FUN SPOT ACTION PARK BECOMES “HUGE-ER”

Fun Spot Action Park, just off International Drive in Orlando, is growing. The 13 year-old, 5 acre park has just purchased an adjacent 10 acres to triple its size. Plans are being developed for the expansion of rides, tracks and jobs at the Orlando Park.

The new, expanded park will include more tracks, more rides, including some possible water rides, and a smaller version of the SkyCoaster thrill ride located in their Kissimmee Park. Paint Ball and batting cages have also been suggested but no commitment has been made.

With over a million visitors to its two parks, Fun Spot is becoming the largest of the second tier attractions in Central Florida. Known for their multi-level go-kart tracks, and value pricing, Fun Spot holds 4 U.S. patents on go-kart track design. It is locally-owned and family-owned. For several years, Fun Spot Action Park was named the “Best Budget Attraction” by the Orlando Sentinel.

In addition to the 5 acre park near Universal Studios, there is Fun Spot USA, a 10 acre park in Kissimmee near Walt Disney World. Fun Spot USA is expanding with a new Soaring Eagle Ride, Birthday/Meeting Room, and is planning on opening its first rollercoaster, a Wild Mouse ride, this March.

Exuberant owner and CEO, John Arie Sr stated “This dream of mine has grown far larger than I ever expected. I was set to retire but I wanted to do this for my family, for the employees, for the community.”

John Arie, Jr, the COO and television spokesperson said, “Everyone is talking about job creation, well we are doing it. We presently have 200+ employees. With this expansion we hope to add another 200. For us this expansion is Huge!”

In the image the additional 10 acres is the immediate right of Fun Spot edged by Grand National Blvd to the top and Alta Vista Lane to the right and two retention ponds to the bottom. 

 Another view of the current park and adjacent 10 acres

“Kids Ride Free” policy back at Orlando

As of December 25, the Orlando Fun Spot is giving a gift again to parents. Fun Spot is bringing back our “Kids Ride Free with a paying adult” policy. Basically what this means is that if children are too young or small to drive a go-kart by themselves, then a parent (must be over 18 years old) can drive the child with only one of them having the Unlimited $34.95 Armband. The name is actually a little confusing because most of the time, the child gets the Unlimited Armband in order to do the pre-school rides by themselves, have a parent take them on the Bumper Cars, Bumper Boats, Fun Slide and Ferris Wheel, and drive them on 3 of the 4 go-kart tracks with the parent not having any armband. So it really is a “Parents drive Free with a child paying a Full Price armband” policy. But “Kids Ride Free” sounds simpler and easier. 

This policy has been in effect at the Kissimmee park since opening and remains in effect there as well.

Fun Spot is proud of the US Military

Fun Spot Attractions is proud of the men and women who serve our nation in the armed forces. In partnership with military bases, we sell our Armband passes at individual bases for the Army, Navy and Air Force at a discounted rate. If you are active military check with your local ITT to see if they have our discounted Armband passes. We do not offer a discount at our Ticket Booth because of our partnership with the ITT's on base. Call Lola at 407-363-3867 ext. 115 if you would like more details. And thank you for your service to our nation.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - Fun Spot Version

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS 

by Clement Clarke Moore
adapted by Mark Brisson

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Spot

Locals weren’t stirring, but tourists were out;

Stocking Stuffers were readied by employees who care,

In hopes that buyers soon would be there;

The children were excited by the rides and the thrills,

With visions of winning as they crested the hills;

And mamma with her book, and I with my iphone,

Tired and settled wishing for home,

When out on the tracks there arose such a clatter,

We sprang from our pizza to see what was the matter.

Away to the karts I flew like a flash,

Cut through line, in the queue I did dash.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a tricked out kart with eight tiny reindeer,

And a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles attendants they came,

They whistled, and clapped, But He called them by name;

Names He remember, though an old fogy

"Now, Richard! now, Robbi! There’s Cada and Cody!

Come Newman, Come Barnes! With Trent and Eggers!

A party I bring, better than your keggers!

To your cars, To the street, over the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all.

Horatio, Horatio, employees of all sorts

This party will please even the St. Forts”

From his kart He pulled prizes of all type,

And promises of prosperity and all of its hype.

And then, in a twinkling, I saw near the tracks

Attendants unmoving, giving their max.

Nicholas said to the lads, “A Party awaits,

This place is work. Come, don’t be late!”

They spoke not a word, but went straight to their work,

Making children happy, and not being a jerk,

Their smiles -- how they twinkled! Their laughter was cute!

Their service was nice, good manners to boot!

Santa was offering moments of fun

But good attendants waited ‘til the job was done

Soon I knew I had nothing to dread;

For the spirit of this place was now in my head,

Though Nicholas offered a party and treats

Being consistent was the better of feats

For this Spot was not fun one day a year

But gave lots smiles, gave lots of cheer

Safe, Clean Fun was not for a day

But a gift they gave in every possible way

Mother and I will remember this night,

And the things that could have given us a fright;

Instead this Spot of Fun filled us with joys,

Making memories more than all the toys.

But the day was not forgotten by this wondrous crew

It was Christmas Eve as we all truly knew

So I heard them say, as we drove out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Open at 2 pm. on Christmas day!

Fun Spot will open at 2 pm. on Christmas day for all of your holiday fun!!

Commercial shoot yesterday

As part of Fun Spot’s commitment to education, we are a sponsor for the Central Florida Educational Expo co-sponsored by WKMG, Channel 6. To promote the Expo, John Junior, John III, and Alexis Arie all went to the WKMG studios and taped brief segments that will be included in the station’s promotional commercials for the Expo. Junior promotes the Expo, while his two children talk about their goals for adult careers and how education will help them. This Educational Expo in January is going to be Huge!

HUGE changes at Fun Spot

Fun Spot Action Park in Orlando has joined the electronic revolution with our new “Fun-E-Card”. Now there is one card for all your Fun Spot purchases.  Phase One is for all the rides and go-karts, plus Snack Bar and Birthday Parties. Phase Two will include our arcade and online booking of birthday parties. With this system we bring back our “Parents Ride FREE with Paying Child”. In other words, if your child has the Unlimited Armband but can not operate the ride without an adult, the adult can ride along at no charge. Some restrictions apply. This replaces our “Chaperone” Armband. That’s a $5 savings.

Fun Spot USA in Kissimmee is moving dirt as we build our new 8,000 sq ft building which will house a Ticket Booth, Restrooms, a Birthday Room, a Small Arcade, plus offices and an employee break room. Come February we will have our new “Screamin Eagle” ride. And remember Fun Spot USA will be home of the Galaxy Spin Roller Coaster sometime this Spring. Huge changes at the place for Huge Fun!

 "Screaming Eagle" Fun Spots version is still being manufactured

Flooring to our new arcade

SkyCoaster building

All in the Family

Fun Spot Attractions is a family business in many ways. Owned and operated locally by the Arie Family, we celebrate their achievements. For Alexis Arie, the 8 year old daughter of General Manager and television spokesperson, John Jr, and his wife, our bookkeeper, Tracy Arie, the great achievement this week was to place first in the Florida region of the NFL’s athletic program “Pass, Punt and Kick”. Appearing before the December 19^th Buccaneers Game, Alexis proved her skills on a drizzly, cold day. Her high score placed her 10^th in the country for her age. She was featured during half time of the Tampa Bay Bucs and Detroit Lions game. Everyone in the Fun Spot Family congratulates Alexis’ achievement by saying “It’s HUGE!”

A Fun Spot Christmas

Fun Spot hosted its annual Christmas Party on Tuesday December 14^th.  Fun Spot had the traditional dinner and dancing, but this year was marked by a very special occasion, a marriage proposal. Tim, one of our track attendants from our Kissimmee park, took the stage, made a very endearing speech and then got on one knee and asked for Chelsea’s hand in marriage. Chelsea is an employee in our birthday department at the Orlando Park. Fun Spot wishes them many years of happiness!

Top Sellers Soar at Fun Spot

For the sixth year, Fun Spot has honored the top fundraisers in local schools who sold the largest volume of Entertainment Books and Sally Foster product, with a special FREE party. 250 top sellers and their guests were treated to unlimited rides, go-karts, arcade, food and goody bags on Wednesday, December 8^th. The cold weather kept some of the winners from coming, but for the hundreds who did, it was a hot time at a real cool place.

Fun Spot and the Fun Partners

The 2010 Fun Partner Christmas party was held on December 8^th, at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. Over 800 hospitality workers enjoyed a holiday party presented by the coalition of 12 local attractions called Fun Partners. Fun Partners, which began in 1999 (Fun Spot joined in 2000), do 4-5 parties a year for the hospitality industry at one of its member attractions. Fun Spot has a great working relationship with other partners including – Pirates Dinner Adventure, Boggy Creek Airport Rides, Titanic, Kennedy Space Center, and 8 others.

Fun Spot welcomes Orlando Police Department (OPD) to the 'hood

On Tuesday, December 7^th there was a Grand Opening for a new Police station in one of the plazas next to Fun Spot Action Park in Orlando. Fun Spot was able to help with the Grand Opening which had over 150 local dignitaries attend. TV Spokesperson, John Jr was warmly greeted by Orlando Police Chief Val Demings, before he had his picture taken with a number of attendees. Fun Spot has always believed in – Safe, Clean, Fun, and are happy to have Orlando Police as a neighbor. Welcome to the ‘hood.

A new ride at Fun Spot USA is coming soon.

Purchased at IAAPA, the amusement park trade show, Fun Spot in Kissimmee will get a new Soaring Eagle ride. The name and graphics are still being developed. You got ideas? These Eagle painted “buckets” spin from above and have “rudders” in them allowing you the rider to become the driver. You pull it in and out, up and down. Once again, at Fun Spot you can drive the ride. Look for this ride in Kissimmee by February. Remember a new building, and a roller coaster is also slated to be at Kissimmee by February-March. I can’t wait.

Give the Gift of Life this Holiday Season

Once again Fun Spot in Orlando will hold a Blood Drive to help increase the region’s blood supply. On Friday, December 3, the Orlando park will have Community Blood Centers of Florida from 4:30 – 9:30 pm collecting blood. Fun Spot will offer each person who does provide blood a $20 Track Sampler armband that may be used that night or in the future. Give because you want to help, because of the season of giving, because it is the right thing to do. But if you give, you will get, from Fun Spot.

SkyCoaster has L.E.D. lights

Now the world’s tallest SkyCoaster is also the flashiest. Hundreds of new L.E.D. lights that change colors, movements, and rhythms have been added to two of the 300 foot white poles that comprise SkyCoaster. Like the Ferris Wheel in Orlando, these lights “dance” and can put on quite a show. The kick-off for these lights was a party November, 17th when 500+ people from the IAAPA amusement park trade show came by for a private party to drive the tracks, ride the rides, and soar on SkyCoaster. If you haven’t seen SkyCoaster at night, you haven’t seen half the show. Come by and watch. We are still free admission.

E-Cards and E-Systems will be in the Orlando park

From the IAAPA show, the amusement park tradeshow, Fun Spot in Orlando is looking to change to an E-Card system for its arcade and rides. A change in the system will be here by Christmas break. Let us know what you think of the system after you try it. If it works well, you may see it at the Kissimmee park as well. Looking forward to seeing you-all at Christmas.

Fun Spot is FUN for employees as well as guest!

One of the challenges in making sure our guests have fun is that often our employees have to work on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. So Fun Spot will be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we do not open until 2 pm, allowing our employees time to spend with families in the morning. Furthermore, there is a tradition of our management taking turns to make holiday feasts for our employees to eat when they get to work. So if you come these holidays, don’t be surprised if our employees head to our Break Room between rides to gobble down some turkey, potatoes, and stuffing made by a member of management. They return to their rides with a full belly and a smile on their face. Many employees volunteer to work the holiday so they can participate in this Fun Spot tradition. We want it to be a Fun Spot for our employees too.

Fun Spot Goes to IAAPA

The biggest trade show (IAAPA) in the world for amusement parks and attractions was held last week in Orlando and Fun Spot was there. Fun Spot was submitted for two advertising awards but won neither. Oh well. Fun Spot has won two awards in previous years for its advertising. Over 30 Fun Spot employees walked the showroom floor seeing new rides, new ideas, and tasting new foods. Hopefully some of that “newness” will soon be coming to a Fun amusement park near you. I know of two Spots that will have some new stuff soon. Stay posted.