Skyplex Receives Commissioner Approval + Universal's Next Big Move?

Yesterday was a big day for fans of the Orlando area attractions, with two big pieces of news coming out of the area.

First, the Orange County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Skyplex project, which includes a massive tower that received an FAA approval to be up to 700 feet.  It will contain Skyscraper, a 500 foot roller coaster that will be the tallest the world, and a free fall as well.  The development will also include food and beverage, entertainment and retail locations.

The project was voted down by the Orange County Planning and Zoning Committee in October, but this new approval trumps that one.

Here's the latest video released by developers showcasing the Skyscraper roller coaster and the free fall:

The video speaks for itself pretty well, showing an amazing looking thrill ride that is like no other.  Armed with proper approvals, the developer now aims to finalize the structure's design, line up funding, and hopes to have the tower and rides open by 2018.

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News also broke yesterday that Universal Orlando is said to have a contract on 474 acres of land near its existing parks, spread out over many different parcels.  The largest of the parcels is said to be well over 300 acres, which is more than enough for a 3rd theme park, with room left over for hotels and the like.

The land was actually once owned by Universal, though the parks were under different ownership at the time and eventually that owner sold it all for cash.

If true, this news could mean the already exciting future of Universal will shine even brighter, giving us all plenty to look forward to.  For more thoughts on the news, and an interactive map of the land rumored to be purchased, check out this story.

Planning Troubles for Orlando's Skyplex + World's Tallest Coaster

© Skyplex

At a recent hearing, the Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission voted against approving a rezoning needed for the Skyplex development to move forward.

The vote does not mean the project is dead, however, as the zoning now moves to the County Commissioners for a final approval or denial.

The Skyplex Project would be located on International Drive, not far from the Universal Orlando Resort - which according to many sources has been lobbying hard against the project.  Universal contends that the nearly 600 foot tall tower, containing the world's tallest coaster at just over 500 feet, would ruin sight lines and not fit in with the area - and that they are not afraid of the competition.  Universal has a height limit of 200 feet for rides and attractions at their parks.

If the $500 million project is able to move forward it will include a selection of food and retail locations on 14 acres of land, along with the observation tower, roller coaster and SkyFall, a 450 foot tall free fall ride.  You can read more on the project's design and features on the project's website.

World's Tallest Drop Ride Record to be Smashed... In Orlando... Or Miami

© Skyplex I-Drive Orlando

The Skyplex on I-Drive in Orlando has already been announced to include Skyscraper, the world's tallest roller coaster when it opens in 2017... but developers have already added another record to the structure - the world's tallest drop ride.

Named Skyfall, the attraction will be attached to the side of the tower and plunge riders down from 460 feet at over 90 miles per hour after holding them in suspense for 15 seconds.  In order to not interfere with the Skyscraper roller coaster, Skyfall will be located behind its supports and track - meaning the two rides could pass by each other while in operation.

© Skyplex I-Drive Orlando

The current record for tallest drop ride is held by Zumanjaro at New Jersey's Six Flags Great Adventure - which stand 415 feet tall.  Developers behind the Skyplex entertainment district and tower have not released new concept art for the project that includes Skyfall.  They have added some high resolution images of the tower that includes the layout of Skyscraper, however, which are pretty fun to look over.  One other promising note - Theme Park Review just recently confirmed that Intamin will be responsible for both the coaster and the free fall, which is great news for both rides.

Interestingly, there's also a planned project in Miami named Skyrise that would be a 1,000 foot tall observation tower and entertainment complex - a planned major tourist draw.

The tower would contain the Skyrise Drop, a free fall tower that starts at around 650 feet above the ground.  Yikes!  I'd ride it, though.

The ride would be on the North side of the giant tower and utilize one 12 passenger car.  Developers are quoting 95 miles per hour as the speed attained on the way down.

The Skyrise project has had a lot of drama surrounding it, and so it remains to be seen if we will be able to fall from 650 feet some day.  Keep your fingers crossed!

New POV Video of World's Tallest Roller Coaster Released

Just in time for this year's IAAPA Convention to begin, Orlando's planned Skyplex indoor entertainment complex has released a point of view video of the world's tallest roller coaster, Skyscraper.

Previous news about the $250 million complex showed a general impression of the coaster snaking its way around the 500+ foot tall tower, and confirmed that it would be the first ever Polercoaster.  Now, the developers have released a specific track layout for the US Thrill Rides creation.

The expectation was that the ride would be intense, but it's actually even more wild than I figured!  The ride uses a long spiral lift hill to get the individual cars to the top of the tower, where they first encounter this totally outside-banked turn, around 500 feet over the ground.  Woof.

But, that's just an introduction to the terror because right after that turn is a nice slow heartline roll, fully inverting the trains.  Needless to say, the world record for the highest inversion will be going to Skyscraper.  There are several vertical/beyond vertical drops and even more awkward looking outward banked turns thrown in the mix, too. 

Skyscraper's layout is filled with six or so inversions, I lost count to be honest.  The video splits between point of view and off ride, so I got lost counting dive loops and corkscrews.  The coaster will finish with a trip out along the lower entertainment and dining building, with one more inversion near the end.

The ride looks like one of S&S's El Loco designs, just absolutely massive and even more twisted.  The thought of slowly rolling through that heartline roll so very far above the ground gives me chills!

The complex was originally slated to open in 2016 but now plans to break ground in 2015 and open in 2017.

Here's the full video!

SKYPLEX + World's Tallest Coaster Announced for Orlando

After much speculation that the world's tallest roller coaster, and the first Polercoaster from US Thrill Rides, would open in the Orlando area today the plans have become official.

A part of SKYPLEX, The Skyscraper will take riders up to a world record 570 feet above the ground.  SKYPLEX is a planned $200 million entertainment complex that will span 12 acres along International Drive, and feature 495,000 square feet of food, beverage, entertainment and retail space.

The Skyscraper roller coaster will wrap around the SKYPLEX observation deck and feature "inside and outside loops, dives, spirals, and inversions like the world has never seen."  Starting above the 535 foot observation level, the coaster will makes its way down after the spiral lift and eventually skim along the top of the retail buildings.

US Thrill Rides has partnered with S&S to create the roller coaster aspect of the attraction, which makes sense considering the company's existing El Loco style ride.

The developers behind SKYPLEX are currently building Mango's Tropical Cafe in Orlando, located near the site.  That will open in 2015 - the same year that SKYPLEX is planned to start construction, leading to a 2016 opening.

You can read more about the project on the official SKYPLEX website.