During last week’s trip to Dutch Wonderland, Sam and I decided we were going to head down to Carowinds the following week to meet up with Greg and his family on Wednesday, August 11. We booked a hotel for a couple of nights just outside the park, but I had an idea for Sam and I – visit Myrtle Beach and stop at Pavilion Park, Funplex, and Family Kingdom as well. Each of the entries in this blog series will cover those stops, with the final two both covering different days at Carowinds.
Back in June I visited Funplex: Mt. Laurel with Sam, Greg, and Renee. The stop was a spur of the moment decision while on our way to visit Morey’s Piers, Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, and Playland’s Castaway Cove. We were on the hunt for new coasters and Funplex is home to Fun Coaster – a bright pink and green spinning coaster by SBF Visa.
Our plan was to stop, ride the coaster, and get back on the road. Instead, in order to enter the premise, each one of us had to purchase $30 worth of credits. We almost left as that was a bit much for what we intended on being a quick stop. Long story short, we stayed and dropped the cash. We had already went out of our way and just decided to do it.
Having all those extra credits to use put us about an hour behind schedule, but it did mean that we got to experience some of the park’s other rides. We ended up having a blast and some of the ride staff was really engaging. To read more about that day, check out the trip report, “Jersey Days, Pt. – Funplex: Mt. Laurel.”
Some More Fun at Funplex
If you’re asking why I began this blog talking about the Funplex park in Mt. Laurel, N.J., it’s because Sam and I got to visit another Funplex location during this trip through Myrtle Beach. Thankfully this location didn’t have the same minimum purchase requirement in order to enter. There was no way we could spend more than an hour tops with our limited timeframe for this visit.
Sam and I picked up 20 credits to split at the entrance and made our way in. Our focus was to ride the Hamster Wheel seats on Fun in the Sun. We had no desire for a re-ride on the spinning carts. We had just gotten off Myrtle Turtle at Pavilion Park and got spun like never before. We were good on spinning for the rest of the day. Be sure to read, “Carolina Coasters, Pt. 1 – Pavilion Park,” for the details on that crazy experience.
Fun in the Sun
Walking onto this ride I was both excited and nervous. I was hoping both of us would make it through the ride without getting sick. This was going to be a whole new experience and of course, we were out on a very hot day and riding this after our Myrtle Turtle experience. As we walked up the steps our ride operator told us the second wheel rolled more than the front. We picked the front and said that we were good with a less intense ride. She laughed as we took our seats.
One thing I immediately noticed was how close the over the shoulder restraints come to your head. I was getting Vekoma SLC vibes crossed with a 80’s carnival ride. I was praying it wasn’t going to be a head banger.
Ultimately, I came away headache free. That being said, I did bang my head numerous times throughout the ride, though. The worst of it came from the turn back into the station area. Keep that in mind if you get to ride one of these. Or maybe it’s just this one? I’m not sure as the only other similar style coaster I know about is yet to open at Casino Pier.
Overall, I’m glad I got this experience, but I can honestly say that these types of coasters will probably be a one and done for me. I just don’t find it overly enjoyable. That’s just me, however. It seemed like the kids on the train after ours loved it.
Final Ride Counts
Fun in the Sun (1)
Worth a Visit
Since I was a child I have always been fond of beach parks. I grew up visiting parks like Jolly Roger and Trimper’s Rides in Ocean City, Md. and all the former locations of Wildwood, N.J. Getting to a place like Funplex in Myrtle Beach brings back some of that nostalgia for me. It isn’t on a boardwalk like those parks I just mentioned, but it still gives me those vibes. Plus, this place sure packs it in tight! We were only visiting for Fun in the Sun, but there are a handful of rides right up against one another on this small plot of land, and thrill rides too!
If you’re heading down to Myrtle Beach, or just passing through, Funplex is worth a stop. You can pick up credits for whatever tickles your fancy and there is plenty of parking right behind the premise. We paid a meter $1.75 since we knew we’d be spending just an hour or less. Can’t beat that.
With two Funplex parks now in the books, I only have one left to visit during my travels – Funplex: East Hanover, also in New Jersey. Sadly that is the only one of their parks without a coaster, but it still looks like a good time. And hey, maybe, just maybe a coaster is in their future planning for that location too? If so, I know I’ll be up there sooner rather than later.
Funplex: Myrtle Beach Photo Gallery - August 10, 2021
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CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): Fun in the Sun
Sam
Admiral
New Credit(s): Fun in the Sun
