Central Florida Makes Holiday Dreams Come True

Fantasy of Flight, Central Florida’s premier aviation attraction, is making holiday dreams come true this season for aviation enthusiasts of all ages, everywhere. Shoppers can stop by Fantasy of Flight for a shopping spree for the attraction’s gift shop or visit the online store at www.fantasyofflight.com to purchase all things flight-related. The gift shop is always open free to the public during regular attraction hours, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., seven days a week.

For the insatiable airplane or history buff, nothing beats a Fantasy of Flight Annual Pass, good for unlimited year-round visits to the world’s largest private collection of rare and vintage aircraft, where immersion experiences and meticulously recreated historical exhibits take guests back in time to see, hear and feel what it was like to fly some of America’s greatest wartime airplanes.

The Annual Pass includes unlimited entry to the attraction as well as all Fantasy of Flight special events and festivals, including the 2010 “Living History” symposium series, featuring live appearances from World War II heroes including the Tuskegee Airmen Feb. 18-20, WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) March 25-27, and the American Fighter Aces later that spring. Annual Pass holders also enjoy a very special member experience – “Open Cockpit Days” –at which they are invited to get up close and personal with some of America’s most rare vintage aircraft, such as the P51C, T6 and the B25. Annual Pass holders also receive a complimentary lunch at the Art Deco Compass Rose Diner on the day of their birthday, balloon flight discounts, exclusive monthly specials in the gift shop and diner, and a variety of other discounts. The Annual Pass is $69.95 for adults, $39.95 for children ages 6 to 15, plus 7 percent sales tax and is valid for one year from date of purchase.

The Fantasy of Flight gift shop also offers a variety of flight and aviation-themed merchandise for all ages, including the award-winning children’s book “All of Life is a School” (KWIP Publishing, $19.95) by Fantasy of Flight founder and creator Kermit Weeks. Weeks won a Bronze IPPY Award from the Independent Publisher Book Awards for his charming tale of an eager little yellow monoplane named Gee Bee Zee. Characters from the book are also featured on children’s sweatshirts, T-shirts, hats and backpacks.
Week’s reality show-style DVD, “The Wizard of Orlampa, The Yellow Brick Road,” also makes a great holiday gift for budding pilots and anyone who has a dream. It provides an inside look at the life of Kermit Weeks, an aviator, vintage aircraft collector, theme park creator and visionary business man, as he pursues and lives his dream, which was to create a place where others can discover theirs. A variety of aviation-themed DVDs as well as inspirational CDs are also available. Fantasy of Flight also offers men’s, women’s and youth apparel; posters and prints; souvenirs such as pins, magnets and key chains; mouse pads, banks, snow globes, bumper stickers, toys, games, books, and more.
A biplane ride makes the perfect gift for the thrill seeker who has everything, while a hot air balloon ride provides the ultimate romantic gesture or family adventure. Biplane rides, provided on-site by Waldo Wright’s Flying Service, start at $69.95 plus tax per passenger while balloon rides start at $175.

Of course, tickets to the attraction also make great stocking stuffers, and are available for $28.95 for adults and $14.95 for youth ages 6-15.
For more information, call 863-984-3500 or visit www.fantasyofflight.com.

Fantasy of Flight is Central Florida’s premier aviation-themed attraction showcasing vintage aircraft from the world’s largest private collection; themed immersion experiences; flight simulators; interactive exhibits; a tram tour of aircraft maintenance areas; Restoration and Backlot tours; Fun with Flight center for families and the country’s only Aerial Demonstration of the Day (weather permitting) featuring a vintage plane. General admission also includes The Tuskegee Airmen – They Dared to Fly exhibit; the multimedia tribute to the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) – A Passionate Pursuit, a walking audio tour and many special events throughout the year.

Hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. General admission is $28.95 for adults, $26.95 for seniors ages 55 and over and $14.95 for children, ages 6-15, plus 7 percent sales tax. Annual passes are available for $69.95 for adults, $39.95 for children ages 6–15, plus 7 percent sales tax, and are good for one year from the date of purchase. Biplane rides, through Waldo Wright’s Flying Service, and hot air balloon rides, are available for an extra charge. For more information about Fantasy of Flight, call 863-984-3500 or visit www.fantasyofflight.com.