From: news-press.com

Families can experience the Fantasy of Flight
Museum in Polk City features world war planes, which can be explored.

by: Andrea Stetson

When you're heading north from Southwest Florida on a road trip through the state, the miles can seem endless with children in the back seat. But with some clever planning, getting to the destination can be as enjoyable as the destination itself.

The well-traveled path to Disney or the space center doesn't have to be a monotonous car ride because along the way, there are many often overlooked attractions to see. One of them is Fantasy of Flight.

It houses the greatest private collection of vintage aircraft in the world. And most of the planes are not off-limits behind ropes. Instead, children are encouraged to climb into the cockpits and let their imaginations soar.

Visitors enter Fantasy of Flight though what looks like a giant army plane. Next they climb up and through another armed forces aircraft to finally enter the hangar where dozens of aircraft are ready for kids to explore.

Children loved climbing through the two-story Sunderland, known as the last airworthy flying boat. Its wingspan spread more than 100 feet.

Many of the airplanes had war video games inside where visitors can sit in the cockpit and shoot other planes using a joystick and computer bullets.

Kids enjoyed making colorful paper airplanes and trying to fly them through a series of hoops. And visitors of all ages enjoyed flying a virtual hang glider onto a small target.

"My favorite thing is the planes where you played video games," said Emmett Coyle, 9, of Bonita Springs. "You had to shoot bullets at the other planes."

"And I liked the thing you went in to fly to the target," Emmett added about the virtual hang glider. "I beat my mom at that."

Emmett's mother, Marsha Ellis, said Fantasy of Flight was a great, educational place to visit.

"It's living history," Ellis said. "It's history that they can see for themselves and interact with. I think it's a great place to go for kids. I think it's super cool."

The exhibits are only part of the Fantasy of Flight experience. Guests get a close up view on what it takes to restore the ancient aircraft to flying condition during workshop tours. A tram tour takes visitors to restricted areas such as the grass runways, backlot and maintenance areas. For an additional cost visitors can take a balloon ride or a biplane flight.