My Local Hidden Gem: Unpacking Fun Spot America Atlanta (Fayetteville)

 

Hey everyone!

So, I've always been a huge fan of amusement parks. There's just something about the thrill of the rides, the smell of cotton candy and the overall excitement that gets me every time. Growing up, my sister and I would eagerly anticipate our annual trip to the fair. We'd also catch glimpses of places like Miracle Strip Amusement Park on TV, and of course, the magic of Disney World. My parents even promised us a trip to Disney World when we moved to Florida, but alas, that was an empty promise that never happened. Funny enough, when I finally did go to Disney World a few years ago, it just wasn't really my scene. I'm more of a Six Flags or Universal kind of guy.

Living in the Atlanta area, Six Flags Over Georgia has always been my go-to for that adrenaline rush. I absolutely love Goliath and Twisted Cyclone, even if my body doesn't quite agree with the twists and turns like it used to! But, there's another park much closer to home – Fun Spot America Atlanta in Fayetteville. It used to be called Dixieland Fun Park and Fun Junction, a small spot with go-karts, mini-golf and some basic carnival rides.

Then, Fun Spot America took over and things started to change. They added a large gondola ferris wheel built by Technical Park and most recently, the incredible ArieForce One rollercoaster – an RMC coaster that's a real game-changer. They also have the older Hurricane Coaster, which is a decent little coaster built by Miler, but ArieForce One is the star of the show. Honestly, Fun Spot has always been a great place to spend an afternoon. It's not as big as Six Flags, but it's got its own charm.

Now, they did take out the mini-golf courses for ArieForce One, which was a bummer. Terry and I loved those courses, especially the one with the water feature. I understand needing space for a new coaster, but still...a bit sad to see them go. If you’ve been to Fun Spot's Florida parks, the Atlanta one is definitely different. It has so much potential, though. There’s even a small amphitheater that I think is a waste of space and could be replaced with another cool ride, maybe even the old Enterprise from Orlando which used to be the Wheelie at Six Flags Over Georgia. There’s also a lake on the property that could be used for something like paddle boats, which would be a nice addition.

One thing I really appreciate about Fun Spot Atlanta is the staff. Everyone is always super nice and helpful, which is a huge contrast to some experiences I’ve had at Six Flags. Customer service is a big plus at Fun Spot whereas Six Flags could benefit from training their employees to offer common courtesy.

Would I recommend Fun Spot Atlanta? It really depends on what you're looking for. If you want a few hours of fun and a great rollercoaster, absolutely. If you need the sheer number of attractions that Six Flags provides, then maybe not. If I were in charge, I'd add a swinging ship ride, like a Sea Dragon or Pirate by the lake, a Chance Yo-Yo or Wave Swinger, somewhere in the center of the park and maybe even a Skywheel now that it seems they have removed their ferris wheel. One of the Florida parks actually operated a Skywheel for a few years, though I don't believe it was actually owned by them. A skating rink could be cool also, especially since the local rink, Dazzles, closed years ago. A skating rink could be good for the park during the winter when outdoor attractions are closed. I would also love to see a new mini-golf course as an addition since it was actually one of the cool parts of the park prior to Aireforce coming in...as well as better pathways around the park because it's not exactly laid out very well.

Admission is free, but parking is $5, though they give you a $5 voucher to use inside. You can pay per ride or get a wristband, which is worth it if you plan on riding a lot.

So, what do you guys think? Have you been to Fun Spot Atlanta? What improvements would you make? I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below! Your insights really help keep this community going. If you’ve enjoyed reading my thoughts and if you are so inclined to help fuel future content, any small contribution to keep the blog going is incredibly appreciated.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at the park!

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The Hi-Roller: A Carnival Ride from My Nightmares

Y'all know I love me some carnival rides. So, take a look at this photo for a hot minute before proceeding to read my blog. Have you ever seen one of these in action? Did you ride it? Well, I did, and the first time was enough to be the last time for me.

Side By Side, Ring of Fire & Hi Roller

I used to love the Super Loops aka Mega Loop aka Ring of Fire, built by Larson International, before my body began to tell me I am not built for multiple inversions within a short period of time. I loved the upside-down action back in the day. THIS ride, however, looks like someone took the idea of the Super Loops, squished it down to an oval then combined it with parts used to build various kiddie rides, creating the most nightmarish ride I have ever ridden in my life.

The Hi-Roller aka Crazy Train, manufactured by Larson International, began to pop up on carnival midways in the mid-1990s despite its low capacity. The ride consists of an oval track mounted onto a frame. Riding along the track are five triangular-shaped cars that hold four people each, and you definitely do not want to be in the car with someone who may suffer from any sort of motion sickness. Most of the early versions were themed Hi-Roller, featuring graphics of poker cards, slots, and other casino-related visuals. The 90s brought in the casino themes with rides like the redesigned Trabant, which Chance Rides renamed Wipeout. For anyone who's ridden this ride, you would agree that Hi-Roller is a fitting name, allowing a casino theme as well as a description of the ride experience.

Riders enter one of the five, four-person cars, sitting, facing the car in front of them. If they are claustrophobic, they better speak up before the operator locks them in because once it starts, there's no turning back... then again, they will be turning back and in every other direction. The only comfortable thing about this ride is the padded lap bar. When the ride begins to move, you think it's going to be tame because the train starts to slowly trod around the track. However, the second the whole structure begins to spin, all hell breaks loose, and you are banging into the person next to you and they into you for the duration of the ride.

One of the best parts of the ride, if you are not opposed to the nature of the movements, is the fact that you can see the reactions of the riders in front of you unless the plexiglass window is caked with dried vomit. As you round the bend in the turns, you will be quite close to each other, adding to the chaotic experience. Did I mention that the cars flip open when the operator lets you out? Just imagine a power outage or the ride breaking down while the cars are in the turn, trapping the riders until they either winch the train to the straight position or the ride starts back up. There's not much ventilation, so it gets hot, and if someone was sick on the ride, you might catch a few whiffs of whatever they left behind.

Have you ever ridden the Hi-Roller? If so, what are your thoughts? My takeaway from the one time I rode this ride was that it’s similar to the time my sister convinced me to get into a clothes dryer, then closed the door and turned it on. Just awful.