Tank America — Attraction in Winter Park

We had a fantastic time! My family brought me here to celebrate my 50th birthday. I had so much fun my face hurt from smiling so much when we drove home. The good: YOU'RE DRIVING A TANK! From the moment we walked in I felt like this was going to be a positive experience. The training session was just long enough to get me able to drive a tank but not so long that it bored the kids. There were some neat (inert) rifles and machine guns that the kids were able to check out. The staff were all great. They were helpful and offered to use my phone to take some great photos and videos. Also, I've read some of the negative reviews on here and I was able to subtly pick up they have too. (😂) Many of the complaints I read were clearly talked about during briefings and whatnot. Even the part about upselling was addressed in a comfortable way when they told us at the beginning "Look we wouldn't be a good business if we didn't try to make sure you had as much fun as possible and also made money, so before we finish up today there will be the chance to add on additional experiences and this is what they'll cost if you want to go that route." The bad: Obviously, something like this can't be cheap. That's just not a realistic expectation. These folks are maintaining several tanks and armored personnel carriers, a driving course, and buying cars for you to crush. But as an activity for an ex-Marine military nerd's milestone birthday, it was an experience I'll always remember. They can't use "new" tanks, so the tanks are from a time when the military cared less about comfort 😂😂😂. If you're really big or really small you might struggle a little bit with climbing into the driver's compartment. Be careful settling in - I had a very minor claustrophobic moment when my foot got stuck between some stuff while I was in an awkward angle. 😂 The only bad experience I had was that we went after like 3 weeks of strong rains in the area and the onboard cameras they have mounted on the tanks to video your experience were all broken from moisture intrusion. To be clear the videos would have been an extra charge so it's not like I was cheated by the experience, but I would have liked some video of driving out in the woods. The only photos/video we got were the stuff they shot for us during the car crush and my wife filmed the driving coach backing the tank out of the parking slot. One last time I want to compliment the staff for giving me a great memorable birthday experience. They were a great combination of safe, fun, and...

On a recent trip to Orlando, I woke up one morning dreading the thought of spending another day standing around for hours at the parks, waiting in line for rides with a lot of hype, but not much excitement. I needed something unique, a different kind of ride, I needed something more American. Decked out in my pit vipers, a sleeveless 3 wolf moon t-shirt, and my freshly cut jean shorts. I threw a Zyn in the upper deck and with the mullet flowing I let G&R be the soundtrack for my quest. It wasn’t long before I stumbled upon Tank America. When I opened the door to the lobby, I swear I heard the theme song to “Team America World Police”. The friendly staff greeted me and signed me up for my tank experience. After signing some paperwork that I assume certified my inherent awesomeness, I took inventory of the lobby’s decorations. Sitting front and center in the lobby was the star of many a red-blooded Americans' dreams, an M60 Belt Fed Machine Gun. Next to the Pig, was a wall of guns and unlike Rachel’s, this place encourages fondling the goods because just above the Sniper rifles, grenade launchers, shotguns, and M4s there is a sign that reads, “Please Touch” and touch I did. After a quick safety briefing and some instruction, I stepped outside and saw a sight that would have caused the wetting of any World War Two era German soldier’s pants, four FV433 Abbot Tanks. Amelia, my tank instructor, got me set up in our tank, Misfit, and off we went with me behind the sticks of this 17 ton Commie crusher. Amelia was amazing and with her expert guidance, I drove through Tank America’s obstacle course, tearing up the mud, crushing cars, and just winning life in general. At the end of the course, as I parked the tank, a bald eagle landed on a nearby tree, slipped on a pair of aviators and saluted me with his wing. I saluted back and as he flew away, the clouds took on the shape of George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Abraham Lincoln all gazing down on me with patriotic approval. I left Tank America with a full heart, almost wishing more than ever that someone would attempt a Red Dawn style invasion of the land of the free because America is the kind of country that allows her ordinary citizens to not only to keep and bear arms, but to keep and bear tanks. Thank you Tank America and I give you 50 stars...

Today was the grand opening for Tank America. It didn't know what to expect when I was going, except that there would be tanks on site and some laser tag. So I brought my family with me with my nephews to check it out, and we were very impressed. My older nephew, myself, and my brother tried out the laser tag, and it was amazing!! I've been to many different laser tags here in Florida and even in Tennessee, and this one was the best by far. The rooms were realistic in combat situations, even the weapons we carried had accurate weight as well as the mags, not like all the previous plastic guns I carried at other laser tag locations. I also enjoyed the fact that you had to physically go back to home base to rejuvenate your lives and your ammo. Or like me, I had to get another mag. I apparently was trigger happy. Great job Tank America, with that feature. We then went outside and saw a demonstration of the tanks, of them crushing a couple of cars. My nephew's thoroughly enjoyed that part. Also the staff was so helpful and helping accommodate so many people that came for opening day. Also, there are serveral rooms for birthday party's or spectators wanting to watch the laser tag. Or those who had purchase tickets to drive the tanks! After talking to one of the owners, he shared that there is another option, their team building activities they offer. So if your company is looking for a different way of doing team building activities what they have to offer is very unique and will be an experience not to be forgotten. Now if you're one of the brave souls that would like to attempt to drive the tank. Such as the older couple I met, where she purchased tickets for her husband to drive one of the tanks tomorrow. He was excited to show me the tickets and share that they're well retired and might as well drive a tank before that time comes rolling around. He had me rolling. :) Maybe that's something I can do next time but for now I was very satisfied with getting a picture inside of one of the tanks, meeting the staff and checking out the laser tag. Thanks Tank America, you guys are awesome and I'll see...