Funplex expansion brings boardwalk to Mt. Laurel

• Boardwalk at Funplex includes new Indoor Air Short ride, tilt-a-whirl, electric go-kart track and more
• Concession stand offers many boardwalk favorites including shakes, fries and funnel cakes.

MOUNT LAUREL - You don't need to wait until next summer to hit the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore.

The 16,000-square-foot expansion at Funplex features boardwalk favorites, such as the Indoor Air Shot ride, Tilt-A-Whirl and Electric Go-Kart Track.The facility,  on Route 38, hosted a grand opening Friday of its new expansion, where visitors can enjoy boardwalk fun all day and all night.

Amanda Lahn, spokesman for the Lahn family, owners and operators of the Funplex, said she is thrilled to be able to give guests a true Jersey Shore experience.

"People love the Jersey Shore and we wanted to capture all of the thrills, tastes, rides and games that people have come to love about it. Everywhere you turn, there are the sights and sounds of the boardwalk we've grown up with."

Construction on the boardwalk expansion began last September. Lahn noted the snowy winter of 2014 pushed the opening date back. "We were able to open the building for the summer, but it didn't even have carpet. We got it as ready as we could and then in the fall we finished work on it."

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For the past 17 years, the Funplex has boasted a 25-acre indoor/outdoor family entertainment center, hosting 500,000 guests annually. Attractions have already become a staple in family-friendly fun, including the Foam Frenzy, XD Theatre, Lazer Runner Arena, FunCoaster, Splashin' Speedway and a state-of-the-art arcade.

Lahn said her father was inspired to make the Mount Laurel center year-round and have full-size amusement rides inside. "He liked the idea of being able to go to the boardwalk any time of the year," Lahn said.

Visitors at the grand opening had positive reactions to seeing some of their favorite boardwalk games and rides.

Greta Brandeu and her husband grew up in Mount Laurel and now live in Ohio. While visiting family over Thanksgiving weekend, they made a quick stop to visit one of their old stomping grounds for fun as kids.

"This place is great," Brandeu said. "We used to come to the Funplex as kids and play games and now we get to bring our kids here to share the same experiences as we did."

One of the highlights of the new Boardwalk at Funplex is the Indoor Air Shot ride. This high-flying adventure ride makes riders feel like they are flying above the entire boardwalk.

You may not get as much hang time on the Tilt-a-Whirl, but it will add some excitement to your visit. The Tilt-a-Whirl consists of seven cars traveling in an undulating path that is calm and peaceful at one moment — and then a spinning, twirling, tilting thrill ride the next.

Looking for some classic Jersey Shore tastes? An all-new concession stand features a tempting menu of boardwalk favorites including shakes, fries, funnel cake, fried Oreos and more.

While the indoor park received a makeover, soon the outdoor park will, too.

The Funplex plans on opening Splashplex, a new outdoor water amusement park, on Memorial Day 2016.

"Right now we have a pool and play structure but we're in the process of creating a much larger pool, along with four 50-foot tower slides and other water attractions," Lahn said.

"With the recent expansion and the expansion in the summer, we plan on bringing in a lot more visitors."

Matt Flowers: (856) 486-2913; mflowers@gannettnj.com