Orlando Free Fall

[RollyCoaster]

As somebody with direct involvement with opening this ride and everything leading up to it I’m very disappointed that this was the move that was made.

Funtime looks to be relocating it elsewhere in the world.

 

[CoasterTalkBob]

While that's probably true, to me the crazier thing is that it was basically another Action Park ride design situation - little to no practical engineering expertise involved compared to the intent for high thrills.

Ironically is that AP seemed to have more deaths attributed to off-the-shelf engineered attractions (grave pool, kayak experience) over the multiple injuries from poorly designed rides, unlike Veruckt that killed one of it's first guests...

Verruckt opened in 2014 and the death didn't occur until 2016. Aside from scrapes and bruises the ride operated fairly well. It wasn't until the brake pad wore away and the park ignored the issue rather than replacing it that more serious injuries started happening more rapidly. Yes, the engineering was a shit show and the "designers" deserved to be held accountable for that but there was a much bigger issue of park neglect in the death than there was the design of the ride.

Honestly though, I don't think AP was anything related to the same type of thing of these other serious accidents. AP was a lot more the 90s than people realize -- more so being a product of it's time than anything. Nothing was a traditional amusement park ride in the park and I would equate it closer to a playground or skate park than anything else. Granted, it was a much more extreme version of those things but the mindset of both operators and visitors was very different than those involved with Schliterabahn and Free Fall.

 

[madmax]

UPDATE: Orlando Freefall to be removed.

Orlando Free Fall to be torn down after Tyre Sampson’s death

Good riddance.

 

[Unagi]

Adios!

 

[Jonesta6]

Such a shame

 

[AlpenChariot]

This was easily my favorite flat ride ever. I hope it gets relocated to somewhere else in America.

 

[Coasternerd]

I don’t mean this to sound mean, but I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if another park overseas buys it for cheap. The ride is practically brand new, seeing as it only operated for 3 months.

 

[Jonesta6]

I wonder if there's a condemned status that legally makes it more difficult to go anywhere than the scrap yard?

 

[Zachary]

Assuming Funtime is buying it, they should be able to inspect, recertify, and sell it with zero issue. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see this go up in another park relatively quickly.

 

[I305Evan]

It certainly won't be located in Florida as they stripped the operating permit in the state of Florida. Outside of that though- it probably will be fair game for them relocate it.

 

[Jonesta6]

It certainly won't be located in Florida as they stripped the operating permit in the state of Florida. Outside of that though- it probably will be fair game for them relocate it.

The thing though is that the accident was international news - how would any new location be able to deal with the PR nightmare of the tower that some kid fell off of and died

 

[GoHokies87]

The thing though is that the accident was international news - how would any new location be able to deal with the PR nightmare of the tower that some kid fell off of and died

Easy, just change the topper!

 

[horsesboy]

The thing though is that the accident was international news - how would any new location be able to deal with the PR nightmare of the tower that some kid fell off of and died

Maybe Six Flags will buy it they have a fair amount of experience in that area.

 

[b.mac]

Maybe Six Flags will buy it they have a fair amount of experience in that area.

More their own rides killing guests, not buying rides that have already done so.

No major park would be willing to shoulder the PR nightmare of the ride but a small to mid-size independent park would love to have something like this. Look at how the Knott's Windseeker found second life.

 

[Coasternerd]

True, but the knotts windseeker was moved within the cedar fair chain.

 

[Jonesta6]

True, but the knotts windseeker was moved within the cedar fair chain.

Maybe a bit off topic, but can you link to any news about that?

 

[Unagi]

Maybe a bit off topic, but can you link to any news about that?

New Worlds of Fun ride had problems in California

A ride that stranded people 300 feet high twice last year will be moving from Knott's Berry Farm to a sister amusement park in Missouri next year.

www.kmbc.com

 

[Gavin]

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[Coasternerd]

I wouldn’t be surprised to see it pop up overseas. Not likely to go anywhere in the US given its history.

 

[Zachary]

I think rides can almost always be separated from their history with a new name, paint job, and a few years. Normal folks would have no idea.

I think this could be an enormous get for any number of parks, domestic or international. I'm sure the discount is nice and hefty.