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| Theme | Americana |
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| Website | fun-spot |
Fun Spot America Theme Parks is a group of amusement parks. Since 1979, the group has owned and operated a number of small amusement parks over the years and currently has three locations in Orlando, Florida, Kissimmee, Florida, and Fayetteville, Georgia.
Fun Spot America – Orlando is an amusement park in Orlando, Florida, near Universal Orlando and I-Drive. It has 4 different go-kart tracks and three roller coasters: An E&F Miler Industries family roller coaster named The Sea Serpent, a GCI wooden roller coaster named White Lightning, and a Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster named Freedom Flyer.
Fun Spot America Theme Parks began in 1979 under the name Fun N Wheels near the I-Drive tourist corridor in Orlando, Florida. This 3-acre park near Wet 'n Wild Orlando, with no frontage on the main roads, had an arcade, three go-kart tracks, a miniature golf course, bumper cars, bumper boats, Raging Riptide (a 40 foot high water slide), and a 55-foot Ferris wheel. This park became the world's first themed action park, premiering new types of rides such as the riptide slide manufactured by New Wave Rides.
Fun Spot moved back to Orlando in 1997 and opened as Fun Spot Action Park (later named Fun Spot America – Orlando) near the original Fun N Wheels location on I-Drive. The $4 million, 4.7-acre (1.9 ha) park opened on December 24 featuring their signature, patented design of multi-level go-kart tracks, featuring three levels. The park also included a 102-foot-tall (31 m) Ferris wheel and a two-story video arcade among other attractions. [1] [2] [3]
In 2010, Fun Spot purchased an additional 10 acres of vacant land next to their Orlando location. 2011 was spent researching nearly 30 parks and 50 roller coasters across the country planning a major expansion of the park. Late in 2011, they met with three professional roller coaster salesmen. Ground was broken in 2012 for the expansion that tripled the size of Fun Spot Action Park, turning it into Fun Spot America - Orlando. $25 million was spent on two new roller coasters, the world's second tallest Skycoaster (second only to their Kissimmee location), and numerous other attractions. The two coasters are the wooden out and back roller coaster White Lightning and the Suspended Family Coaster Freedom Flyer. The skycoaster came from MGM Grand Adventures in Las Vegas, where it had been disassembled in storage for 8 years. It is now the centerpiece of the park. Additional improvements include three new thrill rides, a new multi-level go-kart track, a new food court, a new ticket booth, additional parking, and rest rooms. A grand re-opening was held on June 8, 2013, celebrating the tripling of size of the park, as well as its 15th anniversary. [2] [4] [5]
Fun Spot, in collaboration with Gatorland, opened Gator Spot at the Orlando park on May 11, 2015. The $1 million attraction allows Gatorland to extend their brand to the I-Drive tourist area, with visitors able to hold, take photos with, and feed alligators. The star of the attraction is a leucistic alligator named Bouya, a white gator with blue eyes. [6]
| Name | Manufacturer | Model name | Opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom Flyer | Vekoma | 395m Suspended Family Coaster | 2013 | |
| Sea Serpent | E&F Miler Industries | Family Coasters / Oval | 2013 | Purchased from Playland's Castaway Cove [7] |
| White Lightning | Great Coasters International | Custom Out and back wooden roller coaster | 2013 | Only wooden roller coaster in Orlando, Florida |
| Name | Description | Color | Opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conquest | Multi-level double corkscrew Florida Ski Jump figure 8 track | Blue | 1998 | |
| Commander | Road Course Style multi-level track | Green | 1998 | Extensively reconfigured in 2013 |
| Quad Helix | Multi-level quad corkscrew track | Yellow | 1998 | |
| Thrasher | Single rider, flat ‘road course’ sprint track | Red | 1998 | |
| Name | Manufacturer | Model name | Opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | Schwarzkopf | Enterprise | 2013 | Purchased from Six Flags Over Georgia where it was called Wheelie [8] |
| Rip Curl | Wisdom Rides, Inc. | Himalaya (ride) | 2013 | Brand new with a taller than normal ride base [8] |
| Skycoaster | F3 Amusements, Inc. | Skycoaster | 2013 | Purchased from MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park [9] |
| Hot Seat | S&S - Sansei Technologies | Screamin' Swing | ||
| Headrush 360 | SBF Visa Group | Midi Dance Party 360 | 2016 | |
| Sky Hawk | ARM Rides | Sky Hawk | 2021 | The first of its kind, opening in May 2021. [10] [11] |
| Name | Manufacturer | Model name | Opened | Closed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Race | Zamperla | Air Race | 2014 | ||
Fun Spot America – Kissimmee is located in Kissimmee, Florida, adjacent to the Old Town entertainment and shopping complex. The park is designed as a circular walkway around the lagoon featuring the world's tallest skycoaster, the entrance of which is on the west side of the lagoon. The south end of loop features the signature multi-level go-kart tracks, the east side the flat slick tracks. In the north east side of the loop is the Arcade and Kiddie Area and the Rockstar Coaster is at the north end of the loop.
In 1988 a second Fun N Wheels location was opened in Kissimmee next to the regional mall. Both locations were sold in 1988 to Pleasurama USA, who also owned Hard Rock Café at the time, with the expectation of expanding the concept to malls region wide. This however did not occur. [1] [12] [2] [13] [14]
In 2004, Fun Spot purchased the site of the world's tallest Skycoaster located in Kissimmee, adjacent to the Old Town entertainment and shopping complex. The site was purchased from Bill Kitchen, the inventor of the Skycoaster and owner of Skyventure. The site also included a recently opened G-Force dragster ride. Fun Spot developed the 9 acres around the skycoaster into another amusement park call Fun Spot USA in 2007 (now Fun Spot America - Kissimmee). They added 2 multi-level go-kart tracks, family/thrill rides and an arcade. Summer of 2011 saw the arrival of Fun Spot's first major roller coaster, the Power Trip Coaster at the Kissimmee park (now Rockstar Coaster). The Wild Mouse roller coaster, manufactured by Zamperla, was relocated from Cypress Gardens, where it was known as Galaxy Spin, when Cypress Gardens closed and became Legoland Florida. [1] [2] [15] [16] [17] [18]
| Name | Manufacturer | Model name | Opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Serpent | E&F Miler Industries | Family Coasters / 11.5 ft Single Helix Center - CCW | 2012 | Purchased from Enchanted Forest Amusement Park in Illinois, where it was known as Boa Squeeze [19] |
| Galaxy Spin | Zamperla | Wild Mouse roller coaster | 2011 | Purchased from Legoland Florida, where it was known as Galaxy Spin when Legoland was Cypress Gardens [20] |
| Mine Blower | The Gravity Group | Wooden roller coaster | 2017 | This roller coaster is 82 feet tall, reaching 48.5 mph and features a 360-degree barrel roll inversion. It is the first inverting wooden roller coaster in Southeast America. It is also only one of 3 wooden coasters in operation in the state of Florida, with the other two being Coastersaurus at Legoland Florida, and White Lightning at Fun Spot Orlando. |
| Hurricane | E&F Miler Industries | Steel roller coaster | 2019 | Hurricane is 52 feet (16 m) tall and 1,300 feet (400 m) long. [21] It was formerly known as Jack Rabbit at Celebration City (2003–2008) [22] and Viking Voyage at Wild Adventures (2010–2018). [23] |
| Name | Description | Color | Opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex | 4 stories (40-ft high) Helix track with 32 degree banks | Yellow | 2007 | |
| Chaos | Multi-level track | Blue | 2007 | |
| Road Course | Hairpin Turn Track | Green | Removed in 2016 and replaced with MineBlower | |
| Slick Track | Fastest slickest track | Red | Removed in 2016 and replaced with MineBlower | |
| Name | Manufacturer | Model name | Opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skycoaster | F3 Amusements, Inc. | Skycoaster | 1997 | World's tallest |
| Headrush 360 | SBF Visa Group | 2016 | ||
| Hot Seat | S&S – Sansei Technologies | Screamin' Swing | <2011 | |
| Flying Bobs | Chance Rides | Matterhorn | ||
| Yo-Yo | Chance Rides | |||
Fun Spot America – Atlanta is located on Highway 85 in Fayetteville, Georgia.
In 2017, Fun Spot America purchased an existing Fun Junction USA park outside of Atlanta in Fayetteville, Georgia. [24]
In early 2021, FunSpot teased photos for an upcoming roller coaster coming to the chain's FunSpot Atlanta location. The project was formally unveiled on November 16, 2021, at the annual IAAPA Orlando Expo. Named ArieForce One, FunSpot partnered with Idaho based manufacturer Rocky Mountain Construction to construct a ground-up I-Box layout for the park. ArieForce One is opened in 2023.
| Name | Manufacturer | Model name | Opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiddie Coaster | E&F Miler Industries | Family Coaster / 11.5 ft Single Helix Center - CCW | 2019 | [25] |
| Hurricane Coaster | E&F Miler Industries | Hi-Miler/38 ft | 2007 | [26] |
| ArieForce One | Rocky Mountain Construction | IBox Track / Custom | 2023 | [27] [28] |
| Name | Description | Color | Opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samson | Height Requirement: Over 40 feet tall, 3 helixes and 3 exhilarating drops. Length = over 1,800 feet long [29] | 2018 | ||
| Sprint Track | 2018 | |||
| Road Course | 2018 | |||
| Junior Track | 2018 | |||
| Name | Manufacturer | Model name | Opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrambler | Eli Bridge Company | Scrambler | ||
| Riptide | Bertazzon | Matterhorn | 2018 | Operated at Playland's Castaway Cove from 1998 to 2016 |
| Paratrooper | Frank Hrubetz & Company | Paratrooper | 2018 | |
| Screamin' Swing | S&S - Sansei Technologies | Screamin' Swing | ||
| Spider | Schwarzkopf | Octopus | ||
| Drop Zone | Moser's rides | Drop Tower | ||
| Screaming Eagles | Larson International | Flying Scooters | 2022 |
Fun Spot was awarded the 2012 Brass Ring for "Top Family Entertainment Center (FEC) - North America" by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). [30] [31]
A wooden roller coaster is a type of roller coaster classified by its wooden track, which consists of running rails made of flat steel strips mounted on laminated wood. The support structure is also typically made of wood, but may also be made of steel lattice or truss, which has no bearing on a wooden coaster's classification. The type of wood often selected in the construction of wooden coasters worldwide is southern yellow pine, which grows abundantly in the southern United States, due to its density and adherence to different forms of pressure treatment.
Great Coasters International, Inc. is a Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based roller coaster manufacturer which has created several award-winning rides since its formation in 1994. Starting in 2006 with Thunderbird at PowerPark in Finland, the company expanded beyond the United States and began building coasters in Europe and Asia. Günter Engelhardt GmbH handles the company's marketing rights in Europe. In addition to designing and building new roller coasters, GCI also refurbishes and re-tracks existing roller coasters, regardless of manufacturer.
Kumba is a steel roller coaster located at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida. Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, the ride opened in 1993. It stands 143 feet (44 m) tall and has a top speed of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). Kumba features a total of seven inversions across the 3-minute ride.
Skycoaster is an amusement park ride produced and managed by Skycoaster Company, LLC.. On the Skycoaster, riders in groups of 1 to 3 are harnessed in specialized Flight Suits, winched to the top of a launch tower, pull the ripcord to engage flight, swing from a cable tether back and forth until brought to a rest. The attraction is often compared to a combination of skydiving, bungee jumping, and hang gliding.
Kraken is a steel roller coaster located at SeaWorld Orlando in Florida, United States. Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, the ride opened as the second longest floorless coaster in the world on June 1, 2000, with a track length measuring 4,177 feet (1,273 m). It features a total of seven inversions and reaches a maximum speed of 65 mph (105 km/h). The coaster was named after a fictional sea monster of the same name. In late 2016, Kraken underwent a refurbishment and reopened as Kraken Unleashed in June 2017. A virtual reality experience was added to the ride, but due to technical difficulties and extensive wait times, the feature was permanently removed the following year.
Antonio Zamperla S.p.A. is an Italian design and manufacturing company founded in 1966. It is best known for creating family rides, thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin-operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls.
Chance Rides Manufacturing is a roller coaster and amusement ride manufacturer. The company was formed on May 16, 2002, when the former Chance Industries Inc. emerged from bankruptcy. The main office and manufacturing facility are located in Wichita, Kansas.
Reverchon Industries is a developer, designer and manufacturer of amusement park attractions that were sold all over the world. Its production unit is still set in the French city of Samois-sur-Seine, near Fontainebleau.
This is a list of events and openings related to amusement parks that occurred in 2011. These various lists are not exhaustive.
Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC), is a manufacturing and construction company based in Hayden, Idaho, United States. The company is best known for its I-Box track and Topper Track for wooden roller coasters. Established in 2001, the company was founded by Fred Grubb and Suanne Dedmon. The company has built over 20 roller coasters. In 2023, amusement ride manufacturer Larson International merged with Rocky Mountain Construction.
This is a list of events and openings related to amusement parks that occurred in 2013. These various lists are not exhaustive.
E&F Miler Industries is a family-owned roller coaster manufacturing firm based in Portland, Oregon, United States. The company specialises in smaller children's roller coasters; however, it has manufactured some larger family roller coasters in the past.
White Lightning is a wooden roller coaster located at Fun Spot America amusement park in Orlando, Florida. Manufactured by Great Coasters International (GCI), White Lightning opened to the public on June 8, 2013, as the first wooden coaster to be built in Orlando. Unlike traditional wood designs, the support structure is made of steel to reduce maintenance costs, and it was the first time GCI incorporated the design into one of their coasters. White Lightning has also been well-received, consistently ranking in the top 50 among wooden roller coasters in the annual Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today.
ARTHUR is an inverted-spinning dark ride roller coaster at Europa-Park in Rust, Germany. The attraction opened in spring 2014 as part of the wider "ARTHUR - In the Minimoys Kingdom" area themed after the Arthur series of books and films by Luc Besson.
Polercoaster was a type of amusement ride offered by US Thrill Rides and Intamin. An installation consists of a large tower structure which features glass elevators to an observation deck, as well as a steel roller coaster wrapping around the tower. The model was first introduced in 2012, and in 2013, four were proposed for construction. However, none have been constructed as of 2023.
Freedom Flyer is a Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster at the Fun Spot America Amusement Park in Orlando, Florida. It has yellow track and blue supports. Opened in May 2013, it is 1,295 feet (395 m) long.
Mine Blower is a hybrid wooden roller coaster located at Fun Spot America Kissimmee, in Kissimmee, Florida. Manufactured by The Gravity Group, the compact roller coaster is one of only three wooden roller coasters in Florida, the others being White Lightning at Fun Spot America Orlando and Coastersaurus at Legoland Florida. Features of the ride include a zero-gravity roll above the station area, as well as a 115° overbanked turn.
Skyline Attractions, LLC is an American amusement ride and roller coaster design and manufacturing company founded in 2014 and based in Orlando, Florida. The company also includes a subsidiary company, Skyline Design, LLC, which offers design services inside and outside the amusement industry.
ArieForce One is a steel roller coaster at Fun Spot America Atlanta in Fayetteville, Georgia. The project was first announced by representatives of the Fun Spot America chain in May 2021, and the coaster was formally unveiled at the IAAPA Orlando Expo on November 16, 2021. At an accumulated cost of $18 million, ArieForce One represents the single largest investment on any ride in Fun Spot America's history. ArieForce One officially opened to the public on March 31, 2023.
