Fantasy of Flight to close

Perhaps he will also get his ex-Strathallan Mosquito back in the air, too. He gave a display in Hamilton, Ontario when he brought it to N America and it remains etched in my mind’s eye as one of the best. Good luck to him and hope his dream does finally come true.

Like a lot of us he has realised he has more flying hours behind himself than ahead and needs to start cracking with the many restoration projects he has sitting there.IMO the Lancaster should be right up there at the front of the queue.

More of an explanation… straight from the man himself. Also…. From what I’ve heard, now that he’s embarked on the real theme park, and the facility that exists becomes the restoration shop as originally planned, additions will be made to the restoration crew, and projects in waiting will commence…

I don’t think ‘The Tank Farm’ (Littlefield’s operation) was ever a public museum as such, but was open to pre-arranged groups for private tours

The gems from the Littlefield Collection are staying with the Collings Foundation with the rest being sold off to fund the development of a museum in Stow

glad Jerry’s place is still open – loved it! Any news where the Mossie ended up?

Still with Jerry Yagen, the advert in this months flypast for Warbirds over the Beach show his Mossie as the main picture.

glad Jerry’s place is still open – loved it! Any news where the Mossie ended up?

I don’t think ‘The Tank Farm’ (Littlefield’s operation) was ever a public museum as such, but was open to pre-arranged groups for private tours

Yes that’s correct. Littlefield’s collection was never a museum while he was alive and never really became one. The plans to turn it into a museum were to help maintain the collection after he died but it never got sufficiently off the ground.

I think Kermit has an increased interest in the spiritual side of existance. Iam sure FOF will re-emerge with a different slant!

I don’t think ‘The Tank Farm’ (Littlefield’s operation) was ever a public museum as such, but was open to pre-arranged groups for private tours

It may simply be that the financial future for FoF looks rosier as a hospitality venue than as a museum.

For those who don’t set foot outside of aviation, Jacques Littlefield in California built up quite a formidable collection of tanks and armoured vehicles. When he sadly passed a few years ago his small army of volunteers tried to keep the collection together as a public museum. Unfortunately, they were too remote and too cash poor to really get sufficient punters in and the collection is now being auctioned off as we speak. A really sad end as Jacques had wanted the collection to be his legacy.

Baring all that in mind, while it’s a shame the public will lose access to FoF, I guess first and foremost it’s Kermit’s collection and he’d probably like to keep it together!

FOF seems like a tough buisness model and perhaps had an identity crisis? What is/was it really? Was it trying to be too much of an attraction for the whole family? I am a hard core enthusiast who loves dusty hangars, old bone yards and aircraft on display and in flight. Planes of Fame in Chino is perfect for me. I could care less about zip lines, simulators, the gift shop or events. Yes I recognize that the hard core enthusiast is rarer and does not bring in much revenue over what I pay to get in or stuff in the donation slot. Admission to FOF seemed expensive for an area known to suck your wallet faster than you can imagine (yes Mickey I’m talking to you). I don’t want to pay for a fantasy, but am willing to spend a modest amout to see some neat airplanes. Families and spouses may be less enthusiastic to look at aircraft “that all look the same”.

Perhaps separating the aircraft restoration and display side from the entertainment side will be best for both. I really wish them the best at both.

This is very sad. I visited about 15 years ago and had a very enjoyable day which ended with a tour around the storage area and a demonstration of banner towing by an Ag Cat.
Kermit also ran up the 504 (I think it was, certainly a ww1 type) engine.
We have also lost Champlin Air Museum.
Perhaps the name was an issue. Fantasy of Flight? American Air Power might have gotten more punters through the gates.
I think what Kermit does is great for the warbird community. Every airframe stored is a potential build we might one day get to see.
Would love to see his Blenheim and Lanc take to the skies.

The museum is not regarded as a destination because its half way between two massive tourist draws . Its maybe a little ambitious to believe that development in the surrounding area would happen on the basis of F0F .

No Mr Boyle ! We are talking about the machine that was flown from Canada -exhibited for a great many years in Scotland at a reputable collection. Then it was sold to a private collector who engaged BAE at Woodford to restore it to fly. During the course of this unfortunately there was a hangar collapse which resulted in a fatality .Subsequently the private collector acquired parts to fix the aircraft only to be sadly killed in a Spitfire crash.

The machine then after a short period was sold to Mr Weeks and started what must be a twenty one year residence in shipping containers.

So in answer to your point – no it wasn’t sitting around unwanted for years and I am sure the family of the unfortunate worker would have rather the hangar didn’t collapse on it too !

. The loss of Jerry Yagens superb museum then this one is a crying shame.

Mr. Yagens museum, the Military Aircraft Museum, is very much alive and open. An yes it is superb. They seem to have survived the troubles of 2013 and are moving ahead.

Could be good news for the Lanc that’s been sat in the shipping container all these years……

You mean the one that had been sitting around, unrestored, seemingly unwanted in the UK for years?
At least in Florida it didn’t have a roof fall on it.

It will also turn the facility into what it was originally designed for, which is a restoration and maintenance facility that will be needed to build future attraction elements.

Could be good news for the Lanc that’s been sat in the shipping container all these years……

Very sad news. Whenever I go to Florida I go there…..real real pity. I hope it really develops and reopens. The loss of Jerry Yagens superb museum then this one is a crying shame. I hope the displaced employees find new employment soon.

I was just about to post this. I hoped to get there one day 🙁

https://www.facebook.com/KermitWeeks

End of an Era…

We will be closing our doors to the public on April 6… details in the press release below. Stay tuned later today as I will be doing a little video message for you all.

***

Fantasy of Flight owner, Kermit Weeks, announced today that effective Sunday, April 6, the attraction will be closing its doors as a public attraction and will focus on its private event business and the design and development of a new future destination attraction. “Although we are located just 20 minutes west of Walt Disney World, we’re currently outside the center of mass tourism and not perceived of as a destination. We have a great product, but people have a misperception of what we offer,” said Weeks. “After 18 years of being in operation, it’s time we close the attraction and move forward toward creating the vision for what I know Fantasy of Flight can become,” Weeks told employees today.

Fantasy of Flight will close the daily attraction and focus on its successful events business. It will also turn the facility into what it was originally designed for, which is a restoration and maintenance facility that will be needed to build future attraction elements. For those who wish to enjoy the historical aspects of aircraft, plans are to open an aspect of the collection in a reduced capacity and admission price later this year.

While saddened that closing the attraction will necessitate a reduction in workforce, Weeks is optimistic that his long-term vision and future product will mean far more jobs and greater impact to Polk County. “We have great employees,” said Weeks, “and will be working with several local, state and private agencies in the upcoming weeks in order to offer our employees assistance and training for the transition.” An event-focused staff will be retained as the facility continues to host weddings, meetings and corporate events, including team building and birthday parties via the Wing Walk Air Confidence Course & Zip Line.

Weeks assured, “This isn’t the end of Fantasy of Flight, it’s just the next step on the company’s journey to become what it was always meant to be – a quality attraction that uses entertainment as a means to an end for self-discovery and self-transformation. Think of this as a caterpillar going into its cocoon. We expect to re-emerge as a brand-new butterfly!”

Groups that are currently booked for admittance to the attraction after April 6 will be issued refunds (including deposits). Groups currently contracted for Wing Walk Air only and/or private events will not be affected by these changes. Annual pass holders will receive a pro-rated refund based on the date of purchase, and refund checks will be mailed to the pass holder’s address on file via USPS beginning April 8. If you are an annual pass holder with questions or to update your mailing address, please contact Brittani Taylor at [email]btaylor@fantasyofflight.com[/email].

End of an Era…

We will be closing our doors to the public on April 6… details in the press release below. Stay tuned later today as I will be doing a little video message for you all.

***

Fantasy of Flight owner, Kermit Weeks, announced today that effective Sunday, April 6, the attraction will be closing its doors as a public attraction and will focus on its private event business and the design and development of a new future destination attraction. “Although we are located just 20 minutes west of Walt Disney World, we’re currently outside the center of mass tourism and not perceived of as a destination. We have a great product, but people have a misperception of what we offer,” said Weeks. “After 18 years of being in operation, it’s time we close the attraction and move forward toward creating the vision for what I know Fantasy of Flight can become,” Weeks told employees today.

Fantasy of Flight will close the daily attraction and focus on its successful events business. It will also turn the facility into what it was originally designed for, which is a restoration and maintenance facility that will be needed to build future attraction elements. For those who wish to enjoy the historical aspects of aircraft, plans are to open an aspect of the collection in a reduced capacity and admission price later this year.

While saddened that closing the attraction will necessitate a reduction in workforce, Weeks is optimistic that his long-term vision and future product will mean far more jobs and greater impact to Polk County. “We have great employees,” said Weeks, “and will be working with several local, state and private agencies in the upcoming weeks in order to offer our employees assistance and training for the transition.” An event-focused staff will be retained as the facility continues to host weddings, meetings and corporate events, including team building and birthday parties via the Wing Walk Air Confidence Course & Zip Line.

Weeks assured, “This isn’t the end of Fantasy of Flight, it’s just the next step on the company’s journey to become what it was always meant to be – a quality attraction that uses entertainment as a means to an end for self-discovery and self-transformation. Think of this as a caterpillar going into its cocoon. We expect to re-emerge as a brand-new butterfly!”

Groups that are currently booked for admittance to the attraction after April 6 will be issued refunds (including deposits). Groups currently contracted for Wing Walk Air only and/or private events will not be affected by these changes. Annual pass holders will receive a pro-rated refund based on the date of purchase, and refund checks will be mailed to the pass holder’s address on file via USPS beginning April 8. If you are an annual pass holder with questions or to update your mailing address, please contact Brittani Taylor at [email]btaylor@fantasyofflight.com[/email].