- April 26, 2024
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Two young men ride the Vomatron. Photo by Wayne Grant
Thomas Caffrey, of Realty Pros, and Kristen Alford, of Daytona Beach Tortugas, are lowered into the volcano on the Slingshot ride. Photo by Wayne Grant
A ribbon cutting was held at Screamer’s Park. Shown with scissors is Regional Manager Ritchie Armstrong and to his right are Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry and General Manager William Kinsella. Courtesy photo
Flying through the air on an amusement park ride within view of the ocean has long been a tradition at boardwalks throughout the United States. Rides first appeared on the Daytona Beach Boardwalk in 1938, but have not operated there consistently through the years.
Now, a ride operator has purchased property near the Boardwalk and intends to have a long stay.
Screamer’s Park has spent $4.5 million on purchasing land and installing two rides, the Slingshot and Vomatron. The design and land improvements, including a “volcano” sculpted by artists from Disney World, impressed Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry at a recent ribbon cutting by the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“The architecture is fantastic,” he said. “This is what we’re seeking in Daytona Beach. It’s first class.”
Screamer’s Park is located on State Road A1A south of Main Street. Rides are also now available nearby on the Boardwalk, in a park built last summer by Daytona Beach Boardwalk Amusement Rides.
The investment capital for Screamer’s Park came from the parent company, Funtime Industries, an Austrailian company which has amusement parks all over the world.
The Slingshot has operated at the Boardwalk for 15 years, but General Manager William Kinsella said they were paying rent, and figured someday the city or a developer would want to do something else with the property.
“We wanted to invest in property and guarantee a long future,” Kinsella said.
He said that the hurricanes and the economy instability have hampered all beachside businesses, but now there are several positive signs for the area, such as planned hotels and other projects.
“We hope we encourage others to invest in the area,” he said.
A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT
Tourism and Chamber of Commerce officials applaud the availability of rides in the main tourism area, with Henry saying the beach is beautiful but more is needed for visitors.
“We’re in a very competitive environment,” he said. “We’re thrilled to have this operation here.”
Nancy Keefer, president and CEO of the Daytona chamber, told the Screamer’s Park owners at the ribbon cutting that they are an “incredible asset.”
“It’s very important as we try to attract family vacationers,” she said.
While the rides attract tourists, Kinsella said they also offer an activity for locals. They are open every day of the year and stay open as late as people still want to ride, he said.
THE RIDE THE ASTRONAUTS FEARED
“It’s awesome,” were the words spoken breathlessly by those who rode the Slingshot at the ribbon cutting.
Appearing like an actual slingshot with two 245-foot towers, the Slingshot sends the rider straight up into the air at 90 mph, reaching 365 feet. There are no bands; it’s powered by spring propulsion.
After a bounce, the basket turns in the air before being lowered to the ground.
“You can look around and see all of Daytona,” said Thomas Caffrey, of Realty Pros, who rode it after the ribbon cutting.
Before being shot into the sky, the riders are lowered into the “volcano,” where they are surrounded by smoke and simulated flames. The suspense adds to the fun and overall experience, Caffrey said.
The Vomatron is described as a propeller with seats on each end on the Funtime website. It rotates at 80 mph in a loop that reaches 155 feet high, and then reverses and takes the rider backward.
A sign calls it the “ride the astronauts feared.”
