Hemisphere Dancer has been Retired

phjrsaunt · Post by **phjrsaunt** » June 1, 2003 4:39 pm

The Hemisphere Dancer has been retired and is being taken apart. Apparently, Universal Studios had bought the plane and is making a display out of it for the Orlando park (Margaritaville Orlando). The dancer is now at New Smyrna Beach Airport being dismantled. (I found this at CoBO.)

gullreefer · Post by **gullreefer** » June 1, 2003 7:20 pm

Noooooooooooooooooooo!

How sad! What to dream of at night now?

Tell me this is untrue... it seemed as though that plane was in excellent condition - especially after Jimmy reportedly put over $1 million into renovating her a few years back.

I can't remember where I found this link, but there's some great pics of the old bird on this page:

http://www.lpba.org/buffett.html

PHat Matt · Post by **PHat Matt** » June 1, 2003 7:21 pm

Farewell beutiful plane. Your pictures made me so happy and made me imagine Margaritaville many times, and Im sure youve treted Jimmy very well. Goodbye Hemisphere Dancer

lawed25 · Post by **lawed25** » June 1, 2003 8:43 pm

We just came back from New Smyrna airport - saw "The Dancer". They have already started to take her apart

Does anyone know where in Universal she will be put?

captainpea · Post by **captainpea** » June 2, 2003 9:26 am

Unfortunately, with a fleet of personal planes and jet, HD probably doesn't get the usage that she should. She will do more good on public display rather than being sold (probably to a charter service) that would use her name and reputation as another type of tourist attraction.

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » June 2, 2003 10:54 am

my lips have been sealed for several weeks on this matter. the HD is being retired and put on static display outside of the Mville cafe in orlando so everyone can get their picture taken with it....

however, the HD will live on in a sense, since i'm in the process of trying to acquire parts of the HD for spares.....

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » June 2, 2003 10:56 am

brakes, i need brakes!

ZeroDuval · Post by **ZeroDuval** » June 2, 2003 10:59 am

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:brakes, i need brakes!

Why do you need those?

NYCPORT · Post by **NYCPORT** » June 2, 2003 11:22 am

Air brakes??? Water brakes??? I'm so confused.

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » June 2, 2003 11:47 am

wheel brakes. albatross wheel brakes s***..... they're undersized for the plane...

Mango Picker · Post by **Mango Picker** » June 2, 2003 2:23 pm

I concur, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Passing of an era for Jimmy, us and HD.... Radial engines are classic!!!

So sad to see her not kept in the air/water! On display is like a body without a soul....

Jimmy can certainly do what he wants with his property, but what a sad ending for such a fine airplane...

Will they float her on the water in Universal or put a part of it on display? If the latter, ugh!

Sail on Hemisphere Dancer!!!!

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » June 2, 2003 2:27 pm

hey i even tried to broker a last minute swap for a slightly "less-than-airworthy" aircraft for the HD.

SharkFeathers · Post by **SharkFeathers** » June 2, 2003 5:14 pm

My family and I were at Universal last weekend and right across from Margaritaville was a fenced in area with a sign saying (something to the affect) "Please excuse our dust, we're improving your Margaritaville experience."

It was on the water side of the walkway leading to Islands of Adventure. My wife and I were wondering what they were doing.

And now we know.

Thanks for the info. We'll be back on Thursday. I'll let you know the progress, if any.

Sidew13 · Post by **Sidew13** » June 2, 2003 9:37 pm

I'm going to Universal in Nov. I hope the have her in by then

phjrsaunt · Post by **phjrsaunt** » June 2, 2003 9:38 pm

PHat Matt wrote: Farewell beutiful plane. Your pictures made me so happy and made me imagine Margaritaville many times, and Im sure youve treted Jimmy very well. Goodbye Hemisphere Dancer

Very eloquently stated, Matt. (Not very well spelled, but nicely phrased. Sorry, couldn't resist!)

gullreefer · Post by **gullreefer** » June 2, 2003 10:11 pm

gullreefer wrote:Noooooooooooooooooooo!

How sad! What to dream of at night now?

Tell me this is untrue... it seemed as though that plane was in excellent condition - especially after Jimmy reportedly put over $1 million into renovating her a few years back.

I can't remember where I found this link, but there's some great pics of the old bird on this page:

http://www.lpba.org/buffett.html

Hey! I found another section of Margaritaville.com in my favorites from waaaaay back... AWESOME!

http://www.margaritaville.com/roadtrip/ ... ancer.html

Guest · Post by **Guest** » June 4, 2003 12:22 pm

That Bird gave me my name.

velvet1320 · Post by **velvet1320** » June 4, 2003 8:35 pm

Indeed a sad event, but I hope to get to see it!! Does anyone have any ideas when it will be set for viewing? I am sure it will be announced on the news portion of this site.

hemdancer · Post by **hemdancer** » June 4, 2003 8:38 pm

I can't believe it!! I just saw the plane at Sun N Fun this year and was going to take a picture with it, but forgot the camera!!! This sucks!! Oh well, atlease she will live on at a good home!

springparrot · Post by **springparrot** » June 5, 2003 12:47 am

Yup, we just got back from Universal and was told at Margaritaville that a place was being readied for a plane across from the resturant. It is suppose to be ready next week--according to an employee.

This is the wall surrounding the building site.

BuffettNews.com

Hemisphere Dancer has been Retired

Hemisphere Dancer has been Retired

Hemisphere dancer

Too Bad!

Passing on and parting out of Hemisphere Dancer.... NooOOOoo