The Pit and the Pendulum
Dark Ride
After the short story by Edgar Allan Poe
High Concept
Riders board into church pews as they embark into 1808, Spain, and are on trial in a baroque church turned courtroom. Riders are sentenced to their death by the unfair inquisitors and are ushered into their dungeon. The wooshing of a pendulum draws the eyes of the guests as they view a man about to be sawn in half! Before they can adjust to the sight, they themselves seem to fall into a dark pit. When all hope is lost, suddenly, unseen doors open up, flooding the dark space with light. A sense of victory fills the space as riders leave through the ruins of the church, and their captors have been vanquished by the French.
Load station
Take your pew
Vehicles are inspired by cathedral pews, with ornate carvings that reflect the church they take riders through.
Scene I
The Courtroom
Guests travel back in time to 1808 Spain and enter a baroque cathedral repurposed as an Inquisition courtroom. Guests are sentenced to their unfair death and exit the room after a brief pause during their trial.
Scene II
The Dungeon
A cold, dark room greets guests as the cold air wraps and envelops them, leaving goosebumps on their skin. A dim light grows brighter, spotlighting a swinging pendulum over the prisoner and the ride vehicle itself. The fear of a shared fate looms over the room before the guests are twirled around on the track to reveal an enclosing wall as the space heats up.
The floor gives way.
Unseen doors open.
Scene III
The Ruins
The doors swing open, revealing that a battle had taken place in the cathedral, and the French have freed the inquisition prisoners. Riders exit through the ruins, leaving behind their near-death expereince.