How’s this for immersive? Elitch Gardens is debuting the Pine Box Challenge this fall, in which five souls will try to stay sane while inside the theme park’s custom-made coffins for 24 hours.
Those who endure the full 24 hours of claustrophobic confinement and games will receive “a coffin full of treats,” said Cindy Hann, Elitch Gardens’ director of marketing and sales. That includes two Elitch Gardens 2025 Season Passes, a pair of Premium Dining Plans, two 2024 Fright Fest X-Scream passes, and “eternal bragging rights.”
The catch is that you have to compete to even get into one of the eternal-rest containers. Interested participants need to submit a short essay explaining “why they are dying to be chosen as a coffin dweller,” according to Elitch’s website.
“The challenge will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, and end at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 6. Creepy-crawly bugs, coaster rides in the dark and solo walks through the haunted attractions are just a few of the terrifying challenges that await,” it reads.
Yes — participants will be allowed to step out of the coffins for bathroom breaks, water and food (which will be provided) and optional challenges, and they’ll be moved inside if the weather turns frightful. Other than that, they can’t get out.
“We already have people signing up,” Hann said, noting that the deadline to apply at elitchgardens.com/entertainment/pinebox is Friday, Sept. 27. Winners will be chosen on Monday and notified shortly thereafter, she said.
The coffins will sit on a stage that’s visible to all park attendees as part of the Fright Fest show with Circus Foundry, Hann said. For better or hearse, participants can at times exit the coffins to compete in the yet-to-be-announced challenges, with individual winners getting extra breaks, phone time (phones are banned in the coffins) and other “prizes.”
Coffins are still being built but won’t be completely sealed, according to Hann, as they’ll likely have a half-door exposing participants from the waist up. Sleeping bags and other comfort items are allowed.
“Not having your phone… I don’t know how people are going to survive that,” Hann said with a laugh.
The challenge is part of Fright Fest, which starts Saturday, Sept. 28, and runs for six weekends through Nov. 3, with Halloween-themed entertainment, park officials said.
Applications are now open at elitchgardens.com/entertainment/pinebox. Good luck?