originally posted on 12/3/2021 1:18:33 AM
All images courtesy of Fun Spot America. View full-sized image.
There had been the months of teases. First it was announced that Fun Spot America (Fayetteville, Georgia) would be receiving a Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) coaster next year. Then came the confirmation of the colors involved: red, white and blue. Then coaster fandom was left to wonder.
Considering the facility is just as much family entertainment center as small amusement park, it was easy to speculate the Raptor track genre of coaster from RMC was a more economical choice. But the announcement on the first day of the IAAPA Expo confirmed that the new installation would not only be an IBox track coaster but a major one as well.
Announcement of a $13 million, 154-foot-tall ride was hardly expected. It is the largest single investment in Fun Spot history. Enter ArieForce One.
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Those in the know understand that the coaster’s moniker is a play on words surrounding the family-owned park’s patriarch, John Arie Sr. Despite some discussion among fans if the average park guest would understand the connection, the park’s website explains it. Word is sure to disseminate to anyone truly inquiring about the name. Management has said the queue will also be themed, most likely further explaining the name.
“ArieForce One is a tribute to my father and his passion for flying,” said Fun Spot America CEO John Arie Jr. “We will have you believing you’re traveling into space with all the airtime moments and weightlessness this RMC coaster provides.”
The raven truss dive is reported to be a first-of-its-kind move.
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A description of the ride is somewhat of a wow, along with some new terms thrown out there. The first drop is 145 feet and taken at 83 degrees. Following that strong start, riders will soar into a diving loop, here called a raven truss dive, reportedly the first of its kind. Zipping through the world’s longest zero-G stall, trains will then ascend an outside-banked airtime hill, which also turns the layout into a V-shaped out-and-back design. A double-up leads into a big drop, quickly followed by a barrel roll over a large arcade. The finale to the ride should be intense, with a succession of such moves as “fakey airtime” hill, a 3.75-G ground-hugger turn, corked roll, chili dip and then a quad-down. Breathe.
The quad-down will bring a spectacular finale to the ride.
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In all, it is 3,400 feet long and hits a top speed of 64 mph.
Once open, the days of the Georgia location being more family entertainment center than amusement park are gone. ArieForce One puts the property on the map in a HUGE way (as park slogans would say). If the new coaster draws big crowds — and it should! — two trains should keep the line moving briskly.
Once open, ArieForce One will join two E&F Miler coasters, Scream’n Eagle (a 38-foot-tall Hi-Miler) and Kiddie Coaster (a Python Pit that has called numerous places home in its career).
The year 2022 already looked impressive in terms of new North American coasters. One more impressive ride has been added to the list.
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
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