Skyplex Orlando Discussion Thread

[Dombot]

Yay for progress! If the American Dream mall is opening next month, than this'll get built at some point. I have faith.

[chschris1]

Has the official height of the coaster been announced?

[COASTER FREAK 11]

Wouldn’t that height just be the tower height, plus the “radio antenna” on top of it?

 

I would guess if the FAA approved a height of 706', then that would include the entire building and everything above it. Doesn't make sense for them to approve a height of a building, that then goes higher than what was approved.

[JT325]

Anyone take a guess on the price of a ride on the coaster and drop? I'm sure they could fetch at least $20 a pop... I'd think. Big and interesting project! Can't wait to ride them.

[bgtlover]

Time to bring this back to life... sort of.

 

Trademark for "Skyfall" submitted 12/31/2019.

 

https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=88742995&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch

 

[A.J.]

If I'm not mistaken, that's the new drop tower going alongside the Orlando StarFlyer, right?

 

EDIT: No it isn't. Then I wonder what the new drop tower will be called (it itself a Funtime "Skyfall" tower)?

[bgtlover]

^According to this article, that one will be called Orlando Gyro Drop Tower, but that could just be a placeholder name for now. I mean, it goes with Orlando Starflyer sitting nearby.

 

https://www.internationaldriveorlando.com/articles/icon-park-unveils-two-record-breaking-attractions-coming-in-2020.html

[jedimaster1227]

In an unexpected turn of events, S&S Worldwide quietly dropped a video teaser via Instagram that confirms their involvement in the concept of a coaster and S&S triple combo of drop or launch towers. 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRNk-HnFJMx/?igsh=MTJ2NHVwdjVtaHk1cA%3D%3D 

The Orlando Business Journal has confirmed with Mango's Tropical Cafe owner, the same person that pursued the now-cancelled Skyplex complex previously, that this new plan is being considered. The land where the Skyplex complex was meant to go may be sold or used for other purposes after serving as a staging space for this project's construction. 

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2025/11/20/mangos-tropical-cafe-roller-coaster-i-drive.html?b=1763659350^22615320 

The owner of Mango's Tropical Cafe has confirmed plans to build a launch coaster and drop tower along International Drive.

Roller coaster fans may have a future option for thrills on International Drive without having to visit a theme park.

Utah-based amusement ride manufacturer S&S Worldwide Inc. announced plans to build a launch roller coaster next to Mango’s Tropical Cafe, according to a Nov. 18 social media post. Launch coasters use a unique system to accelerate quickly from a standstill.

The concept video also shows a tower ride next to the coaster as part of the restaurant property at 8126 International Drive. The concept art shows the attractions in the parking lot space in front of the nightclub and restaurant.

The coaster appears to be S&S Worldwide's 'triple launch' design with a track length of 1,260 feet, a max speed of 64 mph and a ride time of 95 seconds. It also looks to only have one ride vehicle running at a time, which can seat 12, having a ride capacity of roughly 320 people per hour, according to the ride manufacturer's website. One of the unique features is the 125-foot drop at over 60 mph and its three launches.

Josh Wallack, owner of Mango's Tropical Cafe, confirmed the plans and said the move is part of his push to enhance that intersection along the tourism corridor. “Our hope is that we can continue to be a great place for residents and locals — but we really need to raise the bar for entertainment,” he said.

Wallack said the rides will be funded through a combination of debt and equipment financing. He added the construction timeline and the total cost have yet to be determined.

S&S Worldwide Inc. did not respond to a request for comment. The company markets a mix of thrill, family and tower rides, as well as offering ride services.

Wallack shared that people may be familiar with this coaster as it is already at Ocean City, a tourism destination on New Jersey's Jersey Shore. According to the park's website, it costs roughly $10 per guest to ride the coaster.

Meanwhile, the envisioned parking lot space may appear tight compared to other coaster sites, as that area is 16,000 square feet, according to South Florida Water Management District mapping tools.

For comparison, the same mapping tool shows Freedom Flyer, a suspended inverted coaster at Fun Spot America in Orlando, takes up roughly 35,000 square feet of space. SeaWorld Orlando's Pipeline: The Surf Coaster sits on around 126,000 square feet of space.

Still, Wallack didn't appear deterred as he said the coaster has a smaller footprint than other I-Drive attractions — such as the Starflyer at Icon Park.

The announcement also comes a year after Wallack confirmed his plan for The Skyplex complex — a mixed-use destination anchored by a 500-foot tower roller coaster — was officially canceled. Financing for Skyplex fell apart during the pandemic, he previously said.

The new coaster does not appear to be as ambitious — or have a price tag of $250 million.

Wallack also said he plans to use The Skyplex land — primarily on the northeast corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake Road — as a staging area for the ride's construction process and piece it together at Mango’s.

“We are lucky to have the available land close by,” he said. “But even if we didn’t own it, most of the time people who own vacant lots, they’ll take some rent for someone to do construction lay down work.”

Peter Weishar, director of the themed experience programs at the University of Central Florida, said he does have some questions regarding the logistics of building a roller coaster on Mango’s property.  

However, he does think it could work as he said S&S Worldwide is a credible ride manufacturer that has a proven, successful track record.  

“They didn't provide a lot of details about when it would be expected or when construction would start, but the company that does it is a very well-known coaster company that does some quality work,” Weishar said. “So, if it does happen, it would be terrific.”  

He also said it is a good idea — as it could help entertain tourists who are coming to town but may only be able to spend half a day here. It could also be another option for those who may not want to commit to spending a whole day at a theme park.  

“I can see it as a very viable idea to have an attraction like this on I-Drive,” Weishar said.  

The International Drive Pedestrian Bridge is expected to cost more than $35 million.

Wallack's new ambitious project accompanies his venture to partner with Orange County to build and speed up the construction of a planned $35.6 million I-Drive pedestrian bridge.

The walkway is expected to open by 2030 and will span the intersection of I-Drive and Sand Lake Road — one of the busiest intersections in Central Florida — while connecting to the proposed coaster's area. That intersection also is where Mango’s and the World's Largest Entertainment McDonald's are located.

“So, we are continuing down that path with regards to the bridge and with the Mango's project, and we believe that when all is done I-Drive will look like what the two last county mayors intended it to look like — the I-Drive of the future, not the I-Drive of the past,” he said.

If both projects are completed — the tourism corridor would dramatically change in image and entertainment offerings, which could help boost visitation-related business.