TWO LINE TEASER 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 Interna- tional Drive unveiled its $25 mil- lion expansion that offers area visitors — and local residents — an affordable alternative to the giant theme parks orbiting the city. In celebration of Fun Spot’s The new $15 million 15th anniversary, a Grand Re- Fun Spot America has a Opening was held on Saturday, collection of thrill rides June 8, 2013. Florida Congress- including, clockwise man Daniel Webster, local offi- from top left: Free- cials and other local celebrities dom Flyer (Chance/ gathered for the ribbon cutting Vekoma); White Light- that included free entertain- ning (Great Coasters); ment, food and prize offerings. Underway since September Tilt-A-Whirl (Larson); 2012, the expansion enlarges the Rip Curl (Wisdom) and park from five to 15 acres and in the foreground the features two family roller coast- Double Decker Carou- ers, a SkyCoaster, three new sel (Chance) and the thrill rides, a new 45-foot-tall, 250 foot tall Skycoaster multi-level go-cart track along (Skycoaster/Ride Enter- with a new food court, new tick- tainment). et booth, additional parking and AT/GARY SLADE rest rooms. Fun Spot hired 100 new employees for this expan- to go with a bowling alley, an sonal fact-finding experience. 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 tion of Winter Park, Fla. for the and ultimately decided to stay was a smaller presentation that construction of the new park. with the small park atmosphere offers a much more intimate ... like Knoebels. We traveled involvement with the people Fun Spot’s Evolution around the country talking to there. We went to several parks When asked about the gen- hundreds of people at about 30 over the last three or four years esis of the current Fun Spot different parks. It was a process, during the Golden Tickets” said expansion, John Arie, Sr., Fun a collaboration with people who Arie. “It was invaluable to do Spot’s owner and CEO, explains were knowledgeable and edu- this and talk to the people run- what led him and his family to cated in the industry. We took a ning these places. I’m really develop this property. “When lot of what we learned and put it looking forward to the Golden we bought the property two and into what we’ve got here.” Tickets event at Santa Cruz this half years ago, we really didn’t Aire also made sure to men- year. We’ve gone to Dollywood, have a master plan on how to ex- tion that attending AT’s Golden and Holiday World was an eye- pand. We had to make the deci- Ticket Awards Ceremonies has opening experience. It was all sion on whether we were going provided him with a more per- 4See AMERICA, page 2B 2B AMUSEMENT TODAY JULY 2013 AMERICA Continued from page 1B valuable, the time we spent at those parks.” 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 The Fun Spot America expansion represents a $25 million family-friendly roller coasters: investment in the Orlando park that is now home to two family White Lightning, an amazing roller coasters, the second tallest Skycoaster ever built and a new wooden coaster designed mix of other family rides. and built by Pennsylvania-based COURTESY FUN SPOT AMERICA Great Coasters International, Inc. (see story on page 10B), and lizes Vekoma’s comfortable new they have ever met. In fact, he Freedom Flyer, a family sus- restraint system, accommodates mounted a Statue of Liberty on pended coaster. 20 riders per circuit. top of the new and only double The $5 million Freedom On hand for the festivities decker Americana Carousel Flyer is the result of a partner- was Charlotte, Vekoma account manufactured to date as soon as ship between Chance Rides and manager, sales & marketing. installation was complete. Vekoma Rides International. The “Hats off for the expansion and “Fun Spot’s new Freedom majority of the coaster, mainly opening festivities at Fun Spot!” Flyer is a perfect fit for the en- the supports, track and controls, said Van Etten. “The Freedom tire family. A suspended fam- were all produced in the U.S. Flyer coaster is the fifth in a row ily coaster that offers the rush by Chance Rides at that manu- of this new design suspended of a much larger coaster, while facturer’s facilities in Wichita, family coaster, following earlier allowing small children and Kansas. The ride’s sleek and successful installations in Mov- the more cautious adults to en- comfortable train came from Ve- iepark Germany; Frontier City, joy. The hanging seats create a koma. Oklahoma City; Grönalund Swe- smooth ride while creating the Sporting an eye-catching den; Farup in Denmark and now illusion that you truly are fly- blue-and-yellow color scheme, Fun Spot. Parks are delighted ing. This is the first coaster ex- Freedom Flyer was intention- having this coaster in their park perience for most of the younger ally placed over the midway so and guests just love it. Fun Spot children due to reduced height The Schwarzkopf Enterprise, above, was brought to the park that even spectators are offered is a real family business and they requirements. Now parents from Six Flags Over Georgia and outfitted with a impressive a thrill as riders soar through have translated this family feel- don’t have to split up the four LED light package from Denny’s Electronics. IRM brokered the coaster’s sinuous twists and ing very well into their park.” and five-year-olds; everyone can the ride deal. Rides 4U located this Miler Sea Seapent from turns just above their heads. Angus Jenkins, North ride! The perfect match for Fun Playland’s Castaway Cove. After climbing a lift hill American sales for Chance Rides Spot’s client demographic. The AT/GARY SLADE that tops out at 65 feet, Free- extols the suspended coaster’s Freedom Flyer was made in the dom Flyer’s 10-car train begins appeal: “Freedom Flyer is aptly U.S.A. by Chance Rides under its graceful flight, gliding along named as anyone who has met license of Vekoma,” said Jenkins. the 1,296-foot-long course at 34 John Arie would agree ... he is Regarding the new coasters, mph. The single train, which uti- one of the most patriotic people 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 we totally reinforced the first team again to produce the first vendors,” said Arie. “Wisdom FAST FACTS 200 feet of lattice structure; we Tilt-A-Whirl with all LED light- has their own LEDs. The Tilt- Continued from page 2B actually doubled its strength to ing. Fun Spot chose vibrant A-Whirl from Larson and our what it was in Las Vegas. It can colors and designed spectacular refurbished Schwarzkopf En- Name/Park perhaps John Arie Jr., Fun Spot’s Freedom Flyer/ now withstand winds up to 140 graphics.” terprise our both outfitted with Fun Spot America television spokesman and COO, mph.” The other rides brought to LEDs from Denny’s Electronics. Orlando, Fla. said it best of all: “These are Just as with the Skycoaster, Fun Spot as part of the expan- They are all absolutely beautiful two great coasters, both built in it was important for John Arie sion include a new Rip Curl at night.” Type America. You get great airtime and his family to choose Ameri- from Colorado-based Wisdom Arie and his team worked Family Suspended Coaster with the wooden coaster, and (Tallest of it’s kind in the U.S.) ca-made products for the major- Rides. This custom-designed closely with a number of ven- it’s so smooth. The steel coaster ity of their ride package. “Com- Himalaya-style ride features a dors and key suppliers to bring leaves your feet dangling and Height/Length ing out of the recession, we felt surfer theme and is housed in its the Fun Spot project to fruition.