Q&A WITH FUN SPOT’S JOHN ARIE, SR. — PAGE 6B-7B TM www.amusementtoday.com JULY 2013 BONUS SECTION B $25 million investment on 15 acres by Arie family Orlando’s Fun Spot America opens to record numbers STORY: Scott Rutherford [email protected] ORLANDO, Fla. — A re- freshing ‘David’ vs. ‘Goliath’ powerplay was initiated in cen- tral Florida this spring when Fun Spot America on International Drive unveiled its $25 million ex- pansion that offers area visitors — and local residents — an af- fordable alternative to the giant theme parks orbiting the city. In celebration of Fun Spot’s 15th anniversary, a Grand Re- The new $15 million Opening was held on Saturday, Fun Spot America has a June 8, 2013. Florida Congress- collection of thrill rides man Daniel Webster, local offi- including, clockwise cials and other local celebrities from top left: Free- gathered for the ribbon cutting dom Flyer (Chance/ that included free entertainment, Vekoma); White Light- food and prize offerings. ning (Great Coasters); Underway since September 2012, the expansion enlarges the Tilt-A-Whirl (Larson); park from five to 15 acres and Rip Curl (Wisdom) and features two family roller coast- in the foreground the ers, a SkyCoaster, three new Double Decker Carou- thrill rides, a new 45-foot-tall, sel (Chance) and the multi-level go-cart track along 250 foot tall Skycoaster with a new food court, new tick- (Skycoaster/Ride Enter- et booth, additional parking and tainment). rest rooms. Fun Spot hired 100 AT/GARY SLADE new employees for this expan- sion, and more than 150 people FEC, a theme park or a water- “The IAAPA show was one of were hired by the local general park. We looked around, talked the resources we had but the contractor, H.J. High Construc- with a lot of people in IAAPA beauty of the Golden Tickets was tion of Winter Park, Fla. for the and ultimately decided to stay a smaller presentation that offers construction of the new park. with the small park atmosphere a much more intimate involve- ... like Knoebels. We traveled ment with the people there. We Fun Spot’s Evolution around the country talking to went to several parks over the When asked about the gen- hundreds of people at about 30 last three or four years during esis of the current Fun Spot different parks. It was a process, the Golden Tickets” said Arie. expansion, John Arie, Sr., Fun a collaboration with people who “It was invaluable to do this and Spot’s owner and CEO, explains were knowledgeable and edu- talk to the people running these what led him and his family to cated in the industry. We took a places. I’m really looking for- develop this property. “When lot of what we learned and put it ward to the Golden Tickets event we bought the property two and into what we’ve got here.” at Santa Cruz this year. We’ve half years ago, we really didn’t Aire also made sure to men- gone to Dollywood, and Holiday have a master plan on how to ex- tion that attending AT’s Golden World was an eye-opening expe- pand. We had to make the deci- Ticket Awards Ceremonies has rience. It was all valuable, the sion on whether we were going provided him with a more per- time we spent at those parks.” to go with a bowling alley, an sonal fact-finding experience. 4See AMERICA, page 2B 2B AMUSEMENT TODAY July 2013 AMERICA Continued from page 1B Coasters are big draw When Fun Spot embarked on its recent expansion, officials made a wise decision to make sure roller coasters were a major part of the plan. “When I start- ed Fun ‘n Wheels on I-Drive in 1978, I never expected I would be having a 15 acre park with roller coasters just up the street,” said Arie. “But I knew that roller coasters would take our parks to a new level.” And they certainly have. Opened this past June are two family-friendly roller coasters: White Lightning, an amazing The Fun Spot America expansion represents a $25 million new wooden coaster designed investment in the Orlando park that is now home to two and built by Pennsylvania-based family roller coasters, the second tallest Skycoaster ever Great Coasters International, built and a mix of other family rides. Inc. (see story on page 10B), and COURTESY FUN SPOT AMERICA Freedom Flyer, a family sus- pended coaster. 20 riders per circuit. mounted a Statue of Liberty on The $5 million Freedom On hand for the festivities top of the new and only double Flyer is the result of a partner- was Charlotte Van Etten, -Ve decker Americana Carousel ship between Chance Rides and koma account manager, sales manufactured to date as soon as Vekoma Rides International. The & marketing. “Hats off for the installation was complete. majority of the coaster, mainly expansion and opening festivi- “Fun Spot’s new Freedom the supports, track and controls, ties at Fun Spot!” said Van Etten. Flyer is a perfect fit for the en- were all produced in the U.S. “The Freedom Flyer coaster is tire family. A suspended fam- by Chance Rides at that manu- the fifth in a row of this new de- ily coaster that offers the rush facturer’s facilities in Wichita, sign suspended family coaster, of a much larger coaster, while Kansas. The ride’s sleek and following earlier successful in- allowing small children and comfortable train came from Ve- stallations in Moviepark Ger- the more cautious adults to en- koma. many; Frontier City, Oklahoma joy. The hanging seats create a Sporting an eye-catching City; Grönalund Sweden; Farup smooth ride while creating the blue-and-yellow color scheme, in Denmark and now Fun Spot. illusion that you truly are fly- Freedom Flyer was intention- Parks are delighted having this ing. This is the first coaster ex- ally placed over the midway so coaster in their park and guests perience for most of the younger that even spectators are offered just love it. Fun Spot is a real children due to reduced height a thrill as riders soar through family business and they have requirements. Now parents The Schwarzkopf Enterprise, above, was brought to the park the coaster’s sinuous twists and translated this family feeling don’t have to split up the four from Six Flags Over Georgia and outfitted with an impres- turns just above their heads. very well into their park.” and five-year-olds; everyone can sive LED light package from Denny’s Electronics. IRM bro- After climbing a lift hill Angus Jenkins, North ride! The perfect match for Fun kered the ride deal. Rides 4U located this Miler Sea Serpent that tops out at 65 feet, Free- American sales for Chance Rides Spot’s client demographic. The from Playland’s Castaway Cove. dom Flyer’s 10-car train begins extols the suspended coaster’s Freedom Flyer was made in the AT/GARY SLADE its graceful flight, gliding along appeal: “Freedom Flyer is aptly U.S.A. by Chance Rides under the 1,296-foot-long course at 34 named as anyone who has met license of Vekoma,” said Jenkins. mph. The single train, which uti- John Arie would agree ... he is Regarding the new coast- lizes Vekoma’s comfortable new one of the most patriotic people ers, perhaps John Arie Jr., Fun restraint system, accommodates they have ever met. In fact, he 4See AMERICA, page 4B Amusement Today is an independent newspaper, published monthly by Amusement Today Inc., P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005-5427. To order extra copies of this Bonus Section call (817) 460-7220. The entire contents of this Bonus Section are copyrighted 2013 by Amusement Today, Inc. Amusement Today would like to thank John Arie, Sr., and the entire staff at Fun Spot America for their help with information used in this section. Bonus Section Staff: Gary Slade, Scott Rutherford, Stacey Childress, Sue Nichols, Dean Lamanna, Terry Lind, Sammy Piccola July 2013 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3B P O BOX 638 • Plainview, Texas 79072 (806) 293-1353 • www.larsonintl.com Fire Ball Super Shot Flying ScootersTM Tilt-A-Whirl TM 4B AMUSEMENT TODAY July 2013 AMERICA 200 feet of lattice structure; we Tilt-A-Whirl with all LED light- LEDs. The Tilt-A-Whirl from FAST FACTS actually doubled its strength to ing. Fun Spot chose vibrant Larson and our refurbished Continued from page 2B what it was in Las Vegas. It can colors and designed spectacular Schwarzkopf Enterprise our now withstand winds up to 140 graphics.” both outfitted with LEDs from Name/Park Spot’s television spokesman and Freedom Flyer/ mph.” The other rides brought to Denny’s Electronics. They are all Fun Spot America COO, said it best of all: “These Just as with the Skycoaster, Fun Spot as part of the expan- absolutely beautiful at night.” Orlando, Fla. are two great coasters, both built it was important for John Arie sion include a new Rip Curl Arie and his team worked in America. You get great airtime and his family to choose Ameri- from Colorado-based Wisdom closely with a number of ven- Type with the wooden coaster, and ca-made products for the major- Rides. This custom-designed dors and key suppliers to bring Family Suspended Coaster it’s so smooth. The steel coaster (Tallest of it’s kind in the U.S.) ity of their ride package. “Com- Himalaya-style ride features a the Fun Spot project to fruition. leaves your feet dangling and ing out of the recession, we felt surfer theme and is housed in its Chief among these are: Midway you soar over people’s heads as Height/Length it was our obligation to buy own permanent enclosure.