Old Resurrected Roller Coaster Lives on in Kissimmee, Florida
Fun Spot USA to Feature Spinning-style Coaster from Closed Park
While I find it fun to discover and write about old, abandoned roller coasters and theme parks long forgotten, it's also a joy to hear of an old coaster being given a new lease on life. Such is the case with Cypress Garden's Galaxy Spin roller coaster.
Piece-by-piece, the four-riders-to-a-car coaster is being transported and repainted to fit in with Kissimmee's Fun Spot USA amusement park. Located next door to Old Town, just behind the Burger King restaurant along 192, this ride certainly ought to add to the park's screams of delight (or possibly terror).
I found this ride while my wife and I were returning from our first camping experience in many, many moons. The detour through a quiet street that ran along behind the Old Town attraction brought some brightly painted objects into view. Off to the right, I spotted a grassy area the size of a football field. Spread throughout were freshly painted blue and yellow coaster tracks. I drove down a short road bordering the rails and took a handful of pictures. The grass looked like it was swallowing some pieces. Had there been an abandoned coaster here? Had a ride recently been torn down? It wasn't until we saw a painting booth area and lots of paint cans that I realized some sort of restoration was going on.
We were leaving the area, when I spotted a portion of blue track stretching to the sky... and ending in nothing. That had to be it! (See my photo #2 up above)
Hanging a quick u-turn, we pulled into the Fun Spot USA park. It didn't take long before I was chatting with a friendly employee who explained that the roller coaster under construction was being transported from Cypress Gardens which closed its doors back on September 23, 2009.
The whirling roller coaster once operated under the name, "Galaxy Spin" while among the historical greenery and flowers of Cypress Gardens. Now, in its new home, the coaster has a fresh new name: "The Power Trip", named after the Power Trip Energy Drink sponsor.
What's this Power Trip coaster going to be like?
Over one thousand feet of bright yellow track will take up to 4 riders along a multitude of winding turns -- while facing forward. But at the halfway mark, things suddenly change. At that point the car is freed to rotate and spin however it will. From one of the Galaxy Spin Tribute YouTube videos I watched, some crazy spinning can be accomplished by sitting toward the car's left side. The rider in the video ended up with a gnarly spin going. See photo #4 for an up close look at one of the coaster's cars.
When will it be open?
The Fun Spot USA employee said that they're hoping for a June 13, 2011 opening.
The old Cypress Garden's roller coaster is getting a new spin on life! The Power Trip is coming to Kissimmee, folks. Step right up and hang on to your handrails!
Map and Directions
Fun Spot USA
2850 Florida Plaza Blvd.
Kissimmee, Florida 34746
Call 407-397-2509
Click HERE for Directions and Interactive Map.
Piece-by-piece, the four-riders-to-a-car coaster is being transported and repainted to fit in with Kissimmee's Fun Spot USA amusement park. Located next door to Old Town, just behind the Burger King restaurant along 192, this ride certainly ought to add to the park's screams of delight (or possibly terror).
I found this ride while my wife and I were returning from our first camping experience in many, many moons. The detour through a quiet street that ran along behind the Old Town attraction brought some brightly painted objects into view. Off to the right, I spotted a grassy area the size of a football field. Spread throughout were freshly painted blue and yellow coaster tracks. I drove down a short road bordering the rails and took a handful of pictures. The grass looked like it was swallowing some pieces. Had there been an abandoned coaster here? Had a ride recently been torn down? It wasn't until we saw a painting booth area and lots of paint cans that I realized some sort of restoration was going on.
We were leaving the area, when I spotted a portion of blue track stretching to the sky... and ending in nothing. That had to be it! (See my photo #2 up above)
Hanging a quick u-turn, we pulled into the Fun Spot USA park. It didn't take long before I was chatting with a friendly employee who explained that the roller coaster under construction was being transported from Cypress Gardens which closed its doors back on September 23, 2009.
The whirling roller coaster once operated under the name, "Galaxy Spin" while among the historical greenery and flowers of Cypress Gardens. Now, in its new home, the coaster has a fresh new name: "The Power Trip", named after the Power Trip Energy Drink sponsor.
What's this Power Trip coaster going to be like?
Over one thousand feet of bright yellow track will take up to 4 riders along a multitude of winding turns -- while facing forward. But at the halfway mark, things suddenly change. At that point the car is freed to rotate and spin however it will. From one of the Galaxy Spin Tribute YouTube videos I watched, some crazy spinning can be accomplished by sitting toward the car's left side. The rider in the video ended up with a gnarly spin going. See photo #4 for an up close look at one of the coaster's cars.
When will it be open?
The Fun Spot USA employee said that they're hoping for a June 13, 2011 opening.
The old Cypress Garden's roller coaster is getting a new spin on life! The Power Trip is coming to Kissimmee, folks. Step right up and hang on to your handrails!
Map and Directions
Fun Spot USA
2850 Florida Plaza Blvd.
Kissimmee, Florida 34746
Call 407-397-2509
Click HERE for Directions and Interactive Map.
More Info:
Fun Spot USA's main page
Power Trip Roller Coaster Construction Pictures
Ultimate Roller Coaster's Site with Stats and Details on Galaxy Spin
What Happened to Cypress Gardens?
A Long Forgotten $100 Million Florida Theme Park (it didn't have any roller coasters, but it sure is cool!)
Published by Ron Masters
I may be a Systems Administrator by day, but finding abandoned places, writing fun articles, mentoring or praying for teens, jamming on guitars, sculpting sand, public speaking or working on pencil portraits... View profile
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6 Comments
Post a CommentSounds like a fun coaster.
Great research, my friend. I will miss the ride. It would make me sick as a spun pup. Smiles.
Great, and thanks Ron!
Whee!!! Sounds great
Wow, that is awesome! What a find!
You find the most interesting sites! I've been to Old Town and this will really add to the fun!