2013 Member Survey Results
Thanks to everyone that participated in this year’s survey! With the addition of two new highly anticipated attractions recently, we thought we would see them make it to the top ten list. Of course, those attractions are Universal’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Knoebel’s Black Diamond. See the results below to find out how they ranked. (Lists showing percentages of votes have been rounded to the closest number.)
What (current) company has been the most influential in the continuation of the darkride tradition?
| Sally Corp |
49% |
| JMM Studios |
16% |
| Knoebels |
7% |
| Hercschend/Silver Dollar City Corp |
2% |
| No Answer |
21% |
| Bill Tracy's Companies |
4% |
What (current) individual has been most influential in the continuation of the darkride tradition?
| Dick Knoebel |
21% |
| Jim Melonic |
12% |
| John Wood |
7% |
| Drew Hunter |
5% |
| Rick Davis |
5% |
| No Answer |
37% |
| Bill Tracy |
12% |
| Walt Disney |
2% |
What one defunct attraction do you miss most?
Earthquake, Cedar Point
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Magic Kingdom
Fright Zone, Erieview Park
Funhouse, Idora Park
Funhouse, Lakeside Park
Ghost Ship, Kennywood Park
Gold Rusher, Kennywood Park
Haunted Hotel, Myrtle Beach
Haunted House, West View Park
Journey to the Center of the Earth, DorneyPark
Laff in the Dark, The Pike
Magic Carpet, Crystal Beach
Magic Palace, Crystal Beach
Nights in White Satin, Hard Rock Park
Old Mill, Kennywood Park
Phantom Theater, Paramounts Kings Island
Pirate Ride, Cedar Point
Lost River, Idora Park
Golden Nugget, Roseland Park
Phantasmagoria, Bells Amusement Park
What do you think is the best DAFE member benefit?
| Barrel O' Fun |
60% |
| Events |
34% |
| Website |
3% |
| Discounts |
3% |
How would you rate the 2011 event(s)
| Excellent |
Good |
Fair |
Poor |
No Answer |
| 28% |
21% |
0% |
0% |
51% |
What do you like about the 2011 event(s)?
Behind the scenes tours
Meeting other members/friends
Exclusive Ride Time
Food/meals
Getting the “Royal Treatment” from the parks/attractions
Low cost/good value
Liked Indian Beach
Lots of things to do
Like going to new places
Favorite Darkrides By Classification
Favorite Traditional Darkride – Haunted Mansion, Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, PA
Favorite Modern Darkride – Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, FL
Favorite Interactive Darkride – Ghostwood Estate, Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA
Favorite Water Darkride – Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
Favorite Hybrid Darkride – Black Diamond, Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, PA
Top Ten Favorite Currently Operating Darkrides of Any Classification
10 – Haunted House, Trimpers Amusements, Ocean City, MD
9 – Haunted Mansion, Funland Rehoboth Beach, DE
8 – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, FL
7 – Pirates of the Caribbean, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, FL
6 – Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Orlando, FL
5 – Ghostwood Estate, Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA
4 – Whacky Shack, Waldameer Park, Erie, PA
3 – Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, FL
2 – Black Diamond, Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, PA
1 – Haunted Mansion, Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, PA
Top Ten Favorite Currently Operating Funhouse or Walkthrough Attraction
10 – Nightmares, Niagara Falls, Canada
9 – Confusion Hill, Idlewild Park, Ligonier, PA
8 – Mysterious Mansion, Gatlinburg, TN
7 – Pirates Cove, Trimpers Amusements, Ocean City, MD
6 – Funhouse, Jenkinsons Beach Boardwalk, Point Pleasant, NJ
5 – Ghostly Manor, Sandusky, OH
4 – Ghost Ship, Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, NJ
3 – Frankensteins Castle, Indiana Beach, Monticello, IN
2 – Pirates Cove, Waldameer Park, Erie, PA
1 – Noahs Ark, Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA
Favorite Dark Attractions of Any Kind Anywhere
10 – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, FL
9 – Curse of DarKastle, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA
8 – Noahs Ark, Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA
7 – Frankensteins Castle, Indiana Beach, Monticello, IN
6 – Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Orlando, FL
5 – Ghostwood Estate, Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA
4 – Whacky Shack, Waldameer Park, Erie, PA
3 – Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom, Orlando, FL
2 – Black Diamond, Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, PA
1 – Haunted Mansion, Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, PA
Favorite Dark Attraction Park
10 – Universal Orlando
9 – Morey's Piers
8 – Indiana Beach
7 – Epcot
6 – Rye Playland
5 – Disneyland
4 – Waldameer
3 – Magic Kingdom
2 – Kennywood
1 – Knoebels
Favorite Fall/October Dark Attraction or Event
| Phoenix Phall Phunfest |
26% |
| Phantom Fright Nights |
16% |
| Halloboo |
7% |
| Shocktoberfest |
5% |
| Castle Blood |
5% |
| Halloween Horror Nights |
2% |
| Kevin McCurdy's Haunted Mansion |
2% |
| Conneaut Lake Park's Haunted Bumper Cars |
2% |
| 7 Floors of Hell |
2% |
| Bates Motel |
2% |
| Hallo-fun |
2% |
| Scarowinds |
2% |
| Halloweekends |
2% |
| Scarehouse |
2% |
| Howloscreams |
2% |
| Smokey Mt Xmas |
2% |
| No Answer |
16% |
Favorite PARK that hosts a seasonal event
| Knoebels |
44% |
| Kennywood |
14% |
| Knotts Berry Farm |
2% |
| Hershey Park |
2% |
| Kings Island |
2% |
| Dorney Park |
2% |
| Busch Gardens (VA) |
2% |
| Dollywood |
2% |
| Cedar Point |
2% |
| No Answer |
26% |
Complete survey results are in the Spring 2013 issue of Barrel O' Fun.
