Haunted Mansion at Knoebels celebrates 50 years

“It’s original and it was created in-house, and is very well kept,” said Stromer, who estimates that he has been a guest of the Haunted Mansion dozens of times. “There’s rarely ever a time you go through there and see a problem, when a prop is not working. The caretakers really do a great job with it.”

Rick Davis, director of DAFE and editor of Dark Times Magazine, agreed, describing the Haunted Mansion as a great traditional ride.

“It always works. The lighting works; the sound works; the timing is perfect — not every park can say that,” Davis said, of the effort it takes to maintain amusement park rides, especially one that just turned 50.

Members of DAFE also heard from the Knoebel family members Rick, Brian and their father, Dick, who celebrated his own birthday on Friday.

“In 1972 we had a terrible flood here. It was awful,” Rick Knoebel said to members of DAFE. “But we wanted to come back in 1973 as strong as ever — and that’s when we built the Haunted Mansion.”

Knoebel said the ride was scheduled to open May 30, but his brother, Brian, was born, causing a postponement to June 30 — his birthday.

“Were you running the ride that day,” said Brian Knoebel, which drew laughter from DAFE members.

“Taking tickets,” Rick Knoebel said in jest.

Rick Knoebel said the Haunted Mansion has had 50 successful years.

“I worked there for a long time. It’s near and dear to my heart,” said Rick Knoebel, “and I’m so glad we got to this point that we can celebrate it all together.”

Members of DAFE were provided an opportunity to ride the Haunted Mansion with the house lights on and off once the park closed.

Twelve lucky winners of a raffle got a walking tour of the ride Sunday morning. Proceeds benefited Give Kids the World Village, a 89-acre nonprofit resort in Florida that provides weeklong, cost-free wish vacations to critically ill children and their families.

Brian Knoebel said the park will further celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Haunted Mansion with themed food and merchandise, limited edition collector tickets, new on-ride photos that can be viewed inside a horse-drawn hearse near the exit of the ride and hidden “Vinnys,” which refers to the name of the vulture that looms over the entrance.

Knoebels is now in its 97th season and is open weekends through May, when the park then opens daily.

An open house for prospective employees will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in pavilion L, which is located between the main parking lot and Impulse.