Funtown Splashtown USA History
Violet Cormier and her husband, Ken Cormier, built Funtown Splashtown USA from the ground up.
It started as a drive-in food stand called Marvel Drive-In in 1960 on U.S. Route 1 in Saco, Maine. It is now home to the park with 50 rides, water slides, pools, and various games and food. Ken Cormier passed away in 2013, but Violet Cormier continues to be a very active part of Funtown Splashtown, USA. Even at 87, Violet Cormier shows no signs of slowing down. Her motto is ‘Treat every day like it’s a party.
Our story begins… (BEING UPDATED)..
Kenneth and Violet Cormier opened the Marvel Drive-In on U.S. Route 1 in Saco, Maine. The Cormier’s opened this drive-in restaurant next to Kenneth’s brother-in-law, Andre Dallaire’s, mini-golf course that opened in 1959. Cormier added batting cages as well as an archery range behind the Marvel Drive In. Over the course of the next few years, Cormier and Dallaire added several kiddie and carnival-style rides. This included the SkySlides, Swinging Gyms, as well as a gift shop. Cormier and Dallaire formed a partnership. This is when Funtown USA was born. During this year Funtown USA added a “Zipper”, outdoor bumper cars, Merry-Go-Round, and the “Luv Machine” (Bayun Kurve). The bumper cars were replaced by the bumper car building. If you take a look at the area around the bumper cars you can still see the original concrete pad for the outdoor bumper cars. The “Luv Machine” was only at the park for a limited time, this was located where the Red Baron Planes are now. Funtown USA unveiled its first themed attraction with the Astrosphere, a Scrambler darkride. The Tilt-A-Whirl was also added to the lineup of rides this same year. After legal battles about protesting the new addition, the Galaxi Coaster was brought to Funtown. At this time it was the only roller coaster in the whole state. Antique Cars was added to the park’s lineup, and for the first time at Funtown bracelets were sold to guests for unlimited riding. Funtown opened the Tempest in the Tea Cups. Also added the same year was New England’s longest and tallest Log Flume ride, the Thunder Falls, a title this attraction still holds today. During the late 1980’s, Funtown added many thrill rides, including the Flying Trapeze (YoYo), Sea Dragon, Casino, and the Thunderbolt. Funtown underwent a major expansion adding 6 new attractions. This included the Grand Prix Racers, Adult Bumper Boats, Kiddie Bumper Boats, Barney Oldfield Roadsters, Balloon Race, and the Classic Carousel. Cormier bought Cascade Water and Amusement Park, the park was then renamed Funtown Splashtown USA. Funtown Splashtown USA announced the largest ever expansion with the arrival of the Excalibur. This was the first wooden coaster in Maine in over 50 years. Excalibur is the tallest and longest wooden roller coaster in Northern New England. This coaster was highly praised and had rave reviews. Excalibur was rated #10 in the world for wooden roller coasters by the Amusement Business Magazine. The following year, three of the six water slides in Splashtown USA were replaced and a large kiddie play area was added to the park. The park brought in live entertainment when the Picadilly Corner Stage opened. Following the 2000 season, the park announced that it would be closing the Hydrofighter, Ferris Wheel, and Noah Zark Play Area to make way for the 220-foot tall Dragon’s Descent, a turbo drop ride. The Frog Hopper, a kiddie version of the Dragon’s Descent was also added. Splashtown USA underwent a major expansion that doubled the size of the water park with the addition of the Portland Pirates Paradise, an AquaPlay interactive water park attraction. It was the largest of its kind in New England. Also that same year the Horizons Tiki Bar and Gift Shop, the Silver Dolphin Jewelry Shop, and Drago’s- a new food stand in the Mandarin Village was added. Splashtown USA doubled in size. The park also opened the Mammoth and Tornado water slides. The Tornado is exclusive to our park in Northern New England! The Galaxi Coaster, a mainstay at the park for 30 years, was replaced with the Wild Mouse. This new coaster is the largest family-steel coaster in Maine. Splashtown USA was expanded, adding the Mount Olympus Water Slides, additional lounging and seating, three new dining and food locations; Parthenon Cafe, BBQ pit, and fresh-squeezed lemonade and snow cone cart. On the Funtown USA side, a new. In 2012, the park undertook its largest expansion and renovation project ever. Splashtown USA was expanded, adding the Mount Olympus Water Slides, additional lounging and seating, three new dining and food locations; Parthenon Cafe, BBQ Pit, and Fresh-squeezed lemonade and snow cone cart. On the Funtown USA side, a new Hungry Bear and BBQ Pit restaurants were added, the Sweet Tooth Candy Shoppe opened. The park also relocated the Group Picnic areas, and some of the games. New restrooms were also opened Funtown USA celebrated its 50th season! Returning to the park for this historic season is one of the park’s original rides, the Merry-Go-Round. This classic is located adjacent to the Heritage House of Gifts, not far from its original home.
