The Year That Garfield Took Over Kennywood

Somebody thought this was a good idea. Kennywood is no stranger to licensed properties now that the park has Thomas Town and Steelers Country, but in the early 2000s they struck a deal to incorporate Garfield characters into the park. Beginning with a simple overlay for the park's children's area, Garfield soon took over one of the most beloved attractions in the park, and to most, ruined it. You won't find evidence of Garfield's presence in the park anymore, but in 2004 Kennywood was betting on the success of this license. Needless to say, it didn't pay off.
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Music tracks used:
Mega Man X7: Decisive Battle (Boss Theme)
Garfield's Nightmare (DS): Haunted Castle 2 & Boss Theme
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#Garfield #Kennywood #OldMill

[@RampagingRex]

I hope you all enjoy this look back to one of the strangest things Kennywood has ever done. I might upload my POV of Garfield's Nightmare as a separate video if you'd like to see that, so let me know! Thank you all for watching!

[@Lunar_Yoshi]

This was an awesome video

[@Splater765]

I like the thing you did at the beginning, a nice reference as well

[@tylerrusnak7736]

As a kid, the Old Mill was my everything, and my favorite ride at my favorite park. Garfield actually scared me when it came out, especially the shot scene, which is move to avoid the air blast or whatever it was. I can't tell you how excited I am for the Old Mill to return! Heading there first for sure! (Steel Curtian is insane, but nothing compares to a classic!)

[@RampagingRex]

I'm very excited to see what the Old Mill looks like. Hopefully we do get to see it this year!

[@kevinmay9151]

It was only an air cannon but I felt like I was being brainwashed and the feeling never left my head for the rest of the day

[@quix9556]

I was very young back when Garfield was king, I remember Pounce Bounce with Garfield on top, I was around 4 years old when it all finally died at around 07. I pretty much avoided Garfields Nightmare every time I went unless family came. I got my job interview to be a ride operator the day CoasterBash was set to happen, while I was walking to Johnny Rockets I saw the Gold Rusher train sitting outside Garfield’s Nightmare with the sign down. I was curious and was anticipating an announcement at CoasterBash. I was there too, and announced the “Cheese Stick” finally was removed and they teased the return of Old Mill. Confirmed just a few days later, I’m excited for Old Mill’s return.

[@Dabeez431]

The GOAT Mario Lemieux Same! I always avoid Garfield’s Nightmare, I really never like it. I can’t wait for the old mill man I remember riding the old mill and always hiding into my mother’s side because I would get always get so scared lol

[@valerievargas1548]

And without Garfield on top of the Pounce Bounce, wouldn't people actually easily tell that was a Garfield ride by the designs of the mice?

[@Mysteriatic]

I LOVED Garfield's Nightmare as a kid. When I was around say 6-7 I remember everything. I still have pictures with myself and the Garfield and Odie statues, I probably have pictures with the walk-around characters too. I also loved pounce bounce and all the Garfield overlays they added. I never see anyone talk about a water squirter game that was right next to Garfield's Nightmare. I played it as a kid and I was a target squirting game but the targets were 3 or 4 Garfields with a mini target in his mouth. I think his mouth was closed because I remember it being in between his teeth. They had all kinds of garfield related prizes. Does anyone else remember this game?

[@LigmaPaitent0]

Nothing feels better than amusement park channels talking about my hometown park. Keep up the good work man!

[@TetrisKid48]

the mouse voice that played outside of Garfield's nightmare scared me so much as a kid, i always ran past it

[@scboy2003]

It's sad to see Garfield go, But it will be nice to see "The Old Mill" , a classic ride, Return to Kennywood.

[@LDSRaichu]

It never left

[@ericmi_ller]

i love how u were that weird mouse in the beginning, lol and also garfields nightmare just creeped me out haha so i’m glad their changing it😂😭

[@Wild1995]

yeah, only those who rode the ride would catch that. This guy is a genius.

[@noahtorok2764]

5:22 still waiting for the turnpike to be relocated to another area of the park lol only 10 years later

[@RampagingRex]

The park's original plan was to have Turnpike go around the supports under Sky Rocket. No idea why they decided against that, but that is why most of the track on Sky Rocket is so high off the ground.

[@joehung1552]

@@RampagingRex I'm guessing they're afraid of someone losing something on the coaster and it falling and hitting someone on the Turnpike. I also wonder if they'll ever change the Phantom Entrance and use that old little midway between the first hill and the track going to the second hill. It doesn't have to be fancy but they could fit little rides, or VR simulators in that area.

[@alexbrizuela766]

I actually didn’t know that the Pounce Bounce was supposed to be Garfield themed until I watched this video.

[@RampagingRex]

Without the statue on top, it was easy to miss the theming!

[@alexbrizuela766]

@@RampagingRex Yeah, that explains why the ride is called the Pounce Bounce because when I first saw this ride, the name mystified me as it was themed to look like a tower of cheese with several cartoon mice in it.

[@ukulelesam]

i just used to call it the mini pittfall lol

[@InsaneCoasterJunkie]

I happened to enjoy Garfield's Nightmare when I rode it last summer. Sure the 3D hurt and wasn't necessary, I still enjoyed the weirdness the ride offers. Glad I got to ride when it was there but I'm more than happy to ride Old Mill as it's a much needed replacement!

[@SuperWWE65]

The Only Remains Of Garfield At Kennywood Is At The End Of The Old Mill On The Jail Scene. Of You Look On The Table, There Is A Orange Cat With Black Stripes.

[@mikebrilhart1992]

I rode it opening year on my first ever visit, so I find it fitting that last year I visited for the first time in years and got to experience it one last time as Garfield

[@SuperWWE65]

This Era Of Kennywood Was What I Called The Golden Era Because Of How Good The Ride Was. I Just Wish They Would Relocate Garfield's Nightmare And The Kangaroo Ride To Lost Kennywood....

[@punchlion]

So glad they’re bringing back the Old Mill! Awesome look back on the Garfield era though.

[@mrknowhere6457]

Great video! I cant wait to see the new old Mill, and if it has new professional special effects when the park opens, which, who know when that may be.

[@bedframeee]

I genuinely loved the Garfield themes of Kennywood when I was younger i miss them lowkey

[@ScorpionsFatality]

I love seeing kennywood covered! Also i adored the garfield overlay in the park in all honesty. But never went on the original old mill... Can't wait to see the ride finally get fixed up. Its such a shame they let GN get so run down :c

[@leffakis2032]

I admire your channel's success. Great video! Love nostalgia!

[@kayberringer6840]

Thank you for that awesome reference intro!

[@Wild1995]

I love your videos. You are so smart and know Kennywood so well especially since you seem fairly young. This video is from April but did you see the article that came out recently that was posted on the Kennywood: Behind the Screams facebook page? It mentions how Garfield's Nightmare came to be. The creators wanted state of the are effects with boaters getting splashed and crashing through 3D walls. However, the budget was cut and the creators were left with only having 3D photos. Supposedly they were also told NOT to make the ride too good because the ride could not handle large crowds and the park did not want long lines. Check out the article and it explains a little more how the creator of Garfield wanted his own theme park in Indiana but that plan fizzled. Again, love all your videos.

[@chessie2003]

Very informative! Great video!

[@jenselinsky6734]

It's funny because Kennywood, near my hometown adopted Garfield, who is most famous where I live now, Indiana.

[@mangaz137]

Great vid! It’s refreshing to see Kennywood be given the same attention as defunct Disney/universal attractions.

[@krispostava2275]

I love that that are fixing Old Mill...but Bounce Pounce was great. The kids loved that one, and it was a fun one for me to go on with them. ( good into by the way, nice touch.)

[@robkrasinski6217]

I rode old mills at Dorney Park and Wildwood, NJ but they are gone. Dorney Park’s was removed after 1992, the year Cedar Fair bought the park, and Wildwood’s burned in a fire on Jan 16, 2002 when Castle Dracula above burned down because two adolescent males broke in and lit rags to see in the dark. They ran from the castle when it caught fire and were arrested down the street. It was called Dungeon Boat Ride since 1977 when Castle Dracula opened. Lake Winnepesaukah in Georgia has the only mill chute ride left, with a dark tunnel and lift and drop into a lake.

[@coasterdunesproductions]

Really awesome video, I enjoyed it as Garfield’s Nightmare, as well as many of people who grew up with it.

[@RampagingRex]

I didn't hate it as many people did, but I always preferred it as the Old Mill despite having only very unclear memories of it.

[@pixelythegamer3260]

Fun fact, according to one of James Rolfe podcast, some one at cinemassacre pitch James the idea to do a Garfield games episode for AVGN, he also pitch the idea that at the end of the episode will be recorded at Kennywood in garfields nightmare, because there was a DS game of the same name with no relation with the ride, it also said the scene would been like the boat scene from Willy wonka, James rejected the idea.

[@Coaster_Cray_Cray]

You uploaded this on my birthday! Wow

[@punchlion]

Time to bring back the GARF!!!

[@Rollback_Productions_]

You were with me for my only ride on this! Best part was getting stuck :P

[@RampagingRex]

"Did we just bottom out?!" That was the most memorable part of the day!

[@hanktank45]

Nice intro, super well made video.

[@RampagingRex]

Thanks so much!

[@BreakingYTown]

Love the intro

[@aaronsarchive82]

Have you seen the new Garfield animatronics Sally Darkrides had at IAAPA this year? They're gorgeous! It's for a dark ride in Asia. Funny how when one Garfield ride closes, another takes its place.

[@StarlightKick]

I despised this ride as a child. Hearing the mouse's horrifying deep voice from outside the ride while waiting to get on the ride next to it, The Turnpike, scared me shitless. I'm happy this ride is finally met it's demise. It was so out of place especially for the fact it was themed on Kennywood's oldest ride which is just awful. I'm so happy to see The Old Mill returning to it's former glory. I never rode Garfield's Nightmare and never will, but I will gladly give the new Old Mill a try next time I return to the park. 💛

[@valerievargas1548]

It's kinda shame that Garfield's Nightmare is gone now as a Garfield fan and this is a missed opportunity for me since I happen to live all away to the Westside of the U.S. but maybe there would be a new Garfield ride in the Nickelodeon theme park at Mall of America in Minnesota due that Viacom owns Paws Inc. I wasn't sure if got rid of the mascot characters and the merchandise, if they only had Garfield and Odie as mascots than they could've added Arlene and Nermal also even after removing Garfield on top of the Pounce Bounce, wouldn't people actually easily tell that was a Garfield ride by the designs of the mice?

[@jordankelemen9167]

Took some hilarious photos on this ride lol

[@OctorokHero]

I was a Garfield-obsessed kid around the time I went to Kennywood for the first time and the Garfield branding was at its peak, so I was thrilled. You could even get a Garfield-shaped bottle, which I used for years. I was too scared to go on Garfield's Nightmare, though, and now I guess I never will.

[@Kait16xo]

When I first rode the ride in 2007, the ride felt so lively! A lot of the animation and effects stopped working when I rode it in my teen years (2014-2019??) Also the pressurized air from the vet scene hit different ✌🏻🥲

[@SuperWWE65]

Y'know Most People Hated The Old Mill.....

[@XscreamThrills]

It truly was the worst dark ride ever!

[@RampagingRex]

I wouldn't say EVER (that honor goes to Monstars of Rock), but it came extremely close in its last few years due to the lack of maintenance put into it. In its first couple years Garfield's Nightmare was a fine dark ride since all the props were working and it actually had a pre-show.

[@pixelythegamer3260]

I truly Agree with you, like what is kennywood thinking?

[@aaronsarchive82]

@@RampagingRex But at least Monsters of Rock has the excuse of only have a month or two to be fully developed from the ground up. We're lucky it was even working let alone tolerable.

[@benjaminmckee5041]

As a Kennywood employee one thing I can't help but to notice every day is the old engraved paw prints that remain in the asphalt right outside of the old mill. They are hard to notice and I believe used to be painted yellow when Garfields nightmare was new.

[@joeyfeniello]

How did you get the intro vocal effect so perfect?

[@nathanward9972]

I'll have to do some digging but I remember reading someplace that an entire Garfield theme park was being pitched someplace and it fell through. After that happened, Jim Davis was looking for a park to partner with, and it ended up being Kennywood.

[@nathanward9972]

Here's the link to the article. It also matches with an article in the Indy Star discussing the theme park that never came to be. pittsburgh.verylocal.com/garfield-nightmare-kennywood/106830/

[@periflores1002]

This is like that muppet takeover of disneyland that never was...except this was.

[@QueenKaitio]

I loved Garfield's nightmare for as long as I can remember, which might sound lame but it was a fun tradition to start out every trip with that ride. Im not sad its gone, but I am sad I couldnt go on it one last time.

[@johnbooth9957]

Cool video

[@jayneroberts1236]

Thud was a great video

[@SuperWWE65]

Uh... Garfield's Nightmare Ain't The Most Hated Dark Ride..... SUPERSTAR LIMO AND JOURNEY INTO YOUR IMAGINATION IS!!! I MISS GARFIELD'S NIGHTMARE SO MUCH!!!!!!

[@calarichips]

I love garfield’s nightmare and I am very sad to see it go it was one of my favorite rides and so was the log jammer and when I heard garfield’s nightmare Was being shut down I cried for a little

[@Piggy_Globy]

I agree bring freestyle music park back from the dead!

[@johnbooth9957]

I rode on Garfields Nighmare and joint one time it was pretty cool

[@dapperloser3025]

4:42 speaking of that preshow video i couldn't find footage of it anywhere online, does a copy of it exist in an abandoned PC somewhere within the kennywood storage or something?

[@RampagingRex]

I don't think anyone has ever recorded it. I vaguely remember it having random facts about Garfield, but that's it. The park likely still has it but they can't release it since they don't have the Garfield license anymore.

[@coasterdunesproductions]

dapper loser I wish someone would release it as well. It was a really cool video to watch. Along with the Garfield trivia, it had some really cool footage of them re-themeing the 2003 version into Garfield, as well as a history documentary about the ride itself. Maybe one day it will resurface.

[@PathToRecovery]

@@coasterdunesproductions would be interesting if the audio from the ride got released aswell. mainly the soundtrack since I found it to be very strange yet satisfying to listen too.

[@coasterdunesproductions]

@@PathToRecovery I agree as well, the score was amazing! Maybe one day the music will resurface.

[@PathToRecovery]

@@coasterdunesproductions if only we knew who the composer was, I'm one of the few fans who loved the ride. and I'm glad fans of kennywood got what they wanted with the old mill revival. I understand why the ride was hated by many, but I liked it for what it was. now I wonder what they did with the last remaining parts of the ride, besides the sign being removed.

[@velociwyatt9080]

With kennywood having the rights to Garfield to compete with cedar fair using the peanuts characters in their kid zones and Garfield having a big presence is kiddieland they could have rethemed kiddieland to Garfield instead of retheming the old mill to garfield's nightmare.

[@RampagingRex]

They kind of did that, but it was limited to signage and character statues in Kiddieland. No rides in that area were rethemed, and Pounce Bounce was the only Garfield ride Kiddieland got.

[@sophias2424]

I laughed so hard when he said they were put into permanent storage (I don't even know why)

[@coasterdaddy7123]

I have actually always enjoyed Garfield's Nightmare. The last time I would've been on it though would've been 2011 as I was unfortunately not able to ride it when I visited in July 2019 as I had limited time. It is unfortunate to hear the park didn't care enough for it to keep it up in the later years though. I'm excited to try out the Old Mill though and it will be nice to see yet another Kennywood classic. Also, when was the majority of the Garfield stuff removed from the park? You said it was implemented in 2001, and I visited Kennywood for the first time in 2005 and I don't recall ever seeing much of any Garfield at all in the park besides this. I think maybe they had some merch and possibly some of those banners with the characters throughout the park, but I can't recall for sure.

[@RampagingRex]

Most people hated the ride, but I liked it because it was such a weird fit for the park. The Garfield stuff in Kiddieland was introduced in 2002, but most of it was removed in 2006, save for the statue on top of Pounce Bounce. That statue was removed in 2010 as that was when the initial contract to use the characters expired. Of course, Garfield's Nightmare remained for years after that. One thing I didn't mention in this video is that I found an old interview with a previous director of marketing for Kennywood in 2009, and he mentioned that they planned to bring back the Old Mill for the 2011 season. I have no idea what delayed it for so long, but it shows they've been working on this for much longer than we thought.

[@coasterdaddy7123]

@@RampagingRex oh wow! That's crazy. Awesome 👍 Thanks for the info 😃

[@TarynM716]

This ride scared the crap out of me when I was a little 7 year old

[@Uzi_WithA_Sick_As_Hell_Railgun]

I love how I created the intro with the deep voice that is actually high

[@a_guy_who_exists]

Garfield actually looked fun! I loved garfield

[@giovannigamer5154]

I really love kennywood. My favorite ride was the phantom's revenge. But I love the Garfield ride.

[@Flight-wo6jn]

Hoo boy I remember being on GN during opening year. I cried, and screamed. I think so, I was barely old enough to remember things I had done or seen, and it could have been in 2005. Either way didn’t like it one bit, will totally go on the Old Mill when I have the chance.

[@joehung1552]

My favor ride as a kid had been gone so long now that I forget it's name. I just remember it being a Dark Ride under Gold Rush.

[@Countmax]

Never went on this ride as long as I went to Kenny wood, now I went on Noah’s ark and they scared me shirtless, so did the ghost wood manor. I can always remember the deep voice the ride would emit when I’d go on a ride next to it. I hope Kennywood re opens soon, been found since I was a kid!

[@rebeccadugas7375]

Personally i always thought that garfields nightmare was meant to be a scary ride and whenever i used to ride it i would always be waiting for a jumpscare or something to happen but it was just honestly a BAD ride. glad they are rebuilding the old mill

[@RampagingRex]

I enjoyed the ride for what it was, but I'm beyond happy to see the Old Mill being brought back.

[@Kay1im3nade]

Kennywood 2001, the year that Garfield took over

[@poopyshitty575]

the year that garfield took over was in fact the best year. now there’s “thomas land” smh, and garfields nightmare is gone, my whole childhood is gone.

[@spinballpac-man]

Two things I loved as a kid, Thomas the Tank Engine and Garfield, appeared at least once in this very theme park! Brilliant, though sad that Garfield ruined a beloved ride! 😗

[@RampagingRex]

2018 and 2019 would have been the best years for you to visit then, since both of those attractions were open at the same time!

[@gina3767]

I loved Pounce Bounce as a kid.

[@RampagingRex]

It'll definitely be weird seeing that space empty from now on.

[@amberhedglin]

They said this year they are bringing the Old Mill back.

[@themeparkreconnoiter9787]

They could've got The Heathcliff characters instead of Garfield, probably could've theme their kids area based off the 70's and 80's Cartoon and Comic strip. There isn't any other theme park besides Universal Studios Hollywood that doesn't have a kids area based off the yet again 70's and 80's Animated Series and Comic Strip, and have walkarounds Characters of Heathcliff, Iggy Nutmeg, or even The Catillac Cats.

[@FusionFall20]

As a kid I was always confused on how the hell Garfield managed to find its way to Kennywood. As glad as I am that I will finally be able to actually ride the old mill after all my years of going to Kennywood, it is sad to see this fever dream go given how horribly unique it was.

[@brodyconroy6839]

I go to kennywood and sandcastle at least two times a year

[@kellyanderson6943]

So happy for this ! Now I wish they bring back the hillbilly scenes or maybe haunted scenes on the train ride . I'm sorry but those billboards are boring

[@Thomas__Blue]

I defitley liked Garfield’s Nightmare, but Thomas is definitely the best IP a park could have.

[@AnthonyZ.]

At least the ride did one thing good. It kept the old mill around.

[@jacobcoburn3269]

Garfield: I am the worst dark ride ever! Monstars of Rock: Hold my guitar... Super Hero Laser Ride: Hold my poutine...

[@NocturneFexy]

Daniel Tiger at Idlewild: *laughs*

[@matthewcampbell2305]

I'm kinda bummed, GN was my favorite ride there. I wish we could have both.

[@kingsislandfanboy]

Garfield nightmare best dark ride. better than boo blasters

[@pixelythegamer3260]

Does anyone remember what the preshow video was like in the queue?

[@jZ0357]

When they add they tv it was just history of ride up to point when added the nightmare

[@shane9245]

jacks films is quaking

[@ninagorniak9054]

❤🤩🥰

[@idkwhatiamdoing1188]

I remember this ride it was ok

[@RampagingRex]

The Old Mill will be much better!

[@trevgauntletneu_gaming]

Letterkennywood

[@sonic23233]

No one wants Thomas bring back the Kennywood Railroad

[@RampagingRex]

I don't mind Thomas being there. Honestly I just want them to bring back the railroad tunnel. I miss going through it at the beginning of the train tracks!

[@krispostava2275]

I don't care that Thomas is there because it is the same track, but I do miss the tunnel. Also, they are missing a huge opportunity for anything in the roundabout. I mean...literally anything.

[@cinemodproductions1584]

they should of at least kept the pounce bonce

[@nathanieltheanimal3694]

I waited two hours to ride that terrible ride. I knew it was bad before I knew about old mill’s history

[@kevin-727]

Nice beginning to parody the start of the ride! I remember riding the Haunted Hideaway/Old Mill before the Garfield makeover. The campy scenes went along with how old the ride is. Kind of like with Noah's Ark. I look forward to riding this reincarnation of the Old Mill.

[@leffakis2032]

Watched this again. I think it is funny how Kenny wood took a page out of Stalin's playbook and erased Garfield from its history. He pretty much got gulag-ed lol

[@colbeymaroski5567]

I love Garfield but the old mill was a good ride

[@psychocircus8988]

Of all the parks to build a ride like this at least put it in a park like holiday world in Indiana

[@pixelythegamer3260]

Imagine lasagna cats take on garfield nightmare

[@lucasgherardi4765]

I bet there main meal was lasagna

[@w.t.f9778]

Cusre the people who got rid this ride i never root on it

[@co_kroach1298]

Yeah… but i like garfeilds nightmare though

[@Thereiamnt.]

Garfield>Old Mill imo

[@mikuthecat5427]

When I was like 4 I was always scared to go on Garfields nightmare 😂