Funtown Splashtown has announce its newest ride, the Whispering Pines Haunted Hotel, has been named one of the Top 10 Best New Theme Park Attractions in the United States.
Opening last August, it has earned sixth place overall in the 2023 USA Today’s 10Best Reader Choice Travel Awards.
“We wanted to bring something entirely new to the park, and our town’s previous Haunted Mansion attraction gave us the perfect inspiration,” said William Cormier, owner/senior vice president at Funtown Splashtown USA.
“Together with the creative team from Sally Dark Rides, we developed a completely new story, making it a one-of-a-kind ride only found here at Funtown. It’s been a bit. Families love riding together and the interactivity seems to bring out the competitive spirit in everyone. Guests almost always get back in line and ride it again. We are thrilled and honoured that guests, fans, and USA Today’s readers clearly love our new ride as much as we do.”
Meanwhile, Drew Hunter, vice president creative design, Sally Dark Rides, commented: “For more than 45 years Sally Dark Rides has been tasked to develop completely original dark rides that appeal to all ages.
“When the team at Funtown Splashtown USA invited us to create a haunted hotel for their park, we jumped at the chance to make it completely unique. We loved the opportunity to weave a tale about a wicked witch, her pair of enchanted pets, and a curse that needed park guests to eradicate it. Funtown is a special park, and together, we created a truly special, frighteningly fun ride. We celebrate the incredible recognition with them.”
Originally opened as a drive-in food stand in 1960, Funtown Splashtown USA has grown exponentially, going with a flow which lives up to the park’s unofficial motto: “Treat each day like it’s a party.”
According to the ride’s storyline, a witch put a spell on the Whispering Pines Hotel. When guests board one of the four-passenger ride vehicles, they hold an interactive “curse eradicator” to help end the witch’s curse. The ride features 14 different rooms, with one room even featuring the carpet pattern from the movie, “The Shining” and its famously creepy Overlook Hotel.
While the ride has a scary tone and theme, it complements Funtown’s family-focus, and appeals to guests of all ages.
