Fantasy of Flight to Close as Public Attraction

[fholbert]

Fantasy of Flight to Close as Public Attraction, Will Focus on Private Event Business: Attraction has world's largest private collection of vintage aircraft

AUBURNDALE | Troubled by waning attendance and image problems, Fantasy of Flight, an aviation-themed attraction boasting the world’s largest private collection of vintage aircraft, closes to the public April 6.

Kermit Weeks, the charismatic former aerobatics champion and aircraft designer who built Fantasy of Flight in part to house his collection, said he delivered the somber news Tuesday morning to staff inside the attraction and airfield just off Interstate 4 near Polk City.

“I turned 60 last year and the clock is ticking; it’s time to move on,” Weeks said. “So the bottom line is, instead of focusing on a business that quite honestly is not sustainable, I can focus my energy and resources toward a dream that will sustain.

Story Here: http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2014/03/fantasy-of-flight-to-close-as-public.html

 

[Eagle421flyer]

I love this place, sad to see it close

 

[Murdoughnut]

I've gotten to know Kermit pretty well since taking this job and working on a project with him. I imagine the museum itself , just probably didn't make sense to have it be a public exhibit and staff it hourly (not to mention the insurance). It's in a tough spot too - if it were closer to Tampa we'd host events there all the time, and I imagine if it were closer to Orlando they'd do the same there too.

 

[JOEFRIDAY2]

I'm about 10 miles from there. There is a way to make this work.

They need to add some additional attractions that appeal to the entire family--not just those interested in aviation.

Joe

 

[Murdoughnut]

I'm about 10 miles from there. There is a way to make this work.

They need to add some additional attractions that appeal to the entire family--not just those interested in aviation.

Joe

I think that's what he was getting at when he talked about misconceptions. I don't think he had any interest in being a "something for everyone" destination.

 

[Flymia]

Sad news. Living in Miami and up in Orlando often I have never been there. Planned on going up there at the end of this month and will still do that. Unfortunately will be the last time I am there. Thankful they are keeping it open for a few more weeks though. Looking forward to my visit March 29th.

 

[JOEFRIDAY2]

I think that's what he was getting at when he talked about misconceptions. I don't think he had any interest in being a "something for everyone" destination.

There is an incredible market for "fill in" 2-4 hour destinations in the Orlando area. These would be the destinations that visitors would go to on the days they do not visit the large theme parks. Most visitors (that have good sense) do not want to go to DisneyWorld every day. It's just too much.

But they don't want to sit around in their hotel rooms either. So the 2-4 hour destinations like Gatorland, Old Town, Disney Quest, etc. are perfect things for a visiting family to explore.

With that being said, it is important to have something for everyone in the family or group in order to make this work. If one person in the family or group has no interest in an attraction then the attraction will often lose the whole family or group to another attraction that has something for everyone.

Keep in mind that many families visiting this area are multi generational and usually include young children. It's been my experience that young children do not like museums. When young children do not like something you often will lose the entire family. If you actually have something that young children like, then the rest of the family will tend to accommodate the young child while exploring the attraction.

Joe

 

[Low&Slow]

Based on fholbert's link, the press release at his website, and the YouTube video below, it sounds like although Kermit Weeks is closing Fantasy of Flight, he will be reopening something similar in the future with a bigger reach.