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FAYETTEVILLE, GA – The parking zone has been stuffed with vehicles throughout the last days of operations at Fun Spot America Atlanta, a family-owned theme park within the suburb of Fayetteville.
The park itself wasn’t crowded throughout USA TODAY’s go to on July 30, however a regular stream of visitors flowed via the entrance entrance, stopping just for safety since there have been no admission charges. Like its two sister parks within the Orlando space, the park roughly 20 miles south of Atlanta solely fees visitors for sights.
Since the park’s closure was introduced in late June, thrill seekers have come from far and large to trip its world-class curler coaster, ArieForce One, for the primary or final time.
If solely this many individuals had persistently proven up sooner, maybe the park wouldn’t be shuttering on Aug. 2, Fun Spot America Theme Parks Owner and CEO John Arie, Jr. advised USA TODAY candidly. He spoke with out bitterness, simply a trace of disappointment from time to time.
The early days
The park first opened as Dixieland Fun Park in 1990, below earlier homeowners. It was later renamed Fun Junction USA earlier than altering possession in 2017 and becoming a member of the Fun Spot household.
“I just saw the opportunity with all the land, thinking that this could be our flagship park. It’s right just south of Atlanta and over 100 acres of land,” Arie stated of the choice to purchase it. “We could do a lot here. We could build a water park, put in an RV park, have a dry park.” The water park and RV park by no means took root, however the park did develop.
The first massive factor Fun Spot added was their signature elevated go-kart monitor. They additionally added smaller rides, extra meals choices, shaded pavilions for teams and events, and extra indoor leisure choices, like an expanded arcade and simulated golf driving vary.
“The numbers every year were growing just a little bit, and it was enough to continue growth,” Arie stated. “And then COVID hits in 2020.”
Like a lot of the journey business, theme parks got here to a standstill in the course of the pandemic, however Arie stated his father, who based the firm, taught him that there’s alternative even amid hardship. “I said, ‘What is it that I really think this park could use?’ And I always dreamt about having an RMC roller coaster.”
Rocky Mountain Construction is a premier trip producer, whose coasters and different sights may be discovered at parks like Dollywood, Hersheypark, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and varied Six Flags properties. The pandemic wound up being simply the proper time for them to create a coaster for Fun Spot.
A giant swing
Arie stated ArieForce One was presupposed to open in 2021 or 2022, however they hit a number of hurdles that wound up costing time and an additional $6 million in bills. “I had to put in storm drains. I had to put in a parking lot. I had to put in a septic system. It was one thing after another,” he stated. “That hurt because we’re not a big park. When we make big investments like this – this was the biggest (single) investment we’ve ever made – we try to expedite it, get it out, get it open.”
The coaster lastly opened to rave critiques in late March 2023. Billed as America’s largest zero-g stall coaster, which refers to a particular kind of rotation and suspended inversion that makes riders really feel weightless, ArieForce One is filled with back-to-back tips and heart-pounding surprises, from its preliminary 146-foot, 83-degree drop all the best way to its bunny hop end.
“There are no straightaways without something happening,” Arie advised USA TODAY on opening day. “You’re either turning left, you’re turning right. You’re going up, you’re going down. You’re going upside down, whatever it may be.”
The attraction obtained Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Award for Best New Attraction in 2023, one of many highest business honors. And it’s been persistently ranked among the many high curler coasters on the earth, together with in USA TODAY 10BEST’s Reader Choice Awards, the place it’s been within the high 10 finest coasters for 3 years operating.
Coaster fanatics have lamented the trip’s closing, however it’s private for Arie. Not solely was ArieForce One his dream, however it’s named after his dad, John Arie, Sr., who’s additionally a pilot.
“This is a tribute to my dad and all he’s done for us throughout our lives and building the foundation for us,” Arie stated when it opened.
Why is Fun Spot America Atlanta closing?
Tears welled in Arie’s eyes as he recalled the choice to shut, which he described as the toughest determination he’s ever made.
He famous that when they’ve opened an enormous new attraction in Orlando, they usually see a 30% improve in attendance that lasts for a number of years, however there wasn’t sufficient elevate from ArieForce One to maintain Atlanta-area operations.
“Thank God for the Central Florida parks and the way nicely they’re doing as a result of they have been capable of assist fund this park,” he stated. “For three years, I just kept staying hopeful and praying to God a lot and just asking Him to lead the path for me. And then finally this year, we got through our spring break, and I just said our numbers weren’t where they needed to be.”
Arie says location is partly guilty. Even although the park is simply 12 miles south of the busiest airport in the world, it’s not central for tourists, whom theme parks depend on.
“It definitely wasn’t a lack of effort, and it definitely wasn’t a lack of investment. We did everything we could, and we built a really good team,” Arie stated, calling his workforce members the park’s high asset. “They’re the ones that make the experience.”
Thanks for the reminiscences
“I’ll at all times keep in mind them. I’ll at all times be pleased about them,” Arie stated of the workers, whom the corporate’s HR workforce has been serving to with resumes, suggestions and, in some instances, job alternatives at Fun Spot’s Florida parks.
He’s additionally grateful to the various visitors who’ve visited through the years.
“Thank you for being a part of it. Every single person that came in, whether it’s the first day or the last day,” he stated, choking up once more. “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.”
As Arie walked around the park with his wife, Tracy, multiple guests came up to shake his hand, ask for a selfie and personally thank him, as well. One guest said he came from Vancouver to ride ArieForce One – his second visit since the closing announcement.
What’s going to happen to ArieForce One?
Arie said he’s received lots of phone calls and emails from parties interested in ArieForce One.
“I can inform you that it doesn’t match at both of our Central Florida parks,” he stated. “The size of it is just too big, so it will not be staying within the Fun Spot family, unfortunately, but we hope to find a home for it. That’s my goal. I don’t want to see this incredible masterpiece get torn down.”
He’s assured that the coaster will discover a new house, however needs to get via the Aug. 2 closure earlier than making any selections.
In the times to return, management will take stock of what else they wish to relocate.
“I’m planning on running an auction for all the other assets in the parks that we’re not taking back to Central Florida. And that’ll probably happen after Labor Day,” Arie stated.
Once that’s all taken away, he plans to listing the Fayetteville actual property.
While it might be goodbye to Georgia for now, Arie stated, “It’s more like, we’ll see you in Florida.”
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