Stu K Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Must admit it looks great fun! Any of the Coaster / Cruiser group think it would work on RCI Oasis 3 Board walk? As Robb has mentioned before they build things into the ship rather than bolt stuff on the deck (NCL / Carnival Style). Would work well in that location I think. Stu K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djcoastermark Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 In the latest newsletter I received from Funspot, they show dirt being moved for Gatorland Experience, AND ,that the Screaming Swings are under construction and coming very soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted January 20, 2015 Author Share Posted January 20, 2015 Today Fun Spot America held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Gator Spot by Gatorland experience coming to the park in a few months. This first-of-its-kind partnership between Fun Spot America Theme Parks and Gatorland will allow Fun Spot guests to see baby gators, birds, crocodiles and even a rare Albino Gator for just $6. This $1 million project will be constructed in roughly two months and is opening opposite the park's Tilt-A-Whirl attraction. It wouldn't be a Gatorland experience without gators! The entrance of Gator Spot by Gatorland will definitely represent the Gatorland wooded-flair well. The new attraction will offer a great sampling of all that Gatorland has to offer at their park. This plot will look VERY different in just a few months. Ready for the main event... A look at the full construction plot. John Arie Jr., the face of Fun Spot America Theme Parks started the ceremony with a few words about the project. Invited guests included Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and more! A meeting of industry moguls, John Arie Jr. of Fun Spot America Theme Parks and Gatorland CEO Mark McHugh shared some fun jokes on stage! Mark shared some more background on the joint project's history, which began over a year ago at which time John Arie Sr. mentioned to him that they were contemplating adding a gator experience at Fun Spot America. That initial thought was soon explored as a joint-partnership and the rest is history. A fun shot of the groundbreaking ceremony with some great expressions to match! Gatorland even brought some animals from the park! I was able to hold a parrot! The long-awaited installation of the Screamin' Swing, now to be known as Space Invader, is finally beginning. The Air Raid attraction near the entrance of the park is being packed up as well. While we were here, it didn't hurt to take a ride on the incredibly fun White Lightning--still the crown jewel of the park! Thanks again to Fun Spot America and Gatorland for hosting us today! We can't wait to see Gator Spot by Gatorland when it opens in just a few months! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCW_Nut Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Is the Air Race being relocated or fully removed? Thought they just installed this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 ^ I was wondering the same thing. I was looking forward to hopefully riding it this spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlahBlahson Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 ^It is gone and an employee was surprisingly open with me as to why. Near the top of the ride there was a lot of electrical wiring that was exposed to the elements and the ride would go down basically every time it rained. Obviously that doesn't work in central Florida. The grass underneath the ride wasn't even fully dead. Classic Zamperla. A completely different replacement attraction is planned for the spot, timetable unknown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCW_Nut Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 That's definitively a surprising reason for sure. I know it rains a lot in Orlando and what not it's not like none of these rides are located outside, such as at Luna Park. I am not expert or anything but just seems like a problem that would've been resolved rather than removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COASTER FREAK 11 Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 ^It is gone and an employee was surprisingly open with me as to why. Near the top of the ride there was a lot of electrical wiring that was exposed to the elements and the ride would go down basically every time it rained. Obviously that doesn't work in central Florida. The grass underneath the ride wasn't even fully dead. Classic Zamperla. A completely different replacement attraction is planned for the spot, timetable unknown. So, they thought it easier to remove a brand new ride, instead of working with Zamperla on fixing a seemingly simple issue? This reason doesn't really add up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlahBlahson Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 They may have been able to sell it back or sell it off easily since it is so new. Today they were able to pack up the entire foundation of the ride (base/supports/fencing) in about two hours with 4 guys so It was easy to remove. I just asked if it was gone for good or going off to be refurbished and that was the answer given. He said it would operate better if it were indoors. Still, something else is destined for its spot. He actually told me what as well but it's weird to be given that previous information so IDK if I should say what's coming in its place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djcoastermark Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Much as I hate to see AirRace leave, I am really exited that the screaming swings are coming soon. I could ride Air Race a couple of times before my stomach said No More. But I can ride screaming swings all day. (and have marathoned it BTW) I wonder where the swings are going in at? The old Air Race spot would be good. Any Ideas as to where they are going ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garet Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 (edited) ^It is gone and an employee was surprisingly open with me as to why. Near the top of the ride there was a lot of electrical wiring that was exposed to the elements and the ride would go down basically every time it rained. Obviously that doesn't work in central Florida. The grass underneath the ride wasn't even fully dead. Classic Zamperla. A completely different replacement attraction is planned for the spot, timetable unknown. Doesn't Drayton Manor have the same ride? England gets plenty of rain throughout operating season. Edited January 21, 2015 by Garet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCF Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Hopefully they opt for a permanent Air Race in the future. They we know can at least handle wet weather. It's not that bad of a price either at I think about one million dollars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Perhaps they never owned the ride and it was just there before the person who owns it takes it on the road? The story seems fishy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu K Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I agree a try before you buys seems likely! There was some issue with it where the operator would have to go around and push each car at the end of the ride before releasing the bars. Shame seemed really popular when I was there. The girl I rode it and it was here Favourite as it was the only ride that went upside down! Stu K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garet Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Perhaps they never owned the ride and it was just there before the person who owns it takes it on the road? The story seems fishy... If they knew it would be there for such a very short time though, why ask TPR to come out and film it? Your suggestion also makes sense but it just seems strange to try and get publicity for a ride that was so temporary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCW_Nut Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Just got this reply on their Facebook. Still seems like such a short run and an issue that could've been resolved, but like I've said before, I am not the expert and when it comes to safety I will not challenge it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJeXeL Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Seems like a bit of an oversight when the ride was purchased/installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rai Fox Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Sad one way or another. I really enjoyed this ride back in November, one of the better flats I've been on in a while. Not that anecdotal evidence is worth much, but I rode it in the rain and it didn't have any issues then. It was brand new then, only a few days old, so maybe the issues only cropped up later. JUST got a tweet from them as I was typing this; looks like they're looking into a permanent model of the same ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garet Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 We are sad to say that Air Race is being dismantled from our Orlando park. It has given us many maintenance problems and for the safety of our guests we are taking it out. We're keeping an eye out for a more in-ground permanent model instead of a portable one. In the mean time, stay tuned for Space Invader! On the official page they just put this status: https://www.facebook.com/FunSpotAmerica?fref=ts Seems that a permanent one could be coming eventually. Edit: Seems this information got posted above at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G$ Kurt Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 That particular air race was the one that had been making appearances at iaapa for the last couple of years, so it wasn't too shocking when they had a new air race model at the show this year, that this old one found a home in Orlando. Based on that, it's also not too surprising to now find out that it was not really up to job of handling a full time outdoor park gig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepoint4life23 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I think this is a great thing for both parks People who are in the Orlando Area, but want to go to Gaterland, but just don't have time can now make a quick stop at fun spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I'm curious to see how the partnership with Gatorland plays out. I imagine it'll be a good way to give the old roadside attraction a little more publicity; then again, it could steal a few customers away from Gatorland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrNemis2003 Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 LOL! Our they can even out the partnership even more and add a small foot print coaster at Gatorland and call it the "Fun Spot GatorCoaster" (just a thought) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Cool seeing this place continue to grow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 LOL! Our they can even out the partnership even more and add a small foot print coaster at Gatorland and call it the "Fun Spot GatorCoaster" (just a thought) I like this idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now