debut in 1973(photo courtesy of Kyle J. Wood)<br />
<br />
The Phantasmagoria was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_ride">dark ride</a> located in Bell's Amusement Park of Tulsa, Oklahoma which operated for more than 30 years. This site is a one-stop archive of information, media, and memories related to the haunted attraction.<br />
<br />
GENERAL INFORMATION<br />
Opened: July 1973<br />
Demolished: June 19, 2007<br />
Number of levels: 2<br />
Number of tricks: 23<br />
Duration: approx. 5 minutes<br />
Created by: a collaboration between Bill Tracy and the Bell family<br />
<br />
LIST OF TRICKS<br />
01. The spinning eyes (exterior)<br />
02. The lunging dog (exterior)<br />
03. Three ascending bang doors with circular cuts (originally diminishing squares)<br />
04. Guard dog sign/barking audio<br />
05. Dip #1<br />
06. Grim Reaper (originally hung above the dip in the long corridor)<br />
07. Skeleton in the graveyard<br />
08. Singing skulls<br />
09. Buzzard in the nest<br />
10. The psychedelic room (aka tinfoil or strobe room)<br />
11. Skull faced "lady of the night"<br />
12. The witches head<br />
13. Dip #2 (originally exterior)<br />
14. Collapsing mine shaft (aka Falling Timbers)<br />
15. The Skull Pond with rattling floorboards<br />
16. Cloaked skeleton lady in front of shingles<br />
17. The giant rat<br />
18. Rotating naked/bikini woman<br />
19. Skeleton in a noose<br />
20. The bus (formerly the tilted room where water ran uphill)<br />
21. The mirrored hallway<br />
22. The spinning tunnel<br />
23. The bat cave with water curtain<br />
<br />
TRIVIA<br />
-All of the 'bang doors' close solely by the power of gravity.<br />
-There were nearly as many smoke detectors as there are spooks in the ride.<br />
-No fire ever occurred in the ride's history.<br />
-Items commonly discarded in ride: Stuffed animals, hats, litter, cigarette butts, ladies undergarment, feminine products, condom wrappers<br />
-Common means of mischief: Getting out of car, vandalism, making out, occasional stink bombs.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIFPWULjt1LmQjD65a1NnnLuhCoGvW18OPkOeuw8OK1V1j3_VQjNW4Md3x7coUrzYlFJQ46Y-ul_AyF1fc-7rmloiok5LWckRUxjHn9Pa85zq5gCFNbvF_enCu-JEdJEC2QT0AhNcPfU/s1600-h/aerialview1998o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="416" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111783624129179394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIFPWULjt1LmQjD65a1NnnLuhCoGvW18OPkOeuw8OK1V1j3_VQjNW4Md3x7coUrzYlFJQ46Y-ul_AyF1fc-7rmloiok5LWckRUxjHn9Pa85zq5gCFNbvF_enCu-JEdJEC2QT0AhNcPfU/s640/aerialview1998o.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">1998 aerial view</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;">(courtesy of Kyle J. Wood)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk7T31B9_Z5edZe05uaccIG1ta8Jg0Io9vJRuKOQp3EaNL394R9EOzN7MWV7j_WKlhZZPlnUqaU9VJpLui986tJnnJ76qqjEi9ucwKsubUSXD_L7u1ib9UMMfcYq7kUehGA0D3J2jJT0/s1600-h/bellssato.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111783628424146706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk7T31B9_Z5edZe05uaccIG1ta8Jg0Io9vJRuKOQp3EaNL394R9EOzN7MWV7j_WKlhZZPlnUqaU9VJpLui986tJnnJ76qqjEi9ucwKsubUSXD_L7u1ib9UMMfcYq7kUehGA0D3J2jJT0/s640/bellssato.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="256" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">satellite view circa 2005</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><br /></span>Kirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1022160829846105895.post-34547003831276511282007-09-09T16:39:00.000-05:002008-01-24T14:08:03.480-06:00A WALK-THROUGH TOURThe following is a walk-through tour of the Phantasmagoria as it appeared in February of 2006 during the first stages of the ride's disassembly. (Note: all images can be viewed larger if you click them.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2ud98JtWwPDz-0gWpaf2idoTomgqZLcoXfTkCD5ZGMPGHt99EgMw1P5WT9Cb3qfNFTBQOfJJnBzNSTxaGX59VQijAidj7D-XT8uwero3cIddVsfYIiBWVuFqJKEB6zUzWZzFkpapEKM/s1600-h/01o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2ud98JtWwPDz-0gWpaf2idoTomgqZLcoXfTkCD5ZGMPGHt99EgMw1P5WT9Cb3qfNFTBQOfJJnBzNSTxaGX59VQijAidj7D-XT8uwero3cIddVsfYIiBWVuFqJKEB6zUzWZzFkpapEKM/s400/01o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033866158755155890" border="0" /></a>Approaching the naked exterior of the dark ride.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xIdtvzvFqCmtUqFT-k3ZaNI_MzHo-F_l9o9or9kqvsei6zd4ILJghU9MXCZeOB5EoP8oyZLSEX8gjiIvB__pqaKVbdXK24lSubd8r0xcNyHUgYc8w4RQYBp1beM8JqDbVz8oXdIAtO8/s1600-h/TheFacadeo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xIdtvzvFqCmtUqFT-k3ZaNI_MzHo-F_l9o9or9kqvsei6zd4ILJghU9MXCZeOB5EoP8oyZLSEX8gjiIvB__pqaKVbdXK24lSubd8r0xcNyHUgYc8w4RQYBp1beM8JqDbVz8oXdIAtO8/s400/TheFacadeo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869036383245250" border="0" /></a>Here's a reminder of the way it appeared in 2001<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzahKEn0mSkswpuy4I8THOM8cPhFrHwaYuVpa905CiIXgLLVyNzKDMzJQ6SGt6p1ZiiiZFajT15amP9P02XqYgUOJBn5Yy3fzVkoj8-i7DHAz4g1bEoux6M5GzXYFQ2Xqty_CsAbDpQk/s1600-h/02o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzahKEn0mSkswpuy4I8THOM8cPhFrHwaYuVpa905CiIXgLLVyNzKDMzJQ6SGt6p1ZiiiZFajT15amP9P02XqYgUOJBn5Yy3fzVkoj8-i7DHAz4g1bEoux6M5GzXYFQ2Xqty_CsAbDpQk/s400/02o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033866158755155906" border="0" /></a>Step across the turnstile for a final trip through the Phantasmagoria.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjka3alH2zpJGs0GqXlXH2DszhyphenhyphenV7APrQ54Y7z9fyrQFKFdw30q3kJUm2haPwK1xSvd4yJkBwwcRixP2CrTatu3s0SPhOOvPj9Bmn0UJzWWVarciXs59t2jwc-3XRhEm3DdzeSdHhZEX8/s1600-h/03o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjka3alH2zpJGs0GqXlXH2DszhyphenhyphenV7APrQ54Y7z9fyrQFKFdw30q3kJUm2haPwK1xSvd4yJkBwwcRixP2CrTatu3s0SPhOOvPj9Bmn0UJzWWVarciXs59t2jwc-3XRhEm3DdzeSdHhZEX8/s400/03o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033866163050123218" border="0" /></a>This panel controls the whole thing. Every creep inside could be silenced with the push of a button.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeMo-6iLeNmTSQoc39nNLmF2LqtB8ws1eXmPsDGT3ZN0Ha4ciChG59sWcbQ8Y1H4exG6cjRxIXS0FoNL6wmbMOsgZnpkHIAM1xYmcOPPe5WcJ6RPt0XJ_JAfVa_o2X6YJRzi_B5yA4Cs/s1600-h/04o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeMo-6iLeNmTSQoc39nNLmF2LqtB8ws1eXmPsDGT3ZN0Ha4ciChG59sWcbQ8Y1H4exG6cjRxIXS0FoNL6wmbMOsgZnpkHIAM1xYmcOPPe5WcJ6RPt0XJ_JAfVa_o2X6YJRzi_B5yA4Cs/s400/04o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033866167345090530" border="0" /></a>This was the last remnant of the original exterior.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTmEzBEwYP9LpbjdXTimqAMjUXWeR13dvarYqHPvSEV3175dd-gqpQMakVGCm8lEUZZKLOn9DCOsU0Brm3lggGYU8lJ3-vvDjkzGMeU88PD9D6i5aGmB4eTH-1zWRlhNl5THy-xO5Wd8/s1600-h/05o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTmEzBEwYP9LpbjdXTimqAMjUXWeR13dvarYqHPvSEV3175dd-gqpQMakVGCm8lEUZZKLOn9DCOsU0Brm3lggGYU8lJ3-vvDjkzGMeU88PD9D6i5aGmB4eTH-1zWRlhNl5THy-xO5Wd8/s400/05o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867520259789138" border="0" /></a>The ascent into darkness begins with this series of three bang doors. Right away the rider's senses are fooled. By the glow of the blacklights, the triple circles almost appear to be painted on a single door. Originally, this was the location of a different version of the trick called Diminishing Squares. It was a similar illusion but the doors turned out to be too heavy and slammed too hard so they were replaced.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Li4EqAScqr4g8dgAv0VRw7HzddybakDJBaOWN4lsn_2YbS2vDqVzPGknMOogNDb2jgOSY8YokhBJEbAqCDI3Se2zDcFw6YVnN_LJEpoFjZv5ckbkN07J1CxWYF5HGQtYUxfYNO0jvpY/s1600-h/05bo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Li4EqAScqr4g8dgAv0VRw7HzddybakDJBaOWN4lsn_2YbS2vDqVzPGknMOogNDb2jgOSY8YokhBJEbAqCDI3Se2zDcFw6YVnN_LJEpoFjZv5ckbkN07J1CxWYF5HGQtYUxfYNO0jvpY/s400/05bo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033866197409861618" border="0" /></a>This sign was followed by a large loudspeaker at the rider's "lap level" which blared vicious dog noises. The audio ceased to function early in the ride's history which caused latter day patrons to believe the sign was merely intended as a psych out. (Photo by Marsha Sites, 2001)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFu5RvB87szK7i-TK3_6-17V3b_AXBYHrafbVwJKUJgzG0eX4huNPhmBXkj1Prhqu29Q8wCjUOHDgm1y0KvQXbsQN1m6ux7Ul1CU7WZYShaY732KgNJcgiXnPs5psZWhyphenhyphenFxDqlURiMdo/s1600-h/06o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFu5RvB87szK7i-TK3_6-17V3b_AXBYHrafbVwJKUJgzG0eX4huNPhmBXkj1Prhqu29Q8wCjUOHDgm1y0KvQXbsQN1m6ux7Ul1CU7WZYShaY732KgNJcgiXnPs5psZWhyphenhyphenFxDqlURiMdo/s400/06o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867520259789154" border="0" /></a>Once the site of a dip in the track and a grim reaper that hung from the ceiling, this lengthy dark corridor became quite popular with vandals. Each year (especially during the final weekend of the Tulsa State Fair) this area got ransacked by deviant patrons. At the time of our tour, wood patches from previous repairs had been removed revealing a long history of damage. In 2005 additional scenery (skulls, cobwebs, etc.) was added to this stretch.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFemXQ_0-zB0Oxkl6iqXAqkIrzujtCLlx8WNBQzNImRR2kQShuLOMHDOgwefuPJd8Xdja2u9A-e7ufUgs-exKO058g9OBbswK9u9wpR_LA0gT7Fb4CsYU3ZDsiyaD1idUQtnkHa-uIug/s1600-h/07o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFemXQ_0-zB0Oxkl6iqXAqkIrzujtCLlx8WNBQzNImRR2kQShuLOMHDOgwefuPJd8Xdja2u9A-e7ufUgs-exKO058g9OBbswK9u9wpR_LA0gT7Fb4CsYU3ZDsiyaD1idUQtnkHa-uIug/s400/07o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867524554756466" border="0" /></a>This is a peephole that enabled staff to monitor patrons without being seen. The Bell's team was able to travel between any two points of the ride within moments thanks to a series of secret passages. (How perfect is that? A dark ride with secret passages!)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SyqsrFXiqwjX3qMobOUTd-dE3CWlELKPNZDNsUgYx41JhjEy6W2g8cU8VgtyF3dXh1U07haJGOzNzFG2XGr-eh6awfugJTZkAyTipjV0DD2JWXmRyeFBPt02YqwoL-hHG-DZsgLLlWg/s1600-h/08o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SyqsrFXiqwjX3qMobOUTd-dE3CWlELKPNZDNsUgYx41JhjEy6W2g8cU8VgtyF3dXh1U07haJGOzNzFG2XGr-eh6awfugJTZkAyTipjV0DD2JWXmRyeFBPt02YqwoL-hHG-DZsgLLlWg/s400/08o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867524554756482" border="0" /></a>Two points of interest approach: ahead is a graveyard and to the left is the overlook of Skull Pond.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LEB-B1srHHmIFhdxwWp5YhkkH303n7XWXCH2Jkx8jCrIrRsgErd8AbTOYUUDn-auomdKMNua5LPf9ucnAoPRZBrcS3Ukuiv9Ujk3K8hyOzHgMPeoHmA97l9_ksTliGtoTTvq_VMlWZY/s1600-h/09o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LEB-B1srHHmIFhdxwWp5YhkkH303n7XWXCH2Jkx8jCrIrRsgErd8AbTOYUUDn-auomdKMNua5LPf9ucnAoPRZBrcS3Ukuiv9Ujk3K8hyOzHgMPeoHmA97l9_ksTliGtoTTvq_VMlWZY/s400/09o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867528849723794" border="0" /></a>Here we look down upon Skull Pond and its green tinted water. The verdant pool was frozen solid on the day of our visit.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwSzINnvtTE-HJiVeFCT2SnksYaKfmrEnL48jXB4CP7ZFfoST51SZ0fyw5bzFtemlTfCiXaFDMhmVGUG4j3oekBKBFi5IOdWz79SBM-gAK-YaS1HX_jyaeLtTrZ8l7b5Wh286Wi2Rsks/s1600-h/10o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwSzINnvtTE-HJiVeFCT2SnksYaKfmrEnL48jXB4CP7ZFfoST51SZ0fyw5bzFtemlTfCiXaFDMhmVGUG4j3oekBKBFi5IOdWz79SBM-gAK-YaS1HX_jyaeLtTrZ8l7b5Wh286Wi2Rsks/s400/10o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867782252794274" border="0" /></a>Any worthwhile haunted house must include a graveyard.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj103IuCrbqFp4t9jBU5iNchf_WGcbQSAiQqoaHbBOKLPrg0JDachK42unVQp0cuneK1cuIDQnSEr1-_UQfT7VuSHAuNB2Uz_SbRUG5c61pDFr6RUHqWS4gXV4_ni0qXIrpRbTLXuNSyno/s1600-h/11o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj103IuCrbqFp4t9jBU5iNchf_WGcbQSAiQqoaHbBOKLPrg0JDachK42unVQp0cuneK1cuIDQnSEr1-_UQfT7VuSHAuNB2Uz_SbRUG5c61pDFr6RUHqWS4gXV4_ni0qXIrpRbTLXuNSyno/s400/11o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867782252794290" border="0" /></a>Here's a glimpse of the skeleton unhindered by the protective wire grid.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9VlPwGV8iIIrxFxxZwCTOxbxxVADkUBky6EPVjkCWKdgVxo7BSzIV2SI3qdWdnj8l0kFZ3aieh_o6Cak58GMBnX87iPfKjJqwguGaQWagGIAZMMlH1m1YED5DJzPe7uoB6L9R-Qx4Ss/s1600-h/12o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9VlPwGV8iIIrxFxxZwCTOxbxxVADkUBky6EPVjkCWKdgVxo7BSzIV2SI3qdWdnj8l0kFZ3aieh_o6Cak58GMBnX87iPfKjJqwguGaQWagGIAZMMlH1m1YED5DJzPe7uoB6L9R-Qx4Ss/s400/12o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867786547761602" border="0" /></a>The backdrop is a rather beautiful rendering of a classic foreboding mountainside.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX7SBR2nOOq-jxvLsr8lUf2ZBW9BMO0_hTL1pJPO_0nbS9SSHyZNR8wYeOzrluGW3XBhOVajkNno6hyphenhyphenB1X3kpHGUBzF7Q_B3G9VqWarVndGPDjz_nHoOX6-SO8bgvVIkkmcBSzoI48Ck/s1600-h/13o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX7SBR2nOOq-jxvLsr8lUf2ZBW9BMO0_hTL1pJPO_0nbS9SSHyZNR8wYeOzrluGW3XBhOVajkNno6hyphenhyphenB1X3kpHGUBzF7Q_B3G9VqWarVndGPDjz_nHoOX6-SO8bgvVIkkmcBSzoI48Ck/s400/13o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867786547761618" border="0" /></a>The next trick is a buzzard relaxing in his nest as he picks clean the bones of his latest victim.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26KZACf9vhQ7c-hnJmUnMxjREMzG75uKjS7JW48_K6zrXX02n6VPDZesrkCiFtnXnEWhAwohVniRnXNiWRe7UpkS7vldbWns0EcSahr_P8R7WxATN88tlxsoiitXTNIKFQVXq83e6Iwk/s1600-h/skullso.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26KZACf9vhQ7c-hnJmUnMxjREMzG75uKjS7JW48_K6zrXX02n6VPDZesrkCiFtnXnEWhAwohVniRnXNiWRe7UpkS7vldbWns0EcSahr_P8R7WxATN88tlxsoiitXTNIKFQVXq83e6Iwk/s400/skullso.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095327090651087458" border="0" /></a>In the ride's first years of operation a trick called the Singing Skulls was located across from the buzzard. The skulls were made of papier-mache and featured animatronic mouths.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbDrVzUiFDRXNyaHRe6Sk0EQTIP7TW7XDlD7xVpGa6W-9YO-WkSEutvvfiHkMrtAtOOhppDf-ZC7lFQjem6dfbZVd9Mx8snqaLXQPJmNP6shu9xQp6VuKY3jl9kv_xwKhtfmg7ALNY0g/s1600-h/14o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbDrVzUiFDRXNyaHRe6Sk0EQTIP7TW7XDlD7xVpGa6W-9YO-WkSEutvvfiHkMrtAtOOhppDf-ZC7lFQjem6dfbZVd9Mx8snqaLXQPJmNP6shu9xQp6VuKY3jl9kv_xwKhtfmg7ALNY0g/s400/14o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867790842728930" border="0" /></a>Reminiscent of the era the ride was created, the psychedelic striped room remains trippy.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPDjK0SCGTY_XlAExnd4HLpzqWSiPnPnmUsZQrjbiGSyQ86sCa0b2hIYW-UhYWHAQ9eVt59tf6aLs9AZ8JkmisdB_3W_oeKSSZ_AfBkcch51_JBQPkS6zl3jL-Q983lwva2XWZx6jqxw/s1600-h/15o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPDjK0SCGTY_XlAExnd4HLpzqWSiPnPnmUsZQrjbiGSyQ86sCa0b2hIYW-UhYWHAQ9eVt59tf6aLs9AZ8JkmisdB_3W_oeKSSZ_AfBkcch51_JBQPkS6zl3jL-Q983lwva2XWZx6jqxw/s400/15o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868022770962946" border="0" /></a>Next we find a ghostly date awaiting her caller. The frilly curtains and rotten lingerie seem to be part of the brothel motif hinted at on the ride's facade. Typically her shawl covered her body, but Buddy suspected that this immodest pose was the result of maintenance worker shenanigans. "You have to have a sense of humor to work at a place like this." He explained.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hcR5lUPsHWgkyetM-v8IXE3Ph6NzWt3cL_uSir5WFx2rO07wgMkHrMsHQYnvI6ueEP_Ya-uj4aGki_3nCtwXRAypn1r-6MOl_NZnELXpI3sgMRcbDgHasiwEvfUGLOE58BLOk0_00h0/s1600-h/15bo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hcR5lUPsHWgkyetM-v8IXE3Ph6NzWt3cL_uSir5WFx2rO07wgMkHrMsHQYnvI6ueEP_Ya-uj4aGki_3nCtwXRAypn1r-6MOl_NZnELXpI3sgMRcbDgHasiwEvfUGLOE58BLOk0_00h0/s400/15bo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868018475995634" border="0" /></a>This "action" photo of the ghoulish gal was shot when the ride was operational. (Photo by Marsha Sites, 2001)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkoK8D1UpdyhVDEW0IHz6nNif4L997jtck-4RI99WxqUrkJQl1ya2TeY_YbtGcs7B1A8LhkJgQ-gk1h5kZjsiuQt9BICK4aUts6UpAtcGOic-2f5nAk-_RTbMHcO8WCSsfS-rW0luamE/s1600-h/16o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkoK8D1UpdyhVDEW0IHz6nNif4L997jtck-4RI99WxqUrkJQl1ya2TeY_YbtGcs7B1A8LhkJgQ-gk1h5kZjsiuQt9BICK4aUts6UpAtcGOic-2f5nAk-_RTbMHcO8WCSsfS-rW0luamE/s400/16o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868022770962962" border="0" /></a>I mentioned secret passageways earlier, well this is one of them. Employees referred to this area as the "Kings Chamber." This perch provided easy access to both levels of the building (note the ladder to the first floor).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5xMirLIARhd-DgsMZFPLf6w2tjHvl6Ty_qmAeAhhPqcG_l4srFbGJ4oqf3bN0gFiZK41XMkjdDLJ-GvQhZXxPylth0BykvI1Gaj1EV3SmxnCvgAjTkoEr42bugIiBDXgKfyWvQ3gyv0/s1600-h/17o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5xMirLIARhd-DgsMZFPLf6w2tjHvl6Ty_qmAeAhhPqcG_l4srFbGJ4oqf3bN0gFiZK41XMkjdDLJ-GvQhZXxPylth0BykvI1Gaj1EV3SmxnCvgAjTkoEr42bugIiBDXgKfyWvQ3gyv0/s400/17o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868027065930274" border="0" /></a>As we reach the halfway point we see where riders originally emerged into the outdoors for a breath of fresh air and a second dip in the tracks. The riders’ reaction to this public dip provided some entertainment for folks who were still waiting in line. When the dip was removed (due to people's belongings constantly flying out of the cars and blocking the track) this stretch was enclosed.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikYfrQcwR2vO2I6TBGgdIvK6xLMXM8aC2Ku_m-2koTW9B5rewVTKHDWmdz9o7HBWJXq5-gnF6rJ-SvW37aYM4O_BZ_lzAOwoN6_1qtQrx2fCjq8E6TOXunL6lPOCcfly_WpQHTMvZflg/s1600-h/18o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikYfrQcwR2vO2I6TBGgdIvK6xLMXM8aC2Ku_m-2koTW9B5rewVTKHDWmdz9o7HBWJXq5-gnF6rJ-SvW37aYM4O_BZ_lzAOwoN6_1qtQrx2fCjq8E6TOXunL6lPOCcfly_WpQHTMvZflg/s400/18o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868031360897586" border="0" /></a>To the right we find a cutout that originally sported a decorative window containing multi-colored lights (the one on the right in the photo below).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjENrc2Q_eY6iDxTvOp8UvNge0Y00DlWA1jRU2Dj0YqqiNM72buAiHOchRXUi3vAs4i-ANvLcq38qUsRxSjTQ63O0A9mM6NoXNGseQL1DMKp-W31HERs9oI0gZ4StY5kZoYIM5btuiWE/s1600-h/windowso.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjENrc2Q_eY6iDxTvOp8UvNge0Y00DlWA1jRU2Dj0YqqiNM72buAiHOchRXUi3vAs4i-ANvLcq38qUsRxSjTQ63O0A9mM6NoXNGseQL1DMKp-W31HERs9oI0gZ4StY5kZoYIM5btuiWE/s400/windowso.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095327116420891298" border="0" /></a>Front and back views of the ride's original Wacky windows. The one on the left hung near the entrance.<br />(photo courtesy of Kyle J. Wood)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-ty59T7njn4OkbqSCz-3CaYCJybaoQf9HYvm1HTRHnEK8NLlBTrwzdc9HDtNJBLks4CSiXM2nvwTK5mv1cVsQt6uxeF_0fGl-rrAw7nDrOJvuUodKgaXgIFDsQLb4-SLVeACep2pyL8/s1600-h/heado.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-ty59T7njn4OkbqSCz-3CaYCJybaoQf9HYvm1HTRHnEK8NLlBTrwzdc9HDtNJBLks4CSiXM2nvwTK5mv1cVsQt6uxeF_0fGl-rrAw7nDrOJvuUodKgaXgIFDsQLb4-SLVeACep2pyL8/s400/heado.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325145030902194" border="0" /></a>In 2005 Kyle J. Wood added a "witches head" to the opening.<br />(photo courtesy of Kyle J. Wood)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_VqR04L9qRt2Bzyjm9UeNb_MOXsPF-a0d5lt_XZ_jo2i_VsLEv0j0ASU0pvHqtBoKVgwzsYuTxK03uS7G9cCa8euRfzNjQQtofzuyYC-wo-mjGs10jC8Pn1LCJvJjooOU6BleELepWc/s1600-h/19o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_VqR04L9qRt2Bzyjm9UeNb_MOXsPF-a0d5lt_XZ_jo2i_VsLEv0j0ASU0pvHqtBoKVgwzsYuTxK03uS7G9cCa8euRfzNjQQtofzuyYC-wo-mjGs10jC8Pn1LCJvJjooOU6BleELepWc/s400/19o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868220339458626" border="0" /></a>Here we have yet another secret panel that allows access to a maintenance area on the first floor which was known among employees as the "Queen's Chamber."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7KIOFSZQd6Inh1A75ED9oScNHtKkWFi8jfNSaAWbv828fxoKaR3kI7nj6UKvC97TNmsICjzdlol3afTe-jpo1kb44ibuxojylLmQFYl0DqYomN-QiB-fS5ydKa8Gck2Q6EJtQTZiHZo/s1600-h/20o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7KIOFSZQd6Inh1A75ED9oScNHtKkWFi8jfNSaAWbv828fxoKaR3kI7nj6UKvC97TNmsICjzdlol3afTe-jpo1kb44ibuxojylLmQFYl0DqYomN-QiB-fS5ydKa8Gck2Q6EJtQTZiHZo/s400/20o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868220339458642" border="0" /></a><after an="" all="" too="" brief="" glimpse="" of="" real="" riders="" are="" forced="" back="" into="" darkness="" where="" this="" warning="" foreshadows="" the="" next="" trick=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvij3FWkVMoOe59o8psjPmdHqwxk7np8j2Pp9YQ2YbVDRhyphenhyphenPdGe0cqy4eK5vbS6O-mz5kHuT4mWCe0ExwmyiYK-prZF618pzcInHql7XouxbNB2YdzaZZR8B9BYjSxQNT08OnO6vGumpo/s1600-h/21o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvij3FWkVMoOe59o8psjPmdHqwxk7np8j2Pp9YQ2YbVDRhyphenhyphenPdGe0cqy4eK5vbS6O-mz5kHuT4mWCe0ExwmyiYK-prZF618pzcInHql7XouxbNB2YdzaZZR8B9BYjSxQNT08OnO6vGumpo/s400/21o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868224634425954" border="0" /></a>The mineshaft was the passage back down to the first floor. Note the cracks in the support where the ceiling appeared to cave in.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NMx8I5B_EMCc-5uzuvk8T0Y36EQyh6tNIAPNvM7DAZvD_-cVWM019o0HxJBwXN6fZWW6lMEjG2iKmQzw4xkFu6IEogepcSyxcV2oTXgl-GFo1RoyenoCe8qre8LxpFdBFqdIgcSG4yk/s1600-h/22o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NMx8I5B_EMCc-5uzuvk8T0Y36EQyh6tNIAPNvM7DAZvD_-cVWM019o0HxJBwXN6fZWW6lMEjG2iKmQzw4xkFu6IEogepcSyxcV2oTXgl-GFo1RoyenoCe8qre8LxpFdBFqdIgcSG4yk/s400/22o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868224634425970" border="0" /></a>A rarely seen resident dwells high above the beams.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHY9fgfXwR1cuo5YBG6hYPeE3k3aPlQ9eH8M71ZmDjEH5c8429VVA4WBqsQugxT8RcfGTIE53WfmBjUp6S95wqPPivNfhOV7i4j1s7AiM0M0hbBN_7jqxh0WCnLsqGmJkIjoi67g_l68/s1600-h/23o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHY9fgfXwR1cuo5YBG6hYPeE3k3aPlQ9eH8M71ZmDjEH5c8429VVA4WBqsQugxT8RcfGTIE53WfmBjUp6S95wqPPivNfhOV7i4j1s7AiM0M0hbBN_7jqxh0WCnLsqGmJkIjoi67g_l68/s400/23o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868228929393282" border="0" /></a>Purchased at Wal-Mart in 2004, this owl was first placed above the dock where it failed to scare away the pigeons that were "crapping on the cars." Kyle J. Wood painted it up and it eventually wound up in the mine shaft "where the kids couldn't reach it."<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1IeZe-W_-Ypm_gONr6ghU6Q8YaTOgYTZjC5W9gNIz1U-g2TQpSTOP4ZPaobuao5tdnAsv_06MCiipA6ya4G9O6hMarw7vQhmOYkEQiiepVgcSPd9kzik-NHgQ_ezxOoSYXShw2eG7jY/s1600-h/24o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1IeZe-W_-Ypm_gONr6ghU6Q8YaTOgYTZjC5W9gNIz1U-g2TQpSTOP4ZPaobuao5tdnAsv_06MCiipA6ya4G9O6hMarw7vQhmOYkEQiiepVgcSPd9kzik-NHgQ_ezxOoSYXShw2eG7jY/s400/24o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868396433117842" border="0" /></a>Now it's another encounter with Skull Pond. This time riders got a close-up view. At the water's edge there are intentionally loose boards to create a racket as cars passed over.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHk9aqHqev-Nax8XLNqy0GOjj65UOIasYfj9PvHsqAV3ozmQaulMG761vkL3WnEWZ9mLyC-eoXVRWI1kSLYRKoETbFZnqa3NdkG9PFuSrHe5_aeLYsxe094rMJkDHIauUBzph3yxss3A/s1600-h/25o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHk9aqHqev-Nax8XLNqy0GOjj65UOIasYfj9PvHsqAV3ozmQaulMG761vkL3WnEWZ9mLyC-eoXVRWI1kSLYRKoETbFZnqa3NdkG9PFuSrHe5_aeLYsxe094rMJkDHIauUBzph3yxss3A/s400/25o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868396433117858" border="0" /></a>While crossing Skull Pond, if you look up over your shoulder you can see an earlier stretch of the track.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet8b-Q77w17bodKxZ1Iipdk_G1g7FKVcCGhCpRv-mCxXMcPtIlFLPkwrZVIN-fE3RA945fTV0UqRL6D2O1lfCPevVNl5N6xEQyiP3OBEzkFQ_5ArU_tfHmtV8gcX2EWKY8tmxxbDS5xo/s1600-h/26o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet8b-Q77w17bodKxZ1Iipdk_G1g7FKVcCGhCpRv-mCxXMcPtIlFLPkwrZVIN-fE3RA945fTV0UqRL6D2O1lfCPevVNl5N6xEQyiP3OBEzkFQ_5ArU_tfHmtV8gcX2EWKY8tmxxbDS5xo/s400/26o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868400728085170" border="0" /></a>Chances are, while patrons were busy studying Skull Pond they failed to notice another hidden door on the right. This was the entrance to the secret Phantasmagoria Workshop!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe641kS0OiT1gav0h-xWXnCcjh2DqfjOHzoz7skYrtCeFDDPK4xXExhzx66qxzrVzT18mH247iiSCSaP_C98lq9nXTTptRJ572z_ve_N-C9S3i5IO6F_T3oJ6gpSeOKkGNQAryUcMYp8/s1600-h/w01o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe641kS0OiT1gav0h-xWXnCcjh2DqfjOHzoz7skYrtCeFDDPK4xXExhzx66qxzrVzT18mH247iiSCSaP_C98lq9nXTTptRJ572z_ve_N-C9S3i5IO6F_T3oJ6gpSeOKkGNQAryUcMYp8/s400/w01o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869281196381138" border="0" /></a>Inside the workshop we find a rat and a buzzard on the operating table.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeV-MFslIqjUb8PJC4xTUa33XYkJbjq0n17-ZntdcJ6WC0d9SuiF3J5cBLPoBUeSaT_fIEaKD8B9rlak0fhoIXNcr3uWLX4CVsqxImfEdZlWZmIgzTvZ0Isk1uUTmsUdzMNWV4N7N9mE/s1600-h/w02o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeV-MFslIqjUb8PJC4xTUa33XYkJbjq0n17-ZntdcJ6WC0d9SuiF3J5cBLPoBUeSaT_fIEaKD8B9rlak0fhoIXNcr3uWLX4CVsqxImfEdZlWZmIgzTvZ0Isk1uUTmsUdzMNWV4N7N9mE/s400/w02o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869285491348450" border="0" /></a>On the opposite wall hangs a grim reaper who will eternally await repair. He was originally suspended above the first dip in the long corridor.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRu3uD1weffmY2lQ759A95kLfVsjM2Aot4i3p6ciWJzPST8cTQ5JFjiHMLdLGekOgYOGknw1jsnovZyU68UySb3TlG5epdplo6UZyxc6RX9n3Qx3uJgqq2vPEEhXAckH9wydkdJbFDzAY/s1600-h/w03o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRu3uD1weffmY2lQ759A95kLfVsjM2Aot4i3p6ciWJzPST8cTQ5JFjiHMLdLGekOgYOGknw1jsnovZyU68UySb3TlG5epdplo6UZyxc6RX9n3Qx3uJgqq2vPEEhXAckH9wydkdJbFDzAY/s400/w03o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869285491348466" border="0" /></a>Here's another view of this grizzly customer.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3aHmWMUuGjJ-3LtOBvV_H1D7DpF9Z1S0V-HbTRpUWRT7e3jm55DMWntlAtgN9HAMvHO727kG3BPp2yg8l23W08zgZJS8eZhW26lQ_Wn7QNxokXS5m03LYKQLYdRdoAvIstkOUHnSGHk/s1600-h/grimo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3aHmWMUuGjJ-3LtOBvV_H1D7DpF9Z1S0V-HbTRpUWRT7e3jm55DMWntlAtgN9HAMvHO727kG3BPp2yg8l23W08zgZJS8eZhW26lQ_Wn7QNxokXS5m03LYKQLYdRdoAvIstkOUHnSGHk/s400/grimo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869032088277938" border="0" /></a>This is a shot of him back when he was in active duty. Now you know why they called it the PhantasmaGOREia. (Photo by Marsha Sites, 2001)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybN2QRcS6pgVnF4u0ZM3Wcc1SNPNjzPSepkVZclSE_DAUHAAJ5PTmz4ufw8-0g_ZUvlMWIc1qayRrH-z1ow6WQfEs9_6NCxfZGeyvR7J0ZC-6-H3e85gi7RR8I7s1FVAGlyVOsCOtgVg/s1600-h/w04o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybN2QRcS6pgVnF4u0ZM3Wcc1SNPNjzPSepkVZclSE_DAUHAAJ5PTmz4ufw8-0g_ZUvlMWIc1qayRrH-z1ow6WQfEs9_6NCxfZGeyvR7J0ZC-6-H3e85gi7RR8I7s1FVAGlyVOsCOtgVg/s400/w04o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869289786315778" border="0" /></a>On the floor we spot the original swirling eyes from the facade.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYyqJpd2D5tIXdOB0NszgYey8SakExXyW3tqIxjKV0dnJ4iVVyitYgozOYYiAb1q-No2mIr-EjLD0JfAeKZdC6R1qrgVTtx3h7FVWKeXTYI30QRsty9sQtnGMuZAnSkssuYygUw_qk5w/s1600-h/w05o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYyqJpd2D5tIXdOB0NszgYey8SakExXyW3tqIxjKV0dnJ4iVVyitYgozOYYiAb1q-No2mIr-EjLD0JfAeKZdC6R1qrgVTtx3h7FVWKeXTYI30QRsty9sQtnGMuZAnSkssuYygUw_qk5w/s400/w05o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869294081283090" border="0" /></a>A buzzard recuperates from a neck injury.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8K2bOA4fn8PdBHg9GQ81DPUf4MHL1ZlQYRZPeRpfgR3rltGAnxWmFOoPKDLyHG_DvHySuE2YEdGeJ1P19cjU3GLyskGgOxgQQ81eAA-lYaKsx88laD9cmG6-04bYVmtFVNNiPyGkHV0/s1600-h/w06o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8K2bOA4fn8PdBHg9GQ81DPUf4MHL1ZlQYRZPeRpfgR3rltGAnxWmFOoPKDLyHG_DvHySuE2YEdGeJ1P19cjU3GLyskGgOxgQQ81eAA-lYaKsx88laD9cmG6-04bYVmtFVNNiPyGkHV0/s400/w06o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869564664222754" border="0" /></a>In the back of the workshop we can see the original flower display that once hung outside above the external dip. The heads that line the wall were from an Arabian themed ride.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IllvzH0L4gmmIQHHCVEgoz_-_mED55nwbZKz03vFR8Inoe9v2SUOSeMz39IWA0PACLxK1C4jCrToIwteQZZNduSQ4-PNhplvaSxBHoHkzEhzj6g2oM3rpBzjo_I29_x_ZQbtTZR_5M4/s1600-h/w07o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IllvzH0L4gmmIQHHCVEgoz_-_mED55nwbZKz03vFR8Inoe9v2SUOSeMz39IWA0PACLxK1C4jCrToIwteQZZNduSQ4-PNhplvaSxBHoHkzEhzj6g2oM3rpBzjo_I29_x_ZQbtTZR_5M4/s400/w07o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869564664222786" border="0" /></a>This is the coupon requirement notice that used to hang in front of the queue. Here you see that 5 coupons were required to board.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eC2gqhMzwxHyLJVSWT7LIqqqiRo3oGmMnTI64Lky88oX4puRp_SKro65I3O8Ttd7nF8BUp6sgMiVqJ13pn6XY1AUWJixT4veXe5GcI8Bs_70biCZlGerB-A1-G5q4LwtZVZlR04ByOI/s1600-h/w07bo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eC2gqhMzwxHyLJVSWT7LIqqqiRo3oGmMnTI64Lky88oX4puRp_SKro65I3O8Ttd7nF8BUp6sgMiVqJ13pn6XY1AUWJixT4veXe5GcI8Bs_70biCZlGerB-A1-G5q4LwtZVZlR04ByOI/s400/w07bo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869564664222770" border="0" /></a>However, during the off-season the sign was simply turned around to reveal a cost of only 2 coupons.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xOZGQliVYeAHR4msNPfBS8OMJPdmGaFwJTAMOcAfDWfk5WyviRCx0E0714H3qpVLnNptogWOXE1LxyH_N-kvwZvHfwsrHX80Vr7EiD44Whw9rEL4hl6fl4041n2Yjx2GpppbgfKc9zE/s1600-h/27o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xOZGQliVYeAHR4msNPfBS8OMJPdmGaFwJTAMOcAfDWfk5WyviRCx0E0714H3qpVLnNptogWOXE1LxyH_N-kvwZvHfwsrHX80Vr7EiD44Whw9rEL4hl6fl4041n2Yjx2GpppbgfKc9zE/s400/27o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868405023052482" border="0" /></a>Back on the track and around the next corner we approach a seven-foot lunging rat.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LlpSqjWNTq559vdQtHS1iZOIeojwAvS5GnAJM-OfA3EmOVXrqv0aXuTRsUtXi8E1mipHQserL8lWlgE3M806sUBRXS6YGHAlbq2N0t453n6bLUDpYAj6Z1copuxjR-oQOdjwalOoGHg/s1600-h/28o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LlpSqjWNTq559vdQtHS1iZOIeojwAvS5GnAJM-OfA3EmOVXrqv0aXuTRsUtXi8E1mipHQserL8lWlgE3M806sUBRXS6YGHAlbq2N0t453n6bLUDpYAj6Z1copuxjR-oQOdjwalOoGHg/s400/28o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868405023052498" border="0" /></a>Here's a rare look at the rat unhindered by protective wire mesh.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaeZe48L8r6BSGapvR44OLSCsIegLYvTjAYIAETtD-UOJvV_oWladllxEHIPyvJfGf-HtTu1aSetWlmEqi60R6jnZrOFaYAU0shbCGztLLZv30ConT8qcn_qcVj5hMKoeXCsK0lU1ivY/s1600-h/29o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaeZe48L8r6BSGapvR44OLSCsIegLYvTjAYIAETtD-UOJvV_oWladllxEHIPyvJfGf-HtTu1aSetWlmEqi60R6jnZrOFaYAU0shbCGztLLZv30ConT8qcn_qcVj5hMKoeXCsK0lU1ivY/s400/29o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868555346907874" border="0" /></a>This shingled corner was once home to a shrouded skeleton lady...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNK5BtZv6TsA6qIPsxMHXGuu6gLNW-nm0pKJiumsUzYwsMaZlw5oCNFZGHz1EohXZhTkp5oQHRyQQVURvZSHanl-VN9tbYAYwuOHBPjHlK9PpTaWgjHAK_Lr-f8FzwiiZ_KwEvWrB7phw/s1600-h/shroudedo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNK5BtZv6TsA6qIPsxMHXGuu6gLNW-nm0pKJiumsUzYwsMaZlw5oCNFZGHz1EohXZhTkp5oQHRyQQVURvZSHanl-VN9tbYAYwuOHBPjHlK9PpTaWgjHAK_Lr-f8FzwiiZ_KwEvWrB7phw/s400/shroudedo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100159885110062946" border="0" /></a>Here's how she looked circa 2004<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyeEJOCbt87B4d5EqhRqWXhzXww6GPHydxN90tTSvFnUAK8LxCMcsfowJPky_jIGXIewBF4xR3AQs4qCOuk0-RB9kZAR64fbHGztLCi8-RdXaCUdan71zkZzF9RuzKc2DWBKSmD-WVcA/s1600-h/30o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyeEJOCbt87B4d5EqhRqWXhzXww6GPHydxN90tTSvFnUAK8LxCMcsfowJPky_jIGXIewBF4xR3AQs4qCOuk0-RB9kZAR64fbHGztLCi8-RdXaCUdan71zkZzF9RuzKc2DWBKSmD-WVcA/s400/30o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868559641875186" border="0" /></a>...we found her packed up and looking scarier than ever.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-OCfD6CGk6guiCECidBaY8OJcImCoeKdFXMelZ6TLcwA_nCbaeflB3z5bluhMOLh9pKrNK3wuFiwaQNcAmSjTMQ2UITF9Y_SbFdflc9Ji4SC66ZISF6ntQDlwE2XUuVPDd8t4DjtehY/s1600-h/31o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-OCfD6CGk6guiCECidBaY8OJcImCoeKdFXMelZ6TLcwA_nCbaeflB3z5bluhMOLh9pKrNK3wuFiwaQNcAmSjTMQ2UITF9Y_SbFdflc9Ji4SC66ZISF6ntQDlwE2XUuVPDd8t4DjtehY/s400/31o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868563936842498" border="0" /></a>Finally we come upon the most popular trick in the house, the oncoming bus. The phantom driver (originally a skeleton, more recently a skeleton with a hockey mask) had already been removed at the time of this photo. The gag was made from a real city bus, and it was the replacement for a lackluster "tilted room" where water appeared to flow uphill. As riders encountered the bus, a blaring horn would sound. No matter how familiar visitors were with the ride, this stunt rarely failed to frighten.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH45s40XIEUua6-P7NtORxYAoNjWT846ygfLAHq0obCyhVeR5KVY3kvsuYFgm_MlI1HI708kxfx490UB039Ylgvh8mpoQjVP-8eBXz83UPpvAXB0YMiG5M8lKBWRyT6GuOR915oPqnaJY/s1600-h/32o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH45s40XIEUua6-P7NtORxYAoNjWT846ygfLAHq0obCyhVeR5KVY3kvsuYFgm_MlI1HI708kxfx490UB039Ylgvh8mpoQjVP-8eBXz83UPpvAXB0YMiG5M8lKBWRyT6GuOR915oPqnaJY/s400/32o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868563936842514" border="0" /></a>From this angle we can see yet another hidden passage. This is the ladder leading up to the "King's Chamber."<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7AHA3ybi5R_FtCnJnVnnG0BnLZqVkz1UXO6vAeLYxg-94GVIRoOTmKxOs7gq22J08sf27eBDuy0J8yuOJkgrjsvyHiVyjZY_XieKRWapO-XRGwCrt-G_dU0UDtrBC5HLsTPBSjFwDEk/s1600-h/33o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7AHA3ybi5R_FtCnJnVnnG0BnLZqVkz1UXO6vAeLYxg-94GVIRoOTmKxOs7gq22J08sf27eBDuy0J8yuOJkgrjsvyHiVyjZY_XieKRWapO-XRGwCrt-G_dU0UDtrBC5HLsTPBSjFwDEk/s400/33o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868568231809826" border="0" /></a>The 12 volt track takes another disorienting turn into the mirrored hallway.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbt7tTIyJQmEOLYCKrph-ulbRhuegwL2rtXRFb4HSPLE1G4uBGcMpSCC-Zk0p0eoUqiXQETtwmaOjIz2UH5uG-VcAB3KJ7GzcDPUnU7dpi1UIINv68rWah7FRXW1XPXWPEsKlKqgLY5s/s1600-h/34o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbt7tTIyJQmEOLYCKrph-ulbRhuegwL2rtXRFb4HSPLE1G4uBGcMpSCC-Zk0p0eoUqiXQETtwmaOjIz2UH5uG-VcAB3KJ7GzcDPUnU7dpi1UIINv68rWah7FRXW1XPXWPEsKlKqgLY5s/s400/34o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868830224814898" border="0" /></a>Hanging out in the corner is the packed up half-naked, half-rotten lady. Always keeping with the times- she was nude in the 70s, bikini-clad coming out of the 90s, and she wore a thong in 2006.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFsJsBDBzqE7ljfsQTUB6CP8pCkzCrqbHhiUnWVaukMnHFV7ZgOl3WAKJcmMzZ6kYvYnQoxnkXlyRicPlDE9oFsT7yP9SQjn965h9tx0ZAl3gmnvm-V_TTNqDYzlJU_yLAfJedCrnAhs/s1600-h/cherao.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFsJsBDBzqE7ljfsQTUB6CP8pCkzCrqbHhiUnWVaukMnHFV7ZgOl3WAKJcmMzZ6kYvYnQoxnkXlyRicPlDE9oFsT7yP9SQjn965h9tx0ZAl3gmnvm-V_TTNqDYzlJU_yLAfJedCrnAhs/s400/cherao.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100155847840804562" border="0" /></a>Here's how she looked in 2004. (photo courtesy of Kyle J. Wood)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3pLtF77QthfP62kW8Ut9ydx4hJblnytzcYRNV4KmgQ2-rEobhp7YeI17zhkNTs_32XCxMQke6f_dzWMBlVARcnq2Yh0VmQoSJSzoBU0uARfapq6aM6ZPUlH2Rz4QccHnl2tGDxN-ZeQ/s1600-h/35o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3pLtF77QthfP62kW8Ut9ydx4hJblnytzcYRNV4KmgQ2-rEobhp7YeI17zhkNTs_32XCxMQke6f_dzWMBlVARcnq2Yh0VmQoSJSzoBU0uARfapq6aM6ZPUlH2Rz4QccHnl2tGDxN-ZeQ/s400/35o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868834519782210" border="0" /></a>The dayglo tunnel was sure to blast your mind just in case it hadn't been blasted prior.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4-0lsDB_d0RLVOSxydI3AdzUOxmTneRaJmp6Y_iLkQvKJr74CXy00CsBBA0Vxvig58mYbu-m-zCtVBrt3uncvQgWu5vSEHFil8hwfaiIQXUNJRriC5RbhjkH8U7PWYnRB-xtx4ktCR8/s1600-h/36o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4-0lsDB_d0RLVOSxydI3AdzUOxmTneRaJmp6Y_iLkQvKJr74CXy00CsBBA0Vxvig58mYbu-m-zCtVBrt3uncvQgWu5vSEHFil8hwfaiIQXUNJRriC5RbhjkH8U7PWYnRB-xtx4ktCR8/s400/36o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868838814749522" border="0" /></a>Be careful, I think that's a vortex.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3JbAt2QZGVCa547WG0XEBh2tZeRs1JqfxyLYFOEZ0dgTr0uyWitSQ4nl5Rm7F9E_1VLfnnnHLZ2wgP0qf-phAHa2X0MI_gA7XACzxYu8G_e0niWWusYtj38aYVQkK8UW0W85LIYc50M/s1600-h/vortexo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3JbAt2QZGVCa547WG0XEBh2tZeRs1JqfxyLYFOEZ0dgTr0uyWitSQ4nl5Rm7F9E_1VLfnnnHLZ2wgP0qf-phAHa2X0MI_gA7XACzxYu8G_e0niWWusYtj38aYVQkK8UW0W85LIYc50M/s400/vortexo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095327099241022082" border="0" /></a>This was the original spinning wheel, which was smaller than the replacement. (photo courtesy of Kyle J. Wood)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26Gi_Bs0UNzxetOb_SzhNiLZ6B2YX-wjfXBkYEo_rWY1Ask3z_KwsKQoLFLP4-eErpoFsB6C1eYtmvzU87FrkRaaTQ2ILs9jPXZzpzybkH5-oEWChnrwmgmBuw-XoUcANgXKROGhlymQ/s1600-h/37o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26Gi_Bs0UNzxetOb_SzhNiLZ6B2YX-wjfXBkYEo_rWY1Ask3z_KwsKQoLFLP4-eErpoFsB6C1eYtmvzU87FrkRaaTQ2ILs9jPXZzpzybkH5-oEWChnrwmgmBuw-XoUcANgXKROGhlymQ/s400/37o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868838814749538" border="0" /></a>Back when he had a head, this fellow used to hang from a noose at the end of the mirrored hall...<br /><br /></after><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4cxD8Am3tOg5D718U66qxozkaxSmMBfkzNI6ATUinJc9XBCJChYgGenPuZds0TA8M8oTqeFNUNHL-3iSyLNFgr9ccV0CuZF1OR8jO5hDol-0jqcOadXMx6txAP-bebm7qrcLibon8JI/s1600-h/mirrorroomo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4cxD8Am3tOg5D718U66qxozkaxSmMBfkzNI6ATUinJc9XBCJChYgGenPuZds0TA8M8oTqeFNUNHL-3iSyLNFgr9ccV0CuZF1OR8jO5hDol-0jqcOadXMx6txAP-bebm7qrcLibon8JI/s400/mirrorroomo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159137001945735010" border="0" /></a>Mirrored hall circa 2003<br /></div><after an="" all="" too="" brief="" glimpse="" of="" real="" riders="" are="" forced="" back="" into="" darkness="" where="" this="" warning="" foreshadows="" the="" next="" trick=""><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmMbz7JanbR2XLjHfpVnrkzkYpZFR9nBsjM1ypr6i1Hvkdo6TwixfdPAEM0eJH5k1cgZKxbaZfBXMtioXsaMIHmTitXBCqVTbFy954xeOfm9gCuzZyggw9TUW2HsD6nqvJpSDBELb6bk/s1600-h/38o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmMbz7JanbR2XLjHfpVnrkzkYpZFR9nBsjM1ypr6i1Hvkdo6TwixfdPAEM0eJH5k1cgZKxbaZfBXMtioXsaMIHmTitXBCqVTbFy954xeOfm9gCuzZyggw9TUW2HsD6nqvJpSDBELb6bk/s400/38o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868838814749554" border="0" /></a>As bats often do, these bats hung in the cave.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKK2uS-PeLAHYZNCE1D_sP87Ff8kTQun2ed7-wTtFnnfTNJQz9JJXfP-Uiz4hQkMRHpLfqVVIg0MMJd46qJftoWt721wl9bxON7xP4TgRHGCJT9AtB-i3p_mwB_7Rh17ZNFl5TVaQMkU/s1600-h/39o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKK2uS-PeLAHYZNCE1D_sP87Ff8kTQun2ed7-wTtFnnfTNJQz9JJXfP-Uiz4hQkMRHpLfqVVIg0MMJd46qJftoWt721wl9bxON7xP4TgRHGCJT9AtB-i3p_mwB_7Rh17ZNFl5TVaQMkU/s400/39o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869027793310594" border="0" /></a>The cave is the final trick and it used to be home an uphill-running water illusion as well as a water curtain that threatened to soak passengers, but shut off just in time of course. The trick was plagued with problems (I'm guessing some folks got accidentally soaked) and so the water was removed relatively early on.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNffGWiloiWnXckFSv99vwb0_QVv75n_ET-e592FRho3PG0Buv-IbFYgkJsEO2sRcRArcuyldHKU5SPhSihFrclCL3K8fnRfZKWboBBV_VO03ZsMCoQjApmOC8WTvgtg_QgSiyPKr_-4/s1600-h/40o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNffGWiloiWnXckFSv99vwb0_QVv75n_ET-e592FRho3PG0Buv-IbFYgkJsEO2sRcRArcuyldHKU5SPhSihFrclCL3K8fnRfZKWboBBV_VO03ZsMCoQjApmOC8WTvgtg_QgSiyPKr_-4/s400/40o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869027793310610" border="0" /></a>The sun sets as we venture back into reality.</after>Kirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1022160829846105895.post-86175497537927571332007-09-08T11:08:00.000-05:002013-06-05T23:24:33.536-05:00VIDEOS<object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gnMhiBwrI38"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gnMhiBwrI38" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br />
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Ride through shot in 2006 by Wendi<br />
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Interior footage taken by former park employee Kyle J. WoodKirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1022160829846105895.post-23178662866434633982007-08-30T16:41:00.001-05:002007-12-17T21:54:37.466-06:00RESTORATION: 2004-2006Disclaimer: The views expressed by former Bell's employee Kyle J. Wood are his own and do not represent those of R.K. Bell Enterprises.<br /><br />"Phantaz was like a theater. The exhibits were the performers. The riders- the audience. If you disappoint them, they won't come back. Or if they do, they won't be happy and they'll let you know." Those are the words of <a href="http://www.geocities.com/welkerlots/bio.htm">Kyle J. Wood</a>, a member of the Bell's maintenance team since 2004. Wood's job entailed "everything and anything" but he was especially drawn to tasks that required an artist's eye. Kyle's strong background in the arts manifested during his school years and has led him into numerous creative projects.<br /><br />Wood's gravitation to the haunted ride isn't difficult to understand considering his distinct interests in the unexplained, the macabre, and Hollywood productions. The Phantaz contains all of these elements as well as its own rich history. Kyle couldn't tolerate the state of disrepair it had fallen into. "Bill Certain [the chief electrician] said to me once, "Why fix it up if kids are just going to tear it up again?" explained Wood. After Bill passed away in August of '04 Wood took it upon himself to single-handedly restore the neglected dark ride. "I did it all alone. I never asked for, or was given permission to touch the ride." The work he would put in was in addition to his already busy schedule. With nobody driving the rogue project Wood had to decide where to focus his limited resources. "I did what I thought was best."<br /><br />Kyle set out to achieve two primary objectives: enhance the content and protect it from destructive riders. He was first faced with the sizable task of bringing many of the scares back from the dead. "[Phantasmagoria] was severely dilapidated when I started there. Most of the blacklight bulbs had gone dim. Most of the tricks were broken down. The mannequins were covered in years of soda stains, human spit and Silly String. The mummified remains of Bill Certain's favorite cat (who had disappeared years earlier) lay in the spinning barrel pit- perfectly preserved. It was a forgotten ride."<br /><br />The reason the Phantasmagoria was such a popular target among vandals was very clear to Wood. "It was happening because the ride had no one inside. The cars came within reaching distance of the cages. The access doors to those cages were unsecured and accessible. I reinforced all cages with steel rods, running them through existing 2 x 4s - so no one could grab the cages and pull them out of the wall anymore."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIdyV6gryDRlfkSXXklZhbo909ARm1mxDz8XXefTOAlxguNkjP636Tu-nHlaW-nrBE0kiiycJ1HC58H1QHZRXE6SDkLEOPW2liNtpV_SJaYSLWxW-v6IMl3SOAitgSuoD87novd3wbBU/s1600-h/nakedladyo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325875175342562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIdyV6gryDRlfkSXXklZhbo909ARm1mxDz8XXefTOAlxguNkjP636Tu-nHlaW-nrBE0kiiycJ1HC58H1QHZRXE6SDkLEOPW2liNtpV_SJaYSLWxW-v6IMl3SOAitgSuoD87novd3wbBU/s400/nakedladyo.jpg" border="0" /></a>The evolution of the naked chick<br />Top Left: The way she appeared in 2004<br />Top Middle: Wood's paint and wig makeover that lasted exactly one day before being vandalized (bottom).<br />Top Right: At Robbie's request a bikini was put on her. Kyle bought the smallest one he could find.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFsJsBDBzqE7ljfsQTUB6CP8pCkzCrqbHhiUnWVaukMnHFV7ZgOl3WAKJcmMzZ6kYvYnQoxnkXlyRicPlDE9oFsT7yP9SQjn965h9tx0ZAl3gmnvm-V_TTNqDYzlJU_yLAfJedCrnAhs/s1600-h/cherao.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100155847840804562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFsJsBDBzqE7ljfsQTUB6CP8pCkzCrqbHhiUnWVaukMnHFV7ZgOl3WAKJcmMzZ6kYvYnQoxnkXlyRicPlDE9oFsT7yP9SQjn965h9tx0ZAl3gmnvm-V_TTNqDYzlJU_yLAfJedCrnAhs/s400/cherao.jpg" border="0" /></a>The front view of the nude lady isn't quite as alluring. Here she is seen visiting the workshop in 2004 after her date with a vandal.<br /><br />Though the tricks were more secure they still needed some supervision. Once again Wood employed himself for the job. "I stayed inside the ride to catch people having sex, lighting up cigarettes (and weed), getting out of their cars, etc. I prepared the ride every morning, bringing the cars out, walking through to check for damage from the night before, picking up discarded condom wrappers and other trash."<br /><br />How had it come to this? It wasn't just a matter of management surrendering in the war against mischief makers. Much had to do with limited personnel. Wood elaborates "Dennis Sanchez [a valued member of the maintenance team] was the man who kept the cars running and the ride safe. He said there was never any time to do creative things. Dennis had all the other rides to work on too. He could keep the cars repaired and get an occasional assistant to help him tack a vandalized cage back into place. Bill Certain never had time (or desired to) [focus on the ride] anymore. Bill would check the ride out electrically and safety wise before the season opened. Maybe replace a light bulb or two; not much beyond that."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXGUoRuroAXnKcw7PsYS1RdVNlv6ArD1sblnpxqC9jxBE83Fzka5RhY8rdRlg3KIsQTzjTuIReOF9PJKs92aSRAM91h__F96PJF7RwLsHaQUGXMkX_ICqyiSR3bxYZxpFcijQ0KqBDhk/s1600-h/demodennisrato.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095324685469401410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXGUoRuroAXnKcw7PsYS1RdVNlv6ArD1sblnpxqC9jxBE83Fzka5RhY8rdRlg3KIsQTzjTuIReOF9PJKs92aSRAM91h__F96PJF7RwLsHaQUGXMkX_ICqyiSR3bxYZxpFcijQ0KqBDhk/s400/demodennisrato.jpg" border="0" /></a>Dennis Sanchez gives the rat some extra ears during the dismantling of Bell's. (The Pharaoh's Fury boat seen on the left was about to be picked up and taken to Kansas.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELsRiFnlfO3W1b8iiUC97sN7KXd27SsU4NB1To-gVplA5qpuFyBrPFxC_x2J5Fv9hF2y6wwsm2w2r3MdVzWMScrLN6lO3o68DVbs7wc7BGmpnsbtNjb7BIrA2Q8kugJVKts7riQvdU2w/s1600-h/carto.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100155843545837250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELsRiFnlfO3W1b8iiUC97sN7KXd27SsU4NB1To-gVplA5qpuFyBrPFxC_x2J5Fv9hF2y6wwsm2w2r3MdVzWMScrLN6lO3o68DVbs7wc7BGmpnsbtNjb7BIrA2Q8kugJVKts7riQvdU2w/s400/carto.jpg" border="0" /></a>Bill Certain (1953-2004) drives across the familiar cement pattern on the Bell's midway<br /><br />Kyle detailed more of his updates... "I added a lot of small accent lighting to help in illumination (low wattage colored bulbs). You couldn't see anything hardly! You couldn't even see the upstairs graveyard (only the skeleton in the coffin - who would get stuck in a sitting up position every few times and wouldn't lay back down). I added tracer dye (that green tint in the water of the Skull Pond) to make the water visible under blacklight. Before, the water was invisible."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNK5BtZv6TsA6qIPsxMHXGuu6gLNW-nm0pKJiumsUzYwsMaZlw5oCNFZGHz1EohXZhTkp5oQHRyQQVURvZSHanl-VN9tbYAYwuOHBPjHlK9PpTaWgjHAK_Lr-f8FzwiiZ_KwEvWrB7phw/s1600-h/shroudedo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100159885110062946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNK5BtZv6TsA6qIPsxMHXGuu6gLNW-nm0pKJiumsUzYwsMaZlw5oCNFZGHz1EohXZhTkp5oQHRyQQVURvZSHanl-VN9tbYAYwuOHBPjHlK9PpTaWgjHAK_Lr-f8FzwiiZ_KwEvWrB7phw/s400/shroudedo.jpg" border="0" /></a>In 2004 this nude figure was shrouded.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lSNIHKLwqivY1fSLCizuzS2jCxkVGYF1UiA-_MVqZDuq0aeNXvoD-xHPUx8ema_bhRBgKNnEwrk2DQa3VU7pounIgz06rICVpS2eK5AsqzQQI8xYS4iUBkMo87RrduzbQ4_Yp_r6tdk/s1600-h/shroudedmakeovero.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100159885110062930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lSNIHKLwqivY1fSLCizuzS2jCxkVGYF1UiA-_MVqZDuq0aeNXvoD-xHPUx8ema_bhRBgKNnEwrk2DQa3VU7pounIgz06rICVpS2eK5AsqzQQI8xYS4iUBkMo87RrduzbQ4_Yp_r6tdk/s400/shroudedmakeovero.jpg" border="0" /></a>Kyle made her over with a getup inspired by a character in the film <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The Fifth Element</span>.Two weeks later he was sent to Wal-Mart for another bikini.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMXzeEg2pod6pK1L6I7yqg-0tocDBzdVyXvJRVyEiVpC6eWU-7b_QsaSpaZCefsZWRCg33PuUBS9A7HUL-oWFe1KxoqkFee7zs2_IqFj6z-b442vtYm3Y7kps8SxccC7JiD9VjAQSUEI/s1600-h/mummyo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100156182848253698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMXzeEg2pod6pK1L6I7yqg-0tocDBzdVyXvJRVyEiVpC6eWU-7b_QsaSpaZCefsZWRCg33PuUBS9A7HUL-oWFe1KxoqkFee7zs2_IqFj6z-b442vtYm3Y7kps8SxccC7JiD9VjAQSUEI/s400/mummyo.jpg" border="0" /></a>Mummies stood in alcoves on each side of the Skull Pond skull. This one was so badly disfigured by vandals that Kyle concealed it with web. After a season the spider met the same fate as the mummy and was found in little pieces on the track. (the other mummy was also destroyed and was replaced with a buzzard.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7om1JUliY08xdAo_ERNAgUU6AuwDFP9jY4HljqvnaPt23MB0shD31g9l1ma_SrERUA1Bkb4NM5Yvc_d828vn4fqbdsuqnVThCPM_JFQuqvUm-Kow6Jpyvt7QqtxGjCMnvjD168b4ifo/s1600-h/jasono.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100210634443632530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7om1JUliY08xdAo_ERNAgUU6AuwDFP9jY4HljqvnaPt23MB0shD31g9l1ma_SrERUA1Bkb4NM5Yvc_d828vn4fqbdsuqnVThCPM_JFQuqvUm-Kow6Jpyvt7QqtxGjCMnvjD168b4ifo/s400/jasono.jpg" border="0" /></a>Kyle manned the infamous bus with a Jason figure constructed with chicken wire, one of his old flannel shirts and some work gloves that he found abandoned on the midway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfErWpl39XMBUFsVxdp1dAQKcnIpEhPoF2BejFPodaosfaZpza-6uMeO-VjomUgunfTYQ-qlBEvlEJizJbQSDDc81XbEv9h4blcYMazc4dyUDlYcKgxuUVYWNb0QfaZ5QDPdQJ5lwas9c/s1600-h/skl2o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100156187143221026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfErWpl39XMBUFsVxdp1dAQKcnIpEhPoF2BejFPodaosfaZpza-6uMeO-VjomUgunfTYQ-qlBEvlEJizJbQSDDc81XbEv9h4blcYMazc4dyUDlYcKgxuUVYWNb0QfaZ5QDPdQJ5lwas9c/s400/skl2o.jpg" border="0" /></a>Kyle repopulated the lengthy passage where the first dip once stood with an assortment of creepy stuff (and sound effects) including this re-painted skull strobe light which he "borrowed" from the Skee-Ball prize booth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-ty59T7njn4OkbqSCz-3CaYCJybaoQf9HYvm1HTRHnEK8NLlBTrwzdc9HDtNJBLks4CSiXM2nvwTK5mv1cVsQt6uxeF_0fGl-rrAw7nDrOJvuUodKgaXgIFDsQLb4-SLVeACep2pyL8/s1600-h/heado.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325145030902194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-ty59T7njn4OkbqSCz-3CaYCJybaoQf9HYvm1HTRHnEK8NLlBTrwzdc9HDtNJBLks4CSiXM2nvwTK5mv1cVsQt6uxeF_0fGl-rrAw7nDrOJvuUodKgaXgIFDsQLb4-SLVeACep2pyL8/s400/heado.jpg" border="0" /></a>In 2005 Wood added a "witches head" to an empty opening.<br /><br />"Three airport runway strobe lights (each with ten inch wide lenses, non variable speed, made by Whelen Engineering in Connecticut) had all burned out, except for the one in the psychedelic room. The room's small spinning wheel wouldn't turn (the wood had warped under the intense heat). I fixed and repainted the wheel. The tinfoil (which was wall-to-wall from the Buzzard's Nest to the spinning wheel) was covered up many years earlier after kids kept picking at it. Because hundreds of thousands of staples had been used to attach the tinfoil, it was impossible to remove it by hand. Rolls of black tar paper were purchased from a local roofing supplier and stapled over the foil to cover it."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyie40mp_9XX-0GY-G8aPyMhB7ChptNYbTJLZyOnAW6f0wPWYJFaV0UTZJuq3hvBAwN40NrWmIbNsTCztaWipMcJve1BXpVViGZqBCor_eJR-wW_WmkSw59Bft7uQ0JkadZ2-6w6rHbSo/s1600-h/strobefoilo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095327094946054770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyie40mp_9XX-0GY-G8aPyMhB7ChptNYbTJLZyOnAW6f0wPWYJFaV0UTZJuq3hvBAwN40NrWmIbNsTCztaWipMcJve1BXpVViGZqBCor_eJR-wW_WmkSw59Bft7uQ0JkadZ2-6w6rHbSo/s400/strobefoilo.jpg" border="0" /></a>The Tinfoil Room (a.k.a. Strobe Room, or Psychedelic Room) as it appeared in early 2007.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3JbAt2QZGVCa547WG0XEBh2tZeRs1JqfxyLYFOEZ0dgTr0uyWitSQ4nl5Rm7F9E_1VLfnnnHLZ2wgP0qf-phAHa2X0MI_gA7XACzxYu8G_e0niWWusYtj38aYVQkK8UW0W85LIYc50M/s1600-h/vortexo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095327099241022082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3JbAt2QZGVCa547WG0XEBh2tZeRs1JqfxyLYFOEZ0dgTr0uyWitSQ4nl5Rm7F9E_1VLfnnnHLZ2wgP0qf-phAHa2X0MI_gA7XACzxYu8G_e0niWWusYtj38aYVQkK8UW0W85LIYc50M/s400/vortexo.jpg" border="0" /></a>This was the original spinning wheel, which was smaller than the orange and black replacement.<br /><br />Wood also did what he could to spruce up the corroded exterior. He restored vision to the manor's spinning eyeballs with a long-overdue paint job...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzot5PzPnlMz-08dr9hT3C6BhNQOLJF-W8MkV8_pnU6f2fLZzIZEhfx3_nBl5DhynNZdSWl3QEBJ34owEKMT5CpMIZulII2VSlL_pvb-LZC18hafcW-R_cja4v_k1E2Ds7836h-AuT2bM/s1600-h/restore+eyeso.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095326558075142690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzot5PzPnlMz-08dr9hT3C6BhNQOLJF-W8MkV8_pnU6f2fLZzIZEhfx3_nBl5DhynNZdSWl3QEBJ34owEKMT5CpMIZulII2VSlL_pvb-LZC18hafcW-R_cja4v_k1E2Ds7836h-AuT2bM/s400/restore+eyeso.jpg" border="0" /></a>He also revamped an area of the facade lovingly called "the brothel" by repainting the leg, adding a red interior light and hanging an authentic curtain from the 1950s...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxFUW9E8iOosyRp0s-sEzics6RKqW6Dz2Y-KNkBi526suKte3MQcr8rJLRxIG2u8-zlqZBPq7DzKSsGUJHcrlkRUwME-GyBhhSeBKTRuwheW7aZ_SdcCeNjl2g_9CGidalhzAh3cHHWc/s1600-h/legrestoreo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325866585407954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxFUW9E8iOosyRp0s-sEzics6RKqW6Dz2Y-KNkBi526suKte3MQcr8rJLRxIG2u8-zlqZBPq7DzKSsGUJHcrlkRUwME-GyBhhSeBKTRuwheW7aZ_SdcCeNjl2g_9CGidalhzAh3cHHWc/s400/legrestoreo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtqOUAEPxEzBQYg5YQG2tAsd1PzyBK2dV-7XFs0ajQHoTEYSPzXz2M5gopzevnyg1JTW4LKf4pm0MzRHSVktHEFKiL5XExo_HmK4FRXw_wQaWqd8prAmRCb_mrV1zUcYc3DX21qK1Jfk/s1600-h/pitchero.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100156187143221010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtqOUAEPxEzBQYg5YQG2tAsd1PzyBK2dV-7XFs0ajQHoTEYSPzXz2M5gopzevnyg1JTW4LKf4pm0MzRHSVktHEFKiL5XExo_HmK4FRXw_wQaWqd8prAmRCb_mrV1zUcYc3DX21qK1Jfk/s400/pitchero.jpg" border="0" /></a>Another view of the restored bordello. The pitcher on the right once sat atop one of the chimneys. Kyle used it to cover a hole left by a missing spinning display.<br /><br />Wood's commitment to the attraction continued well into the fateful 2006 season when an infamous microburst of wind severely defaced the exterior just months before the amusement park received its eviction notice. Yet somehow it's nice to know that before its downfall the Phantasmagoria was in the best shape that Tulsa had seen it in decades thanks to Mr. Wood's private renaissance. I only wish we could have seen where he was taking it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLOzfxu8xs6DoXIsSiuiE4WV8yvyWvz8eu5XIyiPIZrMBEhvxklIobrb5-pzX1MChKZV22f9DOyXvsb5VbolMW4lCn7aI8uTOngaX_ZCcJa-l9glj-AXHhxmc4kA4Kl7OvKxbDOnVejI/s1600-h/me2006o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100156182848253682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLOzfxu8xs6DoXIsSiuiE4WV8yvyWvz8eu5XIyiPIZrMBEhvxklIobrb5-pzX1MChKZV22f9DOyXvsb5VbolMW4lCn7aI8uTOngaX_ZCcJa-l9glj-AXHhxmc4kA4Kl7OvKxbDOnVejI/s400/me2006o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Kyle J. Wood stands before the facade after it was ravaged by the microburst that occurred on 6-6-06.Kirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1022160829846105895.post-57537396399810845672007-08-30T16:40:00.001-05:002007-09-18T11:10:55.949-05:00THE MICROBURST OF 2006<div style="text-align: left;">On June 6, 2006 a weather phenomenon known as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microburst">microburst</a> severely damaged much of the Phantasmagoria's facade and destroyed nearby rides.<br />The following are photos of the aftermath...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp8Es8WMSW2Ar8CaU9k33otE0avapW6CQqWUG5yLwn9rqeEy3Yqk-qL-1_0woi36Oh24lQwyM55_2ZEg1bDbB0ApWnd7jrlLWNyeGT4qSVZ7b_6C2AtlhIWtALW_qKgV8mpsPu46KAsM/s1600-h/phantaz1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp8Es8WMSW2Ar8CaU9k33otE0avapW6CQqWUG5yLwn9rqeEy3Yqk-qL-1_0woi36Oh24lQwyM55_2ZEg1bDbB0ApWnd7jrlLWNyeGT4qSVZ7b_6C2AtlhIWtALW_qKgV8mpsPu46KAsM/s400/phantaz1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033861094988713826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DUxhYfpQoHYGHQ6XM1AFzE749JY0ssr8zSZxb_2023JE-T4eMgvM9Q5yuYQRtb75vlVrvdPhBXyoyb0FRpqjOHfhyri9O7tTQOuBbRGnvZRUQVP23eiGzyU6RECfU47mNYZw038_z2o/s1600-h/phantaz4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DUxhYfpQoHYGHQ6XM1AFzE749JY0ssr8zSZxb_2023JE-T4eMgvM9Q5yuYQRtb75vlVrvdPhBXyoyb0FRpqjOHfhyri9O7tTQOuBbRGnvZRUQVP23eiGzyU6RECfU47mNYZw038_z2o/s400/phantaz4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033861099283681170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdECQws26gdcTaztV3LT7HBBPlKdEWPjHMd2H_GkVOAEIwWsdSsgX2dH7cAicLOLww-RbPb-GxdLxtlimJm7Yi4Oosew5lfPYawQ9HErxAN8JGEQWkcwPrS19Jr7oPmmF4TQGpG6JAQ6c/s1600-h/phantaz3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdECQws26gdcTaztV3LT7HBBPlKdEWPjHMd2H_GkVOAEIwWsdSsgX2dH7cAicLOLww-RbPb-GxdLxtlimJm7Yi4Oosew5lfPYawQ9HErxAN8JGEQWkcwPrS19Jr7oPmmF4TQGpG6JAQ6c/s400/phantaz3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033861094988713842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCLxmWCfF7y3PTmfooOa1OH_yJFR0cuGC1kW5l_9t8l4hmun7cssjFhjzFVrUjnzalu5oMhpHkI_YKvfpKfy964P3cErOL7xhqllo2untIDddyhIKOCudr4y88PWM9FC1j3rFncJ0p_8/s1600-h/phantaz2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCLxmWCfF7y3PTmfooOa1OH_yJFR0cuGC1kW5l_9t8l4hmun7cssjFhjzFVrUjnzalu5oMhpHkI_YKvfpKfy964P3cErOL7xhqllo2untIDddyhIKOCudr4y88PWM9FC1j3rFncJ0p_8/s400/phantaz2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033861099283681154" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:navy;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:navy;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:navy;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:navy;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsk47zJC75TfqxlEMuKbPrEo6Qrzc412wLabl0VyqGCGZP-c2c5uPjM-_-hcJkQ7udIxIrcbEyiJiUelxqlQx1IxHkZc8SJu_FPNpP2X1ldp0IhLdflcllvKGWNBY66yG8Tce2b1nYiE/s1600-h/dog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsk47zJC75TfqxlEMuKbPrEo6Qrzc412wLabl0VyqGCGZP-c2c5uPjM-_-hcJkQ7udIxIrcbEyiJiUelxqlQx1IxHkZc8SJu_FPNpP2X1ldp0IhLdflcllvKGWNBY66yG8Tce2b1nYiE/s400/dog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5041632407129743458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEsw6o58zkVI97N1gG805yesfKt9MTT2Z9iKTOpcsWpV9mibTV3HbbW86SAgCMqgXbKJWwikDs1F7JbdrW80xMPOGec0DUSv3WXLWnn6SaG_Y-AXV19vPTHkqSzWG8B25Q3xncZXwUjM/s1600-h/dog2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEsw6o58zkVI97N1gG805yesfKt9MTT2Z9iKTOpcsWpV9mibTV3HbbW86SAgCMqgXbKJWwikDs1F7JbdrW80xMPOGec0DUSv3WXLWnn6SaG_Y-AXV19vPTHkqSzWG8B25Q3xncZXwUjM/s400/dog2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5041634215310975090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Dog photos courtesy of Nick Beals</span>)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLOzfxu8xs6DoXIsSiuiE4WV8yvyWvz8eu5XIyiPIZrMBEhvxklIobrb5-pzX1MChKZV22f9DOyXvsb5VbolMW4lCn7aI8uTOngaX_ZCcJa-l9glj-AXHhxmc4kA4Kl7OvKxbDOnVejI/s1600-h/me2006o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLOzfxu8xs6DoXIsSiuiE4WV8yvyWvz8eu5XIyiPIZrMBEhvxklIobrb5-pzX1MChKZV22f9DOyXvsb5VbolMW4lCn7aI8uTOngaX_ZCcJa-l9glj-AXHhxmc4kA4Kl7OvKxbDOnVejI/s400/me2006o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100156182848253682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Park employee Kyle J. Wood surveys the wreckage.<br />(photos courtesy Buddy Stefanoff and Kyle J. Wood)<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br />The ferris wheel was located directly across from the dark ride...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DqrW2YIRkHzAyy-SQof6ybWMBb_tdttYElHknkMy68Qn6WfgZur3s_RO64jZiUq87XonYbOKbbikH_2uuU0TXNI1MXhzSDBc62Fl2KiaanIoiXIuUO65_qIMdm5W5oz_c-62A-CQOxo/s1600-h/ferriswheel4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DqrW2YIRkHzAyy-SQof6ybWMBb_tdttYElHknkMy68Qn6WfgZur3s_RO64jZiUq87XonYbOKbbikH_2uuU0TXNI1MXhzSDBc62Fl2KiaanIoiXIuUO65_qIMdm5W5oz_c-62A-CQOxo/s400/ferriswheel4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033860888830283570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevOQnmccGNeiJtVZFd-Nh1PvmER8Ivn-zfEEMVCjwAs-jH2vHgYW0yLQ1AWghCzinQbkfyi_zmp6VO2fR1qQZkH9zb8nMnIva71qkUgbqGQB42qYzGphg9_Tr-B5HfQjI7smX-Md27Us/s1600-h/ferriswheel1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevOQnmccGNeiJtVZFd-Nh1PvmER8Ivn-zfEEMVCjwAs-jH2vHgYW0yLQ1AWghCzinQbkfyi_zmp6VO2fR1qQZkH9zb8nMnIva71qkUgbqGQB42qYzGphg9_Tr-B5HfQjI7smX-Md27Us/s400/ferriswheel1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033860884535316226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpd3A0lHYnPRT8kcaEO1_BNAsInWorABOlNRvRr0aCn48o71Gw0IFFpj8O5EKSMRqW16QYd-ULEh2O2l1CF7XrCwotvdx2AjoNHH4OoeZ96KLEM26kBVfLAAMeqS6uNvhalVtynFbuHA/s1600-h/ferriswheel2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpd3A0lHYnPRT8kcaEO1_BNAsInWorABOlNRvRr0aCn48o71Gw0IFFpj8O5EKSMRqW16QYd-ULEh2O2l1CF7XrCwotvdx2AjoNHH4OoeZ96KLEM26kBVfLAAMeqS6uNvhalVtynFbuHA/s400/ferriswheel2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033860888830283538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Photos courtesy of Buddy Stefanoff)</span><br /></div><br /></div>Kirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1022160829846105895.post-47097717512668303802007-08-30T16:38:00.000-05:002007-12-17T21:55:16.016-06:00DEMOLITIONBell's amusement park was served eviction papers from the city of Tulsa in November of 2006. The park was given until June 2007 to clear the entire property of all structures. Thus the gradual disassembly of the Phantasmagoria began in January '07 and the building was finally demolished on June 19, 2007.<br /><br />Naturally, the deconstruction of the iconic ride was a saddening experience to park employees who had a special fondness for it and years worth of memories surrounding the Tulsa landmark. As the structure was dismantled trick by trick and wall by wall, park employee Kyle J. Wood unearthed several discoveries related to the original design of the attraction. These little revelations served as a slight consolation to Kyle and the crew. The first of which might be considered a bombshell by most Phantasmagoria enthusiasts. Kyle happened upon elements of a long lost trick known as "Singing Skulls."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26KZACf9vhQ7c-hnJmUnMxjREMzG75uKjS7JW48_K6zrXX02n6VPDZesrkCiFtnXnEWhAwohVniRnXNiWRe7UpkS7vldbWns0EcSahr_P8R7WxATN88tlxsoiitXTNIKFQVXq83e6Iwk/s1600-h/skullso.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095327090651087458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26KZACf9vhQ7c-hnJmUnMxjREMzG75uKjS7JW48_K6zrXX02n6VPDZesrkCiFtnXnEWhAwohVniRnXNiWRe7UpkS7vldbWns0EcSahr_P8R7WxATN88tlxsoiitXTNIKFQVXq83e6Iwk/s400/skullso.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />These hand made, papier-mache skulls each contain a small electric motor that enabled its mouth to open and close. The "Phantom Bus Driver" skull (located late in the ride) contained the same technology and may have been a "singer" as well. DAFE founder Rick Davis speculates that this was a Funni-Frite gag which are known for their unreliability. These bony crooners were situated across from the buzzard's nest in a slot that was eventually occupied by the grim reaper (after he left his perch above the first dip.) One can only wonder what these colorful spooks were singing about.<br /><br />Another find was a handwritten wiring guide in the original circuit box room...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi5wRUJjQNqxMKb36Y91cG3DWnmzZUZ3VY6l6JWMHVIhDI-_T7Hb7ahPYuRSIerJ-7rABBDObjdgtLGl5qUZbzqHRL2hG6UXoHEs5i_fdck_zQuXPlv5zTETym6TgO7onPP-1IBS_4LM/s1600-h/inscriptiono.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325862290440642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKi5wRUJjQNqxMKb36Y91cG3DWnmzZUZ3VY6l6JWMHVIhDI-_T7Hb7ahPYuRSIerJ-7rABBDObjdgtLGl5qUZbzqHRL2hG6UXoHEs5i_fdck_zQuXPlv5zTETym6TgO7onPP-1IBS_4LM/s400/inscriptiono.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It referenced the singing skulls as well as a trick called "Demishing [sic] Squares." This was the original version of the more familiar series of ascending bang doors with circular cutouts which made up the very first trick of the ride. The original batch of doors had to be replaced because the square-cut versions were too heavy and slammed too hard.<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaL0WLW0hKAUx1yvtpEdeHUuTU6yDaAFqItk5N1Emiaf9wSgsybSckp7TaW4O18ZqYvAEyK7V-OBj_Zdzy_EWyGzX7Zm0FlWJKsCFaZr4fwO-Zz6cnKqBWW9OJLXAJSUqjUZhi9TPaKg/s1600-h/square2o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096540814049198930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaL0WLW0hKAUx1yvtpEdeHUuTU6yDaAFqItk5N1Emiaf9wSgsybSckp7TaW4O18ZqYvAEyK7V-OBj_Zdzy_EWyGzX7Zm0FlWJKsCFaZr4fwO-Zz6cnKqBWW9OJLXAJSUqjUZhi9TPaKg/s400/square2o.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">An early photo of the Diminishing Squares</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The standing individual is Robert Bell Sr. -- Robbie's grandfather.</span><br /></div><br />Frequent riders will recall a sign early in the journey which warned "Danger: Professionally Trained Guard Dogs..." Originally the message was followed by a prerecorded blast of vicious dog noises, although the audio was discontinued relatively early in the ride's history. Over time the very existence of the dog recording turned into a debate which was ultimately settled during the demolition process. The removal of the walls revealed a massive loudspeaker immediately following the danger sign which can be seen in the bottom left corner of the following photo...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9wxLILW06Y_ss7iSBCYLDgTikjPtafUJYvVRoA__KTwLCzt12AC9U5WAG4v-qEpISglRUXSuLWnyszrEp64bgIjj00Q8EAKduFEC0EfgUUWKRqKem5OMmvPihi2VJNw0YjsylQkvTng/s1600-h/demolish2o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325132146000258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9wxLILW06Y_ss7iSBCYLDgTikjPtafUJYvVRoA__KTwLCzt12AC9U5WAG4v-qEpISglRUXSuLWnyszrEp64bgIjj00Q8EAKduFEC0EfgUUWKRqKem5OMmvPihi2VJNw0YjsylQkvTng/s400/demolish2o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Also excavated from within the depths of the dark ride were pieces of an area called "the tilt room" in which water appeared to run uphill...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij50tLGJ4rEa_Y1bSMRL01ZlSCjy0mLr7dxlo32IGE7L_zxuaOc5tGKE1c6fCTVnxOr-9dPUH53iqRYcW6RvaOHWt_0-zmK4CWZO2WcEIfopXtEr5X7mhlrPT-46rvpTpqEto5y9tYmxg/s1600-h/tilt2o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096874812180972466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij50tLGJ4rEa_Y1bSMRL01ZlSCjy0mLr7dxlo32IGE7L_zxuaOc5tGKE1c6fCTVnxOr-9dPUH53iqRYcW6RvaOHWt_0-zmK4CWZO2WcEIfopXtEr5X7mhlrPT-46rvpTpqEto5y9tYmxg/s400/tilt2o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The hearts on the cockeyed window shutters recall imagery from <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Alice in Wonderland.</span> This room was soon replaced with the infamous oncoming bus trick.<br /><br />Kyle J. Wood documented the systematic deconstruction of the dark ride with the following collection of photos... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1HxC7FvSNqOMJIXrWFhwbeQ3e1EA_tNzbXpuyLHDPrTEvS4S4NQ58pJtXpdIpQCfyePaMoXBqsAZ4jo6iJeTQft8D5SFAd8ksY8aYHk29U-YkQrWihSVl6zE2J0Jk4oAymnZ4NTwNxg/s1600-h/demolish1o.jpg"><br /><br /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidk17rIHUPkapaommMpqNsd53ucytF98O5dePuCChn6H3JmNiZpUY9kFPyq8vcEvbuuWoOLRSV73QcrrlC7j7w2oiiDH3yRJZhg7elObfTtjfjZ3Yx97lFUmhAOeMTv3RdQ2NECn08KNE/s1600-h/tilt1o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096874816475939778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidk17rIHUPkapaommMpqNsd53ucytF98O5dePuCChn6H3JmNiZpUY9kFPyq8vcEvbuuWoOLRSV73QcrrlC7j7w2oiiDH3yRJZhg7elObfTtjfjZ3Yx97lFUmhAOeMTv3RdQ2NECn08KNE/s400/tilt1o.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A view of the former "tilt room" which eventually housed the bus trick. Before the demolition the bus was slated to be extracted by crane but at the last minute workers were able to maneuver it onto the ascent ramp and drag it out by hand.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzlbUgSno9IrqRdNVIUpk5uYaInbbH30oQK_HQSBKvQlZ3XQma0pXnaO0xJSOr4woQB0-da5oLur5W5vZFa8KUdiIG5NLzOYVq2tkCsJ5rQjvPIYaZtuxa20lXa23FEYUQe2uh_SUY5o/s1600-h/skull2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096173706014540562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzlbUgSno9IrqRdNVIUpk5uYaInbbH30oQK_HQSBKvQlZ3XQma0pXnaO0xJSOr4woQB0-da5oLur5W5vZFa8KUdiIG5NLzOYVq2tkCsJ5rQjvPIYaZtuxa20lXa23FEYUQe2uh_SUY5o/s400/skull2.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Former home of the Skull Pond</span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRVdK7orhefnKmQ6JWh00emS7EQ9RKzWlmtLzalpOuU3oYxtyMLMR8NmwbJ0Em-qFpIHOYRrzIWPbB-JN9U1uzGMW5gj7Fpvog_UzYkesGiZg9TGZnJwItB8Iox9quSUECeHUM6nhw60/s1600-h/demolish4o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325140735934882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRVdK7orhefnKmQ6JWh00emS7EQ9RKzWlmtLzalpOuU3oYxtyMLMR8NmwbJ0Em-qFpIHOYRrzIWPbB-JN9U1uzGMW5gj7Fpvog_UzYkesGiZg9TGZnJwItB8Iox9quSUECeHUM6nhw60/s400/demolish4o.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Pieces of the cave walls await trash pickup<br /></span><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sns0Pao45SUPUmrntO6IUxBM0PwuZALrSatRcJ7DK_5U_uBCIZ8LLrdIDulMDu5Qyws1oDkg6TiX0TQnd-IBt56W-I8ue0qCgWgtYIk6f2m1y7KwWqahOGd59IOPCrO6ticftNyeHms/s1600-h/barr1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096173701719573234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sns0Pao45SUPUmrntO6IUxBM0PwuZALrSatRcJ7DK_5U_uBCIZ8LLrdIDulMDu5Qyws1oDkg6TiX0TQnd-IBt56W-I8ue0qCgWgtYIk6f2m1y7KwWqahOGd59IOPCrO6ticftNyeHms/s400/barr1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The curved black thing behind the studs is the "spinning barrel," a large rotating tube that the cars passed through.<br /><br /></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iBfREmIVwyijxd-CGNnMWnFjHARsjqAJBtkvSOB1zlsxzVKSN5uxdAlDxfzfVXOlxMNClT9Q1Qs4GF3pCpdyAqik2YRszYPVtdqD9gQL2HO3a716w5GCtN2DrWaQzxK1rJI2XcRxOww/s1600-h/barrpito.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100155843545837234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iBfREmIVwyijxd-CGNnMWnFjHARsjqAJBtkvSOB1zlsxzVKSN5uxdAlDxfzfVXOlxMNClT9Q1Qs4GF3pCpdyAqik2YRszYPVtdqD9gQL2HO3a716w5GCtN2DrWaQzxK1rJI2XcRxOww/s400/barrpito.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A look at the bridge that ran through the spinning barrel (after the barrels removal). The steel grating on the floor in the distance was part of the water curtain trick.</span><br /></div></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsHnTHwy7FUd44sO6YbhyphenhyphenSY8kODNts1M1FUNxGCQF_bgtuAicjWc0uWbAA1zT8mPNSoVSElZCmhlL9u8ryqP4yVX0hLsw6jZiWNPKVjDQdysCuY0KQcN5p-88Xw4FIcEM0l5Sp5RvgV4/s1600-h/demoflooro.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095324689764368738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsHnTHwy7FUd44sO6YbhyphenhyphenSY8kODNts1M1FUNxGCQF_bgtuAicjWc0uWbAA1zT8mPNSoVSElZCmhlL9u8ryqP4yVX0hLsw6jZiWNPKVjDQdysCuY0KQcN5p-88Xw4FIcEM0l5Sp5RvgV4/s400/demoflooro.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The floor of the psychedelic room is one of the last things to go.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9l8lbFs1YOL-i0MlH0H0zd-W6H7HwthAdu-c7TkobkmMLHuBJH7BkdpLgI2JOv39XJK0tAKQHljVf1ArAHItKf3esTO7-CdQkrqSLbcJYTEGE6s-ZJnduG-Jj_xYmyN4ftNMJ4jsw8o/s1600-h/demofloorcloseo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095324689764368722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9l8lbFs1YOL-i0MlH0H0zd-W6H7HwthAdu-c7TkobkmMLHuBJH7BkdpLgI2JOv39XJK0tAKQHljVf1ArAHItKf3esTO7-CdQkrqSLbcJYTEGE6s-ZJnduG-Jj_xYmyN4ftNMJ4jsw8o/s400/demofloorcloseo.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Here's a close-up of the floor. No telling who's DNA might be embedded in this piece.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqemj_U9i9GprNBDOp9lIZ-k9D1PH_tee932JsrvS7t3OsD2yXb3T3H-Ijn4dowdLvR4v59G7kVLvyWZ_4SWjinReWKz9DAS8KjTQ4ISKboMlDenX1JodNWTNz4_u850xVaNpkaLL5WP4/s1600-h/barreltrasho.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095324681174434098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqemj_U9i9GprNBDOp9lIZ-k9D1PH_tee932JsrvS7t3OsD2yXb3T3H-Ijn4dowdLvR4v59G7kVLvyWZ_4SWjinReWKz9DAS8KjTQ4ISKboMlDenX1JodNWTNz4_u850xVaNpkaLL5WP4/s400/barreltrasho.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">One of the decorative barrels is emptied to reveal a time capsule of trash. All the vintage Pepsi logos indicate that there really was a Pepsi party going on, just like the sign on the Zingo promised.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiXrTvcM9XDpKUpGEYYx4YWb755ytplG1gkvt0MBuUD5HCD1Fh2vyPoaOPwYTujAUwuyX-QYkOqByO70Z6wA7LJbv_i8X8oTtqW_sjxaT-GeBVLewnrVcr_M0Atkc9cJy3yL_qiQ_V28/s1600-h/shipped+awayo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095326570960044626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiXrTvcM9XDpKUpGEYYx4YWb755ytplG1gkvt0MBuUD5HCD1Fh2vyPoaOPwYTujAUwuyX-QYkOqByO70Z6wA7LJbv_i8X8oTtqW_sjxaT-GeBVLewnrVcr_M0Atkc9cJy3yL_qiQ_V28/s400/shipped+awayo.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The rat on its way to storage. The truck toured through the center of town to give Tulsans a last look until he reappears at the new Bell's location.<br /><br /></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1HxC7FvSNqOMJIXrWFhwbeQ3e1EA_tNzbXpuyLHDPrTEvS4S4NQ58pJtXpdIpQCfyePaMoXBqsAZ4jo6iJeTQft8D5SFAd8ksY8aYHk29U-YkQrWihSVl6zE2J0Jk4oAymnZ4NTwNxg/s1600-h/demolish1o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325127851032946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1HxC7FvSNqOMJIXrWFhwbeQ3e1EA_tNzbXpuyLHDPrTEvS4S4NQ58pJtXpdIpQCfyePaMoXBqsAZ4jo6iJeTQft8D5SFAd8ksY8aYHk29U-YkQrWihSVl6zE2J0Jk4oAymnZ4NTwNxg/s400/demolish1o.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Phantasmagoria (center) on demolition day</span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQdx3zh-kxs4bwRFKC1z856Iebf0vwYOa4j5oRydVF2rCHCIqcP7QA4RR_nBkxCAWBEMGuHpEYNcmtIlQH5FjVn3jKmorwQl1e40lDQowQPsTvwHXy0fVfiMhumeBEeVjW0B-A9W0PU0/s1600-h/demolish3o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325132146000274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQdx3zh-kxs4bwRFKC1z856Iebf0vwYOa4j5oRydVF2rCHCIqcP7QA4RR_nBkxCAWBEMGuHpEYNcmtIlQH5FjVn3jKmorwQl1e40lDQowQPsTvwHXy0fVfiMhumeBEeVjW0B-A9W0PU0/s400/demolish3o.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Additional buildings followed.</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73mqiFLK-1w46tWcBlPSo08gy5VuPW0cDsOE6IaEzX4wELlLrKa6FfaGhxjVGaq6bxOzy3rS0UnYZdkg2LaAsd2ksx3VPCzZmdm59Obun8zqRlPaAT91WN_H5mAJ6A40OAs5doeP6xWQ/s1600-h/pcaro.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096874816475939794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73mqiFLK-1w46tWcBlPSo08gy5VuPW0cDsOE6IaEzX4wELlLrKa6FfaGhxjVGaq6bxOzy3rS0UnYZdkg2LaAsd2ksx3VPCzZmdm59Obun8zqRlPaAT91WN_H5mAJ6A40OAs5doeP6xWQ/s400/pcaro.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A lone car awaits transport to storage.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlIO4w-N93W5irYaZO_uIcaw3cKMWhwNNNr-6I28IB2tmf7_AqnmZy1jMY-zYRDNnOKO2qBEXKH6PxiUfghA1Q_1c3fKKGJxXo3aA7zK3PbVo_HdPC0mRRyE-NZXzvILUxXZFKITqbo8/s1600-h/barr2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096173701719573250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlIO4w-N93W5irYaZO_uIcaw3cKMWhwNNNr-6I28IB2tmf7_AqnmZy1jMY-zYRDNnOKO2qBEXKH6PxiUfghA1Q_1c3fKKGJxXo3aA7zK3PbVo_HdPC0mRRyE-NZXzvILUxXZFKITqbo8/s400/barr2.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">After demolition the spinning barrel sits in pieces alongside the graveyard skeleton (in the coffin on the left) in a storage building awaiting a new haunted home.<br /><br />(all photos on this page courtesy Kyle J. Wood)<br /></span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:navy;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Kirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1022160829846105895.post-74999969901718545592007-08-30T16:33:00.000-05:002007-09-19T00:04:45.965-05:001973 MEDIA PHOTOS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXYQ5zKnQTHen2H6dTXQfxoJyueC3Yrgo3WCAtxJf7wMJ_VsP2jkY4WhFjNoxBF-VWyrA88W1OzzBLh7CBW6_hB9ljTAhw4rg33MOcrhHTjCypgij0VP2e0U_3n9hYWpJ-M3syMTG4SY/s1600-h/w08o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXYQ5zKnQTHen2H6dTXQfxoJyueC3Yrgo3WCAtxJf7wMJ_VsP2jkY4WhFjNoxBF-VWyrA88W1OzzBLh7CBW6_hB9ljTAhw4rg33MOcrhHTjCypgij0VP2e0U_3n9hYWpJ-M3syMTG4SY/s400/w08o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869568959190098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Tulsa Tribune</span> August 1, 1973</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span>The following is a collection of photos that were taken for promotional purposes before the ride opened in August 1973. (Courtesy of Kyle J. Wood)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaL0WLW0hKAUx1yvtpEdeHUuTU6yDaAFqItk5N1Emiaf9wSgsybSckp7TaW4O18ZqYvAEyK7V-OBj_Zdzy_EWyGzX7Zm0FlWJKsCFaZr4fwO-Zz6cnKqBWW9OJLXAJSUqjUZhi9TPaKg/s1600-h/square2o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifaL0WLW0hKAUx1yvtpEdeHUuTU6yDaAFqItk5N1Emiaf9wSgsybSckp7TaW4O18ZqYvAEyK7V-OBj_Zdzy_EWyGzX7Zm0FlWJKsCFaZr4fwO-Zz6cnKqBWW9OJLXAJSUqjUZhi9TPaKg/s400/square2o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096540814049198930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Deminishing Squares<br />These were replaced by the ascending bang doors with the circular cutouts. (The standing individual is Robert Bell Sr.)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopgGPe-OuCBA7lX5RHmEm73yTZx2vvPtutmRPTJRU7phoExbjkvQzvWHiZBmrx9-Xgrctdn1hxhtSAEu1v6PTeL5ysfgjuz8wd6EgZsEluSufyyGUChX2pufO4LZmJ5XhcmYEohUVbzU/s1600-h/riders4o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopgGPe-OuCBA7lX5RHmEm73yTZx2vvPtutmRPTJRU7phoExbjkvQzvWHiZBmrx9-Xgrctdn1hxhtSAEu1v6PTeL5ysfgjuz8wd6EgZsEluSufyyGUChX2pufO4LZmJ5XhcmYEohUVbzU/s400/riders4o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095400710685508306" border="0" /></a>The first dip<br />The object at the top of the photo is the grim reaper.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Note the word "Tulsa" inscribed on his cloak.</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mNhn5GgAdL6f_GMo3DjdYi4hTwtsZJrQQG1P9b6V3IXmMJUsQ0_eYYcDSEGMkAB68muTO2FFl3_S1EkAQLg9c1vByUHKpDn-6cV0QeoI9zfEpJ0yT8D7_GUP23O8I1lLG26jEpqUr-w/s1600-h/riders1o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mNhn5GgAdL6f_GMo3DjdYi4hTwtsZJrQQG1P9b6V3IXmMJUsQ0_eYYcDSEGMkAB68muTO2FFl3_S1EkAQLg9c1vByUHKpDn-6cV0QeoI9zfEpJ0yT8D7_GUP23O8I1lLG26jEpqUr-w/s400/riders1o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095326562370110002" border="0" /></a>Another couple on the first dip</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0LaeNI6AjS2NnDQOEzN_cf-krfxYWR7ab7QdNjbmfFx3xO3MxrwoKSzGdZGqsdV4uwqIE3yf9ZTXHb-A3PuICQ9-GXiFys_GD6VnMHbSWOIL8mPuGn7V3WmeHkSLwFsrwREEPOsDSV4/s1600-h/riders3o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0LaeNI6AjS2NnDQOEzN_cf-krfxYWR7ab7QdNjbmfFx3xO3MxrwoKSzGdZGqsdV4uwqIE3yf9ZTXHb-A3PuICQ9-GXiFys_GD6VnMHbSWOIL8mPuGn7V3WmeHkSLwFsrwREEPOsDSV4/s400/riders3o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095400710685508290" border="0" /></a>The psychedelic room<br />Note the original spinning wheel and the tin foil walls.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd_VhRTfGranFqArviSXCbDAKjKVYJRLgAcQOeREp8eUi9tBFnjoTCsMCveZc3NqhXr_Fdd1nM_GGcoDa1LE0QdfJ4uqSQd5x4fNw3BEfkyAj392rWhLgGvZAehKzSLXr21_q2BnoJlk/s1600-h/1973misc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd_VhRTfGranFqArviSXCbDAKjKVYJRLgAcQOeREp8eUi9tBFnjoTCsMCveZc3NqhXr_Fdd1nM_GGcoDa1LE0QdfJ4uqSQd5x4fNw3BEfkyAj392rWhLgGvZAehKzSLXr21_q2BnoJlk/s400/1973misc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111776601857650098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The second dip (exterior)</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMfCIm9UIwuZLBBMXQ9QojHvUXigdFh3U4ERJooNDqJitsp_8O3QEztKLRrmP7Zym04BCn6U2UdxSi5H3eC4vy7StNS4_4bw7VUzMNi2PWlVRoq6czNAikylqU_g14g0auLvzB0x8VB0/s1600-h/riders2o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMfCIm9UIwuZLBBMXQ9QojHvUXigdFh3U4ERJooNDqJitsp_8O3QEztKLRrmP7Zym04BCn6U2UdxSi5H3eC4vy7StNS4_4bw7VUzMNi2PWlVRoq6czNAikylqU_g14g0auLvzB0x8VB0/s400/riders2o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095400710685508274" border="0" /></a>The falling timbers in the mine shaft</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54G7MEca1QGeilTcypnFBr6Z7jpYFGQDl1q0DyPq2hIxXI_hPQRvyyj5t5kiYQn0AJFyHEEHL3Czdrpiz0kWv6uyzmF7qZwuUKjy6TjcFhgO41VgkX3H5sNEUpIg7GhFcqZDxmP6wvvA/s1600-h/riders5o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54G7MEca1QGeilTcypnFBr6Z7jpYFGQDl1q0DyPq2hIxXI_hPQRvyyj5t5kiYQn0AJFyHEEHL3Czdrpiz0kWv6uyzmF7qZwuUKjy6TjcFhgO41VgkX3H5sNEUpIg7GhFcqZDxmP6wvvA/s400/riders5o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095400714980475618" border="0" /></a>The mirrored hallway<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW3Vq-gJ9EglnfTIwcBB-prn57reXekMmWMbqC8NOiK7hT77MVx81Ge9oKI4GbS8-3IhCBWewl1YqV3jHnv4jFZfF3NIJgJDKc1FsDGE25CjV6TxbUB1cNw7RNXPGiiIjVVjZY0Z7XCs/s1600-h/barr73bo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW3Vq-gJ9EglnfTIwcBB-prn57reXekMmWMbqC8NOiK7hT77MVx81Ge9oKI4GbS8-3IhCBWewl1YqV3jHnv4jFZfF3NIJgJDKc1FsDGE25CjV6TxbUB1cNw7RNXPGiiIjVVjZY0Z7XCs/s400/barr73bo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100207945794105218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The spinning barrel<br />Note the factory painted cobblestone design on the interior.</span><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbA1Wv2IAMJdi09YpqKGCk3ntexceO-7B-mNYbMLXdZyAhBwm0L8lWKltgBBOQSdPT2vuXmAHXsnJGmX_tLak_wqo_4MRJXZtekKublGawiDxGq398SppJeudKVXMxqpH1Xy5OKva7AaU/s1600-h/barr73ao.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbA1Wv2IAMJdi09YpqKGCk3ntexceO-7B-mNYbMLXdZyAhBwm0L8lWKltgBBOQSdPT2vuXmAHXsnJGmX_tLak_wqo_4MRJXZtekKublGawiDxGq398SppJeudKVXMxqpH1Xy5OKva7AaU/s400/barr73ao.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100207941499137906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Also note the wooden railings which were designed to keep riders away from the spinning walls. These rails were eventually removed so that the interior could be more easily painted.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIhzI08XzahZ309rHBXbUONSAdi_PTaivT2FkrmvyYi48gcpe1LWdweSapiJwQ68Rdo1_9f8vDpJSDr7QtWwSIZvjvpaUOuOLsrH0bvMNVb8JPU_jlWZMQWG0h5PP5t4XabA-RifphZM/s1600-h/watercurtaino.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIhzI08XzahZ309rHBXbUONSAdi_PTaivT2FkrmvyYi48gcpe1LWdweSapiJwQ68Rdo1_9f8vDpJSDr7QtWwSIZvjvpaUOuOLsrH0bvMNVb8JPU_jlWZMQWG0h5PP5t4XabA-RifphZM/s400/watercurtaino.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095327107830956690" border="0" /></a>The water curtain<br />This trick was selected by Bell's in favor of a "Pit of Rats" trick which was also offered by the manufacturers.<br /></span></div></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YJWQFkGrERopkp-1_VjEUsH7QAm25LzdGrm8ZE6S-2zYKk5LCl8qVKSCHYYimm7XiU0kx0Wx5IpBa3mbwfiGUv130owMaVfqkeJGaGUzfa6IbCtqQS4yckEcZjrHqwJaWZs59gE7t9Q/s1600-h/reaperriderso.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YJWQFkGrERopkp-1_VjEUsH7QAm25LzdGrm8ZE6S-2zYKk5LCl8qVKSCHYYimm7XiU0kx0Wx5IpBa3mbwfiGUv130owMaVfqkeJGaGUzfa6IbCtqQS4yckEcZjrHqwJaWZs59gE7t9Q/s400/reaperriderso.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095326553780175378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">In this newspaper clipping the grim reaper looks down upon a papa werewolf and his cubs.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> (One dons a Casper the Friendly Ghost costume)</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhY2StMrbBl9tOvvJQTqCsK1DyjNlakPAv4ap2kPmul4nWkQl2ARuLUViufCm7F9ERZ1EFSfarbDUUyCrKwQUL95TxMVhwnOQb_-bNLcfoEDDyfzx9AuLVzPg3Y4owQ6ohuueCeXBpxw/s1600-h/w09o.jpg"></a></div>Kirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1022160829846105895.post-35655731060167296652007-08-30T16:30:00.000-05:002007-10-12T11:14:53.575-05:00QUEST FOR THE BUMPER STICKERThe city of Tulsa, Oklahoma is home to all sorts of places that are dear to me. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Casa Bonita</span> restaurant (specifically the cave room), the weekly Tulsa Flea Market at the fairgrounds, the 11th street stretch of Route 66, the giant statue of the Golden Driller, <span style="font-style: italic;">Starbase 21</span> (my first "big city" comic book shop) and at the top of my list is <span style="font-style: italic;">Bell's Family Amusement Park.</span><br /><br />As a kid I had the pleasure of visiting Bell's most every summer. All of my favorite attractions were clustered together, so I seldom strayed from one particular corner of the park. Sandwiched there between the Ski-Ball banks and the wooden "Fun Slide" was the very pinnacle of the park, of the city, of the state, and of my fears.. a "dark ride" called Phantasmagoria.<br />A few years ago I created my own "love letter" to the ride in the form of a <a href="http://www.secretfunspot.com/phantasmagoria.htm">"Flip" web toon.</a> Just as it happens in the cartoon, I spent great amounts of time standing in front of the foreboding facade struggling to interpret the faces of exiting children and to get a glimpse of the interior. I never dared to enter.<br /><br />Back in the "real world" part of my father's job was to oversee a college dormitory for guys. I often enjoyed following him on his evening rounds. Many of the students constructed elaborate lofts and make-shift furniture that fascinated me. But one night I encountered a single bureau of drawers that I would remember for the rest of my life. It brandished a freshly stuck Phantasmagoria bumper sticker! I had only a few precious seconds to study it, but that sticker adhered to my brain. And as a budding collector I had to have this tangible expression of my allegiance to the haunted attraction.<br /><br />Two fruitless decades later, the internet seemed to be delivering on every lost memory, and missing relic that my mind could summon. But my ebay "saved search alerts" and routine Googling turned up nothing on the bumper sticker. Eventually I came across a nostalgic site called <a href="http://tulsatvmemories.com/">Tulsa TV Memories</a> that seemed to be my ticket to Stickersville. A fellow named Billy G. Spradlin had contributed an image of a sticker that advertised another Bell's ride, a roller coaster called the Zingo...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3359/2547/1600/zingo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3359/2547/400/zingo.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I issued my public request and confidently waited for results. Still nothing.<br /><br />Months later I revisited Bell's and rode my favorite dark ride several times (I overcame my fear when I was 17) and naturally my thoughts returned to that stupid vinyl sticker. I found myself looking in out-of-the-way nooks in the park and employee hang outs in hopes of finding a stray sticker from the days of yore. Nothing. But later that day as I redeemed my Ski-Ball tickets I felt like I got one step closer when I found a sticker for yet another attraction.. the White Light'nin' log ride. Oddly enough, the sticker was "vintage" and part of a "warehouse find" and available for a mere five Ski-Ball tickets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3359/2547/1600/whitelit.0.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3359/2547/320/whitelit.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>(Click to enlarge)<br /><br />A few weeks ago I spent a workday coffee break lamenting the whole ridiculous crusade to a friend. The one other coworker within earshot said "Oh yeah, I had one of those. It was stuck to my old toy cabinet. I think it's still in my parents garage." I knew better than to get excited. "You should take a look next time you're over there." I calmly replied. Later that day I returned from lunch to find that this coworker had visited his folks house during lunch hour and retrieved a flimsy but massive piece of child's furniture which was crammed into his back seat. Within moments the sticker and I were reunited.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3359/2547/1600/phantassticker.0.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3359/2547/400/phantassticker.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>(Click to enlarge)<br /><br />Admittedly, I'm somewhat ashamed of this tale because it reveals my capacity to focus on that which is absurdly trivial (as if the Secret Fun Spot doesn't). But I can't deny the feeling of accomplishment that came with that silly sticker. I think it's neat that something so devoid of value to the general public could give me such an intense thrill on an otherwise mundane afternoon. I also appreciate the fact that all the power of the World Wide Web couldn't compete with the guy who sits at the next desk over.<br /><br />For more information on the Phantasmagoria visit <a href="http://www.laffinthedark.com/articles/phantasmagoria/phantasmagoria.htm">this page.</a><a href="http://www.laffinthedark.com/articles/phantasmagoria/phantasmagoria.htm"><br /></a>Kirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1022160829846105895.post-14638415451209147482007-08-30T16:29:00.000-05:002007-10-12T11:56:14.292-05:00THE PHANTAZ AND ME<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHU_nQU0bMx7971ieGBMCIe_gH4WpETN8m6RP0qukpCSAa5LhaoQPhumwcrzwGSgO8xUgYO2SZR_jvFktIK6HWy-shsyODgKcQErI3N_p7bdzGSq9SJZv2j-QFGjpZ6-TLjttdXrrcbs/s1600-h/TheFacade.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHU_nQU0bMx7971ieGBMCIe_gH4WpETN8m6RP0qukpCSAa5LhaoQPhumwcrzwGSgO8xUgYO2SZR_jvFktIK6HWy-shsyODgKcQErI3N_p7bdzGSq9SJZv2j-QFGjpZ6-TLjttdXrrcbs/s400/TheFacade.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027871372916820642" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">[This article was originally published February 8, 2007 on <a href="http://secretfunspot.blogspot.com/">Secret Fun Blog.</a> Some of the content is duplicated elsewhere on this site.]<br /><br /></span>The Phantasmagoria is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_ride" target="_blank">dark ride</a> that has been operating in Bell's Amusement Park of Tulsa, Oklahoma for nearly 35 years. In 1971 owner Bob Bell Sr. and his son set out to create a brand new ride-through haunted house. They knew they wanted to concoct an experience that was longer, scarier and even sexier than many of the rides of the time. This goal required them to customize. The park constructed a massive two story structure, laid down their own track and built their own cars (with seat backs raised high enough to meet state requirements). Then they filled the darkness with an assortment of spooky gags that were designed by dark ride guru Bill Tracy. They also ordered one of Tracy's Whacky Shack facades and had it modified to their liking. Finally they picked the perfect name, Phantasmagoria, which suggested phantoms and gore. Bob Jr. defined the term as “the sensation of something moving rapidly towards you or away from you.” With its two stories, 27 "tricks," and seven minute duration the finished product was one of the largest and longest haunted amusements in the country.<br /><br />I took the photo seen above in 2002. Here's how it looked in January of 2007...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0U_RcbJb9aP06awc8_U-7bj3-4ZYiENq7qm6X14g__x3Avfo5BPjB7OwVIPuFzWxuRRSUQydM3jmS64IcNuXOA_WeTugDtp-Rj6tbO1A2AuxJzE5apwfBZLgUyhmaMvaSn-MrliU7ihM/s1600-h/phantas3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0U_RcbJb9aP06awc8_U-7bj3-4ZYiENq7qm6X14g__x3Avfo5BPjB7OwVIPuFzWxuRRSUQydM3jmS64IcNuXOA_WeTugDtp-Rj6tbO1A2AuxJzE5apwfBZLgUyhmaMvaSn-MrliU7ihM/s400/phantas3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027879713743309650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDS7ye57nyNgtrBT-p7FuM4sdwayG3tVMpDKaUqe-IHH6qh0ymur82gkGul_h4KwLK2gy1BzgWqX8MgpMqnsl2q5WWNBzOLW1Ol53SOF5RQdj_FtTnJ_3FvVZAc7_hthKSwO5xHgrZG2c/s1600-h/phantas4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDS7ye57nyNgtrBT-p7FuM4sdwayG3tVMpDKaUqe-IHH6qh0ymur82gkGul_h4KwLK2gy1BzgWqX8MgpMqnsl2q5WWNBzOLW1Ol53SOF5RQdj_FtTnJ_3FvVZAc7_hthKSwO5xHgrZG2c/s400/phantas4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027879713743309666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Images taken from KOTV.com)<br /></span><br />From Wikipedia... "[Bell's] lease with the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority expired on November 8, 2006. On November 9, 2006, the Tulsa County Fair Board offered no new contract for R. K. Bell Enterprises and their amusement park was given until March 8, 2007 to remove its attractions from the Tulsa State Fairgrounds."<br /><br />Yeah, it stinks.<br /><br />Naturally, the sight of these images has stirred thoughts and memories aplenty. As strange as it sounds the Phantasmagoria has played a significant role in my life. As you might have guessed, my preferred method of lamentation is to publicly review my history with this silly spook house. So if you would kindly indulge a nostalgic nostalgist with yet another heap of nostalgia...<br /><br />FIRST ENCOUNTER<br />My fascination with the ride budded during my first visit to Bell's as a six year old. My dad and I were venturing through the fairgrounds when I heard the rumblings of a violent thunderstorm. The sound of strong winds and a barking dog led my gaze towards the 'Magoria's spectacular glowing facade. Before that night I had only been exposed to horror-driven entertainment that had been confined to a TV set or a book (and very little of either). But here stood an unavoidable monument to terror set in the middle of a family recreation center; and it was much, much larger than my little life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJpkfTexu3864ebtUYM0BLnuEmamBPQA9YbrM307Lwh3r2Bwy3UIHjxZ_VXqsF6hh2SkdIb1geDOPuxaX1P4580gkWSdRKmYwOEn22SuWi6npz8gkwBX1ZwNwJEWqKbpF12FydMMoI9g/s1600-h/phantas1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJpkfTexu3864ebtUYM0BLnuEmamBPQA9YbrM307Lwh3r2Bwy3UIHjxZ_VXqsF6hh2SkdIb1geDOPuxaX1P4580gkWSdRKmYwOEn22SuWi6npz8gkwBX1ZwNwJEWqKbpF12FydMMoI9g/s400/phantas1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027879709448342322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A look at the ride when it opened in 1973</span><br /><br />I immediately instructed my dad to get us far away from the threatening building. Back in the car I thoroughly quizzed him on everything: the name, the contents, and how it was possible that so many people could subject themselves to such fearful torment. But he could only offer vague guesses on all accounts since he had never been through the ride. Months later my curiosity was inflamed again when I spotted a bumper sticker advertising the attraction...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3359/2547/1600/phantassticker.0.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3359/2547/1600/phantassticker.0.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />My inevitable quest for this sticker was documented <a href="http://secretfunspot.blogspot.com/2006/05/i-rode-phantasmagoria.html" target="_blank">here.</a><br /><br />On subsequent visits to the park avoidance was still my plan, but I found myself in an interesting bind. The video arcade was positioned to the immediate left of the Phantasmagoria and the giant 'Fun Slide' was directly to the right. Because of their proximity I felt a strong fluttering in my stomach when I neared either of these favorites. And the ascent to the top of the three story slide was only tolerable if I plugged my ears and squinted as my mom guided me up the metal stairs while carrying my piece of burlap (for sliding on). But at some point I began to realize just how exhilarating my phobia had become, and these other amusements started losing their luster.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukR8VcBNqcpT5gy9YSq-u_mLI1y9xe7D6SXOVV5ns5B-hQ8Y1pZ5tcJTt7j4gSHm8vzt5yoUzZc-nc-D8qmOz2GIHBSo_5vvSqU7fXkIcEvrukQ_PG4IN62rs3FnWs5S9DD2auLmrnlo/s1600-h/frompamphlet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukR8VcBNqcpT5gy9YSq-u_mLI1y9xe7D6SXOVV5ns5B-hQ8Y1pZ5tcJTt7j4gSHm8vzt5yoUzZc-nc-D8qmOz2GIHBSo_5vvSqU7fXkIcEvrukQ_PG4IN62rs3FnWs5S9DD2auLmrnlo/s400/frompamphlet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027871381506755282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Note the giant slide to the right.<br />(Image taken from an old brochure I found <a href="http://www.rollercoasterworld.com/Brochures/default.htm" target="_blank">elsewhere</a>.)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRKxm6G0VWgANVUxjg8RThr2HZVY31GCtFemcNOPCTSfE4zekkENWsgZD2ZI1oSVbiGbEoX1BbyDP5M9SwTN2mBRV4ZXDwrYGrl0HYoldj8axOGyICehDbVal63AXKRRGOJi8SOzqrPU/s1600-h/drflyer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRKxm6G0VWgANVUxjg8RThr2HZVY31GCtFemcNOPCTSfE4zekkENWsgZD2ZI1oSVbiGbEoX1BbyDP5M9SwTN2mBRV4ZXDwrYGrl0HYoldj8axOGyICehDbVal63AXKRRGOJi8SOzqrPU/s400/drflyer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027920640486673282" border="0" /></a><br />Incidentally, the arcade next to the Phantasmagoria was home to a Death Race video game in which cars drove over fleeing skeletons for points. My mind will forever connected the ride and the game.<br /><br />My next phase involved prolonged study of the nightmarish structure. I found myself just standing and staring for huge chunks of time. The "architecture" was full of cartoonish angles and ornate, yet random embellishments that hinted at the madness within. There were two dizzying psychedelic light displays, one of which was in the center of a huge spider web.<br /><br />There were three visible inhabitants. On the roof and to the left was an animatronic dog that bobbed in and out of its perch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFIAeFIvSr5kyiPyhzcQc0jg1xlbgfXeFVRJRaL4FvjnW-UpxM-P41yxyCcLQ_NULRvthyphenhyphen61PMH_9HhpgWJtLrNp26oHsb-pPde81O3AoNhzz6c7br0TLExifU4W_6D-AGMOddHJRC88/s1600-h/dog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFIAeFIvSr5kyiPyhzcQc0jg1xlbgfXeFVRJRaL4FvjnW-UpxM-P41yxyCcLQ_NULRvthyphenhyphen61PMH_9HhpgWJtLrNp26oHsb-pPde81O3AoNhzz6c7br0TLExifU4W_6D-AGMOddHJRC88/s320/dog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028639897184897954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Photo by Rick Davis from <a href="http://www.laffinthedark.com/">LaffInTheDark.com</a>)<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEsw6o58zkVI97N1gG805yesfKt9MTT2Z9iKTOpcsWpV9mibTV3HbbW86SAgCMqgXbKJWwikDs1F7JbdrW80xMPOGec0DUSv3WXLWnn6SaG_Y-AXV19vPTHkqSzWG8B25Q3xncZXwUjM/s1600-h/dog2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEsw6o58zkVI97N1gG805yesfKt9MTT2Z9iKTOpcsWpV9mibTV3HbbW86SAgCMqgXbKJWwikDs1F7JbdrW80xMPOGec0DUSv3WXLWnn6SaG_Y-AXV19vPTHkqSzWG8B25Q3xncZXwUjM/s400/dog2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5041634215310975090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Photo courtesy of Nick Beals, taken post-micro burst '06.)</span><br /><br />"Why is that dog doing that?" I asked.<br />"Because it wants to get out; and it can't." was my father's grim reply.<br />Oh, goodness no. What abomination has put this poor animal in such a frenzied state? My mind went on a wild and dark search for an answer.<br /><br />On the opposite side of the roof there peeked a woman's bare leg...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4GK5ZsRGNp57OrLF88z3_7y6q3x-7DwYdeqiADHujJtPQACa5gtGHvQtMN-1JtKAgfgqFxgmcPXMajpKlkFmt_Gizj2n6ZGgyo_aF98to1kqDzmWfmpz0N6ylE45BZVaUUJRyBFjNdY/s1600-h/leg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4GK5ZsRGNp57OrLF88z3_7y6q3x-7DwYdeqiADHujJtPQACa5gtGHvQtMN-1JtKAgfgqFxgmcPXMajpKlkFmt_Gizj2n6ZGgyo_aF98to1kqDzmWfmpz0N6ylE45BZVaUUJRyBFjNdY/s320/leg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033864324804120482" border="0" /></a><br />This little hut was called The Brothel, one of Bell's original concepts. At one time the leg was rigged with animatronics that caused it to kick.<br /><br />To the male passers-by this communicated a subtle yet undeniable promise that perhaps "anything goes" within the walls of this madhouse. Surprisingly, the motif had indeed been worked into the ride inside. Near the very end riders approached the nude backside of a standing beauty, but in a classic 'horror film' bait-and-switch, the figure turned around to reveal full frontal decomposition.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwpt_aF-P7xLtiSFVqUqNk0duajpiQxfbh5n7ZTJNef6MMmOE63rY7Yzrh2vUeaxwPQqSB1txJSU3EoefqyHIARn8JTx-pwgQAo3Q-WB4zi7VQYB-MsDepyIJrshPOc42qywjoZtb9wg/s1600-h/woman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwpt_aF-P7xLtiSFVqUqNk0duajpiQxfbh5n7ZTJNef6MMmOE63rY7Yzrh2vUeaxwPQqSB1txJSU3EoefqyHIARn8JTx-pwgQAo3Q-WB4zi7VQYB-MsDepyIJrshPOc42qywjoZtb9wg/s400/woman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028299052875254674" border="0" /></a>(Photos by Rick Davis from <a href="http://www.dafe.org/">dafe.org</a>)<br /><br />The third visible life form was the mysterious owner of the rotating eyes that gawked through the two front windows. Were they part of the house, or did they belong to some giant, demented lord of the manner?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhxqieRf8P4pxmRhtIUcuRmzCmLkgfO5SRk7OuIW42sT47hS5gOgV0S0wkoCmpVsujqpLIM60gfktNQmSf6-IU4CM5y1Y9RPiJedwTQX5D2y0GbB3RX0vet4YeYsf896BLZITdeSpl90/s1600-h/eyes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhxqieRf8P4pxmRhtIUcuRmzCmLkgfO5SRk7OuIW42sT47hS5gOgV0S0wkoCmpVsujqpLIM60gfktNQmSf6-IU4CM5y1Y9RPiJedwTQX5D2y0GbB3RX0vet4YeYsf896BLZITdeSpl90/s320/eyes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028639901479865266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Photo by Rick Davis from <a href="http://www.laffinthedark.com/">LaffInTheDark.com</a>)</span><br /><br />The lights and the mechanized animation brought a tremendous sense of life to the building. And the soundtrack of spooky FX that was constantly piped over the queuing area supplied enough dread that I didn't dare stop taking the ride seriously. (I would love to know if that recording was customized for Bell's, or if it came straight out of a K-Mart bin.)<br />[update: Head electrician Buddy Stefonoff confirmed that the soundtrack was originally supplied by Bill Tracy's outfit. In the 2000s a new recording was assembled which included some pieces of the original audio.]<br /><br />THE FIRST RIDE<br />I estimate that I was about seventeen when I casually handed over a row of tickets and boarded for the first time. In my mind I desperately tried to downplay the weight of the moment. Seven tension-filled minutes later I returned to the daylight and uttered what is probably the most oft-spoken phrase of the fairgrounds...<br />"You mean, that's it?"<br />Oh, I had my share of frights and gasps, but the elaborate exterior gave one the impression that the inside would be more akin to that of Disney's <span style="font-style: italic;">Haunted Mansion</span>. Thus is the nature of the dark ride. You never expect them to be so, well, dark.<br /><br />But I got over it. Then I grew to appreciate it. Especially when I realized that the lengthy stretches of darkness weren't just a way to minimize costs, they were the reason why the Phantasmagoria could produce more genuine fright than any Disney extravaganza. The uncertainty and anticipation mounted with every blind turn until the skeleton driving the bus blasted his horn and your heart went spastic like a bat trapped in a skull. Speaking of which, if you wish to marvel at the horrors within, <a href="http://www.laffinthedark.com/articles/phantasmagoria/phantasmagoria.htm" target="_blank">this site</a> as well as <a href="http://www.dafe.org/attractions/darkrides/phantasmagoria/phantasmagoria.htm" target="_blank">this one</a> offer some fine virtual tours.<br /><br />THE WEB TOON<br />In 2001 I began to consider the storytelling potential of Flash animation and set out to experiment with a couple "web toons." I whipped up a character named Flip who would serve as a vessel through which I could travel to some of my favorite places and times. The Phantasmagoria during its heyday was of course, high on my list.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMz7R9f36CgKhhmP3AnZNWqAZ2-FtHe604j9Wga7oFfCl67CBxUzPsyS6dh_KqEo419JQI7Y0t6OyemDiBe6kDOY52iVlJ5kQ41bkUQLQUu6A0rnb6c5yUoI_InbecLsJhNVOSd4dJxvI/s1600-h/logofuntasmagoria.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMz7R9f36CgKhhmP3AnZNWqAZ2-FtHe604j9Wga7oFfCl67CBxUzPsyS6dh_KqEo419JQI7Y0t6OyemDiBe6kDOY52iVlJ5kQ41bkUQLQUu6A0rnb6c5yUoI_InbecLsJhNVOSd4dJxvI/s400/logofuntasmagoria.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033861094988713810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The toon wasn't the first time the ride had been a part of my artistic life. I had already incorporated the facade design into one of my very early Secret Fun Spot headers (circa 1999).</span><br /><br />The project gave me a new excuse to once again pore over the the glorious facade. I set out to portray the ride as it appeared on its opening day, so I attempted to reconstruct any details that had gone missing after three decades. The most significant lost element was the exterior dip. In the 1980s it was flattened out and boarded over with the unwelcome "Scarieeeeee House" graphic (seen in the photo at the top of this post). Here's what I came up with...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCeDOF9MTCQWnhkrC5Xj3eUL-Ha9x1yL5iaOa6m7AYS8hGNQ8qM-B6siK_GmWZD-lYAprnSU0ifOpXMqsrRnJ-OxQJbLn4glHMGrEOX3-oawa37ZmX2Xf6uoNRONESPinjM1Q5BIOxJM/s1600-h/phantvector.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCeDOF9MTCQWnhkrC5Xj3eUL-Ha9x1yL5iaOa6m7AYS8hGNQ8qM-B6siK_GmWZD-lYAprnSU0ifOpXMqsrRnJ-OxQJbLn4glHMGrEOX3-oawa37ZmX2Xf6uoNRONESPinjM1Q5BIOxJM/s400/phantvector.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027878300699069218" border="0" /></a><br />At the time of the toon's creation, early visual resources were virtually non-existant. Now it's obvious that the dip should be closer to the center, and I misplaced the spider web vortex thing.<br /><br />Anyway, my web toon can be seen <a href="http://www.secretfunspot.com/phantasmagoria.htm" target="_blank">here.</a><br /><br />I was pretty pleased with the outcome and some friends of a friend even showed it to the Bell family, which was very cool. Then a couple years after I had forgotten all about it I was approached by the<a href="http://www.tulsaoverground.com/" target="_blank"> Tulsa Overground Film Festival</a> who asked permission to exhibit both of my <span style="font-style: italic;">Flip</span> featurettes. I happily said yes and attended the event curious to see how they would play on a big screen and in front of an audience. My <span style="font-style: italic;">Phantasmagoria</span> toon showed on a Friday but I was there the following night so I actually missed its premiere. Halfway through Saturday evening they screened my other Flip cartoon (which involves a mail-order monster). The response from the packed auditorium was undetectable. I couldn't blame them. The tone didn't quite gel with the rest of the evening's unruly lineup, and most of the crowd was too young to relate to the story.<br /><br />During the last film on the schedule my wife and I quietly packed up in hopes of avoiding the exiting masses. We'd made it to the lobby when suddenly I heard my <span style="font-style: italic;">Phantasmagoria</span> toon playing. It was an unscheduled encore presentation! Instantly, the crowd began to murmur with recognition. When Flip began his journey through the series of doors there was a burst of applause. With the sight of each familiar gag the audience amplified until the famous bus horn sounded and the room went unhinged with excitement. No other production had come close to such a response but believe me I realize that it had nothing to do with my primitive animation or my flimsy "plot" (my other toon proved that beyond a doubt). They reacted so strongly because every butt in every seat of that theater had at one time sat through Tulsa's only dark ride. And this time they all got to go through it together. The impromptu mass celebration of the Phantasmagoria that night was easily one of my most rewarding moments as an artist. (The animation was shown again the following year and yet again at the <a href="http://tulsauncensored.com/" target="_blank">Tulsa Uncensored Film Festival.</a> )<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9J78xJ3Snc40GL0WPmr15ngzfUtNS_JLh9xHmtx_wx7hn-yzpDAWaeUsARkaKHk7GFBhFbQxztblzN26qUdE4EA4iitBc1NN5j8OfU0dsqzkCoXkNKyP5hsc1jvaaKRna900uGVzikw/s1600-h/phantas5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9J78xJ3Snc40GL0WPmr15ngzfUtNS_JLh9xHmtx_wx7hn-yzpDAWaeUsARkaKHk7GFBhFbQxztblzN26qUdE4EA4iitBc1NN5j8OfU0dsqzkCoXkNKyP5hsc1jvaaKRna900uGVzikw/s400/phantas5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027879718038276978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Robby Bell gives a flashlight tour inside the Phantasmagoria</span><br /><br />THE PROPOSITION<br />During the creation of my web toon I grew aggravated with the state of neglect that the exterior had obviously fallen into. [Buddy has since explained.. "some of the rides, such as the phantasmagoria, have no factory in which parts can be ordered. Most of the façade work has to be hand crafted out of wood and fiberglass, a very labor and time intensive job."]<br /><br />I was certain that a simple paint job would give the ride a whole new life. Proving my theory were a couple other Tracy-created rides located in other parks. See how sharp these "sister rides" look...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuzrZhU0lb12WH13GUgcfXuJCA457tDh1LWWUjXReuq13go49bP3C6y3VeCcS6AiHGYbT1Jm9YvoPa-Yw-ECx2RH1vp9MB5on7LhzIXKsn3TkidClxGthelp85JkaMR0LVaMDqFt8BNg/s1600-h/joyland.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuzrZhU0lb12WH13GUgcfXuJCA457tDh1LWWUjXReuq13go49bP3C6y3VeCcS6AiHGYbT1Jm9YvoPa-Yw-ECx2RH1vp9MB5on7LhzIXKsn3TkidClxGthelp85JkaMR0LVaMDqFt8BNg/s400/joyland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027873971372034834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Whacky Shack at Joyland in Wichita, KS</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(photo came from <a href="http://www.casabrian.com/parks/joyland2002.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLSuTCqj-6dQCqrU7Yk59rcHjzmLOB-RbIg9JbFo4t3GsrSTfaMqcK9bYHXSv1-zbzucPc4bS4LGmDZGnIIaYXvnnf-A3aNRBjExY3EB0i6Qb0j0ar6oyLcFjQvzFI75VtsRqt4AVh7M/s1600-h/eerie1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLSuTCqj-6dQCqrU7Yk59rcHjzmLOB-RbIg9JbFo4t3GsrSTfaMqcK9bYHXSv1-zbzucPc4bS4LGmDZGnIIaYXvnnf-A3aNRBjExY3EB0i6Qb0j0ar6oyLcFjQvzFI75VtsRqt4AVh7M/s400/eerie1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027872708651649762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Another Whacky Shack at Waldameer Park in Erie, PA<br />(photo came from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23276207@N00/329133128/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></a>)</span><br /><br />Bell's obviously had an active maintenance department so I didn't understand why it was getting overlooked year after year. (Maybe they figured that the decay made it more creepy.) But I also feared that if they did go with a paint job they would likely update the colors and make things worse. (Now there's a novel way to waste your life.. contemplating the color pallets of dark rides. This is getting shameful.) An idea struck me! I quickly got on the phone with some friends of mine who are close to the Bells.<br /><br />After weeks of confusing back-and-forth an agreement was stuck upon. I was granted permission to personally repaint the Phantasmagoria! I would do it free of charge on the conditions that...<br /><br />-Bell's supplied the paint and scaffolding.<br />-I could use the original colors only (I even hoped to cover the "Scarieeee House" part with the old spider web design)<br />-I could look around inside at some point.<br />-I sign a waiver in case I hurt myself or died. (their idea)<br /><br />I was thrilled. I was prepared to spend a couple weeks one-on-one with the ol' Phantas. I envisioned news stories and a resurgence in the ride's popularity. T-shirts! Flashlights! Reprints of that old bumper sticker!<br /><br />I was given the number to the maintenance department. They were going to hook me up with some supplies and work out a schedule. But the following weeks were a montage of unreturned calls, and a lot of "The guy you need to talk to isn't here right now." The next thing I knew, Spring season had begun and my window of opportunity had shut. [I've since learned that all that maintenance heard was that someone had put in a bid to paint the facade.]<br /><br />I wasn't as aggressive as I could have been because I totally understood where the maintenance crew was coming from. First of all, my little arrangement was pretty insulting to them. It seemed they weren't cutting it to the point that some punk was willing to beg the owner if he could come in and do their job for free. And I'm sure they were extremely busy in preparation for the new season. I would have just been a huge pain. By the next winter my passions had turned to other projects so I never followed up and the ride was never touched by paint again.<br /><br />It's probably for the best that things didn't work out. I would likely be dead now thanks to some sabotaged scaffolding. And even if I did survive, my handiwork would now be gone. Oddly enough, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microburst" target="_blank">micro burst</a> actually destroyed the front of the building months before this whole eviction thing even took place...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp8Es8WMSW2Ar8CaU9k33otE0avapW6CQqWUG5yLwn9rqeEy3Yqk-qL-1_0woi36Oh24lQwyM55_2ZEg1bDbB0ApWnd7jrlLWNyeGT4qSVZ7b_6C2AtlhIWtALW_qKgV8mpsPu46KAsM/s1600-h/phantaz1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp8Es8WMSW2Ar8CaU9k33otE0avapW6CQqWUG5yLwn9rqeEy3Yqk-qL-1_0woi36Oh24lQwyM55_2ZEg1bDbB0ApWnd7jrlLWNyeGT4qSVZ7b_6C2AtlhIWtALW_qKgV8mpsPu46KAsM/s400/phantaz1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033861094988713826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdECQws26gdcTaztV3LT7HBBPlKdEWPjHMd2H_GkVOAEIwWsdSsgX2dH7cAicLOLww-RbPb-GxdLxtlimJm7Yi4Oosew5lfPYawQ9HErxAN8JGEQWkcwPrS19Jr7oPmmF4TQGpG6JAQ6c/s1600-h/phantaz3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdECQws26gdcTaztV3LT7HBBPlKdEWPjHMd2H_GkVOAEIwWsdSsgX2dH7cAicLOLww-RbPb-GxdLxtlimJm7Yi4Oosew5lfPYawQ9HErxAN8JGEQWkcwPrS19Jr7oPmmF4TQGpG6JAQ6c/s400/phantaz3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033861094988713842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCLxmWCfF7y3PTmfooOa1OH_yJFR0cuGC1kW5l_9t8l4hmun7cssjFhjzFVrUjnzalu5oMhpHkI_YKvfpKfy964P3cErOL7xhqllo2untIDddyhIKOCudr4y88PWM9FC1j3rFncJ0p_8/s1600-h/phantaz2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCLxmWCfF7y3PTmfooOa1OH_yJFR0cuGC1kW5l_9t8l4hmun7cssjFhjzFVrUjnzalu5oMhpHkI_YKvfpKfy964P3cErOL7xhqllo2untIDddyhIKOCudr4y88PWM9FC1j3rFncJ0p_8/s400/phantaz2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033861099283681154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DUxhYfpQoHYGHQ6XM1AFzE749JY0ssr8zSZxb_2023JE-T4eMgvM9Q5yuYQRtb75vlVrvdPhBXyoyb0FRpqjOHfhyri9O7tTQOuBbRGnvZRUQVP23eiGzyU6RECfU47mNYZw038_z2o/s1600-h/phantaz4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DUxhYfpQoHYGHQ6XM1AFzE749JY0ssr8zSZxb_2023JE-T4eMgvM9Q5yuYQRtb75vlVrvdPhBXyoyb0FRpqjOHfhyri9O7tTQOuBbRGnvZRUQVP23eiGzyU6RECfU47mNYZw038_z2o/s400/phantaz4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033861099283681170" border="0" /></a>The Phantas wasn't the only ride that was damaged...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DqrW2YIRkHzAyy-SQof6ybWMBb_tdttYElHknkMy68Qn6WfgZur3s_RO64jZiUq87XonYbOKbbikH_2uuU0TXNI1MXhzSDBc62Fl2KiaanIoiXIuUO65_qIMdm5W5oz_c-62A-CQOxo/s1600-h/ferriswheel4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DqrW2YIRkHzAyy-SQof6ybWMBb_tdttYElHknkMy68Qn6WfgZur3s_RO64jZiUq87XonYbOKbbikH_2uuU0TXNI1MXhzSDBc62Fl2KiaanIoiXIuUO65_qIMdm5W5oz_c-62A-CQOxo/s400/ferriswheel4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033860888830283570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevOQnmccGNeiJtVZFd-Nh1PvmER8Ivn-zfEEMVCjwAs-jH2vHgYW0yLQ1AWghCzinQbkfyi_zmp6VO2fR1qQZkH9zb8nMnIva71qkUgbqGQB42qYzGphg9_Tr-B5HfQjI7smX-Md27Us/s1600-h/ferriswheel1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevOQnmccGNeiJtVZFd-Nh1PvmER8Ivn-zfEEMVCjwAs-jH2vHgYW0yLQ1AWghCzinQbkfyi_zmp6VO2fR1qQZkH9zb8nMnIva71qkUgbqGQB42qYzGphg9_Tr-B5HfQjI7smX-Md27Us/s400/ferriswheel1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033860884535316226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpd3A0lHYnPRT8kcaEO1_BNAsInWorABOlNRvRr0aCn48o71Gw0IFFpj8O5EKSMRqW16QYd-ULEh2O2l1CF7XrCwotvdx2AjoNHH4OoeZ96KLEM26kBVfLAAMeqS6uNvhalVtynFbuHA/s1600-h/ferriswheel2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpd3A0lHYnPRT8kcaEO1_BNAsInWorABOlNRvRr0aCn48o71Gw0IFFpj8O5EKSMRqW16QYd-ULEh2O2l1CF7XrCwotvdx2AjoNHH4OoeZ96KLEM26kBVfLAAMeqS6uNvhalVtynFbuHA/s400/ferriswheel2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033860888830283538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Post micro burst photos courtesy of Buddy Stefanoff)</span><br /><br />I just don't think it was meant to be.<br />[Update: Actually it was. (Well not the painting part.) But thanks to the extremely kind Bell's team I finally got to have my time with the Phantas. <a href="http://secretfunspot.blogspot.com/2007/02/secrets-of-phantasmagoria.html" target="_blank">Check out the photo tour.</a>]<br /><br />There is a ray of hope in all of this. Though the ride has been disassembled, according to the news story everything is going into storage "hopefully not forever." And there's been talk about some potential sites for a new and improved Bell's. If that were to happen and if they were to reconstruct the Phantasmagoria you can be certain that I will be there on the day it is raised again.. <strike>taunting the maintenance crew with all my heart.</strike> Thanking the maintenance workers for keeping the ride going for all these years.Kirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1022160829846105895.post-42319310439882069242007-08-14T14:54:00.000-05:002020-06-15T14:31:34.670-05:00THE FACADE THROUGH THE YEARS<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjTChHlECqWJNHWxGeaI2Ti0UTt_fOljbhFopT6YtuuLf6VhDkXW800ErCpp0aeUqX4J1JJyu6RiXyyBcVm7sLZT8p4aPIzT5RsbCzvpNRKX59vYL1K19YmvZsNsmiBBvxrfkQV9IO8I/s1600/phantaz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjTChHlECqWJNHWxGeaI2Ti0UTt_fOljbhFopT6YtuuLf6VhDkXW800ErCpp0aeUqX4J1JJyu6RiXyyBcVm7sLZT8p4aPIzT5RsbCzvpNRKX59vYL1K19YmvZsNsmiBBvxrfkQV9IO8I/s640/phantaz.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">Circa 1970s</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo via <a href="http://myworld.ebay.com/chutes5632?_trksid=p2047675.l2559">ebay</a>) </span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="420" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325883765277186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6idnChsMO2cRfUhusPJnpEJQfSAaFjo1xcRNbHokuy3HnoanARdviK_GxIVH-gK43DuXL7MsaRC55um7Awua-EINR2lOvlmx60k7IqHfbHxqg_wp4fo6ZnbZqYMCW6CTdJqbgnDOF6KI/s640/phantasmaino.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Circa 1970s</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 85%;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Vws_hKe5dNolyXJaBwlke8YGHU2xMigeaBqWND2Kwb-4OMFhgjhUxWWR-ImN6eIr6XLkRjA9IbdrCl41dBuXd7gR5FrF1vKswKcNXIApdERFSOKx9kgMXM-WXnTQedYMuRedl8JoSfw/s1600-h/phan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="438" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096173710309507874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Vws_hKe5dNolyXJaBwlke8YGHU2xMigeaBqWND2Kwb-4OMFhgjhUxWWR-ImN6eIr6XLkRjA9IbdrCl41dBuXd7gR5FrF1vKswKcNXIApdERFSOKx9kgMXM-WXnTQedYMuRedl8JoSfw/s640/phan.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a>July 1973<br />just before its debut<br />(courtesy of Kyle J. Wood)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJpkfTexu3864ebtUYM0BLnuEmamBPQA9YbrM307Lwh3r2Bwy3UIHjxZ_VXqsF6hh2SkdIb1geDOPuxaX1P4580gkWSdRKmYwOEn22SuWi6npz8gkwBX1ZwNwJEWqKbpF12FydMMoI9g/s1600-h/phantas1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="481" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027879709448342322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJpkfTexu3864ebtUYM0BLnuEmamBPQA9YbrM307Lwh3r2Bwy3UIHjxZ_VXqsF6hh2SkdIb1geDOPuxaX1P4580gkWSdRKmYwOEn22SuWi6npz8gkwBX1ZwNwJEWqKbpF12FydMMoI9g/s640/phantas1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a>1973</span><span style="font-size: 85%;">(Image from KOTV)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBt9c16K4H-Q0VUNw2jZ1nX9ubrUTPq6Z95QWEqIPc1zSlzlwGFH15kxCvpIGFe9cPH8JSOgD-YC7ZgcKCzcJb67fhgflzmdWKn_Sdo_JXffZToJ1hHmPRix2fItvq5Cve9YlleabgiKg/s1600/phantaz%252C+1980.jpg"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBt9c16K4H-Q0VUNw2jZ1nX9ubrUTPq6Z95QWEqIPc1zSlzlwGFH15kxCvpIGFe9cPH8JSOgD-YC7ZgcKCzcJb67fhgflzmdWKn_Sdo_JXffZToJ1hHmPRix2fItvq5Cve9YlleabgiKg/s640/phantaz%252C+1980.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;">1980</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukR8VcBNqcpT5gy9YSq-u_mLI1y9xe7D6SXOVV5ns5B-hQ8Y1pZ5tcJTt7j4gSHm8vzt5yoUzZc-nc-D8qmOz2GIHBSo_5vvSqU7fXkIcEvrukQ_PG4IN62rs3FnWs5S9DD2auLmrnlo/s1600-h/frompamphlet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="227" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027871381506755282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukR8VcBNqcpT5gy9YSq-u_mLI1y9xe7D6SXOVV5ns5B-hQ8Y1pZ5tcJTt7j4gSHm8vzt5yoUzZc-nc-D8qmOz2GIHBSo_5vvSqU7fXkIcEvrukQ_PG4IN62rs3FnWs5S9DD2auLmrnlo/s640/frompamphlet.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a>Circa 1980s<br />Note the giant slide to the right.<br />(Image from a brochure found <a href="http://www.rollercoasterworld.com/Brochures/default.htm" target="_blank">elsewhere</a>.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xIdtvzvFqCmtUqFT-k3ZaNI_MzHo-F_l9o9or9kqvsei6zd4ILJghU9MXCZeOB5EoP8oyZLSEX8gjiIvB__pqaKVbdXK24lSubd8r0xcNyHUgYc8w4RQYBp1beM8JqDbVz8oXdIAtO8/s1600-h/TheFacadeo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="430" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869036383245250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xIdtvzvFqCmtUqFT-k3ZaNI_MzHo-F_l9o9or9kqvsei6zd4ILJghU9MXCZeOB5EoP8oyZLSEX8gjiIvB__pqaKVbdXK24lSubd8r0xcNyHUgYc8w4RQYBp1beM8JqDbVz8oXdIAtO8/s640/TheFacadeo.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a>October 2001<br />During the Tulsa State Fair</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSG9dj5HLFr9mgv5Fi5i9UTsqU2WSUDIxbDFjnhLDTpIuRy9seEYNpGtUChaxobUETUkOLQouvdJoLzr7UO2Y6guL2vjBugPOoBzh6-GtndLarsXivzZyUzutA3QIpp9E4urHfqwpYgg/s1600-h/phantazfronto.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159136490844626770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSG9dj5HLFr9mgv5Fi5i9UTsqU2WSUDIxbDFjnhLDTpIuRy9seEYNpGtUChaxobUETUkOLQouvdJoLzr7UO2Y6guL2vjBugPOoBzh6-GtndLarsXivzZyUzutA3QIpp9E4urHfqwpYgg/s640/phantazfronto.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Spring 2003</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp8Es8WMSW2Ar8CaU9k33otE0avapW6CQqWUG5yLwn9rqeEy3Yqk-qL-1_0woi36Oh24lQwyM55_2ZEg1bDbB0ApWnd7jrlLWNyeGT4qSVZ7b_6C2AtlhIWtALW_qKgV8mpsPu46KAsM/s1600-h/phantaz1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033861094988713826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp8Es8WMSW2Ar8CaU9k33otE0avapW6CQqWUG5yLwn9rqeEy3Yqk-qL-1_0woi36Oh24lQwyM55_2ZEg1bDbB0ApWnd7jrlLWNyeGT4qSVZ7b_6C2AtlhIWtALW_qKgV8mpsPu46KAsM/s640/phantaz1.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a>June 2006<br />after the microburst<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJntzL5mz1ogI0n4WOvzDZH_LN6R9_iLf8usLJ9DdwjBrLab7HS6MXKIEPM6U326TLCn6s7NxdPcPPqx5X5GpycGL2auPalujBDQgH54-muBt555HWZil9r23p9LZ65XOZnCPa7xFm-8/s1600-h/phantas.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100804838874066866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJntzL5mz1ogI0n4WOvzDZH_LN6R9_iLf8usLJ9DdwjBrLab7HS6MXKIEPM6U326TLCn6s7NxdPcPPqx5X5GpycGL2auPalujBDQgH54-muBt555HWZil9r23p9LZ65XOZnCPa7xFm-8/s640/phantas.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a>October 2006<br />(Photo by <a href="http://www.superstevessupersite.com/index.php">Super Steve</a>)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDS7ye57nyNgtrBT-p7FuM4sdwayG3tVMpDKaUqe-IHH6qh0ymur82gkGul_h4KwLK2gy1BzgWqX8MgpMqnsl2q5WWNBzOLW1Ol53SOF5RQdj_FtTnJ_3FvVZAc7_hthKSwO5xHgrZG2c/s1600-h/phantas4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="481" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027879713743309666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDS7ye57nyNgtrBT-p7FuM4sdwayG3tVMpDKaUqe-IHH6qh0ymur82gkGul_h4KwLK2gy1BzgWqX8MgpMqnsl2q5WWNBzOLW1Ol53SOF5RQdj_FtTnJ_3FvVZAc7_hthKSwO5xHgrZG2c/s640/phantas4.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0U_RcbJb9aP06awc8_U-7bj3-4ZYiENq7qm6X14g__x3Avfo5BPjB7OwVIPuFzWxuRRSUQydM3jmS64IcNuXOA_WeTugDtp-Rj6tbO1A2AuxJzE5apwfBZLgUyhmaMvaSn-MrliU7ihM/s1600-h/phantas3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="481" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027879713743309650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0U_RcbJb9aP06awc8_U-7bj3-4ZYiENq7qm6X14g__x3Avfo5BPjB7OwVIPuFzWxuRRSUQydM3jmS64IcNuXOA_WeTugDtp-Rj6tbO1A2AuxJzE5apwfBZLgUyhmaMvaSn-MrliU7ihM/s640/phantas3.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a>January 2007<br />(Images from KOTV)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2ud98JtWwPDz-0gWpaf2idoTomgqZLcoXfTkCD5ZGMPGHt99EgMw1P5WT9Cb3qfNFTBQOfJJnBzNSTxaGX59VQijAidj7D-XT8uwero3cIddVsfYIiBWVuFqJKEB6zUzWZzFkpapEKM/s1600-h/01o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="412" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033866158755155890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2ud98JtWwPDz-0gWpaf2idoTomgqZLcoXfTkCD5ZGMPGHt99EgMw1P5WT9Cb3qfNFTBQOfJJnBzNSTxaGX59VQijAidj7D-XT8uwero3cIddVsfYIiBWVuFqJKEB6zUzWZzFkpapEKM/s640/01o.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a>March 2007</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1HxC7FvSNqOMJIXrWFhwbeQ3e1EA_tNzbXpuyLHDPrTEvS4S4NQ58pJtXpdIpQCfyePaMoXBqsAZ4jo6iJeTQft8D5SFAd8ksY8aYHk29U-YkQrWihSVl6zE2J0Jk4oAymnZ4NTwNxg/s1600-h/demolish1o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="395" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325127851032946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1HxC7FvSNqOMJIXrWFhwbeQ3e1EA_tNzbXpuyLHDPrTEvS4S4NQ58pJtXpdIpQCfyePaMoXBqsAZ4jo6iJeTQft8D5SFAd8ksY8aYHk29U-YkQrWihSVl6zE2J0Jk4oAymnZ4NTwNxg/s640/demolish1o.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">June 19, 2007</span></div>
Kirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1022160829846105895.post-8404516035994574372007-08-13T16:31:00.000-05:002007-09-18T11:26:50.266-05:00SECRETS OF THE PHANTASMAGORIA<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXYQ5zKnQTHen2H6dTXQfxoJyueC3Yrgo3WCAtxJf7wMJ_VsP2jkY4WhFjNoxBF-VWyrA88W1OzzBLh7CBW6_hB9ljTAhw4rg33MOcrhHTjCypgij0VP2e0U_3n9hYWpJ-M3syMTG4SY/s1600-h/w08o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXYQ5zKnQTHen2H6dTXQfxoJyueC3Yrgo3WCAtxJf7wMJ_VsP2jkY4WhFjNoxBF-VWyrA88W1OzzBLh7CBW6_hB9ljTAhw4rg33MOcrhHTjCypgij0VP2e0U_3n9hYWpJ-M3syMTG4SY/s400/w08o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869568959190098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Tulsa Tribune</span> August 1, 1973</span><br /></div><br />[This article was originally published February 23, 2007 on Secret Fun Blog. It includes duplicate information from the Guided Tour on this site. However, I've included the original version here for archival purposes.]<br /><br />On November 8, 2006 Bell's Amusement Park <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell%27s_Amusement_Park" target="_blank">was evicted</a> from its ten acre lot in mid-city Tulsa, Oklahoma by the very county to which they've paid rent for more than fifty years. Over the past three months Bell's has been in the process of dismantling the attractions and preparing each one for storage with hopes that the park might someday find a new home.<br /><br />Among the rides currently being deconstructed is Tulsa's only 'dark ride'- aptly named the Phantasmagoria. A couple of weeks ago I posted <a href="http://secretfunspot.blogspot.com/2007/02/phantasmagoria-remembered.html" target="_blank">my personal history</a> with the ride (which I've since updated with even more information and images).<br /><br />As fate would have it, last Friday some close friends and I were granted a final walk-through tour of this mysterious ride! This time the lights were on and we were guided by the man who knows "the Phantaz" better than any other living soul, Buddy Stefanoff, the park's electrician and member of the Bell's family for over seventeen years. During this bittersweet excursion, less than a week before the entire structure was scheduled to be torn down, Buddy related a wealth of facts, memories and even "secrets" pertaining to the beloved Tulsa landmark. It is my distinct pleasure to share with you this exclusive last look inside the Phantasmagoria. (Note: all images can be viewed <span style="font-style: italic;">much</span> larger if you click them.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2ud98JtWwPDz-0gWpaf2idoTomgqZLcoXfTkCD5ZGMPGHt99EgMw1P5WT9Cb3qfNFTBQOfJJnBzNSTxaGX59VQijAidj7D-XT8uwero3cIddVsfYIiBWVuFqJKEB6zUzWZzFkpapEKM/s1600-h/01o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2ud98JtWwPDz-0gWpaf2idoTomgqZLcoXfTkCD5ZGMPGHt99EgMw1P5WT9Cb3qfNFTBQOfJJnBzNSTxaGX59VQijAidj7D-XT8uwero3cIddVsfYIiBWVuFqJKEB6zUzWZzFkpapEKM/s400/01o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033866158755155890" border="0" /></a>We approach the naked exterior of the dark ride. In June of 2006, a microburst (a sudden, violent downdraft of air over a small area) demolished the ride's wacky facade. A new one was ordered (at a cost of over 200 grand), but the request was cancelled after the park received news of the eviction.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xIdtvzvFqCmtUqFT-k3ZaNI_MzHo-F_l9o9or9kqvsei6zd4ILJghU9MXCZeOB5EoP8oyZLSEX8gjiIvB__pqaKVbdXK24lSubd8r0xcNyHUgYc8w4RQYBp1beM8JqDbVz8oXdIAtO8/s1600-h/TheFacadeo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xIdtvzvFqCmtUqFT-k3ZaNI_MzHo-F_l9o9or9kqvsei6zd4ILJghU9MXCZeOB5EoP8oyZLSEX8gjiIvB__pqaKVbdXK24lSubd8r0xcNyHUgYc8w4RQYBp1beM8JqDbVz8oXdIAtO8/s400/TheFacadeo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869036383245250" border="0" /></a>Here's how it appeared in 2001<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzahKEn0mSkswpuy4I8THOM8cPhFrHwaYuVpa905CiIXgLLVyNzKDMzJQ6SGt6p1ZiiiZFajT15amP9P02XqYgUOJBn5Yy3fzVkoj8-i7DHAz4g1bEoux6M5GzXYFQ2Xqty_CsAbDpQk/s1600-h/02o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzahKEn0mSkswpuy4I8THOM8cPhFrHwaYuVpa905CiIXgLLVyNzKDMzJQ6SGt6p1ZiiiZFajT15amP9P02XqYgUOJBn5Yy3fzVkoj8-i7DHAz4g1bEoux6M5GzXYFQ2Xqty_CsAbDpQk/s400/02o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033866158755155906" border="0" /></a>Let's step across the turnstile for one last journey through the Phantasmagoria. (Charles Kuralt's ghost told me to say that.)<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjka3alH2zpJGs0GqXlXH2DszhyphenhyphenV7APrQ54Y7z9fyrQFKFdw30q3kJUm2haPwK1xSvd4yJkBwwcRixP2CrTatu3s0SPhOOvPj9Bmn0UJzWWVarciXs59t2jwc-3XRhEm3DdzeSdHhZEX8/s1600-h/03o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjka3alH2zpJGs0GqXlXH2DszhyphenhyphenV7APrQ54Y7z9fyrQFKFdw30q3kJUm2haPwK1xSvd4yJkBwwcRixP2CrTatu3s0SPhOOvPj9Bmn0UJzWWVarciXs59t2jwc-3XRhEm3DdzeSdHhZEX8/s400/03o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033866163050123218" border="0" /></a>This panel controls the whole thing. Every creep inside can be silenced with the push of a button.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeMo-6iLeNmTSQoc39nNLmF2LqtB8ws1eXmPsDGT3ZN0Ha4ciChG59sWcbQ8Y1H4exG6cjRxIXS0FoNL6wmbMOsgZnpkHIAM1xYmcOPPe5WcJ6RPt0XJ_JAfVa_o2X6YJRzi_B5yA4Cs/s1600-h/04o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeMo-6iLeNmTSQoc39nNLmF2LqtB8ws1eXmPsDGT3ZN0Ha4ciChG59sWcbQ8Y1H4exG6cjRxIXS0FoNL6wmbMOsgZnpkHIAM1xYmcOPPe5WcJ6RPt0XJ_JAfVa_o2X6YJRzi_B5yA4Cs/s400/04o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033866167345090530" border="0" /></a>This was the last remnant of the original exterior.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTmEzBEwYP9LpbjdXTimqAMjUXWeR13dvarYqHPvSEV3175dd-gqpQMakVGCm8lEUZZKLOn9DCOsU0Brm3lggGYU8lJ3-vvDjkzGMeU88PD9D6i5aGmB4eTH-1zWRlhNl5THy-xO5Wd8/s1600-h/05o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTmEzBEwYP9LpbjdXTimqAMjUXWeR13dvarYqHPvSEV3175dd-gqpQMakVGCm8lEUZZKLOn9DCOsU0Brm3lggGYU8lJ3-vvDjkzGMeU88PD9D6i5aGmB4eTH-1zWRlhNl5THy-xO5Wd8/s400/05o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867520259789138" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">The ascent into darkness begins with this series of three bang doors. Right away the rider's senses are fooled. By the glow of the blacklights, the triple circles almost appear to be painted on a single door. Originally, this was the location of a different version of the trick called Diminishing Squares. It was a similar illusion but the doors turned out to be too heavy and slammed too hard so they were replaced.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Li4EqAScqr4g8dgAv0VRw7HzddybakDJBaOWN4lsn_2YbS2vDqVzPGknMOogNDb2jgOSY8YokhBJEbAqCDI3Se2zDcFw6YVnN_LJEpoFjZv5ckbkN07J1CxWYF5HGQtYUxfYNO0jvpY/s1600-h/05bo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Li4EqAScqr4g8dgAv0VRw7HzddybakDJBaOWN4lsn_2YbS2vDqVzPGknMOogNDb2jgOSY8YokhBJEbAqCDI3Se2zDcFw6YVnN_LJEpoFjZv5ckbkN07J1CxWYF5HGQtYUxfYNO0jvpY/s400/05bo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033866197409861618" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">This sign was followed by a large loudspeaker at the rider's "lap level" which blared vicious dog noises. The audio ceased to function early in the ride's history which caused latter day patrons to believe the sign was intended as a psych out. (Photo by Marsha Sites, 2001)</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFu5RvB87szK7i-TK3_6-17V3b_AXBYHrafbVwJKUJgzG0eX4huNPhmBXkj1Prhqu29Q8wCjUOHDgm1y0KvQXbsQN1m6ux7Ul1CU7WZYShaY732KgNJcgiXnPs5psZWhyphenhyphenFxDqlURiMdo/s1600-h/06o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFu5RvB87szK7i-TK3_6-17V3b_AXBYHrafbVwJKUJgzG0eX4huNPhmBXkj1Prhqu29Q8wCjUOHDgm1y0KvQXbsQN1m6ux7Ul1CU7WZYShaY732KgNJcgiXnPs5psZWhyphenhyphenFxDqlURiMdo/s400/06o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867520259789154" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Once the site of a dip in the track and a grim reaper that hung from the ceiling, this lengthy dark corridor became quite popular with vandals. Each year (especially during the final weekend of the Tulsa State Fair) this area got ransacked by deviant patrons. At the time of our tour, wood patches from previous repairs had been removed revealing a long history of damage. In 2005 additional scenery (skulls, cobwebs, etc.) was added to this stretch.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFemXQ_0-zB0Oxkl6iqXAqkIrzujtCLlx8WNBQzNImRR2kQShuLOMHDOgwefuPJd8Xdja2u9A-e7ufUgs-exKO058g9OBbswK9u9wpR_LA0gT7Fb4CsYU3ZDsiyaD1idUQtnkHa-uIug/s1600-h/07o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFemXQ_0-zB0Oxkl6iqXAqkIrzujtCLlx8WNBQzNImRR2kQShuLOMHDOgwefuPJd8Xdja2u9A-e7ufUgs-exKO058g9OBbswK9u9wpR_LA0gT7Fb4CsYU3ZDsiyaD1idUQtnkHa-uIug/s400/07o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867524554756466" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">This is a peephole that enabled staff to monitor patrons without being seen. The Bell's team was able to travel between any two points of the ride within moments thanks to a series of secret passages. (How perfect is that? A dark ride with secret passages!)</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SyqsrFXiqwjX3qMobOUTd-dE3CWlELKPNZDNsUgYx41JhjEy6W2g8cU8VgtyF3dXh1U07haJGOzNzFG2XGr-eh6awfugJTZkAyTipjV0DD2JWXmRyeFBPt02YqwoL-hHG-DZsgLLlWg/s1600-h/08o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SyqsrFXiqwjX3qMobOUTd-dE3CWlELKPNZDNsUgYx41JhjEy6W2g8cU8VgtyF3dXh1U07haJGOzNzFG2XGr-eh6awfugJTZkAyTipjV0DD2JWXmRyeFBPt02YqwoL-hHG-DZsgLLlWg/s400/08o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867524554756482" border="0" /></a>Two points of interest approach: ahead is a graveyard and to the left is the overlook of Skull Pond.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LEB-B1srHHmIFhdxwWp5YhkkH303n7XWXCH2Jkx8jCrIrRsgErd8AbTOYUUDn-auomdKMNua5LPf9ucnAoPRZBrcS3Ukuiv9Ujk3K8hyOzHgMPeoHmA97l9_ksTliGtoTTvq_VMlWZY/s1600-h/09o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LEB-B1srHHmIFhdxwWp5YhkkH303n7XWXCH2Jkx8jCrIrRsgErd8AbTOYUUDn-auomdKMNua5LPf9ucnAoPRZBrcS3Ukuiv9Ujk3K8hyOzHgMPeoHmA97l9_ksTliGtoTTvq_VMlWZY/s400/09o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867528849723794" border="0" /></a>Here we look down upon Skull Pond and its green tinted water. The verdant pool was frozen solid on the day of our visit.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwSzINnvtTE-HJiVeFCT2SnksYaKfmrEnL48jXB4CP7ZFfoST51SZ0fyw5bzFtemlTfCiXaFDMhmVGUG4j3oekBKBFi5IOdWz79SBM-gAK-YaS1HX_jyaeLtTrZ8l7b5Wh286Wi2Rsks/s1600-h/10o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwSzINnvtTE-HJiVeFCT2SnksYaKfmrEnL48jXB4CP7ZFfoST51SZ0fyw5bzFtemlTfCiXaFDMhmVGUG4j3oekBKBFi5IOdWz79SBM-gAK-YaS1HX_jyaeLtTrZ8l7b5Wh286Wi2Rsks/s400/10o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867782252794274" border="0" /></a>Any worthwhile haunted house must include a graveyard.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj103IuCrbqFp4t9jBU5iNchf_WGcbQSAiQqoaHbBOKLPrg0JDachK42unVQp0cuneK1cuIDQnSEr1-_UQfT7VuSHAuNB2Uz_SbRUG5c61pDFr6RUHqWS4gXV4_ni0qXIrpRbTLXuNSyno/s1600-h/11o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj103IuCrbqFp4t9jBU5iNchf_WGcbQSAiQqoaHbBOKLPrg0JDachK42unVQp0cuneK1cuIDQnSEr1-_UQfT7VuSHAuNB2Uz_SbRUG5c61pDFr6RUHqWS4gXV4_ni0qXIrpRbTLXuNSyno/s400/11o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867782252794290" border="0" /></a>Here's a glimpse of the skeleton unhindered by the protective wire grid.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9VlPwGV8iIIrxFxxZwCTOxbxxVADkUBky6EPVjkCWKdgVxo7BSzIV2SI3qdWdnj8l0kFZ3aieh_o6Cak58GMBnX87iPfKjJqwguGaQWagGIAZMMlH1m1YED5DJzPe7uoB6L9R-Qx4Ss/s1600-h/12o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9VlPwGV8iIIrxFxxZwCTOxbxxVADkUBky6EPVjkCWKdgVxo7BSzIV2SI3qdWdnj8l0kFZ3aieh_o6Cak58GMBnX87iPfKjJqwguGaQWagGIAZMMlH1m1YED5DJzPe7uoB6L9R-Qx4Ss/s400/12o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867786547761602" border="0" /></a>The backdrop is a rather beautiful rendering of a classic foreboding mountainside.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX7SBR2nOOq-jxvLsr8lUf2ZBW9BMO0_hTL1pJPO_0nbS9SSHyZNR8wYeOzrluGW3XBhOVajkNno6hyphenhyphenB1X3kpHGUBzF7Q_B3G9VqWarVndGPDjz_nHoOX6-SO8bgvVIkkmcBSzoI48Ck/s1600-h/13o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX7SBR2nOOq-jxvLsr8lUf2ZBW9BMO0_hTL1pJPO_0nbS9SSHyZNR8wYeOzrluGW3XBhOVajkNno6hyphenhyphenB1X3kpHGUBzF7Q_B3G9VqWarVndGPDjz_nHoOX6-SO8bgvVIkkmcBSzoI48Ck/s400/13o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867786547761618" border="0" /></a>The next trick is a buzzard relaxing in his nest as he picks clean the bones of his latest victim.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbDrVzUiFDRXNyaHRe6Sk0EQTIP7TW7XDlD7xVpGa6W-9YO-WkSEutvvfiHkMrtAtOOhppDf-ZC7lFQjem6dfbZVd9Mx8snqaLXQPJmNP6shu9xQp6VuKY3jl9kv_xwKhtfmg7ALNY0g/s1600-h/14o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbDrVzUiFDRXNyaHRe6Sk0EQTIP7TW7XDlD7xVpGa6W-9YO-WkSEutvvfiHkMrtAtOOhppDf-ZC7lFQjem6dfbZVd9Mx8snqaLXQPJmNP6shu9xQp6VuKY3jl9kv_xwKhtfmg7ALNY0g/s400/14o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033867790842728930" border="0" /></a>Reminiscent of the era the ride was created, the psychedelic striped room remains trippy.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPDjK0SCGTY_XlAExnd4HLpzqWSiPnPnmUsZQrjbiGSyQ86sCa0b2hIYW-UhYWHAQ9eVt59tf6aLs9AZ8JkmisdB_3W_oeKSSZ_AfBkcch51_JBQPkS6zl3jL-Q983lwva2XWZx6jqxw/s1600-h/15o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPDjK0SCGTY_XlAExnd4HLpzqWSiPnPnmUsZQrjbiGSyQ86sCa0b2hIYW-UhYWHAQ9eVt59tf6aLs9AZ8JkmisdB_3W_oeKSSZ_AfBkcch51_JBQPkS6zl3jL-Q983lwva2XWZx6jqxw/s400/15o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868022770962946" border="0" /></a>Next we find a ghostly date awaiting her caller. The frilly curtains and rotten lingerie seem to be part of the brothel motif hinted at on the ride's facade. Typically her shawl covered her body, but Buddy suspected that this immodest pose was the result of maintenance worker shenanigans. "You have to have a sense of humor to work at a place like this." He explained.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hcR5lUPsHWgkyetM-v8IXE3Ph6NzWt3cL_uSir5WFx2rO07wgMkHrMsHQYnvI6ueEP_Ya-uj4aGki_3nCtwXRAypn1r-6MOl_NZnELXpI3sgMRcbDgHasiwEvfUGLOE58BLOk0_00h0/s1600-h/15bo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hcR5lUPsHWgkyetM-v8IXE3Ph6NzWt3cL_uSir5WFx2rO07wgMkHrMsHQYnvI6ueEP_Ya-uj4aGki_3nCtwXRAypn1r-6MOl_NZnELXpI3sgMRcbDgHasiwEvfUGLOE58BLOk0_00h0/s400/15bo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868018475995634" border="0" /></a>This "action" photo of the ghoulish gal was shot when the ride was operational. (Photo by Marsha Sites, 2001)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkoK8D1UpdyhVDEW0IHz6nNif4L997jtck-4RI99WxqUrkJQl1ya2TeY_YbtGcs7B1A8LhkJgQ-gk1h5kZjsiuQt9BICK4aUts6UpAtcGOic-2f5nAk-_RTbMHcO8WCSsfS-rW0luamE/s1600-h/16o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkoK8D1UpdyhVDEW0IHz6nNif4L997jtck-4RI99WxqUrkJQl1ya2TeY_YbtGcs7B1A8LhkJgQ-gk1h5kZjsiuQt9BICK4aUts6UpAtcGOic-2f5nAk-_RTbMHcO8WCSsfS-rW0luamE/s400/16o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868022770962962" border="0" /></a>I mentioned secret passageways earlier, well this is one of them. Employees referred to this area as the "Kings Chamber." This perch provided easy access to both levels of the building (note the ladder to the first floor).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5xMirLIARhd-DgsMZFPLf6w2tjHvl6Ty_qmAeAhhPqcG_l4srFbGJ4oqf3bN0gFiZK41XMkjdDLJ-GvQhZXxPylth0BykvI1Gaj1EV3SmxnCvgAjTkoEr42bugIiBDXgKfyWvQ3gyv0/s1600-h/17o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5xMirLIARhd-DgsMZFPLf6w2tjHvl6Ty_qmAeAhhPqcG_l4srFbGJ4oqf3bN0gFiZK41XMkjdDLJ-GvQhZXxPylth0BykvI1Gaj1EV3SmxnCvgAjTkoEr42bugIiBDXgKfyWvQ3gyv0/s400/17o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868027065930274" border="0" /></a>As we reach the halfway point we see where riders originally emerged into the outdoors for a breath of fresh air and a second dip in the tracks. The riders’ reaction to this public dip provided some entertainment for folks who were still waiting in line. When the dip was removed (due to people's belongings constantly flying out of the cars and blocking the track) this stretch was enclosed.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikYfrQcwR2vO2I6TBGgdIvK6xLMXM8aC2Ku_m-2koTW9B5rewVTKHDWmdz9o7HBWJXq5-gnF6rJ-SvW37aYM4O_BZ_lzAOwoN6_1qtQrx2fCjq8E6TOXunL6lPOCcfly_WpQHTMvZflg/s1600-h/18o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikYfrQcwR2vO2I6TBGgdIvK6xLMXM8aC2Ku_m-2koTW9B5rewVTKHDWmdz9o7HBWJXq5-gnF6rJ-SvW37aYM4O_BZ_lzAOwoN6_1qtQrx2fCjq8E6TOXunL6lPOCcfly_WpQHTMvZflg/s400/18o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868031360897586" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">To the right we find a cutout that originally sported </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">a decorative window containing multi-colored lights (the one on the right in the photo below). </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjENrc2Q_eY6iDxTvOp8UvNge0Y00DlWA1jRU2Dj0YqqiNM72buAiHOchRXUi3vAs4i-ANvLcq38qUsRxSjTQ63O0A9mM6NoXNGseQL1DMKp-W31HERs9oI0gZ4StY5kZoYIM5btuiWE/s1600-h/windowso.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjENrc2Q_eY6iDxTvOp8UvNge0Y00DlWA1jRU2Dj0YqqiNM72buAiHOchRXUi3vAs4i-ANvLcq38qUsRxSjTQ63O0A9mM6NoXNGseQL1DMKp-W31HERs9oI0gZ4StY5kZoYIM5btuiWE/s400/windowso.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095327116420891298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(photo courtesy of Kyle J. Wood)<br /><br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Front and back views of the ride's original Wacky windows. The one on the left hung near the entrance.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-ty59T7njn4OkbqSCz-3CaYCJybaoQf9HYvm1HTRHnEK8NLlBTrwzdc9HDtNJBLks4CSiXM2nvwTK5mv1cVsQt6uxeF_0fGl-rrAw7nDrOJvuUodKgaXgIFDsQLb4-SLVeACep2pyL8/s1600-h/heado.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-ty59T7njn4OkbqSCz-3CaYCJybaoQf9HYvm1HTRHnEK8NLlBTrwzdc9HDtNJBLks4CSiXM2nvwTK5mv1cVsQt6uxeF_0fGl-rrAw7nDrOJvuUodKgaXgIFDsQLb4-SLVeACep2pyL8/s400/heado.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095325145030902194" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);font-size:100%;" >In 2005 Kyle J. Wood added a "witches head" to the opening.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_VqR04L9qRt2Bzyjm9UeNb_MOXsPF-a0d5lt_XZ_jo2i_VsLEv0j0ASU0pvHqtBoKVgwzsYuTxK03uS7G9cCa8euRfzNjQQtofzuyYC-wo-mjGs10jC8Pn1LCJvJjooOU6BleELepWc/s1600-h/19o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_VqR04L9qRt2Bzyjm9UeNb_MOXsPF-a0d5lt_XZ_jo2i_VsLEv0j0ASU0pvHqtBoKVgwzsYuTxK03uS7G9cCa8euRfzNjQQtofzuyYC-wo-mjGs10jC8Pn1LCJvJjooOU6BleELepWc/s400/19o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868220339458626" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Here we have yet another secret panel that allows access to a maintenance area on the first floor which was known among employees as the "Queen's Chamber."</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7KIOFSZQd6Inh1A75ED9oScNHtKkWFi8jfNSaAWbv828fxoKaR3kI7nj6UKvC97TNmsICjzdlol3afTe-jpo1kb44ibuxojylLmQFYl0DqYomN-QiB-fS5ydKa8Gck2Q6EJtQTZiHZo/s1600-h/20o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7KIOFSZQd6Inh1A75ED9oScNHtKkWFi8jfNSaAWbv828fxoKaR3kI7nj6UKvC97TNmsICjzdlol3afTe-jpo1kb44ibuxojylLmQFYl0DqYomN-QiB-fS5ydKa8Gck2Q6EJtQTZiHZo/s400/20o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868220339458642" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">After an all-too-brief glimpse of the real world, riders are forced back into the darkness where this warning foreshadows the next trick.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvij3FWkVMoOe59o8psjPmdHqwxk7np8j2Pp9YQ2YbVDRhyphenhyphenPdGe0cqy4eK5vbS6O-mz5kHuT4mWCe0ExwmyiYK-prZF618pzcInHql7XouxbNB2YdzaZZR8B9BYjSxQNT08OnO6vGumpo/s1600-h/21o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvij3FWkVMoOe59o8psjPmdHqwxk7np8j2Pp9YQ2YbVDRhyphenhyphenPdGe0cqy4eK5vbS6O-mz5kHuT4mWCe0ExwmyiYK-prZF618pzcInHql7XouxbNB2YdzaZZR8B9BYjSxQNT08OnO6vGumpo/s400/21o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868224634425954" border="0" /></a>The mineshaft was the passage back down to the first floor. Note the cracks in the support where the ceiling appeared to cave in.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NMx8I5B_EMCc-5uzuvk8T0Y36EQyh6tNIAPNvM7DAZvD_-cVWM019o0HxJBwXN6fZWW6lMEjG2iKmQzw4xkFu6IEogepcSyxcV2oTXgl-GFo1RoyenoCe8qre8LxpFdBFqdIgcSG4yk/s1600-h/22o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NMx8I5B_EMCc-5uzuvk8T0Y36EQyh6tNIAPNvM7DAZvD_-cVWM019o0HxJBwXN6fZWW6lMEjG2iKmQzw4xkFu6IEogepcSyxcV2oTXgl-GFo1RoyenoCe8qre8LxpFdBFqdIgcSG4yk/s400/22o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868224634425970" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">A rarely seen resident dwells high above the beams.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHY9fgfXwR1cuo5YBG6hYPeE3k3aPlQ9eH8M71ZmDjEH5c8429VVA4WBqsQugxT8RcfGTIE53WfmBjUp6S95wqPPivNfhOV7i4j1s7AiM0M0hbBN_7jqxh0WCnLsqGmJkIjoi67g_l68/s1600-h/23o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHY9fgfXwR1cuo5YBG6hYPeE3k3aPlQ9eH8M71ZmDjEH5c8429VVA4WBqsQugxT8RcfGTIE53WfmBjUp6S95wqPPivNfhOV7i4j1s7AiM0M0hbBN_7jqxh0WCnLsqGmJkIjoi67g_l68/s400/23o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868228929393282" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Purchased at Wal-Mart in 2004, this owl was first placed above the dock where it failed to scare away the pigeons that were "crapping on the cars." Kyle J. Wood painted it up and it eventually wound up in the mine shaft "where the kids couldn't reach it."</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1IeZe-W_-Ypm_gONr6ghU6Q8YaTOgYTZjC5W9gNIz1U-g2TQpSTOP4ZPaobuao5tdnAsv_06MCiipA6ya4G9O6hMarw7vQhmOYkEQiiepVgcSPd9kzik-NHgQ_ezxOoSYXShw2eG7jY/s1600-h/24o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1IeZe-W_-Ypm_gONr6ghU6Q8YaTOgYTZjC5W9gNIz1U-g2TQpSTOP4ZPaobuao5tdnAsv_06MCiipA6ya4G9O6hMarw7vQhmOYkEQiiepVgcSPd9kzik-NHgQ_ezxOoSYXShw2eG7jY/s400/24o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868396433117842" border="0" /></a>Now it's another encounter with Skull Pond. This time riders got a close-up view. At the water's edge there are intentionally loose boards to create a racket as cars passed over.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHk9aqHqev-Nax8XLNqy0GOjj65UOIasYfj9PvHsqAV3ozmQaulMG761vkL3WnEWZ9mLyC-eoXVRWI1kSLYRKoETbFZnqa3NdkG9PFuSrHe5_aeLYsxe094rMJkDHIauUBzph3yxss3A/s1600-h/25o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHk9aqHqev-Nax8XLNqy0GOjj65UOIasYfj9PvHsqAV3ozmQaulMG761vkL3WnEWZ9mLyC-eoXVRWI1kSLYRKoETbFZnqa3NdkG9PFuSrHe5_aeLYsxe094rMJkDHIauUBzph3yxss3A/s400/25o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868396433117858" border="0" /></a>While crossing Skull Pond, if you look up over your shoulder you can see an earlier stretch of the track.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet8b-Q77w17bodKxZ1Iipdk_G1g7FKVcCGhCpRv-mCxXMcPtIlFLPkwrZVIN-fE3RA945fTV0UqRL6D2O1lfCPevVNl5N6xEQyiP3OBEzkFQ_5ArU_tfHmtV8gcX2EWKY8tmxxbDS5xo/s1600-h/26o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet8b-Q77w17bodKxZ1Iipdk_G1g7FKVcCGhCpRv-mCxXMcPtIlFLPkwrZVIN-fE3RA945fTV0UqRL6D2O1lfCPevVNl5N6xEQyiP3OBEzkFQ_5ArU_tfHmtV8gcX2EWKY8tmxxbDS5xo/s400/26o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868400728085170" border="0" /></a>Chances are, while patrons were busy studying Skull Pond they failed to notice another hidden door on the right. This was the entrance to the secret Phantasmagoria Workshop!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe641kS0OiT1gav0h-xWXnCcjh2DqfjOHzoz7skYrtCeFDDPK4xXExhzx66qxzrVzT18mH247iiSCSaP_C98lq9nXTTptRJ572z_ve_N-C9S3i5IO6F_T3oJ6gpSeOKkGNQAryUcMYp8/s1600-h/w01o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe641kS0OiT1gav0h-xWXnCcjh2DqfjOHzoz7skYrtCeFDDPK4xXExhzx66qxzrVzT18mH247iiSCSaP_C98lq9nXTTptRJ572z_ve_N-C9S3i5IO6F_T3oJ6gpSeOKkGNQAryUcMYp8/s400/w01o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869281196381138" border="0" /></a>Inside the workshop we find a rat and a buzzard on the operating table.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeV-MFslIqjUb8PJC4xTUa33XYkJbjq0n17-ZntdcJ6WC0d9SuiF3J5cBLPoBUeSaT_fIEaKD8B9rlak0fhoIXNcr3uWLX4CVsqxImfEdZlWZmIgzTvZ0Isk1uUTmsUdzMNWV4N7N9mE/s1600-h/w02o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeV-MFslIqjUb8PJC4xTUa33XYkJbjq0n17-ZntdcJ6WC0d9SuiF3J5cBLPoBUeSaT_fIEaKD8B9rlak0fhoIXNcr3uWLX4CVsqxImfEdZlWZmIgzTvZ0Isk1uUTmsUdzMNWV4N7N9mE/s400/w02o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869285491348450" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">On the opposite wall hangs a grim reaper who will eternally await repair. He was originally suspended above the first dip in the long corridor.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRu3uD1weffmY2lQ759A95kLfVsjM2Aot4i3p6ciWJzPST8cTQ5JFjiHMLdLGekOgYOGknw1jsnovZyU68UySb3TlG5epdplo6UZyxc6RX9n3Qx3uJgqq2vPEEhXAckH9wydkdJbFDzAY/s1600-h/w03o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRu3uD1weffmY2lQ759A95kLfVsjM2Aot4i3p6ciWJzPST8cTQ5JFjiHMLdLGekOgYOGknw1jsnovZyU68UySb3TlG5epdplo6UZyxc6RX9n3Qx3uJgqq2vPEEhXAckH9wydkdJbFDzAY/s400/w03o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869285491348466" border="0" /></a>Here's another view of this grizzly customer.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3aHmWMUuGjJ-3LtOBvV_H1D7DpF9Z1S0V-HbTRpUWRT7e3jm55DMWntlAtgN9HAMvHO727kG3BPp2yg8l23W08zgZJS8eZhW26lQ_Wn7QNxokXS5m03LYKQLYdRdoAvIstkOUHnSGHk/s1600-h/grimo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3aHmWMUuGjJ-3LtOBvV_H1D7DpF9Z1S0V-HbTRpUWRT7e3jm55DMWntlAtgN9HAMvHO727kG3BPp2yg8l23W08zgZJS8eZhW26lQ_Wn7QNxokXS5m03LYKQLYdRdoAvIstkOUHnSGHk/s400/grimo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869032088277938" border="0" /></a>This is a shot of him back when he was in active duty. Now you know why they called it the PhantasmaGOREia. (Photo by Marsha Sites, 2001)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybN2QRcS6pgVnF4u0ZM3Wcc1SNPNjzPSepkVZclSE_DAUHAAJ5PTmz4ufw8-0g_ZUvlMWIc1qayRrH-z1ow6WQfEs9_6NCxfZGeyvR7J0ZC-6-H3e85gi7RR8I7s1FVAGlyVOsCOtgVg/s1600-h/w04o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybN2QRcS6pgVnF4u0ZM3Wcc1SNPNjzPSepkVZclSE_DAUHAAJ5PTmz4ufw8-0g_ZUvlMWIc1qayRrH-z1ow6WQfEs9_6NCxfZGeyvR7J0ZC-6-H3e85gi7RR8I7s1FVAGlyVOsCOtgVg/s400/w04o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869289786315778" border="0" /></a>On the floor we spot the original swirling eyes from the facade.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYyqJpd2D5tIXdOB0NszgYey8SakExXyW3tqIxjKV0dnJ4iVVyitYgozOYYiAb1q-No2mIr-EjLD0JfAeKZdC6R1qrgVTtx3h7FVWKeXTYI30QRsty9sQtnGMuZAnSkssuYygUw_qk5w/s1600-h/w05o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYyqJpd2D5tIXdOB0NszgYey8SakExXyW3tqIxjKV0dnJ4iVVyitYgozOYYiAb1q-No2mIr-EjLD0JfAeKZdC6R1qrgVTtx3h7FVWKeXTYI30QRsty9sQtnGMuZAnSkssuYygUw_qk5w/s400/w05o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869294081283090" border="0" /></a>A buzzard recuperates from a neck injury.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8K2bOA4fn8PdBHg9GQ81DPUf4MHL1ZlQYRZPeRpfgR3rltGAnxWmFOoPKDLyHG_DvHySuE2YEdGeJ1P19cjU3GLyskGgOxgQQ81eAA-lYaKsx88laD9cmG6-04bYVmtFVNNiPyGkHV0/s1600-h/w06o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8K2bOA4fn8PdBHg9GQ81DPUf4MHL1ZlQYRZPeRpfgR3rltGAnxWmFOoPKDLyHG_DvHySuE2YEdGeJ1P19cjU3GLyskGgOxgQQ81eAA-lYaKsx88laD9cmG6-04bYVmtFVNNiPyGkHV0/s400/w06o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869564664222754" border="0" /></a>In the back of the workshop we can see the original flower display that once hung outside above the external dip. The heads that line the wall were from an Arabian themed ride.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IllvzH0L4gmmIQHHCVEgoz_-_mED55nwbZKz03vFR8Inoe9v2SUOSeMz39IWA0PACLxK1C4jCrToIwteQZZNduSQ4-PNhplvaSxBHoHkzEhzj6g2oM3rpBzjo_I29_x_ZQbtTZR_5M4/s1600-h/w07o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IllvzH0L4gmmIQHHCVEgoz_-_mED55nwbZKz03vFR8Inoe9v2SUOSeMz39IWA0PACLxK1C4jCrToIwteQZZNduSQ4-PNhplvaSxBHoHkzEhzj6g2oM3rpBzjo_I29_x_ZQbtTZR_5M4/s400/w07o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869564664222786" border="0" /></a>This is the coupon requirement notice that used to hang in front of the queue. Here you see that 5 coupons were required to board.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eC2gqhMzwxHyLJVSWT7LIqqqiRo3oGmMnTI64Lky88oX4puRp_SKro65I3O8Ttd7nF8BUp6sgMiVqJ13pn6XY1AUWJixT4veXe5GcI8Bs_70biCZlGerB-A1-G5q4LwtZVZlR04ByOI/s1600-h/w07bo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eC2gqhMzwxHyLJVSWT7LIqqqiRo3oGmMnTI64Lky88oX4puRp_SKro65I3O8Ttd7nF8BUp6sgMiVqJ13pn6XY1AUWJixT4veXe5GcI8Bs_70biCZlGerB-A1-G5q4LwtZVZlR04ByOI/s400/w07bo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869564664222770" border="0" /></a>However, during the off-season the sign was simply turned around to reveal a cost of only 2 coupons.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xOZGQliVYeAHR4msNPfBS8OMJPdmGaFwJTAMOcAfDWfk5WyviRCx0E0714H3qpVLnNptogWOXE1LxyH_N-kvwZvHfwsrHX80Vr7EiD44Whw9rEL4hl6fl4041n2Yjx2GpppbgfKc9zE/s1600-h/27o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xOZGQliVYeAHR4msNPfBS8OMJPdmGaFwJTAMOcAfDWfk5WyviRCx0E0714H3qpVLnNptogWOXE1LxyH_N-kvwZvHfwsrHX80Vr7EiD44Whw9rEL4hl6fl4041n2Yjx2GpppbgfKc9zE/s400/27o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868405023052482" border="0" /></a>Back on the track and around the next corner we approach a seven-foot lunging rat.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LlpSqjWNTq559vdQtHS1iZOIeojwAvS5GnAJM-OfA3EmOVXrqv0aXuTRsUtXi8E1mipHQserL8lWlgE3M806sUBRXS6YGHAlbq2N0t453n6bLUDpYAj6Z1copuxjR-oQOdjwalOoGHg/s1600-h/28o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LlpSqjWNTq559vdQtHS1iZOIeojwAvS5GnAJM-OfA3EmOVXrqv0aXuTRsUtXi8E1mipHQserL8lWlgE3M806sUBRXS6YGHAlbq2N0t453n6bLUDpYAj6Z1copuxjR-oQOdjwalOoGHg/s400/28o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868405023052498" border="0" /></a>Here's a rare look at the rat unhindered by protective wire mesh.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaeZe48L8r6BSGapvR44OLSCsIegLYvTjAYIAETtD-UOJvV_oWladllxEHIPyvJfGf-HtTu1aSetWlmEqi60R6jnZrOFaYAU0shbCGztLLZv30ConT8qcn_qcVj5hMKoeXCsK0lU1ivY/s1600-h/29o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaeZe48L8r6BSGapvR44OLSCsIegLYvTjAYIAETtD-UOJvV_oWladllxEHIPyvJfGf-HtTu1aSetWlmEqi60R6jnZrOFaYAU0shbCGztLLZv30ConT8qcn_qcVj5hMKoeXCsK0lU1ivY/s400/29o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868555346907874" border="0" /></a>This shingled corner was once home to a shrouded skeleton lady...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyeEJOCbt87B4d5EqhRqWXhzXww6GPHydxN90tTSvFnUAK8LxCMcsfowJPky_jIGXIewBF4xR3AQs4qCOuk0-RB9kZAR64fbHGztLCi8-RdXaCUdan71zkZzF9RuzKc2DWBKSmD-WVcA/s1600-h/30o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyeEJOCbt87B4d5EqhRqWXhzXww6GPHydxN90tTSvFnUAK8LxCMcsfowJPky_jIGXIewBF4xR3AQs4qCOuk0-RB9kZAR64fbHGztLCi8-RdXaCUdan71zkZzF9RuzKc2DWBKSmD-WVcA/s400/30o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868559641875186" border="0" /></a>...we found her packed up and looking scarier than ever.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-OCfD6CGk6guiCECidBaY8OJcImCoeKdFXMelZ6TLcwA_nCbaeflB3z5bluhMOLh9pKrNK3wuFiwaQNcAmSjTMQ2UITF9Y_SbFdflc9Ji4SC66ZISF6ntQDlwE2XUuVPDd8t4DjtehY/s1600-h/31o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-OCfD6CGk6guiCECidBaY8OJcImCoeKdFXMelZ6TLcwA_nCbaeflB3z5bluhMOLh9pKrNK3wuFiwaQNcAmSjTMQ2UITF9Y_SbFdflc9Ji4SC66ZISF6ntQDlwE2XUuVPDd8t4DjtehY/s400/31o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868563936842498" border="0" /></a>Finally we come upon the most popular trick in the house, the oncoming bus. The phantom driver (originally a skeleton, more recently a skeleton with a hockey mask) had already been removed at the time of this photo. The gag was made from a real city bus, and it was the replacement for a lackluster "tilted room" where water appeared to flow uphill. As riders encountered the bus, a blaring horn would sound. No matter how familiar visitors were with the ride, this stunt rarely failed to frighten.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH45s40XIEUua6-P7NtORxYAoNjWT846ygfLAHq0obCyhVeR5KVY3kvsuYFgm_MlI1HI708kxfx490UB039Ylgvh8mpoQjVP-8eBXz83UPpvAXB0YMiG5M8lKBWRyT6GuOR915oPqnaJY/s1600-h/32o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH45s40XIEUua6-P7NtORxYAoNjWT846ygfLAHq0obCyhVeR5KVY3kvsuYFgm_MlI1HI708kxfx490UB039Ylgvh8mpoQjVP-8eBXz83UPpvAXB0YMiG5M8lKBWRyT6GuOR915oPqnaJY/s400/32o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868563936842514" border="0" /></a>From this angle we can see yet another hidden passage. This is the ladder leading up to the "King's Chamber."<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7AHA3ybi5R_FtCnJnVnnG0BnLZqVkz1UXO6vAeLYxg-94GVIRoOTmKxOs7gq22J08sf27eBDuy0J8yuOJkgrjsvyHiVyjZY_XieKRWapO-XRGwCrt-G_dU0UDtrBC5HLsTPBSjFwDEk/s1600-h/33o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7AHA3ybi5R_FtCnJnVnnG0BnLZqVkz1UXO6vAeLYxg-94GVIRoOTmKxOs7gq22J08sf27eBDuy0J8yuOJkgrjsvyHiVyjZY_XieKRWapO-XRGwCrt-G_dU0UDtrBC5HLsTPBSjFwDEk/s400/33o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868568231809826" border="0" /></a>The 12 volt track takes another disorienting turn into the mirrored hallway.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbt7tTIyJQmEOLYCKrph-ulbRhuegwL2rtXRFb4HSPLE1G4uBGcMpSCC-Zk0p0eoUqiXQETtwmaOjIz2UH5uG-VcAB3KJ7GzcDPUnU7dpi1UIINv68rWah7FRXW1XPXWPEsKlKqgLY5s/s1600-h/34o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbt7tTIyJQmEOLYCKrph-ulbRhuegwL2rtXRFb4HSPLE1G4uBGcMpSCC-Zk0p0eoUqiXQETtwmaOjIz2UH5uG-VcAB3KJ7GzcDPUnU7dpi1UIINv68rWah7FRXW1XPXWPEsKlKqgLY5s/s400/34o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868830224814898" border="0" /></a>Hanging out in the corner is the packed up half-naked, half-rotten lady. Always keeping with the times- she was nude in the 70s, bikini-clad coming out of the 90s, and she wore a thong in 2006.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3pLtF77QthfP62kW8Ut9ydx4hJblnytzcYRNV4KmgQ2-rEobhp7YeI17zhkNTs_32XCxMQke6f_dzWMBlVARcnq2Yh0VmQoSJSzoBU0uARfapq6aM6ZPUlH2Rz4QccHnl2tGDxN-ZeQ/s1600-h/35o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3pLtF77QthfP62kW8Ut9ydx4hJblnytzcYRNV4KmgQ2-rEobhp7YeI17zhkNTs_32XCxMQke6f_dzWMBlVARcnq2Yh0VmQoSJSzoBU0uARfapq6aM6ZPUlH2Rz4QccHnl2tGDxN-ZeQ/s400/35o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868834519782210" border="0" /></a>The dayglo tunnel was sure to blast your mind just in case it hadn't been blasted prior.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4-0lsDB_d0RLVOSxydI3AdzUOxmTneRaJmp6Y_iLkQvKJr74CXy00CsBBA0Vxvig58mYbu-m-zCtVBrt3uncvQgWu5vSEHFil8hwfaiIQXUNJRriC5RbhjkH8U7PWYnRB-xtx4ktCR8/s1600-h/36o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4-0lsDB_d0RLVOSxydI3AdzUOxmTneRaJmp6Y_iLkQvKJr74CXy00CsBBA0Vxvig58mYbu-m-zCtVBrt3uncvQgWu5vSEHFil8hwfaiIQXUNJRriC5RbhjkH8U7PWYnRB-xtx4ktCR8/s400/36o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868838814749522" border="0" /></a>Be careful, I think that's a vortex.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26Gi_Bs0UNzxetOb_SzhNiLZ6B2YX-wjfXBkYEo_rWY1Ask3z_KwsKQoLFLP4-eErpoFsB6C1eYtmvzU87FrkRaaTQ2ILs9jPXZzpzybkH5-oEWChnrwmgmBuw-XoUcANgXKROGhlymQ/s1600-h/37o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26Gi_Bs0UNzxetOb_SzhNiLZ6B2YX-wjfXBkYEo_rWY1Ask3z_KwsKQoLFLP4-eErpoFsB6C1eYtmvzU87FrkRaaTQ2ILs9jPXZzpzybkH5-oEWChnrwmgmBuw-XoUcANgXKROGhlymQ/s400/37o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868838814749538" border="0" /></a>Back when he had a head, this fellow used to hang from a noose.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmMbz7JanbR2XLjHfpVnrkzkYpZFR9nBsjM1ypr6i1Hvkdo6TwixfdPAEM0eJH5k1cgZKxbaZfBXMtioXsaMIHmTitXBCqVTbFy954xeOfm9gCuzZyggw9TUW2HsD6nqvJpSDBELb6bk/s1600-h/38o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmMbz7JanbR2XLjHfpVnrkzkYpZFR9nBsjM1ypr6i1Hvkdo6TwixfdPAEM0eJH5k1cgZKxbaZfBXMtioXsaMIHmTitXBCqVTbFy954xeOfm9gCuzZyggw9TUW2HsD6nqvJpSDBELb6bk/s400/38o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033868838814749554" border="0" /></a>As bats often do, these bats hung in the cave.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKK2uS-PeLAHYZNCE1D_sP87Ff8kTQun2ed7-wTtFnnfTNJQz9JJXfP-Uiz4hQkMRHpLfqVVIg0MMJd46qJftoWt721wl9bxON7xP4TgRHGCJT9AtB-i3p_mwB_7Rh17ZNFl5TVaQMkU/s1600-h/39o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKK2uS-PeLAHYZNCE1D_sP87Ff8kTQun2ed7-wTtFnnfTNJQz9JJXfP-Uiz4hQkMRHpLfqVVIg0MMJd46qJftoWt721wl9bxON7xP4TgRHGCJT9AtB-i3p_mwB_7Rh17ZNFl5TVaQMkU/s400/39o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869027793310594" border="0" /></a>The cave is the final trick and it used to be home an uphill-running water illusion as well as a water curtain that threatened to soak passengers, but shut off just in time of course. The trick was plagued with problems (I'm guessing some folks got accidentally soaked) and so the water was removed relatively early on.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNffGWiloiWnXckFSv99vwb0_QVv75n_ET-e592FRho3PG0Buv-IbFYgkJsEO2sRcRArcuyldHKU5SPhSihFrclCL3K8fnRfZKWboBBV_VO03ZsMCoQjApmOC8WTvgtg_QgSiyPKr_-4/s1600-h/40o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNffGWiloiWnXckFSv99vwb0_QVv75n_ET-e592FRho3PG0Buv-IbFYgkJsEO2sRcRArcuyldHKU5SPhSihFrclCL3K8fnRfZKWboBBV_VO03ZsMCoQjApmOC8WTvgtg_QgSiyPKr_-4/s400/40o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869027793310610" border="0" /></a>After the journey concluded we emerged into the chilly twilight where we were greeted by a very real and very appropriate black cat.<br /><br />The closing of this magic little amusement park is a heartfelt loss to many Tulsans (as well as frequent visitors like myself.) It's just like Buddy said- Some folks met their future spouses there, got their first kiss there, families played together there year after year and kids have grown up there.<br /><br />But wait, I do have some good news. The decision to relocate and reopen Bell's has been made official by park management! The park will move to an as yet to be determined location in the vicinity of South Tulsa, and is slated to open its doors again in the Summer of 2008. With the exception of a portion of the Sky Ride (which was purchased by the city for future use at the Tulsa State Fair), every Bell's attraction will be disassembled, moved and rebuilt at the new location including Oklahoma's largest roller coaster, the Zingo. An amusement park relocation of this scale has only taken place twice before in U.S. History. The new park is expected to be twice the size of the original and will incorporate up to seven new rides (also yet to be determined). So does this mean the Phantasmagoria will "live" again? The answer is yes, though not as we've come to know it...<br /><br />PHANTASMAGORIA VERSION 2.0<br /><br />A new dark ride is indeed in the works for the next Bell's location, and it will retain the name Phantasmagoria. The next incarnation will be nearly twice the square footage, and will feature more modern and elaborate tricks. The new goal is to make the ride a story-driven experience with a tone that's a bit more family friendly. Bell's is considering a collaboration with a horror-influenced recording artist named Doctor Steel. The ride's storyline would be based on the singer's backstory which is that of a mad toy maker attempting to make the world more fun by way of his monstrous creations (as well as his music.) For sentimental reasons a number of the old tricks will be integrated into the new ride, but they will take on a more scenic role. For example the Skull Pond could wind up as Doctor Steel's hot tub. Here's an exclusive look at a concept drawing for the new Phantasmagoria...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gaJCFM0fGypH7smGj1LXRnoX5LINNE8Y6oLfoHa-6vXFwCY0CT2AmYFZz4zSqsyZuZZkgcG1xyelnNUZJPJtgsvyP_BPm2r3_ZumX7FxnEhLucELho2QmDfa9tMSXSvgYtdAvWgW-AA/s1600-h/41o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gaJCFM0fGypH7smGj1LXRnoX5LINNE8Y6oLfoHa-6vXFwCY0CT2AmYFZz4zSqsyZuZZkgcG1xyelnNUZJPJtgsvyP_BPm2r3_ZumX7FxnEhLucELho2QmDfa9tMSXSvgYtdAvWgW-AA/s400/41o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869032088277922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And finally, if you're wondering how this whole incredible visit came to be... It's a tale of divine timing and the joys of blogging.<br /><br />A couple weeks ago a news story covering the disassembly of the Phantas inspired me to blog a lengthy <a href="http://secretfunspot.blogspot.com/2007/02/phantasmagoria-remembered.html" target="_blank">retrospective</a> wherein I detailed all of my own experiences involving the ride. This included mention of an attempt to personally paint the ride's faded façade in 2002 which ultimately failed due to miscommunication between myself and the park's maintenance department. (In hindsight I ultimately blame my own lame, indirect communication with the park's owner.) In my article I took a few playful jabs at the maintenance crew and even joked that they would have sabotaged my scaffolding, and in effect, killed me.<br /><br />A week after I posted the piece I got a comment from someone claiming to have more information on the ride (I've since removed it to protect his email address). I emailed the commenter and the response came from none other than Buddy Stefanoff, the senior electrician for Bell's! This was the very man I was unable to connect with during my paint job debacle. I cringed as I began to read his email, fully expecting a severe rebuttal to my snarky comments about his team. He did briefly explain the unique challenges they had faced in maintaining my favorite ride. But to my pure surprise and delight he offered me the guided tour I detailed above, so that I might have "one last look."<br /><br />When we first spoke on the phone I spent the first chunk of our conversation trying to assure Buddy that I harbored no grudges and that I only brought that stuff up because I wanted to document my entire history with the ride. All of my blabbering was completely unnecessary because Buddy had taken no offense to my initial post (though I could understand a person of lesser character doing just that.) He told me that he and Robby Bell thought that a visit would make for a better end to my story. They were absolutely right; it couldn't have been more perfect. Thank you Buddy and Robby for making this dream a reality, and for the millions of happy memories you guys are responsible for.<br /><br />UPDATE: Reader Nick Beals was kind enough to share this great photo of the dog that once bobbed in and out of the facade. He said it was sitting near the Sky Ride soon after the micro burst of Summer 06...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsk47zJC75TfqxlEMuKbPrEo6Qrzc412wLabl0VyqGCGZP-c2c5uPjM-_-hcJkQ7udIxIrcbEyiJiUelxqlQx1IxHkZc8SJu_FPNpP2X1ldp0IhLdflcllvKGWNBY66yG8Tce2b1nYiE/s1600-h/dog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsk47zJC75TfqxlEMuKbPrEo6Qrzc412wLabl0VyqGCGZP-c2c5uPjM-_-hcJkQ7udIxIrcbEyiJiUelxqlQx1IxHkZc8SJu_FPNpP2X1ldp0IhLdflcllvKGWNBY66yG8Tce2b1nYiE/s400/dog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5041632407129743458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />APPENDIX A: Phantasmagoria facts<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Opened: July 1973<br />Demolished: June 19, 2007<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Number of levels: 2</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Duration: approx. 5 minutes</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">All of the 'bang doors' close solely by the power of gravity.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">There are nearly as many smoke detectors as there are spooks in the ride. Not one fire occurred in the ride's history.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Items commonly discarded in ride: Stuffed animals, hats, litter, cigarette butts, ladies undergarment, feminine products, condom wrappers</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Means of mischief: Getting out of car (most common), making out, occasional stink bombs.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">Number of tricks: 23</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">APPENDIX B: List of tricks</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">1. The spinning eyes (exterior)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">2. The lunging dog (exterior)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">3. Three ascending bang doors with circular cuts (originally diminishing squares)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">4. Guard dog sign/barking audio</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">5. Dip #1</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">6. Grim Reaper (originally hung above the dip in the long corridor)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">7. Skeleton in the graveyard<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">8. Singing skulls</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">9. Buzzard in the nest</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">10. The psychedelic room (aka tinfoil room aka strobe room</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);"> )</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">11. Skull faced "lady of the night"<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">12. The witches head</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">13. Dip #2</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">14. Collapsing mine shaft (aka Falling Timbers)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">15. The Skull Pond with rattling floorboards</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">16. Cloaked skeleton lady in front of shingles</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">17. The giant rat</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">18. Rotating naked/bikini woman</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">19. Skeleton in the noose</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">20. The bus (formerly the tilted room where water ran uphill)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">21. The mirrored hallway</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">22. The spinning tunnel</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">23. The bat cave with water curtain</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhY2StMrbBl9tOvvJQTqCsK1DyjNlakPAv4ap2kPmul4nWkQl2ARuLUViufCm7F9ERZ1EFSfarbDUUyCrKwQUL95TxMVhwnOQb_-bNLcfoEDDyfzx9AuLVzPg3Y4owQ6ohuueCeXBpxw/s1600-h/w09o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhY2StMrbBl9tOvvJQTqCsK1DyjNlakPAv4ap2kPmul4nWkQl2ARuLUViufCm7F9ERZ1EFSfarbDUUyCrKwQUL95TxMVhwnOQb_-bNLcfoEDDyfzx9AuLVzPg3Y4owQ6ohuueCeXBpxw/s400/w09o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033869568959190114" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:navy;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:navy;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:navy;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:navy;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:navy;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:navy;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:navy;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:navy;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span><br /></p>Kirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1022160829846105895.post-18039869224458266832006-11-30T02:19:00.000-06:002009-11-30T02:27:29.042-06:00SOUVENIRS<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScnK11slqyaMQX6kGzYXqzycIsLHD6Qp6rDGVOS2JSpKbA_p43aT1cWz3vT7WZSVqJKcaLjnysbSPc2V1RRnD1_OVMY8YO6KnWLfX9wZi09gBIc9hXN3irpiIQe2HgO9dcrrlQ6hhMcw/s1600/phantassmallopti.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 74px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScnK11slqyaMQX6kGzYXqzycIsLHD6Qp6rDGVOS2JSpKbA_p43aT1cWz3vT7WZSVqJKcaLjnysbSPc2V1RRnD1_OVMY8YO6KnWLfX9wZi09gBIc9hXN3irpiIQe2HgO9dcrrlQ6hhMcw/s400/phantassmallopti.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409809119644834498" border="0" /></a>Bumper Sticker circa 1970s<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqQc7ppV2-GiRYrpgcraVbKUtT27-ypeMmcstU5Av7rcRxIh4OUHqA-ItgOX7uV7F69yvH6FLef_5NyTqkDFpqCWNPBB6bIg-AHtAsYKVh4G7prjPfkDV0h1fmq1HFSQcqT4EYxRqMkY/s1600/phantglass1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqQc7ppV2-GiRYrpgcraVbKUtT27-ypeMmcstU5Av7rcRxIh4OUHqA-ItgOX7uV7F69yvH6FLef_5NyTqkDFpqCWNPBB6bIg-AHtAsYKVh4G7prjPfkDV0h1fmq1HFSQcqT4EYxRqMkY/s400/phantglass1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409809113908391906" border="0" /></a>Goblet (front) circa 1970s<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GDtVmdocVbady1r-bxR6U7IZ5Ngkn3oOU7t15OgzaBtNX591in5liN0kqEQAOFj_BkReQdHGqiBEmf7KX2QIrPrVH9WzdZhIhm1OtxALNDs7J9vmMNkIEAlnzzUOfZJHr_6tyuKvxCM/s1600/phantglass2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GDtVmdocVbady1r-bxR6U7IZ5Ngkn3oOU7t15OgzaBtNX591in5liN0kqEQAOFj_BkReQdHGqiBEmf7KX2QIrPrVH9WzdZhIhm1OtxALNDs7J9vmMNkIEAlnzzUOfZJHr_6tyuKvxCM/s400/phantglass2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409809117266094562" border="0" /></a>Goblet (back) circa 1970s<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5HTceA4WFDbnX6z6Ak0j1CxaNzWEB-o8F1vCpU-RmKfmvTB9I-ZQPvE8MBjM7HSz3LxMYnRLZnx-ZZd3h1Fdg_2bfWd0SiLRlbJidL8xPCTAb3D3A4WybpLhiUlrVfWA-ToIP04lwR8/s1600/kalvinrobertsopti.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 105px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5HTceA4WFDbnX6z6Ak0j1CxaNzWEB-o8F1vCpU-RmKfmvTB9I-ZQPvE8MBjM7HSz3LxMYnRLZnx-ZZd3h1Fdg_2bfWd0SiLRlbJidL8xPCTAb3D3A4WybpLhiUlrVfWA-ToIP04lwR8/s400/kalvinrobertsopti.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409809105582830690" border="0" /></a>Commemorative mini bumper sticker designed by Kalvin Roberts 2007<br /></div>Kirk D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700097965524197825noreply@blogger.com0