Most notable among the four new adventures is The Rattlesnake, the first zipline roller coaster in the USA. This cutting edge new experience represents the next generation of ziplining. Riders launch from a height of 65 feet, gliding along a rigid rail system that winds through the treetops of the Pine Flatwoods. The ride takes visitors screaming through the trees, swinging, swooping, jumping and dipping through 1000 feet of thrilling adventure.
Also opening is Peregrine Plunge, the longest single straightaway zipline in Florida. Measuring in at 1300 feet in length, this adventure has “breathtaking thrills and views.” Shooting out over the conservation lands, riders will feel “just like a native Peregrine Falcon diving into the distance after its prey.” With two sets of lines side by side, you’ll be competing against another rider as you race toward your landing point. The adventure allows a clear line of sight looking out ten miles over pristinely kept Florida conservation lands.
Rounding out the four new adventures are Panther Pounce and the Swooping Crane. Panther Pounce is a 68 foot high challenge tower that beckons guests to step off into a safely controlled rapid descent to the ground below. The Swooping crane is an extreme swing where guests release from a height of 55 feet into a freefall before swooping back and forth between the trees and over the brush.
The new EcoPark Admission Ticket also includes the all new Zipline Safari which opened in September of last year. As the biggest zipline adventure in Central Florida, the two and a half hour guided journey through the treetops of the conservation lands includes seven different ziplines, three sky bridges and ten connecting observation platforms. Rounding out the day is the relaxing Cypress Canopy Cycle which debuted in July of last year as another first of its kind ride in the USA. Adventurers gently pedal their way through the treetops while suspended twenty five feet over forested wetlands.
“This is a truly first of its kind collection of adventures in the USA”, said Ken Wilshire, General Manager of Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida. “We’ve created what amounts to an ecotourism adventure theme park as our way to provide the thrilling experiences that Orlando vacationers are seeking. Where we’re different is that we use these adventures as a way to help visitors build lasting connections with the conservation lands, hopefully inspiring them to join in the effort to save Florida’s rapidly disappearing wild areas.” Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida donates 30 percent of all revenues to the non-profit Allen Broussard Conservancy. The funds help to permanently preserve and protect additional lands at the Forever Florida Wildlife Conservation Area, recognized as a biological hotspot hosting one of the highest concentrations of endangered and highly threatened species in the state.
The new EcoPark Admission Ticket is $135 for adventurers ages 10 and up. Other adventures offered by Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida include the fully guided Horseback Safari and Coach Safari which are booked separately from the EcoPark Admission Ticket. For more information, visit www.FloridaEcoSafaris.com.
Directions: Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida is located just one hour southeast of Orlando at 4755 N. Kenansville Road in St. Cloud, Florida. Take US 192 to Holopaw, turn south on US 441 and drive 7.5 miles. Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida will be on the east (left) side of the highway.
Additional programs available include the full-service Cypress Restaurant, teambuilding programs, meeting planner and special event facilities, educational camp programs for kids and adults, field trip and scout programs, camping, cabin rental and overnight horseback safaris.