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Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
Gunfights and more are back on the agenda
Ghost town reopens
at Ghost Town In The Sky
Wild West returns to Carolina
After being closed for five years, Ghost Town In The Sky, one of the first family
theme parks in North Carolina, celebrated its re-opening May 25.
Located in the town of Maggie Valley, the family destination takes visitors back
to the Wild West and still features many of the park’s original rides and
attractions, including the famous mile-high rollercoaster, and western exterior.
Renovations include new rides, including a chair lift and restored incline railway,
additional restaurants/concessions, special performance areas and historical
and heritage-themed displays.
“We are very excited about the re-opening of Ghost Town,” says Scotty Ghost Town’s most legendary ride, the mile-high rollercoaster originally
Medford Ellis, executive director of the Haywood County Tourism Development called Red Devil, has undergone safety renovations. It’s also got a new
Authority. “With its new ownership and additions, we know it will continue to be name, Cliff Hanger, and now sports a corn yellow track, chilli red cars and
a vital part of our community.” a navy blue terminal. The ride travels over the side of Buck Mountain at
Designed by RB Coburn, Ghost Town In The Sky was originally opened in speeds of up to 56 mph.
May of 1961. The park operated for 41 years before closing in 2002. The 99- A new addition is the Drop Tower ride, located at the top of the park.
acre theme park was later purchased by Allen and Carol Harper, Peter Hairston Ghost Town’s swings, meanwhile, give riders the sense they are swinging off
and Hank Woodburn, operating as Ghost Town Partners LLC, and underwent a the edge of the mountain. “Every aspect of the park is designed to
$4 million renovation to prepare for this May’s re-opening. showcase the mountain and offer a thrill unlike any other,” notes King.
Visitors must travel on an incline at angles of up to 77 degrees, or they can A single area hosts the children’s rides, while Heritage Town Square
use the chair lift, to get to the park. “The trip to get there is one of the most features mining exhibits, as well as a new museum showcasing the park
unique aspects of Ghost Town,” says David King, sales and marketing manager. through the years. Entertainment including the live shows, gunfights, can-
“After the thrill of the incline, the views of the Great Smoky Mountains and can dancers and Indians are also part of the Ghost Town experience.
Maggie Valley are beautiful and create a really unique atmosphere for a theme Long-term development plans include possible additions of a waterpark,
park.” retail outlets, condominiums and homes.
Giant Swing, Giant Theme
5D - THE NEXT GENERATION
Explore 5D of Austria and KumbaK Coasters from the Netherlands have
Set inside a giant barn, Silver Dollar City’s new Giant Swing is a fully- revealed that a second new generation motion simulator will open in
themed attraction fitting in with the Branson, Missouri, park’s 1880s 2008, with a third planned for 2009.
era setting. The ride was supplied by S&S Power.. Using a motion system from Bosch-Rexroth, Flyboard 5D treats
To complete the image, a traditional barn-top rooster weathervane passengers to a thrilling experience of simulated flight. Guests, who
was required. “We approached our coppersmith Rex Morton about remain standing throughout the experience, feel as though they are flying
making a huge rooster weathervane entirely out of copper,” says the while being subjected to roll angles of plus and minus 15 degrees, and
park’s creative director Genesis Estes, “and he created this incredible pitch angles of up to 36 degrees.
10-foot tall original work of art.” The first system debuted last summer at the Blue Dome, a visitor centre
The rooster body and feathers were completely hand-hammered, and in Salzburg, Austria. The two new projects, the first of which will open
then heat treatment produced a multi-coloured sheen on the feathers. May 2008, have been developed for the amusement sector and have a
Inside the rooster has a copper time capsule box containing a 2007 larger platform to provide capacity of more than 600 people an hour.
silver dollar, a scripture verse and a letter from Silver Dollar City’s The new system also includes 4D effects both on and off the platform.
general manager. Explore 5D’s innovative approach towards the film content combines live
It’s thought the finished product, which weighs 300 pounds, may be footage with animation and has enabled high-end custom designed films
the largest rooster weathervane in the world. to be produced at affordable prices.
The Giant Swing is set inside a barn
Flyboard 5D in action
12 JUNE 2007
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