The Old West-style Ghost Town in the Sky theme park has selected Storyland Studios as the experience design firm to redesign the mountaintop theme park and prepare it for re-opening.
Storyland Studios specializes in theme park master planning, location development strategy and feasibility, concept design, architecture and integrated marketing. Among its latest endeavours are theme park and attractions design for leading video game publisher Ubisoft, as well as design and master-planning for the upcoming Storyville Gardens theme park in Nashville, Tennessee.
“We selected Storyland Studios because of their experience on theme parks and location-based entertainment around the world. They have a team that can help us get our brand story right, redesign the park and help us bring it to life and make it successful,” said Ghost Town Managing Member Frankie Wood.
“We want to bring back everything people remembered and loved about Ghost Town,” said Matt Ferguson, Chief Innovation Officer at Storyland Studios. “We still plan to have the Old West town. We expect to have stunt showdowns, can-can shows, music and entertainment. But we also plan to update the attractions to compete with the best storytelling experiences in the world and have stronger connections with the park’s location in the Great Smoky Mountains.”
Early theme park plans call for on-property lodging, including a mountain lodge, boutique hotel and spa, and cabins and cottages.
A Brief History of Ghost Town in the Sky
Ghost Town in the Sky opened in 1961 at the height of Western film and TV’s popularity. The park is situated atop Buck Mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains — Maggie Valley, North Carolina. It has been shuttered since 2012.
In addition to an authentic-looking Old West main street, Ghost Town in the Sky boasted an iron roller coaster on the side of the mountain, as well as a selection of rides and attractions.
Staying True to the Original Experience
As Ghost Town’s existing buildings are rehabbed, the team plans to use 3D renderings to guide their work, ensuring that the refreshed main street looks almost identical to the original construction. The new structures will be fully ADA-compliant and will adhere to the most up-to-date guidelines.
The revamped Ghost Town in the Sky will feature boutiques and shops on the ground floor of the main street’s buildings, in addition to possible dining or retail. A variety of lodging including hotels and cabins are planned for the property.
