Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrei Roublev. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Located just north of Orlando in Lake Mary, Planet Obstacle is one of Central Florida’s largest indoor obstacle parks. Created by two Cirque du Soleil veterans Andrei Roublev and Yuri Maiorov, the 50,000-square-foot park provides a day full of unique, challenging and safe courses for all ages to enjoy healthy exercise, to learn about fitness and to connect with others. In the style of TV fan-favorite American Ninja Warrior, guests can earn bragging rights to an aerial ropes course, an extreme zipline, an adult ninja course, a giant rock-climbing wall and more. Kid-friendly activities include a kids’ ninja course, trampolines, bungees, ball pits, bumper cars and more. The facility can accommodate groups of all sizes, including the option for a full buyout of up to 540 people. Memorable team-building exercises can be customized for corporate groups. An on-site café and breakout rooms are also available.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was not an easy road to go through but challenging and fun in this case. Once all the details of our plan were finalized, we faced our first challenge, which was to find the building of the size we wanted and that was not an easy task due to availability at the moment. Then this building in Lake Mary became available and that was exactly what we wanted. Lease was signed and construction has began; shipping containers started to arrive from all over the world. An exciting parts of the process was to see how slowly, step by step, everything comes to life.
After letting the crew go home after their shift, Yuri and I would stay beyond late to continue to work both on construction and administrative part of the project. We are happy to share that many attractions in here were solely build just by two of us, like the two-level ropes course with all the elements and zipline. Construction was definitely a fun part of the project.
Next, six months later, we were getting closer to an opening date and last 2-3 weeks, we had 16 working hours a day to meet the deadline of opening. It was exhausting but very motivational and the goal helped us to get through.
July 22nd of 2017 was our Grand Opening! It was an amazing ceremony with the honorable guest, mayor of City of Lake Mary David Mealor as well as other city officials.
Another challenge was to earn trust of the customers, get the name out there and build respectable reputation! After being open for almost four years, we never stop working and improving our practices in every aspect, providing an excellent customer service, opening new programs like Active Kids Class, Home and Online Schoolers Wednesdays, Parents Play Free Tuesdays and more.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Andrei has many passions, all revolving around his love for acrobatic performance. He was born in Moscow, Russia and at the age of five, started to attend the Gymnastic Sports School of Olympic Reserve #1 and train professionally in gymnastics. After years of competition, he earned the title of Master of Sport of Gymnastic and Acrobatic Tumbling. After receiving a degree from Moscow State, he performed the “Double Passage with Triple Somersault” move, which has not been repeated since. In 1996, Andrei joined Cirque Du Soleil and later became the founder of New Image Line Entertainment the founder of the Orlando Circus School and Orlando Flying Trapeze. Andrei is now a founder and owner of Planet Obstacle, where he can still take part in his love for acrobatic gymnastics and cultivate the passion in others.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes, this was unprecedented experience not only for me personally but also for the business entity. Very mixed feelings when you have to shut down the business, close the doors and put everything on pause, the pause you don’t even know how long will last. The most important lesson I have learned from this pandemic is to never give up, always stay positive and proactive and never, never lose your goal and dream!
Pricing:
- We always offer different specials. Especially now knowing how important it is to support surrounding community we always offer some specials. They constantly change and we encourage people to check pricing page of our website. Current Special for 1h All Access Pass is only $10.95 on weekdays.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@planetobstacle.com
- Website: http://www.planetobstacle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/planetobstacle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlanetObstacle
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/planetobstacle
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGbL7l40MgLcjklTReQ2bsw
