Garfield’s Nightmare

Garfield’s Nightmare is easily and without a doubt my least favorite ride in Kennywood. Don’t get me wrong, there are a couple things at Kennywood I don’t particularly enjoy, but my friends could convince me to ride anything else in the park before I got in line for Garfield’s Nightmare.
Garfield’s Nightmare is a slow boat ride through an enclosed building that is decorated with bright Garfield-​themed sets and cartoons. The whole experience is the very definition of boring and pointless, and the worst part is, it wasn’t always this way! Garfield’s Nightmare used to be the Old Mill, after all. And I loved the Old Mill. I loved that it allowed me to get a dose of ghosts, ghouls, and skeletons year round. I loved rounding the dark corners in the little dark building and looking at all of the detail that was put into the sets. Most of all, I loved the fact that Kennywood had taken a very relaxing and chill ride and had added a great spooky element to it.
Garfield’s Nightmare, though… just, no. It’s definitely not worth waiting in line for this ride. The sets and cartoons pale in comparison to the detail that was put into the Old Mill. It’s downright dull, the animations are not funny, and the 3-​D glasses gimmick they added to the ride makes it all the more laughable in my opinion. It was an unnecessary addition to the park, and was only created because Kennywood became the «home of Garfield.»
On the plus side, now that Kennywood is no longer the home of Garfield, I’ve heard a rumor that the staff may bring the Old Mill back. I hope this is true. Kennywood deserves much better than this boring 3-​D nightmare of a ride.

I forgot how disappointing some rides can be. Especially when you remember what a ride can be like from a prior visit. I remember Garfield’s Nightmare when it was the Old Mill. This was not and is not a ride that is filled with thrills, but it was a nostalgic ride prior to the change over.
The ride still uses the gentle downward track that the boats flow on. But everything inside is bright fluorescent colors that are meant to give you a 3D effect. However this effect is suppose to be seen with 3D glasses. When we finally made it through the line and got to the platform, there were no glasses to be used. It appears that all of them were used, and not cleaned for new riders. So we basically just sat through the ride and were kind of bored by it all.
It’s a nice leisurely ride that you can take kids on, so there is that. My niece loved it, even though she doesn’t really know who Garfield is. The bright colors definitely draws the kids in and it is by no means scary even though nightmare is the ride’s name.

If you are tired of standing in long lines, are looking for something low key or just want to get out of the sun for a few minutes, then Garfield’s Nightmare is for you. Boats seat up to six people but they don’t cram you in and let parties of just two sit together. As you take off for the «adventure» you are handed a pair of very worn 3D glasses to enhance your ride. The boat meanders through brightly neon colored cut outs of scenes from Garfield comic strips that then lead to scenes from Garfield’s nightmares. Think being attacked by a pizza box, having the mice trap and eat you, etc. The 3D glasses were so smudged and scratched that I took mine off and just rode looking without them. They do add a fun effect, though. At the end, they snap a picture that they try to sell you on the way out.
Not worth a long line, but decent fun if you are looking for something low key or have younger kids with you.

The Kennywood Krucible Part 10:
The Aero 360 had its way with my grey matter, scrambling it as if it were radio signal. Aching in the head and feeling as if my legs were made of dough, we found refuge in… a nightmare.
And what a rather whimsical 3-​D nightmare it was. 3-​D glasses are handed out in this kid-​friendly Tunnel Of Love-​type boat ride. Formerly Hard Headed Harold’s Horrendously Haunted Hideaway, small 2-​person rafts carry you through the interiors as cut-​out images of Garfield and his pals (and foes) seemingly jump at you, a visual made possible by the special visors you’re given to wear.
It was a romantic, funny way to escape the heat and gather our wits and not much else. A stay at Ghostwood Estate followed…