Skyplex facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Skyplex
Concept art of the Skyplex complex
General information
Status	Cancelled/Never built

Skyplex was a huge entertainment center that was planned for Orlando, Florida. It was going to be built on a 14-acre (5.7 ha) piece of land near Sand Lake Road and International Drive. The plans for Skyplex included a 570-foot (170 m) tall tower. This tower was meant to have the world's tallest roller coaster, called Skyscraper. It was also going to have the biggest Perkins Restaurant and Bakery in the world.

In 2019, the project was expected to cost about $250 million. There were also plans for a hotel to be built there later. Skyplex was first supposed to open in 2016. But its opening date kept getting pushed back to 2017, then 2018, then 2019, and finally 2020. In 2021, it was shared that Lionsgate Entertainment had made a deal to turn Skyplex into a theme park called Lionsgate World Resort Orlando. Construction was rumored to start in early 2021, with the park opening in late 2024. However, nothing ever happened with these plans.

On December 21, 2022, the companies behind the project, US Thrill Rides LLC and Polercoaster LLC, went through a process to close down their businesses. On January 30, 2023, the construction company, WPC, confirmed that the Skyplex project would not be built. This meant the complex was delayed even more. Finally, on October 17, 2024, it was officially announced that Skyplex was cancelled. The land where it was supposed to be built is now for sale.

The Idea Behind Skyplex

The idea for Skyplex started in 2012. The first budget for the project was about $500 million. After buying the land needed, the plans for Skyplex and its giant roller coaster began to take shape.

The design for the complex was created by a company called Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects Inc. In May 2014, a website was launched to find people who wanted to invest money in the project.

In 2015, the company behind Skyplex, Wallack Holdings LLC, spent $50 million to build other things nearby. These included a shopping area, a parking garage, and a Mango's Tropical Cafe. These were all located on a different corner of the same intersection.

Getting Approval for the Project

On December 1, 2015, the local government in Orange County gave its full approval for the Skyplex project. However, a group called Save Our Orange County Community was against the project. This group was mainly supported by Universal Orlando.

Universal had a few concerns about Skyplex. One big issue was that the Skyscraper roller coaster would have been so tall that it would block the views from their own theme parks. This was especially true for areas like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal also pointed out that they were not allowed to build anything over 200 feet (61 m) tall themselves.

Some parts of the roller coaster's track were actually made by a company called Intamin by April 2017. These parts were kept in storage. But the actual building work in Orlando could not start because the necessary permits were never approved.

Changes and Cancellation

In January 2019, it was announced that the Skyplex project would be smaller. The cost was reduced to $250 million. It would only use part of the 14-acre (57,000 m²) of land that was originally planned. However, the height of the tower and the 2020 opening date were supposed to stay the same.

The project was later removed from Mango's Tropical Cafe's website in June 2019. In 2021, it was shared that Wallack Holdings had signed a deal with Lionsgate Entertainment. The plan was to open Skyplex as a Lionsgate Entertainment World resort. But the project lost its funding in early 2020. This happened when theme parks in Florida had to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wallack Holdings still had the deal with Lionsgate. Joshua Wallack said he still believed in the Skyplex idea. But he was also thinking about other uses for the land. For example, he considered building a hotel to support the nearby new Universal Epic Universe theme park.

On December 21, 2022, the companies that were planning to build the project, Polercoaster LLC and US Thrill Rides LLC, went out of business. On January 30, 2023, WPC (Winter Park Construction) confirmed that the project would not be moving forward. This left the future of the planned complex very uncertain. The project was officially cancelled on October 17, 2024. The land is now available for sale or lease.

What Skyplex Was Going to Have

Skyplex was designed to be a place full of exciting attractions.

Skyscraper Roller Coaster

The main attraction was going to be Skyscraper. This roller coaster would have been the tallest in the world, standing over 500 feet (150 m) high. The idea for Skyscraper started in 2012. It was chosen from a design called the Polercoaster by US Thrill Rides. Skyscraper was officially announced on June 5, 2014. In February 2015, it was also announced that a thrilling drop ride called SkyFall would be part of the Skyscraper tower.

Games and Fun

Skyplex was going to have an adult game room. This area would have party rooms, a main bar, billiards (pool tables), video games, and simulator rides. There was also a family game area planned. This section would have traditional games, electronic games, and simulators for everyone.

Go-Kart Tracks

For racing fans, there would have been two go-kart tracks. One was a 1,000 feet (300 m) long, high-speed track for competitive racing. The other was a 250 feet (76 m) track designed for all ages to enjoy.

Apex Sports Bar

The Apex Sports Bar was planned to be a great place to watch sports. It would have private party rooms, special VIP seating, a tequila bar, and large screens like in a movie theater to watch sports programs.

Skyplex Observation Deck

Visitors would have been able to go up to the Skyplex Observation Deck. This deck was planned to be 535 feet (163 m) high. It would have been reached by what was going to be Florida's tallest glass elevator.

SkyPlaza Shopping Area

There was also going to be an outdoor shopping area called SkyPlaza. This area would have a raised walkway for people to walk on, leading to the main entrance. SkyPlaza was going to feature a 10,000 square feet (930 m²) Perkins Restaurant and Bakery. This would have been the largest Perkins in the world. The shopping area would have also included several other stores and restaurants.