In a very odd year for amusement parks and openings, the hype for new attractions has sort of dwindled with the times. We have seen new-for-2020 attractions put on hold or even become new-for-2021 attractions. Some rides we have seen open are Orion at Kings Island, Candymonium at Hersheypark, and Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio. One new attraction that has flown under-the-radar but made its 2020 debut last week, is the Old Mill at Kennywood and we were there on opening day to check it out!
To fully appreciate the revamp of the former Garfield’s Nightmare ride, we need to give you some background on this classic Kennywood attraction. The original water flume dark ride, Old Mill, opened in 1901, just three years after the park was built.
Image courtesy of Kennywood
Over the years, the theming and name of the ride changed multiple times, including back to the original name and western theme in 1992.
Image courtesy of Kennywood
Image courtesy of Kennywood
Kennywood once again decided to renovate the attraction in 2004, turning it into Garfield’s Nightmare. As part of the ride transformation in 2004, the sections that once were open-air to outdoor scenes were completely enclosed to play into the blacklight nature of the new ride.
After a 15-year run, the Garfield theme was retired in 2019 to make way for the rebirth of the Old Mill ride once again. Even though the theming has come and gone over the years, this original Kennywood attraction is still the oldest continually operating water-based dark ride in the world!
The Coaster101 team was able to ride Garfield’s Nightmare in 2018 and 2019, so with that fresh in our mind we were excited to see how the attraction had been changed. The first things we noticed were the new signage around the ride and that the 3-D aspect of the ride was no longer a part of the experience. The boats remained unchanged and we were glad to see the exterior of the ride building the same, complete with turning water wheel.
Note: Ride spoilers ahead.
Onto the ride itself – we felt that the 2020 version of the Old Mill is a perfect culmination of the original ride, the 1992 version, and Garfields Nightmare, kind of tying all of the rides history together in one form. The western/skeleton theme is back, but in a new blacklight fashion, entirely different than the outdoor scenes on the 1990’s era ride.
Image courtesy of Kennywood
You may think that the skeleton theme may be too scary for younger riders, but it is done in a very lighthearted way and there is nothing necessarily creepy throughout the duration of the ride. There is one scene where a train engine blasts its horn and lights behind you but even that isn’t too loud or surprising.
Image courtesy of Kennywood
What we enjoyed most about the Old Mill was its silent movie vibe and figuring out the story behind it. We rode it twice in order to completely understand it. The ride follows the main character of Harold and his life as an outlaw. Harold and his partner in crime, the skunk are in every scene as you move through the ride, going from planning a robbery, executing a robbery, evading the authorities, and eventually finding himself in an old western jail.
Image courtesy of Kennywood
There is plenty of room for interpretation of the story due the silent movie nature of the ride and lack of talking. The upbeat piano music and vague cue cards are the only clues given and the rest you have to figure out from the ride scenes.
Image courtesy of Kennywood
The Old Mill is also provides a great slow down during a busy day at the park and can be a very welcomed few minutes of cool shade.
Kennywood did a wonderful job of uplifting the 119 year-old attraction into something modern that pays homage to the parks history in a way that is accessible to the younger generation. I hope we continue to see this record-holding water dark ride hold its place in the Kennywood lineup for years to come.
Have you had a chance to get on the “new” Old Mill ride? Have you had the chance to ride both the 1990’s version and the 2020 version? We would love to know your thoughts on the two!
Also be sure to check out the newest episode of the Coaster101 Podcast to hear our verbal thoughts on the Old Mill and 2020 Kennywood.
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