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Fun Spot America Theme Parks

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Fun Spot America Theme Parks
Previously known as
  • Fun Spot Action Park (Orlando)
  • Fun Spot USA (Kissimmee)
  • Dixieland Fun Park
  • Fun Junction USA (Atlanta)
LocationOrlando, Florida, US
StatusOperating
OwnerJohn Arie Sr. and family
ThemeAmericana
Operating season
Year round
Area
  • Orlando: 14 acres (5.7 ha)
  • Kissimmee: 9 acres (3.6 ha)
Attractions
Total
  • 27 (Orlando)
  • 23 (Kissimmee)
  • 14 (Atlanta)
Roller coasters
  • 3 (Orlando)
  • 4 (Kissimmee)
  • 3 (Atlanta)
WebsiteOfficial website
Fun Spot America Orlando
Coordinates28°27′55″N 81°27′21″W / 28.4653543°N 81.4556994°W / 28.4653543; -81.4556994
StatusOperating
OpenedDecember 24, 1997 (1997-12-24)
Fun Spot America Kissimmee
Coordinates28°19′49″N 81°30′53″W / 28.3302485°N 81.5146852°W / 28.3302485; -81.5146852
StatusOperating
Opened2007 (2007)
Fun Spot America Atlanta
Coordinates33°29′47″N 84°25′41″W / 33.4963312°N 84.4279726°W / 33.4963312; -84.4279726
StatusOperating
Opened2017 (2017)
ReplacedFun Junction USA

Fun Spot America Theme Parks is a company that owns a group of amusement parks, with locations in Orlando, Florida, Kissimmee, Florida, and Fayetteville, Georgia. The company was founded by John Arie Sr. and traces its roots back to a Fun 'n Wheels location that opened in Orlando in 1979. Arie opened the first Fun Spot location in 1990, two years after selling the Fun 'n Wheels park franchise. He returned to Orlando in 1997 with the opening of the company's flagship park on International Drive. In 2013, the Orlando location underwent a $25 million expansion, increasing by 10 acres (4.0 ha) and adding two roller coasters. The company continued to grow with the addition of a third location outside of Atlanta in 2017.

History

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In 1979, John Arie Sr. opened a family entertainment center (FEC) under the name Fun 'n Wheels near the I-Drive tourist corridor in Orlando, Florida. The flagship attraction of the 3-acre (1.2 ha) park was its go-kart track, and the name was inspired by the nearby Wet 'n Wild water park, from SeaWorld co-founder George Millay, which opened two years earlier in 1977.[1] Although Fun 'n Wheels was situated a lot away from I-Drive on the corner of Sand Lake Road and lacked direct access to main roads, the business proved successful and rapidly expanded into what was billed as the "world’s first themed action park".[1]

The park premiered new ride concepts, such as a 40-foot (12 m) water slide called Raging Riptide,[2] manufactured by New Wave Rides.[3] The wet/dry water slide design was a popular concept that quickly became a staple at water parks across the country in the 1980s.[3] In addition to water slides and three go-kart tracks, the park also featured an arcade, a miniature golf course, bumper cars, bumper boats, and a 55-foot-tall (17 m) Ferris wheel.[2]

A second Fun 'n Wheels location opened in Kissimmee, Florida in 1988.[4] Shortly after the Kissimmee location's opening, both Fun 'n Wheels parks were sold to Pleasaurama USA, a subsidiary of London-based Pleasurama PLC.[5] Arie stated that he sold the parks to company president Robert Earl "under a promise that he would take my concept, my plan, and expand it".[1] However, Pleasurama would instead heavily invest and divert its attention toward the Hard Rock Cafe brand it acquired two months later in July 1988.[5][1] Under terms of the sale, Arie entered a three-year agreement to manage the Fun 'n Wheels locations through 1991,[1] both of which permanently closed by 2002.[6]

In 1990, Arie began a new amusement park chain under the brand Fun Spot America, with the opening of a location in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He opened a second location two years later in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Both ceased operations by 1998, as Arie turned his attention back to Orlando.[3][4][7]

Return to Orlando

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Once a non-compete clause from the 1988 sale expired,[7] Arie returned to the Orlando area with the opening of Fun Spot America on December 24, 1997.[4] The $4-million park was built on 4.7 acres (1.9 ha) on the north end of I-Drive,[7] relatively close to the original Fun 'n Wheels location.[4] It debuted a new, patented go-kart elevated track design featuring three levels – considered the second of its kind – that was inspired by elevated tracks at Big Chief Carts & Coasters, owned by Nick Laskaris, in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.[1] Laskaris and Arie became friends and shared ideas that led to four Fun Spot patents.[1] The park also included a 102-foot-tall (31 m) Ferris wheel and a two-story video arcade among other attractions.[3][4][7]

The 10-acre expansion to the renamed Fun Spot America Orlando park

In 2010, Fun Spot purchased an additional 10 acres of vacant land next to their Orlando location. 2011 was spent researching nearly 30 parks and 50 roller coasters across the country planning a major expansion of the park. Late in 2011, they met with three professional roller coaster salesmen. Ground was broken in 2012 for the expansion that tripled the size of Fun Spot Action Park, turning it into Fun Spot America – Orlando.

$25 million was spent on two new roller coasters, the world's second tallest Skycoaster (second only to their Kissimmee location), and numerous other attractions. The two coasters are the wooden out and back roller coaster White Lightning and the Suspended Family Coaster Freedom Flyer. The skycoaster came from MGM Grand Adventures in Las Vegas, where it had been disassembled in storage for eight years. It is now the centerpiece of the park. Additional improvements include three new thrill rides, a new multi-level go-kart track, a new food court, a new ticket booth, additional parking, and rest rooms. A grand re-opening was held on June 8, 2013, celebrating the tripling of size of the park, as well as its 15th anniversary.[4][8][9]

2015–present

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Gator Spot Entrance at Fun Spot America Orlando

Fun Spot, in collaboration with Gatorland, opened Gator Spot at the Orlando park on May 11, 2015. The $1 million attraction allows Gatorland to extend their brand to the I-Drive tourist area, with visitors able to hold, take photos with, and feed alligators. The star of the attraction is a leucistic alligator named Bouya, a white gator with blue eyes.[10]

Fun Spot America opened a new location in 2017 on Highway 85 outside of Atlanta in Fayetteville, Georgia. The site was previously a Fun Junction USA park purchased by Fun Spot America.[11] In June 2026, it was announced that Fun Spot America Atlanta would close permanently on August 2, 2026.[12]

Attractions

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Orlando location

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Fun Spot America – Orlando is an amusement park in Orlando, Florida, near Universal Orlando and I-Drive. It has four go-kart tracks and three roller coasters: An E&F Miler Industries family roller coaster named The Sea Serpent, a Great Coasters International wooden roller coaster named White Lightning, and a Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster named Freedom Flyer.

Roller coasters
Name Manufacturer Model name Opened Notes
Freedom Flyer Vekoma 395m Suspended Family Coaster 2013
Sea Serpent E&F Miler Industries Family Coasters / Oval 2013 Purchased from Playland's Castaway Cove[13]
White Lightning Great Coasters International Custom Out and back wooden roller coaster 2013 Only wooden roller coaster in Orlando, Florida
Go-kart tracks
Name Description Color Opened Notes
Conquest Multi-level double corkscrew Florida Ski Jump figure 8 track Blue 1998
Commander Road Course Style multi-level track Green 1998 Extensively reconfigured in 2013
Quad Helix Multi-level quad corkscrew track Yellow 1998
Thrasher Single rider, flat ‘road course’ sprint track Red 1998
Thrill rides
Name Manufacturer Model name Opened Notes
Rip Curl Wisdom Rides, Inc. Himalaya (ride) 2013 Brand new with a taller than normal ride base[14]
Skycoaster F3 Amusements, Inc. Skycoaster 2013 Purchased from MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park[15]
Hot Seat S&S - Sansei Technologies Screamin' Swing
Headrush 360 SBF Visa Group Midi Dance Party 360 2016
Liberty swing ARM Rides Sky Hawk 2021 The first of its kind, opening in May 2021.[16][17]
Former rides
Name Manufacturer Model name Opened Closed Notes
Air Race Zamperla Air Race 2014
Enterprise Schwarzkopf Enterprise 2013 2024 Purchased from Six Flags Over Georgia where it was called Wheelie[14]

Kissimmee location

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Fun Spot America in Kissimmee, Florida, is located adjacent to the Old Town entertainment and shopping complex. The park is designed as a circular walkway around the lagoon featuring the world's tallest skycoaster, the entrance of which is on the west side of the lagoon. The south end of loop features the signature multi-level go-kart tracks, the east side the flat slick tracks. In the north east side of the loop is the Arcade and Kiddie Area and the Rockstar Coaster is at the north end of the loop.

In 2004, Fun Spot purchased the site of the world's tallest Skycoaster located in Kissimmee, adjacent to the Old Town entertainment and shopping complex. The site was purchased from Bill Kitchen, the inventor of the Skycoaster and owner of Skyventure. The site also included a recently opened G-Force dragster ride. Fun Spot developed the 9 acres around the skycoaster into another amusement park call Fun Spot USA in 2007 (now Fun Spot America - Kissimmee). They added 2 multi-level go-kart tracks, family/thrill rides and an arcade. Summer of 2011 saw the arrival of Fun Spot's first major roller coaster, the Power Trip Coaster at the Kissimmee park (now Rockstar Coaster). The Wild Mouse roller coaster, manufactured by Zamperla, was relocated from Cypress Gardens, where it was known as Galaxy Spin, when Cypress Gardens closed and became Legoland Florida.[3][4][18][19][20][21]

Roller coasters
Name Manufacturer Model name Opened Notes
Sea Serpent E&F Miler Industries Family Coasters / 11.5 ft Single Helix Center - CCW 2012 Purchased from Enchanted Forest Amusement Park in Illinois, where it was known as Boa Squeeze[22]
Galaxy Spin Zamperla Wild Mouse roller coaster 2011 Purchased from Legoland Florida, where it was known as Galaxy Spin when Legoland was Cypress Gardens[23]
Mine Blower The Gravity Group Wooden roller coaster 2017 This roller coaster is 82 feet tall, reaching 48.5 mph and features a 360-degree barrel roll inversion. It is the first inverting wooden roller coaster in Southeast America. It is also only one of 3 wooden coasters in operation in the state of Florida, with the other two being Coastersaurus at Legoland Florida, and White Lightning at Fun Spot Orlando.
Hurricane E&F Miler Industries Steel roller coaster 2019 Hurricane is 52 feet (16 m) tall and 1,300 feet (400 m) long.[24] It was formerly known as Jack Rabbit at Celebration City (2003–2008)[25] and Viking Voyage at Wild Adventures (2010–2018).[26]
Go-kart tracks
Name Description Color Opened Notes
Vortex 4 stories (40-ft high) Helix track with 32 degree banks Yellow 2007
Chaos Multi-level track Blue 2007
Road Course Hairpin Turn Track Green Removed in 2016 and replaced with MineBlower
Slick Track Fastest slickest track Red Removed in 2016 and replaced with MineBlower
Thrill rides
Name Manufacturer Model name Opened Notes
Skycoaster F3 Amusements, Inc. Skycoaster 1997 World's tallest
Headrush 360 SBF Visa Group 2016
Hot Seat S&S – Sansei Technologies Screamin' Swing <2011
Flying Bobs Chance Rides Matterhorn
Yo-Yo Chance Rides

Atlanta location

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FunSpot Atlanta's ‘ArieForce One’ front car unveiled at the IAAPA 2021 Expo

In early 2021, Fun Spot America Atlanta teased photos for an upcoming roller coaster. The project, named ArieForce One, was officially unveiled at the annual IAAPA Orlando Expo on November 16, 2021. Fun Spot partnered with Idaho based manufacturer Rocky Mountain Construction to construct a ground-up I-Box layout for the park. ArieForce One opened in 2023.

Roller coasters
Name Manufacturer Model name Opened Notes
Sea Serpent E&F Miler Industries Family Coaster / 11.5 ft Single Helix Center - CCW 2019 Originally opened at Jeepers! in Buffalo, New York in 1999 before being relocated to Jeepers! in Concord, North Carolina where it operated from 2000-2006. Relocated to Heritage Amusement Park in Golden, Colorado in 2007 where it operated until 2018.[27]
Hurricane Coaster E&F Miler Industries Hi-Miler/38 ft 2007 [28]
ArieForce One Rocky Mountain Construction IBox Track / Custom 2023 Announced May 2021. [29][30]Closing August 2, 2026.[31]
Go-kart tracks
Name Description Color Opened Notes
Samson Height Requirement: Over 40 feet tall, 3 helixes and 3 exhilarating drops. Length = over 1,800 feet long[32] 2018
Sprint Track 2018
Road Course 2018
Junior Track 2018
Thrill rides
Name Manufacturer Model name Opened Notes
Scrambler Eli Bridge Company Scrambler
Riptide Bertazzon Matterhorn 2018 Operated at Playland's Castaway Cove from 1998 to 2016
Paratrooper Frank Hrubetz & Company Paratrooper 2018
Screamin' Swing S&S - Sansei Technologies Screamin' Swing
Spider Schwarzkopf Octopus
Drop Zone Moser's rides Drop Tower
Screaming Eagles Larson International Flying Scooters 2022

Former parks

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Awards

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Fun Spot was awarded the 2012 Brass Ring for "Top Family Entertainment Center (FEC) - North America" by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).[33][34]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Go-Karts and Gators: Putting the Fun in Fun Spot America". blooloop. February 5, 2016. Archived from the original on April 14, 2026. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Vaughan, Vicki (January 4, 1987). "Fun 'n Wheels - Kids' Idea of Having a Good Time". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 19, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lamanna, Dean (July 2013). "Fun Spot Attractions is a happy medium for owner John Arie, Sr" (PDF). Amusement Today. pp. 6B–7B. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 11, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "About Fun Spot America Theme Parks". fun-spot.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2026. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Pleasurama Deal May Bring Hard Rock Cafe". Orlando Sentinel. July 21, 1988. Archived from the original on July 1, 2026. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  6. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Fun 'n Wheels". Roller Coaster DataBase. Archived from the original on May 4, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Spitz, Jill Jorden (July 14, 1997). "Tourist Corridor Amusement Park Aims To Be A Fun Spot For Families". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 27, 2025. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  8. ↑ Rutherford, Scott (July 2013). "Orlando's Fun Spot America opens to record numbers" (PDF). Amusement Today. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  9. ↑ Smith, Steven Cole (August 14, 2011). "For your amusement: Fun Spot executive embraces the inner child". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  10. ↑ Dineen, Caitlin (May 5, 2015). "Gator Spot quietly opens to the public". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Fun Spot America purchases Fun Junction USA near Atlanta". July 3, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Fun Spot America announces closure of Atlanta park". Amusement Today. June 25, 2026. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Fun Spot America Discussion Thread - Page 72 - Theme Park Review". January 2, 2011.
  14. 1 2 "Fun Spot America Discussion Thread - Page 77 - Theme Park Review". January 2, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Fun Spot America Discussion Thread - Page 80 - Theme Park Review". January 2, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Sky Hawk". Fun Spot America Theme Parks. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Fun Spot America announces addition of Sky Hawk ride". Amusement Today. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  18. ↑ Boyd, Christopher (June 22, 2007). "Squeals of tiny wheels". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  19. ↑ Panoff, Rebecca (April 29, 2004). "Fun Spot Buys Kissimmee Ride, Plans 2nd Park". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  20. ↑ Bevil, Dewayne. "Power Trip Coaster at Fun Spot USA in Kissimmee". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  21. ↑ "A look at Fun Spot's first roller coaster – Power Trip Coaster debuts in Kissimmee – Video/Photos". attractionsmagazine.com. July 3, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Kiddie Coaster".
  23. ↑ "Rockstar Coaster".
  24. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Hurricane (Fun Spot America)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  25. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Jack Rabbit (Celebration City)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  26. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Viking Voyage (Wild Adventures)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  27. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Kiddie Coaster (Fun Spot America Atlanta)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  28. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Scream'n Eagle (Fun Spot America Atlanta)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  29. ↑ Marden, Duane. "ArieForce One (Fun Spot America Atlanta)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  30. ↑ "Fun Spot America Announces partnership with Rocky Mountain Construction". Fun Spot America Theme Parks. May 25, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  31. ↑ Whittaker, Adam (June 25, 2026). "Fun Spot America to close its Atlanta location". Attractions Daily. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Samson". August 3, 2018.
  33. ↑ Bevil, Dewayne (November 15, 2012). "Fun Spot grabs IAAPA's Brass Ring Award". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  34. ↑ "2012 Brass Ring Awards Winners". www.iaapa.org.
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