Laff Trakk, the 13th roller coaster at Hersheypark, isa family friendly house of laughs that spins riders through an eye-popping adventure of sights and sounds complete with glimpses of colorful characters including classics like Laffing Sal plus an engaging hall of mirrors, house of cards, and more. Laff Trakk, a 21st century fun house, offers a new experience with every trip as riders enjoy the sensation of floating along the coaster track.
“Fun Houses are an American amusement park treasure and an important part of the historical fabric at Hersheypark,” said Kevin Stumpf, General Manager Attractions & Entertainment. “We are thrilled to bring back some of the timeless elements from these classic attractions and, quite literally, put a new spin on them.”
Part dark ride, part family coaster, Laff Trakk delivers a different sensory experience with each trip on the innovative attraction. “The number and size of riders affects the rotation of the cars giving riders a different view of the bright, colorful elements and playful surroundings providing endless amounts of fun on Laff Trakk,” continued Stumpf.
As riders enter the queue line, the experience begins with a glimpse of the whimsy awaiting them. The roller coaster delivers larger than life experiences in an elaborately themed environment. The new attraction is located within a 130’ long x 75’ high red, white and blue building along Midway Americabetween the Whip and Midway Tent.
Hersheypark worked with the award-winning team at Raven Sun Creative, a New York-based immersive entertainment design group that has worked with internationally known brands, to bring the Park’s rich history to today’s guests.
“Our team took inspiration from researching iconic Hersheypark Fun Houses,” said Louis Alfieri, Principal and Chief Creative Officer, Raven Sun. “We looked at archival images of ‘WHOOPS,’ ‘Laugh Land’ and ‘Laffing Sal’ with the goal of re-creating the nostalgic Fun Houses of yesteryear with the latest in technology in Laff Trakk.”
Maurer Söhne, a German company, manufactured the coaster that features a four-seat ride vehicle with two seats in two rows, back-to-back. The design of the coaster car allows for a 360-degree free spinning rotation. Reaching a maximum speed of approximately 40 miles per hour, Laff Trakk takes its riders to the top of a 50-foot lift hill and then travels along 1,400 feet of track which includes an Immelman turn (riders enter a half loop and then go through a half twist and curve out in the opposite direction in which they came), multiple high-banked curves (85 degrees maximum), and Camelback air time hills.
With seven ride vehicles each holding four riders, the 70-second ride has a theoretical ride capacity of approximately 850 riders per hour and utilizes a combination of magnetic and pinch braking systems.
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