A new world's tallest attraction was announced for International Drive Thursday, this time at the upcoming Skyplex complex.
With a splash of Miami and an announcement of what's to "drop in" next on I-Drive, developer Joshua Wallack celebrated his birthday in a big way Thursday. Instead of getting a gift, Wallack brought one of his own.
"Attractions are coming out of the ground," Wallack hinted Thursday.
The previously-announced SkyPlex tower, with its proposed 500-foot-tall Skyscraper "Polercoaster," will also have the world's tallest drop ride attached to the support structure.
The new Skyfall ride will top off at more than 460 feet high. The ride track will be embedded in the SkyPlex structure. Riders will slowly climb the tower, resting 10 seconds before plunging straight down at speeds of 90 mph.
"It's built flush to the tower, Wallack said, before adding he is still looking at other options for thrill rides to add to the tower.
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I-Drive In Depth
News 13 explores all of International Drive's coming attractions
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"It's easy to see the billions going into this wonderful Drive," Wallack said of his investment in I-Drive, adding he hopes new attractions and new nightlife will increase hotel occupancy rates in I-Drive hotels.
Before the new Skyfall takes on passengers, Wallack will open Mango's Tropical Cafe in the old Friday's Front Row location this summer. His birthday announcement was full of Mango's dancers who came to Orlando and performed for those at Thursday's International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
"Our history in Miami beach is long," Wallack said of his Ocean Drive cafe.
"A rising tide raises all ships," gained a round of applause at the luncheon.
Also coming to his new International Drive cafe will be a new parking garage large enough to hold 625 cars. More than 9,000 feet of new retail space will be on the ground floor of the garage.
Mango's will sit across the street from the $250 million SkyPlex, Skyscraper and Skyfall rides.
"All our chips are on the table, on the corner of International Drive and Sand Lake Road," Wallack shared.
The SkyPlex, itself, will stand 575 feet tall and feature a rooftop observation deck and restaurant. Elevators will take visitors to the top, while the new drop ride will have a boarding platform at the base of the ride.
In a previous interview with News 13, Wallack called the corner of International Drive and Sand Lake Road Orlando's new "Main Street."
The newly-announced ride on Wallack's "Main Street" will be manufactured by Windermere-based U.S. Thrill Rides.
Currently, Falcon's Fury at Busch Gardens is the world's tallest free-standing drop tower. Opened in September, riders climb to the 300-foot level of the 335-foot-tall monopole before plunging face first back down to Earth.
The title of tallest drop ride belongs to Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The 415-foot-high drop ride is attached to the 460-foot-tall Kingda Ka roller coaster.
A groundbreaking date for the SkyPlex, Skyscraper and the new drop ride is still unannounced.
"Miami is my past. Orlando is my future," the developer concluded.
Skyfall is the third "world's tallest" attraction announced along International Drive. Also set to open in late 2015 to early 2016 is the Star Flyer, a 420-foot-tall chair swing ride to be built at the I-Drive 360 complex, at the former Gooding's Plaza, which will be renamed the Vue at 360.
The first attraction to open at I-Drive 360 will be the 400-foot-tall Orlando Eye observation wheel, set to welcome its first riders this spring. Construction of the Orlando Eye finished last week, and the wheel even began spinning during a brief test.