Construction Begins on Central Florida Attraction: Groundbreaking Ceremony for Development of Fantasy Of Flight into Major Theme Park
- Work starts on new facility that will double size of current attraction.
- Plans unveiled for multimillion-dollar immersive theme park.
- New park to feature design by Disney and Universal visionary Robert Ward.
- Potential for huge boost in visitors and revenues for Polk County and neighboring counties.
Today the owner of Fantasy of Flight, Kermit Weeks, broke ground on construction of a new hangar. He was joined by Sean Malott, President and CEO of the Central Florida Development Council, Rick Wilson and Mike Scott from the Polk County Board of Commissioners, and renowned themed entertainment industry designer Robert Ward.
The new hanger represents the start of ‘Act III’ in the history of Fantasy of Flight. Act I began in 1995 with the construction of the original aviation theme park, then Act II being the period 2014 to 2025 when the facility was scaled down to a static museum. Act III starts with the new hanger, after which a full theme park will be built.
Central Florida is famed for its theme parks, to which Mr. Weeks commented “I want to do something on a grand scale. I’m a big fan of Walt Disney. When he opened Disneyland, we had just come back from Europe and Asia [The U.S. exit from WWII and its aftermath]. We were looking for escape from reality; that’s entertainment! So, the industry up the street [Disney Word] is basically about escaping from reality, I want to create something that’s about engaging with reality.”
Although a championship winning aerobatic pilot and vintage aircraft collector, Mr. Weeks said the planned them park would not be a simple museum, but an entirely new immersive experience. “This I’m not proud of, this is not what I want to be.” He said of the current museum. “In the future imagine Disney, Universal quality, size and potential, but it’s a completely different product. This is the beginning of where I’m going. You’re going to be reflecting on your own journey; where you’ve come from, where you’re at, where you want to go. It’s about flight of the human spirit.”
Turning Mr. Weeks’ vision into reality is Robert Ward. Mr. Ward is a legend within the themed leisure entertainment and resort destination industries. His work includes detailed ride and show installations for Disney and 25 years with Universal Studios Parks and Resorts.
Also participating in the groundbreaking ceremony were Polk County Commissioners Rick Wilson and Mike Scott. A Polk County native, Mr. Scott said “I’ve been around Fantasy of Flight since I was a kid. The lives that Mr. Weeks and Fantasy of Flight have impacted over the decades has been immeasurable.”
Central Florida Development Council President and CEO Sean Malott said “Today’s groundbreaking represents investment in a rich aviation history, in our proven economy and our future. With this new hangar facility fantasy of Flight will be able to showcase stories and spark more curiosity.”
Mr. Weeks went on to say that completion and opening of the new hangar is expected to be in twelve months’ time, although he is remaining tight-lipped about the timeline for the following work in creating the overall attraction.
Kermit Weeks in 20 seconds:Kermit Weeks is a highly successful World Aerobatics Championship pilot and owner of one of the largest private collections of historic aircraft in the world. Born in Salt Lake City, UT, Weeks was raised in Miami, FL, where he earned an aeronautical engineering degree at Miami-Dade Junior College, the University of Florida, and Purdue University. He began building his first airplane aged 17 and began competing in aerobatic flying competitions aged 20. Weeks’ many achievements and accolades include twice winning the U.S. National Aerobatics Championship and 20 medals in the World Aerobatics Championships; Lloyd P. Nolen Lifetime Achievement in Aviation award; induction into the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame.
Fantasy of Flight in 20 seconds:Fantasy of Flight is an aviation museum with over 140 historic military and historic aircraft, many of them among the last surviving examples in the world. Fantasy of Flight first opened in 1995 as an aviation-based theme park before operations scaled back the facility to a static museum. Now entering ‘Act III’ of development, Fantasy of Flight will be expanded into a cutting-edge tourist destination. Fantasy of Flight is located beside I-4 approximately 40-minutes from both Orlando and Tampa, at 1400 Broadway Blvd. S.E., Polk City, FL.