Two New 'Icons' Are Coming to Orlando's International Drive

December 14, 2020, 5:09 PM · Orlando's International Drive will be getting two new icons next summer.

Orlando's ICON Park — best known as the home to The Wheel, the 400-foot observation wheel that towers over I-Drive — today announced the addition of two new towering attractions for the summer of 2021.

The ICON Park Drop Tower will be the world's tallest free-standing drop tower attraction, at 430 feet. The new attraction will take up to 30 people at a time up for a rotating journey to the top of the tower, from where their seats will pitch forward 30 degrees to face the ground, before a 75-mph, 40-story drop.

New ICON Park towers
The two towers of the ICON Park Slingshot, in the foreground, with the ICON Park Drop Tower behind. Concept image courtesy ICON Park.

The ICON Park Slingshot will be the world's tallest slingshot ride, at 300 feet. "The two-tower attraction will launch two riders out of an 'exploding volcano' approximately 450 feet straight up into the sky and reach speeds of up to 100 mph," the park said in its press release.

"ICON Park is constantly growing and expanding our entertainment options for locals and tourists alike," ICON Park President and CEO Chris Jaskiewicz said. "We’re proud to welcome these two record-setting attractions to the Orlando Entertainment District and look forward to the joy and adrenaline they will bring our guests."

The Slingshot Group of Companies, which operates the 450-foot Orlando StarFlyer at ICON Park, will operate the two new attractions.

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Replies (6)

December 15, 2020 at 8:38 AM

my 2 cents as an orlando resident...sorry, not excited about this at all...I Drive has enough "I-sores" on it and this is just going to add yet another. keep that stuff on north I Drive or better yet, 192, and let south I Drive be a little classier (sans the helicopter tours)

December 15, 2020 at 9:06 AM

While this new drop tower will take the record from Falcon's Fury just an hour away, I don't see guests flocking to ICON just for these oversized thrill rides. I guess this park has been doing decently with its giant Ferris wheel and starflier, which has seen its share of bad publicity), but I just don't see how the addition of 2 more over-sized carnival rides will get people flocking to this property.

December 15, 2020 at 9:15 AM

Interesting to see this is finally coming to fruition. I tend to agree with Mark, it's not really what I-drive needs, especially the sling shot, as there's one just up the road at fun-spot. I'm not a fan of them anyway, but I'll give the drop tower a go.

Last time I went on the Starflyer is was still $13, and $8 for a re-ride, so I expect the drop tower to be in the same price range. I do like drop towers, and it's good to see the seats will tilt forward Falcons Fury style, although not quite to the same extent.

Still a shame we lost the Hyper coaster though :(

December 15, 2020 at 9:27 AM

i don't know how the ferris wheel is doing. i never see anyone in line for it. i had hoped they had a contingency plan in place to remove it if it failed so it doesn't just "sit" there and rust.

my 2 cents on the poler coaster...the original skyplex concept plans i saw had a price tag of approx. $400 million. with just 3 or 4 attractions, what would they have to charge per person to recoup their investment? i felt it would be yet another abandoned future "i sore" as there's no way it could have turned a profit.

December 15, 2020 at 11:38 AM

Mark Russell - your "I-Sore" description has me rolling on the floor. I love it!

I think The Wheel (or whatever it is called these days?) is superb. Much prefer it by day. These additions, together with the existing attractions and restaurant choices does make for a fun-packed day away from the parks. Any news on Museum of Illusions?

They just need a few more retail stores, preferably one devoted to 80's heavy metal.

December 16, 2020 at 2:16 PM

ProfPlum...The Hair Metal Cafe, next to the world's largest Whirly Ball/Dinosaur Dinner Show should bring in the crowds! :O

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