originally posted on 6/3/2022
Photo: Shannon Christopher. View full-sized image.
After an excellent and busy weekend at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld Orlando for the ACE Spring Conference, 115 ACE members from 23 different states enjoyed an add-on day event at Fun Spot America while in Florida. On May 9, Fun Spot was not scheduled to open to the public until 2 p.m. but graciously opened many rides for ACE members to enjoy starting as early as 9 a.m.
White Lightning.
Photo: Jeremy Silver. View full-sized image.
Photo: Clifford Sales. View full-sized image.
For the first hour, attendees enjoyed four exclusive rides. White Lightning is a rare wooden roller coaster for the state of Florida, built by Great Coasters International Inc. The ride stands 70 feet tall, hits speeds of 44 mph and includes a 90-degree banked turn on the turn-around. Freedom Flyer is a Vekoma family suspended roller coaster that opened in 2013. The other two attractions that operated during the first ERT were Liberty Swing, a spinning swing ride standing at 90 feet tall with the option to ride either while sitting or lying down in a flying position, and Hot Seat, a fast-paced swinging ride during which riders sit back-to-back and enjoy some thrilling airtime.
Freedom Flyer.
Photo: Jeremy Silver. View full-sized image.
Liberty Swing.
Photo: Sean Smith. View full-sized image.
The second hour of ERT started at 10 a.m. White Lightning and Freedom Flyer stayed open for this extra hour. The second session also included Sea Serpent, an E&F Miler Industries oval kiddie coaster, and the Commander Go-Kart Track, a multilevel racetrack that takes riders up 45 feet. In addition to the two hours of ERT, Fun Spot also took advantage of the rides being open to film for a promotional commercial. Several ACE members were filmed as background extras throughout the park and on attractions during their time at the Orlando location.
Sea Serpent.
Photo: Meagan McCown. View full-sized image.
Lunch was served at 11 inside the air-conditioned Sky Diner. A scrumptious buffet of pulled pork and BBQ chicken complemented the fun-filled morning. After a few words from ACE Florida Regional Rep Michael Christopher, guests were then invited to the Kissimmee location for a third ERT session that included all of the park’s roller coasters, except Kiddie Coaster.
Photo: Michael Christopher. View full-sized image.
Mine Blower is a Gravity Group wooden roller coaster that is the only wooden coaster in Florida to feature an inversion. It stands at 83 feet high and reaches 48 mph. Galaxy Spin is a spinning wild mouse coaster built by Zamperla that was bought by Fun Spot from Legoland in 2011 following the closure of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park (Winter Haven). Hurricane is an E&F Miler Industries Family Coaster and another coaster that made its way to the Kissimmee location, this time from Fun Spot Atlanta (Fayetteville, Georgia) just after Fun Spot acquired that location.
Mine Blower.
Photos: Jeremy Silver. View full-sized image.
Hurricane.
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View full-sized image.
Unfortunately, the Chaos Go-Kart track was unavailable owing to unscheduled maintenance, but ACE members were still able to enjoy the park’s coasters for a full hour before the park opened to the public. After the group photo in front of Mine Blower at 2 p.m., guests still had access to all attractions at both locations for the rest of the day. It was a great way to conclude a fun-filled, exciting and exhausting weekend.
Attendees were grateful to Fun Spot for welcoming ACE super early into their parks and providing a “HUGE day of Safe, Clean Fun” for everyone!
— Michael Christopher, ACE Florida Regional Representative
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
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