5. Miracle Strip Amusement Park
Siutated opposite Panama City Beach, Miracle Strip was famous as the home of the out-and-back wooden coaster the Starliner. It opened in 1963 and was a popular attraction for four decades. However, in 2003 the land was sold for the development of condos, and the park closed the following year. The Starliner was moved to Cypress Gardens, but dismantled when that park closed to become LEGOLAND Florida. However it is due to be installed at a new, smaller version of the Miracle Strip park in 2014, dubbed Miracle Strip at Pier Park.
4. Pirates World
Image: Led Zepplin
The 100-acre Pirates World opened in 1967 in Dania, and was developed by the Recreation Corporation of America (a firm that had held discussions with Walt Disney about developing an east coast theme park, but pulled out due to the cost). Its attractions included The Crows Nest, an observation tower that had originally been the Belgian Aerial Tower at the 1964/65 New York World's Fair. Another highlight was the Pirate Ship, which cruised along a "river", coming under fire from enemy pirates. Due to the RCA connection, several major bands (including Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath) were attracted to perform concerts at Pirates World. However, the debut of Walt Disney World forced it into bankruptcy by 1973. It was eventually developed into housing.
3. Six Flags Atlantis
Image: Six Flags
Six Flags owns parks up and down the US, and its once operated a water park in Hollywood, Florida. The project was originally known as Atlantis the Water Kingdom, but construction came to a halt when funding dried up. Six Flags stepped in, and Six Flags Atlantis opened in 1982. By 1989, the firm had had enough. The park was sold on, and returned to its original name. However, it was badly damaged by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and never reopened.
2. Splendid China
Image: Mark Goebel, Flickr (license)
Reported to have cost $100 million to build, Splendid China was designed as a sister park to Splendid China in Shenzhen, China. It opened in 1993, and allowed guests to explore more than 60 replica landmarks, each recreated at one-tenth scale. Nearly seven million 1-inch-long bricks were used to create its Great Wall of China scene. The park operated for a decade before eventually shutting down. After being pillaged by vandals and thieves, it was torn down in 2013.
1. Boardwalk and Baseball
After the closure of Circus World, a second theme park was built on the same site near Haines City. Boardwalk and Baseball opened on February 1, 1987, and reused many of its predecessor's rides and attractions. The most significant addition was the Baseball City Stadium, which was accompanied by a host of baseball-related exhibits. The Kansas City Royals made the stadium their spring training home. ESPN even taped a game show, Boardwalk and Baseball's Super Bowl of Sports Trivia, on the site. Unfortunately, the line up of midway-style rides at the park was no match for Walt Disney World. Within 18 months of opening, it had hit serious financial problems. By 1990, it was forced to close altogether. It was sold to the Busch Entertainment Corporation (which owned SeaWorld Orlando and Cypress Gardens), and subsequently largely demolished. It is now the site of a retail complex.
Comments
SIX GUN TERRITORY
We live near the old Splendid China, It looks like a lot of the park is still there. The fence surrounding it blocks a lot of the view but you can still see the tops of buildings. The surrounding fence is the original from the park and has Chinese accents.
What about Silver Springs?
As a lifelong resident of Florida, this was interesting.
But Spellcheck must have been broken on the submitter's program; there are so many errors in this!
Being a big baseball fan, I really liked Boardwalk Baseball. They had some interesting things to see from the baseball hall of fame, and had some good shows.