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PTR and review of Forever Florida


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Last Monday I checked out Forever Florida. Minor changes each year as the place develops. The complex offers four main activities.

Zipline Tour (7 zips and walk across three sky bridges)

Thrill Pack Adventure with 3 components (Zipline rollercoaster, Freefall controlled drop, 1/4 mile zipline race) there used to be a fourth component, a swing that is no longer operational due to woodpecker damage

Horseback Riding

Coach Adventure

Each activity takes almost 3 hours (including suiting up) so tours start at 9AM, 12Noon and 3PM (there is also night zip lining at select times)

 

There is also a working pedal powered observation course, that is not promoted on the website.

 

I did the Thrill Pack Adventure which was $70 for an extra $30 I could have added the Horseback Riding or Zipline Tour. Reservations are highly recommended since they only allow a set number of participants on each tour (only 12 people max for ziplining an the thrill pack). Minimum age and weight for the Thrill Pack are 10 years old and 70 pounds, maximum weight is 265 pounds for the coaster.

 

You get personal attention from the tour guide and the staff makes an strong effort to be both supportive (to those that are afraid) and providing humor when people get too confident.

 

The Florida Forever complex is a 4,700 acre Wildlife Conservation Area and working cattle farm. So, in addition to the recreational activities, you can buy fresh beef on site. All the while 30% of your spending goes back into the saving Florida's Wilderness (including native Florida Panthers and bears) as a contribution to the Allen Broussard Conservancy.

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Nothing fancy here

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But you should be considerate and wipe the shit from your boots

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First you take this vehicle deep into the preserve

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We took the high road

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We suited up (harnesses and helmet) in this hut. At the end of the tour you can buy a pack of your photos. Also. Go Pros are welcome and you get a helmet with a mount for no charge. If you don't have a Go Pro you can rent one for $22.

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Here is the beginning of the Zipline tour, but I didn't do the tour.

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For the Rattlesnake Coaster the guide gives you instructions, clips you in and pushes you off.

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And the guy I just showed you ending up valleying, which was awesome because I wondered what would happen. I was hoping the guide would follow him and kick him along, but no. It was a lengthy process. The guide glided down must of the way with a "rescue pack". The rescue pack consisted on ropes and gear to disconnect the stuck ride and put him on a line to rappel the fifteen feet to the ground below. Then the guide had to manual drag himself out of the valley and coast to the end. Certainly interesting to watch.

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It's not the easiest ride to capture on film, but here is the start.

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Here you see a person approaching the last of 4 dips in the ride. They don't look like much but at least 2 of them are "Oh Sh!t!" as each person's ride is slightly different and your twisting and swaying are not predictable.

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Panther Pounce is a simple concept. You get hooked up to this caribiner and then step off the edge. Like walking the plank.

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68 feet doesn't sound that high, for a controlled fall after the first 20 feet. I would probably be easier if you could jump (but you could swing into the tower)

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1 out of every 5 guests "chicken out" and never takes that step.

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All of us eventually pounced, although some took longer than others.

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The last activity to complete is the Pelegrine Plunge

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A 1/4 mile zipline race side by side. You can get up to 30MPH.

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You can buy a fresh hamburger after you are done at the restaurant, or you can take away pounds of meat to cook for yourself.

Edited by larrygator
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How is the "coaster" ? It looks like so much fun.

 

It is certainly a different experience than any other coaster. Each person's ride will vary based on the rider's weight and response while riding. There was more swaying than I ever experienced on any suspended coaster, but also a few surprisingly intense pops of air.

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That place looks really fun. I love zip wire things and the 'coaster' is something I would definitely want to try. By the way, do you think 30mph on a zip is fast, I have managed 90mph. My face was almost ripped to shred at the speed.

 

Last time I checked, 90MPH is faster than 30MPH.

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That place looks really fun. I love zip wire things and the 'coaster' is something I would definitely want to try. By the way, do you think 30mph on a zip is fast, I have managed 90mph. My face was almost ripped to shred at the speed.

 

Last time I checked, 90MPH is faster than 30MPH.

 

Larry teaches math. He knows these things.

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This place definitely looks interesting. How was the temperature? I'm sure you've got to stay hydrated out there.

 

The day I went was overcast and if it wasn't for the helmet the heat would not have bothered me. I only noticed it after the tour activities were over. We weren't completely in the sun and no one showed any affects of becoming dehydrated. There was a minor shower before I arrived, so not to humid. However, lightning in the area can stop the activities at anytime. My understanding is that you get a voucher to return for any missed activities, but the guides moved us along to rush through everything and beat the next rainfall.

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This park seems very interesting, especially the Panther's Pounce thing. Would it be do-able to drive to it while I'm visiting family in Miami?

 

I guess that depends on how much driving you are comfortable doing, plan for at least a 3 hour drive (depending on where in Miami) each way as you don't want to miss your appointment time. Also, as mentioned you need to make reservations if you since the activities start at set times and the number of participants is limited.

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That place looks really fun. I love zip wire things and the 'coaster' is something I would definitely want to try. By the way, do you think 30mph on a zip is fast, I have managed 90mph. My face was almost ripped to shred at the speed.

 

Last time I checked, 90MPH is faster than 30MPH.

 

Larry teaches math. He knows these things.

 

I was referring to the fact that a 30 mph zip is fast, but there are some which go THREE TIMES AS FAST! The zip line in Wales is amazing.

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