New Orange Grove, Heritage and Nature Tour Blossoms at Fantasy of Flight
Aviation Attraction Continues to Grow with Addition of New Trolley Tour
POLK CITY, Fla. (March 13, 2012) - Central Florida visitors - and even locals - can now soak up the sunshine and enjoy a taste of "Old Florida" as Fantasy of Flight introduces its brand new orange grove, heritage and nature tour.
Guests are invited to climb aboard Fantasy of Flight's open air trolley, the "Orlampa Express," for a leisurely 60-minute tour into the heart of the Sunshine State. Passengers will learn about Florida's golden fruit, glittering waters, pioneer heritage and priceless ecology, all outdoors amidst an abundance of citrus groves.
The "Orlampa Express" tour guides will share the true wonders of "The Sun Porch of America" in a memorable and inspiring way, while taking guests to several diverse areas on and surrounding Fantasy of Flight, including wetlands marsh and forest, citrus groves, beehives, and scenic Lake Helene and Lake Agnes.
Tour themes will be adapted based on the season to include:
* The diverse landscapes from grove to wetland to forest and the creatures who inhabit them, from bees and bald eagles to bass and alligators.
* The sources of Florida's "gold rush" - citrus and sunshine.
* How water from the earth and the sky sustain a fragile cycle of renewal within pristine Lakes Helene and Agnes.
* How Florida's pioneer culture evolved into an American Paradise.
* The sources of Florida's "gold rush" - citrus and sunshine.
* How water from the earth and the sky sustain a fragile cycle of renewal within pristine Lakes Helene and Agnes.
* How Florida's pioneer culture evolved into an American Paradise.
The nostalgia of Old Florida reaches far beyond the orange groves and into the heart of Fantasy of Flight, home to a world-renowned collection of rare and vintage aircraft. In fact, the 1930s is the setting for the attraction's Compass Rose Diner, a glamorous, Art Deco style eatery named for the flower-like, circular design on a compass that indicates north, south, east and west. Much like the corner soda fountains that were so popular in the World War II era, the diner features a long bar with twirling barstools as well as booth and table seating. A circular bank of windows provides breathtaking views of vintage aircraft in flight. With a lunchtime menu of classic diner fare such as homemade soups, sandwiches and burgers, as well as lighter options such as salads and wraps, visitors can easily spend an entire day at the attraction. Before heading home, guests can stop in at the Fantasy of Flight gift shop and pick up some souvenirs, orange blossom honey, homemade fudge or orange ice cream.
"The Orlampa Express tour transports guests back to a simpler day when citrus and sunshine were Florida's main attractions," said Kim Long, General Manager of Fantasy of Flight. "The beautiful, sunny weather here in Central Florida helped shape our heritage as a land of cattle ranchers and later, citrus growers. These elements of Old Florida come together to create a unique and compelling visitor experience and we feel fortunate to be able to add this tour as yet another experience for our guests."
Last fall, Fantasy of Flight added Wing WalkAir, a thrilling outdoor ropes course which towers to heights of up to 45 feet and features 33 mid-air challenges plus 600 feet of screaming zip line. Tours aboard the "Orlampa Express" depart from Fantasy of Flight daily. Reservations are recommended. Cost is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for youth ages 12 and under. Packages are available for parties of 15 or more (advance booking required).
Fantasy of Flight also hosts a number of special events throughout the year, including the 2012 Legends & Legacies Symposium Series including: "Unspoken Valor: The Bomber Crews of World War II," April 13-14; D-Day: "The Invasion of Normandy," May 11-12; "Reflections of Vietnam," June 8-9 and "Letters Home: Love, Courage & Survival," Oct. 12-13. Other special events include the Sun 'n Fun Splash-In, March 29, and 15th Annual Mustangs & Mustangs, March 31.
