FANTASY OF FLIGHT -

If you would like a change from the usual parks here is an alternative, especially for the aircraft fanatics amongst you. This is the largest collection of old aircraft in USA and probably the largest in the world. This extremely varied and interesting collection of a wide variety of different forms of old aircraft has been collected from all over the world by Kermit Weeks and is housed in two large hangars.

The Fantasy of Flight location is simple to find and is near to Polk City. Leaving our villa at Ashley Manor on the Ronald Reagan Parkway the journey took less than 30 minutes. Once on Interstate 4 heading towards Tampa exit the Interstate at exit 44 on to the SR559 and follow the signs to Fantasy of Flight which is less than 2 miles from the Interstate exit.

Tickets are obtained in the entrance lobby beside the customary gift shop which is a characteristic of all the Florida parks. A self-guided tour gives the visitor a multi-sensory experience on a journey from early flight through to WWII. Take the option to board a real B-17 Flying Fortress.

Both North and South hangars give visitors a close-up look at this incredible collection of rare and historically significant aircraft. Three tram tours depart from the North Hangar at 10-45 am., 11-45 am. And 3-30 pm. Visitors are taken on a guided tour to restricted areas and the grounds and also includes stops at the Backlot, the runways and a real working Maintenance Hangar. At the Wood Shop you see Restoration Specialists disassemble, restore and rebuild wooden aircraft. The current project is an original 1918 DH-48 Airmail Plane. A real working Restoration Shop gives a close-up look at the craftsmanship required to restore the collection to a flyable condition. Currently there is a Seversky P-35, Grumman Hellcat F6F-3 and a Lockheed P-38L Lightning. Daily, at 1-30 pm. (weather permitting) there is an Aerial Demonstration which is viewed from the north Hangar viewing area giving a unique opportunity to see rare aircraft in flight.

At the entrance to the North Hangar, Kermit Weeks has devoted a section to The Tuskegee Airmen which features interviews with the original Tuskegee Airmen. These guys overcame extreme odds with dignity, honor and valor. They had a basic dream – to fly for their country. This ultimately commanded significant civil rights changes in USA.

For the “Kid In All Of Us” there is a Fun With Flight Center which is a self-guided experience in the “fun”damentals of flight. There is even a state of the art hang-glide simulator. Have a go at an aerial battle video game sitting in the cockpit of a simulated Aircraft Carrier Corsair Fighter.

Who is Kermit Weeks? He is 3 times USA Aerobatic champion and spends his inheritance from the Weeks Royalty. The latter is a 2.5% levy on oil and gas from Australia’s Bass Strait which is Australia’s largest gas field. He bought the Fantasy of Flight land in the mid 80’s and could now make a killing on Real Estate alone but is not interested in this, only in his “hobby gone wild” says Kermit. After filling the largest hangar at Tamiami Airport near Miami he looked at Central Florida. Here he found enough land for a 5,000 foot runway for his bombers and a lake large enough for his four-engined Short Sunderland flying boat.

Descriptions of all the aircraft are fully illustrated and Kermit has added his comments and conclusions to each one of them.

There is an art décor restaurant on the premises which is open from 11 am. to 3 pm. daily. Current admission prices are Adults $24.95 with a $2 reduction for seniors and children (6-15) $11.95. 

By Mike & Kath Trevena
(October 2007 web-site www.villadisneyusa.com )