Local fun lovers like us got super pumped when we saw the news that beloved theme park Ghost Town in the Sky may finally be reopening soon , thanks to new development partners. The Wild West-themed amusement park in Maggie Valley (about half an hour west of town in Haywood County) opened in 1961 and enjoyed great popularity in the ’70s and ’80s before shutting its doors in 2002. While there have been numerous efforts over the years to renovate + reopen it, they’ve all fallen through the cracks until now.
Here’s what we know so far about its possible return:
- The property has new investors and has been transferred to new ownership, who are still anonymous.
- The new managers plan to preserve the theme park’s nostalgic elements — such as the can-can dancers + gunslingers — as well as bring in modern amenities, including contemporary rides, attractions, retail stores, and hotels at the base and top of the mountain. We only hope they keep the Red Devil Cliffhanger roller coaster.
- So far, the plans include infrastructure additions, like affordable housing for Ghost Town employees. Earlier this year, discussions touched on building modular homes in the park’s vicinity.
Question