Fun Spot America Theme Parks: Difference between revisions
→History: direct links |
→History: More Fun n wheels history |
||
| Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
==History== |
==History== |
||
Fun Spot America Theme Parks began in 1979 under the name Fun N Wheels near the [[I-Drive]] tourist corridor in [[Orlando, Florida]]. This park had an [[Amusement arcade|arcade]], three [[go-kart]] tracks, a [[miniature golf]] course, [[bumper cars]] and [[bumper boats|boats]], Raging Riptide (a 40 foot high water slide) and a 55 foot [[Ferris wheel]]. |
Fun Spot America Theme Parks began in 1979 under the name Fun N Wheels near the [[I-Drive]] tourist corridor in [[Orlando, Florida]]. This 3 acre park near [[Wet'n'Wild]], with no frontage on the main roads, had an [[Amusement arcade|arcade]], three [[go-kart]] tracks, a [[miniature golf]] course, [[bumper cars]] and [[bumper boats|boats]], Raging Riptide (a 40 foot high water slide) and a 55 foot [[Ferris wheel]]. This park became the world’s first themed action park with multiple premiering new types of rides such as the riptide slide manufactured by [[New Wave Rides]]. In 1988 a second Fun N Wheels location was opened in Kissimmee next to the regional mall. Both locations were sold in 1988 to [[Robert Earl|Pleasurama USA]], who also owned [[Hard Rock Café]] at the time, with the expectation of expanding the concept to malls region wide. This however did not occur.<ref>{{cite news |last=Vaughan |first=Vicki |date=October 25, 1988 |title=Fun 'N Wheels -- Kids' Idea Of Having A Good Old Time |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1988-10-25/business/0080020121_1_pleasurama-hard-rock-cafe-mecca |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |location= |access-date=3 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name="FunSpotAbout">{{cite web |url=http://fun-spot.com/about-fun-spot/ |title=About Fun Spot America Theme Parks |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= |website=fun-spot.com |publisher= |access-date=3 May 2016 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McFaul |first=Lauren |date=January 4, 1987 |title=Fun 'N Wheels -- Kids' Idea Of Having A Good Old Time |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1987-01-04/entertainment/0100030159_1_ferris-wheel-kiddie-cars-bumper-cars |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |location= |access-date=3 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name="AmuseTodayJohn">{{cite news|last1=Lamanna |first1=Dean |date=July 2013 |title=Fun Spot Attractions is a happy medium for owner John Arie, Sr. |url=http://www.amusementtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/fun_spot_issue.pdf |newspaper=Amusement Today |accessdate=3 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Booloop">{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=5 February 2016 |title=Go-Karts and Gators: Putting the Fun in Fun Spot America |url= |
||
http://www.blooloop.com/features/fun-spot-america-go-karting-vr-rollercoaster/38840#.Vyi-DTZf0kB |website=blooloop.com |accessdate=3 May 2016 }}</ref> |
|||
In 1990 |
In 1990 Fun Spot Amusement Park was opened in [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]]. Two years later a second park was opened in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]]. These parks were operated until 1998.<ref name="SentinelFunSpotOpens">{{cite news |last=Spitz |first=Jill Jorden |date=July 14, 1997 |title=Tourist Corridor Amusement Park Aims To Be A Fun Spot For Families |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1997-07-14/business/9707120346_1_spot-action-park-fun-spot-kart-track |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |location= |access-date=3 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name="AmuseTodayJohn" /><ref name="FunSpotAbout" /> |
||
Fun Spot moved back to Orlando in 1997 and opened Fun Spot Action Park (Now Fun Spot America - Orlando) near the original Fun N Wheels location on the I-Drive. The $4 million, 4.7 acre park opened on December 24th featuring their now signature patented design multi-level [[go-kart]] tracks, going up three-levels. The park also included a 102-foot-high [[Ferris wheel]] and a two-story [[Amusement arcade|video arcade]].<ref name="SentinelFunSpotOpens" /><ref name="AmuseTodayJohn" /><ref name="FunSpotAbout" /> |
Fun Spot moved back to Orlando in 1997 and opened Fun Spot Action Park (Now Fun Spot America - Orlando) near the original Fun N Wheels location on the I-Drive. The $4 million, 4.7 acre park opened on December 24th featuring their now signature patented design multi-level [[go-kart]] tracks, going up three-levels. The park also included a 102-foot-high [[Ferris wheel]] and a two-story [[Amusement arcade|video arcade]].<ref name="SentinelFunSpotOpens" /><ref name="AmuseTodayJohn" /><ref name="FunSpotAbout" /> |
||
Revision as of 15:36, 3 May 2016
Previously known as
| |
| Location | Orlando, Florida, Kissimmee, Florida, United States |
|---|---|
| Status | Operating |
| Opened |
|
| Theme | Art Deco |
| Operating season | Year round |
| Area |
|
| Attractions | |
| Roller coasters |
|
| Website | fun-spot |
Fun Spot America Theme Parks is a group of amusement parks located in Orlando, Florida and Kissimmee, Florida. Since 1979, the group has owned and operated a number of small amusement parks over the years and currently has two locations, Fun Spot America - Orlando and Fun Spot America - Kissimmee.
History
Fun Spot America Theme Parks began in 1979 under the name Fun N Wheels near the I-Drive tourist corridor in Orlando, Florida. This 3 acre park near Wet'n'Wild, with no frontage on the main roads, had an arcade, three go-kart tracks, a miniature golf course, bumper cars and boats, Raging Riptide (a 40 foot high water slide) and a 55 foot Ferris wheel. This park became the world’s first themed action park with multiple premiering new types of rides such as the riptide slide manufactured by New Wave Rides. In 1988 a second Fun N Wheels location was opened in Kissimmee next to the regional mall. Both locations were sold in 1988 to Pleasurama USA, who also owned Hard Rock Café at the time, with the expectation of expanding the concept to malls region wide. This however did not occur.[1][2][3][4][5]
In 1990 Fun Spot Amusement Park was opened in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Two years later a second park was opened in Virginia Beach, Virginia. These parks were operated until 1998.[6][4][2]
Fun Spot moved back to Orlando in 1997 and opened Fun Spot Action Park (Now Fun Spot America - Orlando) near the original Fun N Wheels location on the I-Drive. The $4 million, 4.7 acre park opened on December 24th featuring their now signature patented design multi-level go-kart tracks, going up three-levels. The park also included a 102-foot-high Ferris wheel and a two-story video arcade.[6][4][2]
In 2004 Fun Spot purchased the site of the world’s tallest Skycoaster located in Kissimmee. They developed the 9 acres around the skycoaster into another amusement park in 2007. They added multi-level go-kart tracks, family/thrill rides and an arcade and turned it into Fun Spot USA (Now Fun Spot America - Kissimmee).[4][2]
In 2013 Fun Spot purchased an additional 22 acres next to their Orlando location, and expanded Fun Spot Action Park into Fun Spot America - Orlando. They spent $25 Million on two new roller coasters, the world's second tallest Skycoaster (Second only to their Kissimmee Location), and an addition multi-level go kart trak among other improvements.[7][2]
Fun Spot America Locations
Orlando
Fun Spot America -Orlando is an amusement park in Orlando, Florida near Universal Orlando and I-Drive. They have 4 different Go-kart tracks. They have 3 roller coasters. The Sea Serpent which is an E&F Miler Industries family roller coaster. They have a GCI wooden roller coaster named White Lightning. They have a Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster named Freedom Flyer.
Kissimmee
Fun Spot America - Kissimmee is located in Kissimmee, Florida adjacent to the Old Town entertainment and shopping complex. It hosts the world's tallest skycoaster and multi-level go kart tracks.
References
- ^ Vaughan, Vicki (October 25, 1988). "Fun 'N Wheels -- Kids' Idea Of Having A Good Old Time". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "About Fun Spot America Theme Parks". fun-spot.com. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- ^ McFaul, Lauren (January 4, 1987). "Fun 'N Wheels -- Kids' Idea Of Having A Good Old Time". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d Lamanna, Dean (July 2013). "Fun Spot Attractions is a happy medium for owner John Arie, Sr" (PDF). Amusement Today. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- ^ "Go-Karts and Gators: Putting the Fun in Fun Spot America". blooloop.com. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- ^ a b Spitz, Jill Jorden (July 14, 1997). "Tourist Corridor Amusement Park Aims To Be A Fun Spot For Families". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- ^ Rutherford, Scott (July 2013). "Orlando's Fun Spot America opens to record numbers" (PDF). Amusement Today. Retrieved 3 May 2016.