An Atlanta-area amusement park that was the home of the largest zero-G stall roller coaster in the country closed for the last time on Sunday.
Fun Spot America Atlanta’s location in Fayetteville had its final day of operation on August 2, after the amusement park had been in operation for 36 years.
It opened as Dixieland Fun Park in 1990 under different ownership, and it was later renamed Fun Junction USA before it was acquired by Fun Spot in 2017. The company’s plan to close the park was announced in late June.
The park was known for the ArieForce One, which claimed the title of being the largest zero-G stall ride in the country.
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The ArieForce One features a 146-foot first drop at an 83-degree angle, with the ride reaching a top speed of 64 mph, according to Fun Spot America. It has a height requirement of 48 inches and lasts about 100 seconds.
It reaches a maximum vertical G of 3.75, with a minimum vertical G of minus 1 and a max lateral G of plus or minus 1.25 G.
Fun Spot America Theme Parks owner and CEO John Arie, Jr., told USA Today that the Fayetteville location struggled to rebound in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic despite the opening of the new ride, which was named in honor of his father.
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Arie said in the interview that the roller coaster is too large to fit at either of the company’s Florida theme parks, so they will look to find a buyer for the ride.
He told the outlet he was thankful for the employees, who the company is helping with resumes, recommendations and potential job opportunities at the company’s locations in Central Florida, adding that he hopes the park’s patrons will visit Fun Spot’s other theme parks.
“From my family to yours, we thank everybody that’s come to this Fayetteville location, and we hope that we’ve earned your business to visit us in Florida if you ever come down to Central Florida, and we’ll always do our best to have your family have the best experience on our properties,” Arie told USA Today.
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Fun Spot America opened its first theme park in 1979 with its Orlando location. It also operates an amusement park in Kissimmee, Florida.
The company’s Orlando and Kissimmee locations will remain open, and will honor season passes and gift cards.
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