Fun Spot America Discussion Thread

^ I believe they've spent the last week thoroughly testing the Tilt-A-Whirl to determine whether to go with hard or soft wheels. And they've tried to run White Lightning, but its main problem right now is that it's not finished.

Accurate.

I'm also totally curious about the Screamin' Swing, as someone mentioned a few pages back. It's not on the map, but I could have sworn there were pieces of one on-site before they broke ground. I think the Screamin' Swing will really add to the park, if installed. Personally, they're one of my favorite flat rides.

This expansion has got to be one of my favorites this season. White Lightning looks like a great change of pace from the other coasters in the area. Also the green skycoaster arch definitely makes a statement from Universal Blvd.

^^The Screamin Swing has been on property in pieces for years now. From what I heard, they were trying to get a piece from S&S that they needed but was proving harder and more expensive than it should have been so they're just kind of sitting on it for now.

Behind the Thrills had a construction tour with some great up close shots of Freedom Flyer and White Lightning. At 2:14, you can see the trains for Freedom Flyer. They look to be enclosed, so not the same as Kvasten at Gröna Lund. Still looks good though! Can't wait for June 8th!

And for some reason, the video isn't embedding as of now. Could a mod help me out so people to have to make the jump?

At 2:14, you can see the trains for Freedom Flyer. They look to be enclosed, so not the same as Kvasten at Gröna Lund.

To me, they look pretty much the same as Kvasten's and Jimmy Neutron's Atomic Flyer. What do you mean by "enclosed"? But I agree, the ride looks great. I love the lap-bar style trains on this type of coaster.

What is it with Orlando area parks and weird orchestral music for their videos?

The trains look just like the ones on Kvasten, except for being, you know, blue.

Wait, never mind. The video at 2:14 shows the cars sideways. Just noticed it now. Ok, they are exactly like Kvasten, just blue.

We recently got a construction tour of Fun Spot America and their new expansion of the I-Drive property in Orlando, and wow, it has grown leaps and bounds since our last visit! Things are looking well on track for their re-grand opening in early June! Let's take a look at what we saw....

This will soon be the new park entrance, ticket booths, and will also have some party room facilities, etc. Again, this building wasn't much more than a shell the last time we were out at the park!

The Vekoma Freedom Flyer is now track complete and probably not that far off from testing.

Here's a view for the lift hill enthusiasts!

Lots of tire drives...

Oooh! I think I see plastic wrapped trains!

Helix!

I actually got to test out this new Vekoma hanging coaster!

Was cool to see the wheel bogies were at least assembled and on the track!

This certainly isn't something you see every day!

Yay! Lap bar trains!

All plastic wrapped!

It's interesting to compare Freedom Flyer's first drop...

To White Lightning! Both very curvy!

Lots of the woodie structure is now complete, and they've even started tracking in some areas.

A closer look at White Lightning's first drop...

This woodie sure has a lot of wood stacks!

It's cool that Fun Spot chose the much longer layout for their Vekoma Jr. Suspended. The only other model with this layout is at Grona Lund in Sweden!

The Himalaya building going up right next to the GCI woodie.

Yay! Wheelie from Six Flags Over Georgia lives!

Right now this guy is kind of lonely. He wants his friends!

GCI dudes hard at work getting this ride open for early June!

Everything you need to build a GCI woodie is contained in this box.

Yay! Celebrity spotting!

Another look at the new entrance building.

The Skycoaster "pond"

There's the Skycoaster! This is the 250ft model from MGM Grand Adventures. Orlando will now be home to the world's tallest Skycoaster AND the world's second tallest Skycoaster!

Another look at the Himalaya building. I'm told this will be the bigger version of the ride, being much more thrilling. Awesome!

Here you can get a better look at the layout of the Vekoma. See how it's much bigger than the standard version you've seen at other parks?

I spy a Tilt-A-Whirl!

And that's where the tracks currently end!

Still have a bit of work to do, but it's going up very fast!

You can see the footers in place for the rest of the supports.

Taking a look at the Skycoaster loading platform.

And this is what it looks like to stand right UNDER the Skycoaster!

The extension of the Go Kart track is well underway, and this will make this track the largest in the park!

More work being done to the entrance to the Skycoaster building, which will also house a main concessions and quick-service eating facility.

A look at the construction from the Skycoaster loading area.

And work on the inside of the building under the Skycoaster.

While Lightning has a "YOLO" moment on it right now!

Footer POV!

This is where the track jump is going to be...

Kind of an interesting look at the steel frame structure.

You can see that the supports for the woodie and the Go Kart track are going to intertwine!

Yay! The third coaster is on site!

It's a Miler kiddie from Playland at Ocean City, NJ.

Not sure what the final name of the ride is going to be, but they've got the old sign just in case!

The pathways connecting the previous park and the new section is being constructed.

In this area right here is where the Paratrooper and the Scrambler will be re-located.

When their current location is cleared, that will open up the pathway to the new section of the park. (Technically it will open up the pathway to the old section, since you'll now be entering from the new area...)

It's not that often you see a brand spanking NEW Tilt-A-Whirl!

I sorta miss the old-style tubs, but the new ones are really comfy!

From the road, While Lighting really stands out!

Now you can really see the GCI signature first drop here.

And one final look at the construction wraps up this update! We will post more photos again soon!

Great update Robb! The steel structure is certainly interesting! What is the main reason for the steel structure on this one?

Great update, Robb! I can't wait to go check Fun Spot out once the expansion opens. It's looking even better with every update.

Wow this expansion is really going in high gear. The coasters are looking great as is the other ride additions and infrastructure. I haven't been to this park before, only the one next to Old Town. I look forward to paying my first visit here. By the way, did you know that before they created Fun Spot they used to have a smaller funpark called Fun N Wheels? I believe it was located further up I-Drive near the Sand Lake Road intersection.

Super fast progress!

Interesting on the Tilt-A-Whirl...it definitely looks like a different ride without the traditional tubs!

Awesome update, Robb! I can't wait to actually see what this place looks through on a straight walk around the whole place. It's going to be a really nice little park, I think. Incredible how much work can be done in such a short amount of time.

Great update! I really think the blue and yellow are perfect! Also excited for the track jump!

They have most of the turn around built as of right now, I'm probably going to head by there tomorrow or Friday to take a look. Almost done!

There are just so many reasons why this expansion has me so interested! Kvasten at Grona Lund always looked like a fun little ride (though I'd love to have the other rides twisted into it ike they do there) and Wheelie was a great flat from Six Flags Over Georgia. White Lightning really looks great and I enjoy seeing it along the city skyline on my way to work each day (that goes for the awesome looking Skycoaster too).

I've been visiting Fun Spot infrequently over the last decade that it has been around, but I really think I'll be going more often after everything is open. Everything about this project looks fantastic!

Here's another small update with a few new tidbits.

Turn around is being flown

Here's another shot of Joe from Great Coasters. Notice the next bents to go up behind him. The bottom one is the one right after to the 90 degree bank, very close to vertical.

The supports for the station roof are in.

Side scenery for the Rip Curl

Part of the middle panel of the front Rip Curl scenery

Lamp posts, landscaping and fencing (to be painted) along the main path are going in.

Supported roof paver tiles on top of the SkyDiner/SkyCoaster building. There will be a large observation/hang out area up here with a great view of the WL turnaround and the rest of the park.

Entry building paint job is almost done.

Last but not least, a never before seen image of the Freedom Flyer. A 14' tall figure which will be installed on top of the FF mech. building overlooking the park.

The figure in the last picture looks awesome!

I'll add one more that Skycoastin Steve took this morning... GCI's first NINETY DEGREES!!!!

I like the "Art Deco/Legoland" look of the entry building.

Robb posted the iPhone pic I sent him, but I have a few actual camera pics to share with you guys. Turn around is over halfway done!

Cars for Rip Curl are on site and waiting to be assembled.

Seems like we're awfully close to seeing steel strips being laid down on the track. But for now, they've got most of the perimeter fence up.

This is where the perimeter fence ends for now, they've also got some trees planted.

Another beautiful day in central Florida!

Almost at 90 degrees!!

GCI finally gets their own vertical turn, it's about time!

Should be a fun dive coming off the 90 degree turn.

The lack of clearance between White Lightning and the go kart track is insane! That's all for now!

We just reached 90°!

More up-to-date photos are in our Facebook album.

That's awesome! Glad to see the 90 degrees. Thanks for the continuous updates!