Laff Trakk

A Hershey Kiss poses with the Laff Trakk logo. Laff Trakk will be the 13th roller coaster at Hersheypark. The ride is scheduled to open May 2015.

(JULIA HATMAKER | jhatmaker@pennlive.com)

Hersheypark has a brand new roller coaster on the way.

Laff Trakk, an indoor spinning glow-coaster, will be opening in May 2015, Hersheypark officials announced at a press conference on Aug. 12.

An estimated $14 million project, Laff Trakk will be the 13th roller coaster at Hersheypark.

The ride draws its inspiration from Hersheypark and amusement park history.

"Laff Trakk is a 21st century twist on an American fun house," said Kevin Stumpf, general manager of attractions and entertainment at Hersheypark, at the press conference.

"Fun Houses are an American amusement park treasure and an important part of the historical fabric at Hersheypark," Stumpf said in a press release. "We are thrilled to bring back some of the timeless elements from these classic attractions and, quite literally, put a new spin on them."

Designed by Raven Sun Creative Company, the coaster will feature sights and sounds of traditional fun houses, including Laffing Sal, a hall of mirrors, house of cards and much more.

Located in the Midway America section of the park, the roller coaster will be for guests that are Hershey Bars (that's 48") and taller, should they wish to go unaccompanied.

Despite its spinning nature, the ride won't be a dizzying tea cup, according Steve Boney, president of the North American branch of Maurer Sohne, the company that will be making Laff Trakk. "This is more of a soaring ride," he said.

It should offer a different experience with every ride too.

"This ride is not controlled," Boney said. "If you have heavier guests on one side and lighter on the other, it's going to change the experience."

For roller coaster afficiandos, Laff Trakk is a Maurer Sohne Spinning Coaster 2000 model, featuring a 1,400 feet long steel track, high-banked curves (with a maximum of 85 degrees), camelback air time hills and curves and 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" according to Hersheypark officials).

The ride will last 70 seconds, with an estimated 850 riders per hour.