Freedom Flyer
{{Infobox roller coaster
| name = Freedom Flyer
| logo =
| logodimensions =
| image = File:Fun Spot America Orlando Freedom Flyer Coaster.JPG
| imagedimensions = 250
| caption = Fun Spot America Orlando's Freedom Flyer Coaster
| previousnames =
| location = Fun Spot America
| locationarticle = Fun Spot America Theme Parks
| section =
| subsection =
| coordinates = {{Coord|28.4661863|-81.4560572|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| status = Open
| opened = {{Start date|2013|6|8}}
| soft_opened = {{Start date|2013|5|13}}
| year = 2013
| closed =
| cost =USD$ 5.5 million
| previousattraction =
| replacement =
| type = Steel
| type2 = Family
| type3 = Suspended Family Coaster
| manufacturer = Vekoma
| designer =
| model = Suspended Family Coaster (395m)
| track = Twister
| lift = Drive tire
| height_ft = 64.3
| drop_ft =
| length_ft = 1295.9
| speed_mph = 34.2
| inversions = 0
| duration = 1:03
| angle =
| capacity = 758
| acceleration =
| acceleration_from =
| acceleration_mph =
| acceleration_km/h =
| acceleration_in =
| gforce = 2.5
| restriction_in = 36
| trains = 1
| carspertrain = 10
| rowspercar = 1
| ridersperrow = 2
| virtual_queue_name =
| virtual_queue_image =
| virtual_queue_status =
| single_rider =
| accessible =
| transfer_accessible =
| custom_label_1 =
| custom_value_1 =
| custom_label_2 =
| custom_value_2 =
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| custom_label_4 =
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| rcdb_number = 10347
}}
Freedom Flyer is a Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster at the Fun Spot America Amusement Park in Orlando, Florida. It has yellow track and blue supports. Opened in May 2013, it is {{convert|1295|feet}} long.{{cite rcdb|rcdb_number=10347|coaster_name=Freedom Flyer|location=Fun Spot America}}{{cite web | url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2013/05/30/fun-spot-brings-two-new-roller-coasters-to-orlando/ | title=Fun Spot brings two new roller coasters to Orlando | work=Orlando Sentinel | date=30 May 2013 | access-date=10 November 2014 | author=Bevil, Dewayne}}
History
On December 31, 2010, Fun Spot Action Park announced that they purchased an additional {{Convert|10|acre}} adjacent to the park, with plans to triple the size of the park adding a number of new rides.{{Cite press release|title=Fun Spot Action Park Becomes "Huge-er"|url=http://funspotattractions.blogspot.com/2010/12/fun-spot-action-park-becomes-huge-er.html|accessdate=July 19, 2013|date=December 31, 2010|publisher=Fun Spot Attractions}} In April 2011, Fun Spot Action Park surveyed park guests about what types of attractions they would like at the park. Consensus published by the park indicated they wanted water rides and roller coasters.{{Cite press release|title=Surveys, Surveys, Surveys|url=http://funspotattractions.blogspot.com/2011/04/surveys-surveys-surveys.html|accessdate=July 19, 2013|date=April 26, 2011|publisher=Fun Spot Attractions}} In August 2011, the Orlando Sentinel revealed that the park had contacted at least three roller coaster manufacturers.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Steven Cole|title=For your amusement: Fun Spot executive embraces the inner child|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2011/08/14/for-your-amusement-fun-spot-executive-embraces-the-inner-child/|access-date=July 19, 2013|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=August 14, 2011|publisher=Tribune Company}} In November 2011, it was confirmed that the park would receive two roller coasters: one wood and one steel.{{cite news|title=New attractions planned for Orlando park|url=http://www.clickorlando.com/entertainment/theme-parks/New-attractions-planned-for-Orlando-park/-/2235348/4810702/-/xqga2g/-/index.html|accessdate=July 19, 2013|newspaper=Click Orlando|date=November 22, 2011}} The coaster soft-opened in May 2013.
During the 2015 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Trade Show in Orlando, the Freedom Flyer was used to demonstrate Virtual Reality Technology on roller coasters. By wearing a VR headset during the ride, speed, dimensions as well as theming can be vastly extended in the simulated environment, while still experiencing the real g-forces and air-time moments of the actual ride.{{cite web | url=http://attractionsmagazine.com/attractions-show-vr-coaster-beyond-disney-interview-latest-news-jan-7-2016/ | title=Attractions – The Show – VR Coaster; Beyond Disney interview; latest news – Jan. 7, 2016 | work=Attractions Magazine | date=Jan 7, 2016 | accessdate=May 4, 2016}} As of the December 16, 2016, the Virtual Reality aspect was introduced permanently to the attraction. {{Cite web|url=http://fun-spot.com/virtual-reality-freedom-flyer/|title = Virtual Reality on the Freedom Flyer|date = 15 December 2016}}
Ride Description
Freedom Flyer's layout starts with a 90 degree turn into a short, {{Convert|64|foot}} Lift hill. after ascending the lift hill, the ride transitions into a curved drop and an mild hill, then turning into a series of banked turns overlooking the entrance to the park. Afterwards, the ride proceeds into a double helix, concluding the ride and sending the ride vehicle to the station. Throughout the course of the ride, there are multiple "foot choppers" (support beams that draw near to the rider's feet, giving the illusion that the rider's legs are going to be chopped off, hence the name "foot chopper"). Additionally, Freedom Flyer's layout is almost entirely made up of turns, as typical for the given roller coaster model.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
Category:Roller coasters in Orlando, Florida
Category:Roller coasters in Florida
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