Fantasy of Flight closes to public

After 18 years, Fantasy of Flight closes public operations

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Fantasy of Flight, an air and flight museum as well as airstrip located in Polk County, will close its doors to the public Sunday.

The owner, Kermit Weeks, said they will be focusing 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 ," 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 said.

Weeks said it will turn the facility into what it was originally designed for, which is a restoration and maintenance facility that will be needed to build future attractions. 

Weeks was saddened, but was optimistic that his long-term vision and future will mean more  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." 

Events that will still be allowed at Fantasy of Flight include weddings, meetings, corporate events and birthday parties at 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.


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