Orlando / Winter Park, FL (1300 Lee Rd)
Floorspace: 10,200 (sqft)
Latitude Longitude: 28.605156730289274, -81.40058291912071
- SPP Standard Layout (Nov. 11, 1982)
- Classic Stage (Apr. 27, 1982–Jan. 8, 1984)
Orlando / Winter Park, FL (1300 Lee Rd) was one of three ShowBiz Pizza Places located in the Orlando, Florida area opening on April 27, 1982[1] and closing on January 1, 1984[4]. Though this location was short lived, it is notable for its appearance in promotional material for ShowBiz Pizza Place and news coverage.
History
Pre-Opening
On April 11, 1982 Showbiz Pizza Place would put a newspaper advertisement mentioning that ‘The newest and most unique family dining and entertainment experience is NOW HIRING’ with applications being accepted October 27th - 29th from 8 AM to 5 PM.The positions of Cashiers, Game Attendants, Clerical, Dining Room Attendants, Cooks, Costume Cahracters, and Food Preparation[6]. On April 25, 1982 ShowBiz Pizza would publish an ‘OPEN TUESDAY’ Advertisment mentioning everything that the new location will offer ‘The latest, most challenging, most exciting, most FUN electronic games, Pizza-Sandwiches-Salad Bar (Free Game Tokens With Food Order)‘[7]
Opening
The Winter Park ShowBiz Pizza Place opened on April 27, 1982[1]. This store was quite standard, and featured Classic Stage. Aaron and other employees of Creative Engineering Inc. would frequently visit this location whenever a new show was released to obtain feedback from the customers watching the show. Promos and CEI news videos also used footage from the store. It was the nearest ShowBiz Pizza to the ‘47 W Jefferson St’ Creative Engineering Building. Winter Park’s ShowBiz would participate in the New Year’s Countdown 1982 promotion happening on New Year’s Eve from 11 a.m. - ??. and New Year’s Day from 4 p.m. - Midnight[8].
Sometime in 1983 the valance would be replace featuring the standard Rock-afire Explosion design and artwork done by Dave Thomas[9]. In July 1983 the Winter Park ShowBiz Pizza Place would recieve ‘Dragon’s Lair’[2]. Later they would receive Uncle Klunk in July 1983 as part of The Amazing Uncle Klunk Traveling Show (Event)[3]. Uncle Klunk would be retroffited in December 1983 turning into Santa Claus as apart of the Santa On Stage Show 1983 (Event)[3].
Closure
On January 8, 1984 the Winter Park ShowBiz Pizza Place would permanently close.[4]. The Rock-afire Explosion would be sent back to Creative Engineering, Inc. to be re-used for the location[5].
Animatronics
| Character | Operation | Serial | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolfe Dewolfe & Earl Schmerle (Animatronic) | Apr. 27, 1982 - Jan. 8, 1984 | 7-81 1-17 | Sent to Lafayette, LA (3221 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy) |
| Dook Larue (Animatronic) | Apr. 27, 1982 - Jan. 8, 1984 | 7-81 2-17 | Sent to Lafayette, LA (3221 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy) |
| Fatz Geronimo (Animatronic) | Apr. 27, 1982 - Jan. 8, 1984 | 7-81 3-17 | Sent to Lafayette, LA (3221 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy) |
| Beach Bear (Animatronic) | Apr. 27, 1982 - Jan. 8, 1984 | 7-81 4-17 | Sent to Lafayette, LA (3221 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy) |
| Mitzi Mozzarella (Animatronic) | Apr. 27, 1982 - Jan. 8, 1984 | 7-81 5-17 | Sent to Lafayette, LA (3221 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy) |
| Billy Bob (Animatronic) | Apr. 27, 1982 - Jan. 8, 1984 | 7-81 6-17 | Sent to Lafayette, LA (3221 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy) |
| Looney Bird (Animatronic) | Apr. 27, 1982 - Jan. 8, 1984 | 7-81 7-17 | Sent to Lafayette, LA (3221 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy) |
| Choo Choo (Animatronic) | Apr. 27, 1982 - Jan. 8, 1984 | 7-81 8-17 | Sent to Lafayette, LA (3221 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy) |
| Sun (Animatronic) | Apr. 27, 1982 - Jan. 8, 1984 | 7-81 10-17 | Sent to Lafayette, LA (3221 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy) |
| Moon (Animatronic) | Apr. 27, 1982 - Jan. 8, 1984 | 7-81 11-17 | Sent to Lafayette, LA (3221 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy) |
| Antioch (Animatronic) | Apr. 27, 1982 - Jan. 8, 1984 | N/A | Sent to Lafayette, LA (3221 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy) |
| Uncle Klunk (Animatronic) | Jul. 1983 - Dec. 1983 | N/A | Unknown |
Attractions
| Attraction | Operation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon's Lair | Jul. 1983 - ? | Mentioned in 1983 advertisement for Dragon's Lair |
| Pac Man | ? - ? | Shown in 1983 Creative Engineering News Cast |
| Tempest | ? - ? | Shown in 1983 Creative Engineering News Cast |
References
- https://www.showbizpizza.com/info/documents/spp/spp_sales_company_8-81_8-82.pdf
- https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-spp-altamonte-sprin/191237958/
- https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-spp-altamonte-sprin/191238159/
- https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-spp-altamonte-sprin/191238241/
- https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news/105025971/
- Interal Creative Engineering, INC
- https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-spp-winter-park-now/191240485/
- https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-orlando-2nd-spp-ope/176454574/
- https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/96330565/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFFCQZUpne8
- https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-spp-winter-park-now/191240485/
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