Skycoastin Steve Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Robb teased an update on Fun Spot earlier on Facebook, and here you go! White Lightning's tallest support and bent went up today, and I was there to capture it all! It's been pretty amazing watching this all get built from the ground up, especially considering it was still just a big grass field as recently as five months ago. Lots left to be built, but it marks another big milestone for Fun Spot and the expansion! First off, we'll start with Freedom Flyer progress. This is basically all that's left for track construction. The helix was finished in the last few days. Once, just once, I want to send a train flying off a track to see if it really explodes like they do on RCT. Anyway, enough of that Vekoma crap, let's check out the shiny new GCI going up! That's as tall as it's going to get, but as most coaster enthusiasts know, size doesn't always matter! As the lift hill goes up, so does the end of the layout. Now that's some twisty goodness right there. Not quite as terrifying as standing on top of the Skycoaster. The view from the other side. Getting everything tightened down at the top. Prepping another section of supports to be lifted into place. Now we pause to talk about how lovely the weather was today. Hi, Northeast!! Moving around the other side, they've installed safety fence around most of the artificial lake. I think they should train sharks with laser beams attached to their heads to target Brazilian tourists and put them in this lake. Then Fun Spot should have a "free rides for Brazilians" day. Orlando's biggest problem would be solved in one glorious afternoon! The entrance building is also coming along nicely. Down on the very end of the White Lightning layout, they've finished up the footers for the turn around. Here's the launch platform for the Skycoaster. Given my affinity for Skycoasters, you can probably expect a picture of this in every update from now on. Looks like they have also started laying down wood for the go kart track expansion. There's what the extra track will look like. Nice view from the other side of the park. Here's a nice little reminder for those of you who think it's ok to just drive right into a construction site. And now another section of supports has gone up! It seriously blows my mind how quickly they've gotten this all up. Tightening bolts, pretty important step in the construction process. These guys are definitely earning their paychecks. It's a wonder we don't see more steel-supported woodies, it just seems like it makes the process so much easier. Starting the climb to connect everything together. Moving on up...... I feel like the guy in the neon shirt should have screamed "I'M KING OF THE WORLD!!!!!" Another section about to go up. And there it goes! There were a few uneasy moments because of the wind, but it all worked out in the end. We have liftoff! I sure hope the guy driving the crane doesn't have Parkinson's. Almost there....... Closer...... This will be the first bent of the first drop. And there it is. At this point you just hope nothing goes wrong with those straps holding the giant steel contraption above your head. Ok, time to leave and let these guys work. I have a good feeling about this ride! We'll see you again in a few days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double0Kevin Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Awesome stuff! I love the funky support structures for the Vekoma, especially the figure 8 thingy. White Lighting is looking great as well, can't wait to see how these rides turn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrbuzz Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 This thing is going up rather nicely, very nice lifthill shots. I look forward to seeing the overall finished park, should be a blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Clinksalot Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Great update. Is it wrong that I think the flyer looks totally fun!!! Oh and the woodie looks cool too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imawesome1124 Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 These are both looking great so far. Sorry if this has already been answered, but the Vekoma will have lap bars, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Great update. Is it wrong that I think the flyer looks totally fun!!! Oh and the woodie looks cool too. Not at all! We rode this version at Grona Lund, and it was quite fun! And honestly, if it ends up having the new style Vekoma trains, it will be full of WIN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillseeker4552 Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 You know, I don't get why more wood coasters use steel supports. They're stronger, last longer, and faster to assemble. If you still want that classic wood coaster look, paint the supports brown! I don't think anybody has done that before. But wow this looks like a killer GCI! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteornotes Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Thanks for the update. Really looking forward to riding these later this year. dt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu K Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Thanks for the updates guys small woodies can be great fun.Think Blackpool's Roller Coaster and Zipper dipper (blue flyer and Nickelodeon streak). 224 sleep till Orlando for me think this is going to be one of the biggest surprises for 2013. Also has and other park done an extension on this scale? The has more doubled its size. Stu K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gisco Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 This is looking like a must do the next time I'm in Orlando. Time to start planning a trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperShawn Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Looking better and better, and at such a quick pace. Can't wait to check out this expansion in person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markysharky17 Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 This looks very good. I always talk to funspot on Facebook and they told me today that they are painting wheelie from six flags over Georgia. Not sure what colors it eill be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorchomp83 Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Stopped by Fun Spot today after class to get a couple of pics of White Lightning...Looks like they're about halfway done with the first drop now, and have also put up some new bents for the return run right next to the drop. Will try to stop by after class more often for updates! Here are a couple of pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan1127 Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 Great photos! Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skycoastin Steve Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Looks like they should have the first drop just about done by the time I get back over there, which should be Monday. Awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markysharky17 Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 It looks really good. Do you think this will be better then the Voyage? Also what trains will this be useing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jray21 Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Looks like a fun drop! Keep the updates coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy T. Koepp Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 It looks really good. Do you think this will be better then the Voyage? Also what trains will this be useing? It really doesn't take much to be better than Voyage. Anything that doesn't make your ears bleed will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheStig Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Those are some purdy batters right there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick210 Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Here are a few shots from Friday evening. Personally, I think the engineering has an artistic bent to it. Nice complement to the Freedom Flyer, which should have the rest of the track up next week. Trains going on soon, also. Part of the return is in. Nice curves. Should be some nice interaction between the two. Looking up the lift hill. From the station. From the sidewalk near the park entrance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skycoastin Steve Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 It looks really good. Do you think this will be better then the Voyage? Also what trains will this be useing? Not that this won't be good, but better than Voyage? I don't imagine it'll even be close. And it'll be using Millennium Flyer trains like every other GCI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GayCoasterGuy Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 The coaster looks great on the street corner there! The view reminds me of the Lakeside Cyclone. For anyone who has ridden the new Vekoma junior inverted coasters, do the cars sway at all? They look like they might have a little give in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal1br3tto Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Both coasters are looking better and better with each new development! Then again, I guess that's to be expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 It looks really good. Do you think this will be better then the Voyage? Also what trains will this be useing? Not that this won't be good, but better than Voyage? I don't imagine it'll even be close. And it'll be using Millennium Flyer trains like every other GCI. I dunno. I can think of quite a few GCI coasters that are better than Voyage. Looking good, Fun Spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJLehto Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 White Lightning could be a sleeper hit! Not that it will touch Outlaw Run or iRat or Gatekeeper but I think it's looking like a pretty awesome ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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