Riders who want to experience Ghostwood Estates, Kennywood Park's newest ride, should get ready for a challenge.

The ride, which replaces the Gold Rusher, takes park patrons on a haunted ride through Lord Kenneth Ghostwood's estate. But guests aren't there to simply experience the thrill, they're there to help Lord Ghostwood eliminate unwanted spirits from his home.

Upon arrival, riders are taken into a dark, cobweb-filled room to meet Lord Ghostwood, himself. It seems the estate has attracted several unwanted spirits that refuse to leave, so riders are taken to four-seat cars and armed with laser blasters to fend off the "spirits."

Scoreboards in front of them, riders have more than 200 targets to hit and can compete with fellow passengers to see who gains the most points.

Though the Gold Rusher was a classic ride a Kennywood, Jerome Gibas, Kennywood's general manager says maintenance issues and its lack of popularity were the deciding factors in replacing it.

Park officials wanted to keep a darker theme to the new ride, so they added interactive technology and computer generated images to bring the ghosts to life -- or death.

Halloween Productions Inc., a company responsible for many of the haunted houses during Phantom Fright Nights, designed the haunted effects in each of the rooms in Lord Ghostwood's estate.

Gibas says he was hesitant about adding an interactive dark ride to the park.

"With rides like this, sometimes all you look at is the target and you miss the rest of the ride," Gibas says. "But we're happy we did it."

The constructive team made the ride in a way that those who would like to compete with their fellow car passengers could, and other could opt out.

"If someone doesn't want to shoot, they don't have to," Gibas says. "It's a two-in-one kind of ride. I like to tell people it's more of an experience than a ride."

The ride also features a trackless ride system and vehicles provided by Dutch Company, ETF Ride Systems. The cars have sensors which follow copper wires that are placed through the concrete floors.

Before entering each of the eight rooms, says project manager Matt Hyatt, the car's sensor picks up a barcode that gives it directions.

"It tells the car if it's supposed to speed up, slow down or turn around," Hyatt says.

And a little spin in one of the rooms shows off the new system.

"We could never do that with a track," Gibas says.

The attraction can be enjoyed by riders of all ages. Though it's a heavily themed haunted ride, Gibas says he wanted it to be attractive to everyone.

"It's a little bit scary, but we purposefully chose not to make it too scary for families," he says.

So far, riders have been impressed with the ride.

"It's very interactive and keeps you entertained the entire time," says Ray Wilson of Bruceton Mills, W.Va. "You could go on it dozens of times and never see everything."

Gold Rusher also fans are feeling the love for its replacement, especially Mike Homza of the North Side.

"I was prepared to hate it. I was such a fan of the Gold Rusher, and when they announced they were taking it down, I felt like I was losing a family member," Homza says with a laugh.

"I just thought, 'OK, they have to show me now.' My goodness, they did it. That thing is incredible."

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Slush Factory, another new addition to amusement parks

Aside from a new ride, Kennywood Park is offering new entertainment and food.

With opening days on the horizon, Sandcastle and Idlewild Park and SoakZone also are featuring new additions to their parks.

Here's a look at some of them:

Kennywood

There's a new way to cool off at Kennywood Park this summer.

The U-Do-It Slush Factory at the entrance of Lost Kennywood lets guest make their own slushy from eight different flavors -- blue raspberry, banana, strawberry, lemon lime, lemonade, red cherry, pina colada and orange.

Prices range from $4 to $9. All refills are $3.

Other new attractions include BreakOut, an interactive laser experience for young "secret agents in training."

The new game is located in Kiddieland.

Visitors also can enjoy performances such as the Scheer Lumberjack Show located by the Kennywood Lagoon, and entertainer Jason Pipatone at the Kennywood stage.

Sandcastle

Kennywood's Kenny Kangaroo and Idlewild's Ricky Raccoon will have a new companion.

Sandcastle Waterpark will unveil its mascot this season. Park visitors had a hand on choosing the new mascot through an online contest.

They had a chance to choose from Tiki Niki, Sir Salamander, Dunkin Dragon, Captain Crab, and Sandy the Seagull.

But those who want to know who the winner is will have to wait until the revelation on opening day, June 7.

Idlewild Park and SoakZone

Summer fun at Idlewild Park and SoakZone begins on May 22, and park visitors just might catch a glimpse of Bigfoot. Bigfoot's Mudslide is a new slide in Jumpin' Jungle. Riders can choose from three 90-foot fiberglass chutes with dips and humps, which they will slide on with mats.

Adults and children more than 32 inches tall can enjoy the slide. Parents with smaller children can slide with them.