Fantasy of Flight

1400 Broadway Blvd SE, Polk City, FL 33868, USA

Address:	1400 Broadway Blvd SE, Polk City, FL 33868, USA
Phone:	+1 863-984-3500
Site:	fantasyofflight.com
Rating:	4

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Don Clayton

He Fly’s em Too!! Kermit Weeks, founder of “Fantasy of Flight” (FOF), has such a hard job. He must decide which of these beautifully restored aircraft to fly on any particular day. My sarcasm aside, here’s an excerpt of his bio: “For Fantasy of Flight founder Kermit Weeks, the opening of his aviation-themed attraction has been a natural extension of a lifelong, unbounded passion for aviation and aircraft. Weeks has been involved in aviation since his childhood and, throughout his life, has also maintained a fascination with the worlds around us we don’t see. His enthusiasm for furthering public interest in aviation has never stopped growing. A skilled aerobatics competitor and aircraft designer, Weeks has earned acclaim both for his accomplishments in the air as an aviator, and on the ground for his technical ability to build aircraft and his promotion of aviation and vintage aircraft restoration.” His bio is lengthier and very impressive in my opinion. I encourage everyone to read further on the FOF Website. I believe you’ll also agree that his life’s story is an open-architecture. Besides being one of the most privileged pilots in America, he’s very community minded in his approach to aviation. He and his staff are not just turn-key curators. They preside over an interactive educational experience. I even found some of Kermit’s aviation intro books for children on “Amazon.” My mechanical, behind the scenes curiosities were satiated as well. There’s an elevated walkway that I could look down, through windows, into a variety of workshops showing the current restoration projects. This is a unique perspective I’ve only seen in tech manuals. The walkway also provides an elevated view of the displays in the main Museum Hanger. If you want to validate the experience with souvenirs, there’s a well-stocked gift shop. Outside, the true plane nerd can see anything from a simple engine run-up test, to an actual flight. Kermit is an accomplished aerobatics pilot, but I’ve not seen him try this in any of the rare Warbirds. I have heard of him doing a “Watermelon” bombing run over the ocean in the B25, but I’ve not confirmed that. FOF is a repeat activity for me. One and done isn’t enough for this aircraft experience. And, memberships are offered here too.

Hal Millett

Excellent just doesnt hack it, OUTSTANDING better describes the Fantasy of Flight! Kermit Weeks should be recognized as one of the all time great persons of aviation. I first flew in 1940 when my father paid $5 for a 30 minute flight by a bush pilot in a stunt bi-plane and I was hooked. During WWII I enlisted in the Army Air Corp Cadet program, flew combat in Europe and have been flying as often as possible ever since. I tell you this to prove my authenticity for judging the remarkable lifes work of Mr. Weeks. He will tell you that his collecting is a hobby that got out control but that wouldnt be the half of it. He truly loves aviation and wants the current and future generations to know and understand the men and aircraft developed and flown since the Wright Brothers. Books and computers, pads and cell phones can pass on written history but hands on history of flight is still best presented by the remarkable restoration of the old aircraft.

Kenneth Hunt

As someone whos been to Fantasy of Flight in years past, this is a rip-off of immense proportions. The main museum isnt open anymore. You cant go in it, or even drive up to it. Instead, you park in the grass (which is flooded, dont wear flip flops) and walk into a shed, essentially. Its the old work hangar (~160x160 square) which now has been crammed with about 15 planes in various states of disrepair (covered in cobwebs) and...thats it. Thats the museum. An old guy on a megaphone occasionally mumbles some facts about a plane. You wander around the hangar. And thats it. I called ahead to ask if their cafe was open (under the assumption that the real museum which has a cafe was open), and the bored-sounding voice on the line assured me that it was. It wasnt. Its locked up, along with the real museum. DO. NOT. WASTE. YOUR. TIME! Especially since its in the middle of nowhere. And its expensive for what little there is. $12/adult.

allen cline

Friday 05FE16. COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME.. Ive looked forward to visiting Fantasy of Flight for years. What a let down. Only the "museum" is open with a few replica WW1 aircraft and an unrestored B25. Apparently "The Worlds Largest aircraft Collection" is inaccessible to the public in the banquet hanger. Luckily it was only $10 as a senior but I would not have wasted the time and money if I knew the interesting aircraft were not on display. This should be free admission for wasting peoples time. Several other disgruntled guests in the lobby. This "attraction" is a ripoff as currently operated to the public visitors. Kermit, replicas are nice but they are just that,,,,replicas. Who cares? Why is the rest of the collection hidden away for the corporate events and parties? Spend your time driving to the Pennsacola Naval Air Museum if you want to see some airplanes for this collection is seen is a big zero.

Joshua Perry

Noticed the gate was open so stopped in to check it out. "Bi-plane rides today!" Awesome, ($70 per person, up to 4 people. +fuel or their other plane you can fly! $225 +fuel) interesting. They have a tent set up outside in the grass and a few eager passengers- how cool! Pull up to the front door, open the door to see that its a souvenir shop, ok. Theres a woman at the counter to the left and a hefty man just inside the door between me and said counter. Man: "Do you work here" Me: "No, I was just looking for some...." Man:*cuts me off*"you cant park there" Me: "I was just seeing what the place was about, I have a four year old thats been begging me..." Man:*cuts me off*"its basically a museum with airplanes in it". (You dont say) Me:"Ok, well thank you" Man:*as Im closing the door I just opened and never entered* "Yeah, you have to park in the grass".

Terry Vanicelli

An interesting collection of restored and recreated airplanes. Their collection of Gee Bee racers and other Golden Age racers is especially interesting. I saw presentations from Eddy and Bill; these guys definitely know their stuff and relate it well. The only fly in the ointment was the biplane rides. Three of us signed up for a spin in the 4-passenger New Standard airplane. When we showed up at the appointed time, we were told we would need to wait another hour as an hour-long flight in another plane was booked ahead of us. They only advertise a maximum 1/2 hour ride. They did not page us to tell us of the snafu. Lousy organization, bad customer service. We will not return.

Mandy Sue

What a let down. Drove 2 hours because I had seen the 4 star review and great pictures. After you buy tickets your wrist band says ropes course so I was pretty excited about the additional attraction as well. It wasnt until the end of the first building that I asked about the rest of the tour (which seemed to be the buildings across the way) and the ropes course on my wrist band. They then told us that the ropes course was closed down, AND the rest of the tour. These great pictures are either old, or of a different place. What a disappointment. They said they were using up the old wristbands.Dont false advertise museum open and then most of it is closed. What a scam.