Welcome to the website devoted to the groundbreaking, history-making, record-setting Miracle Strip Amusement Park of Panama City Beach, Florida. Once the pride of the beachside burg and a testament to the appeal of old-fashioned carnival fun, Miracle Strip survived for 40 years and even enjoyed a brief resurrection in the face of changing times in the 2010s. At MS-pp.com, we’re dedicated to the spirit of the old Miracle Strip and to amusement parks everywhere today. Check out the pages of this website for information on topics including the following.
- The history of Miracle Strip Amusement Park. During its lifetime, Miracle Strip hosted millions of Floridians and tourists alike, ultimately becoming a landmark of the city. And along the way to the 21st century and beyond, the Miracle Strip gained notoriety reaching well beyond the Gulf of Mexico. Much of the place’s early reputation was built on the Starliner rollercoaster, the first such ride *ever built in Florida* and once the vehicle with which the Guinness World Record for continuous rollercoaster riding (336 hours!) was set in 1980. Even today, local journalists still devote column space to nostalgizing about the great park; we’ll tell you why.
- Amusement park rides. The Miracle Strip had its Starliner and both versions of the ’park had their carousel rides at center. But what about the Jolly Caterpillar, the Eyefly Bullet and the Chance Trabant? On this site, we take a look at some of the “greatest hits” that played at the Miracle Strip, as well as the general evolution of amusement park rides in the U.S.
- Parties. Though the peak heyday of the amusement park in America may have passed, amusement park-centered parties are more popular than ever. The larger amusement parks may have whole days/evenings dedicated to caravans of kids arriving in school busses, and summer months commonly sees groups of a dozen or so en masse celebrating some lucky Gemini or Leo’s birthday.
- Safety. Party heartily, but play safe! As in commercial airplane travel, dangerous events at amusement parks are incredibly rare – like millions-to-one against – yet one online headline can make amusement park rides appear as death-defying as glorifying advertised. Just how safe are amusement parks and how often do tragic events really happen?
- Casinos in Florida. We know there’s a limit to the amount of time one can spend watching the children stand in line, then go around in circles while screaming. If more adult amusement is required, we’ve got some tips on how to get to the gaming houses nearest to the Miracle Strip Amusement Park and in greater Western Florida. The pickings aren’t exactly expansive, but we can help get you to some quality gaming in this part of the state nevertheless.
- Enjoy your time here at MS-pp.com, where the Miracle Strip Amusement Park lives on in history eternally.
For now, from the Miracle City Amusement Park, you’ll have to make do at the smaller-than-envisioned Creek Entertainment site – entertain yourself with slot games online. Let’s say you’re an adult at the Miracle City Amusement Park in Panama City Beach. The appeal of carnival rides and games is a tad limited, and you’ve absorbed enough sun in the past few days to fuel a solar-powered 20-room house for the next nine months: In short, you may be hankering for some more adult entertainment like a proper casino. Continue reading
Florida is the sunshine state. There are plenty of things to do for you and your family. Pristine beaches, plenty of sun. Great restaurants. First class resorts. If you get tired of the outside, you can visit the amusement parks. Land based casinos, golf clubs or a million other activities that you and your family will enjoy. Go visit Florida now before it's too late. For information: http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us.html
You love to remember the classic Miracle Strip Amusement Park
At its peak- Miracle Strip Amusement Park was a thriving park and popular destination for families in search of a day out. First opened in 1963 in Panama City Florida with a truly unique star attraction which was the Starliner Roller coaster, as well as a host of other rides that were typically found in small parks of this type. This is (without saying) the sad story of how this once popular theme park became part of the Panama City heritage, to its eventual closing in 2003 and then being moved just 200 feet away in a re-boot of the original park rides- and then finally closing again 2015.
Just Why Did Miracle Strip Close?
Back in 1963 the Starliner, Miracle strip's flagship ride was Florida's first coaster. In the beginning a lot of debts were incurred due to rents and the building of rides, however as the park began to grow, eventually these debts were paid off and the park began to flourish. With 41 years and 20 million visitors later, it was announced that 2003 would be the last year for the park. Billy Lark the previous owner cited in 2004- the reason for the parks closure was due to declining interest, lack of ticket sales and an increase in expenses. The land was sold to developers who intended to build condos called “Miracle Condos”, however this never happened. In March of 2010, Jenny and Teddy Meeks purchased a carousel from the storage at the ‘old’ Miracle Strip location and just 200 feet away opened this one single ride at Pier Park, because as Teddy said “I thought they need something out here for the kids" Success was quick and the Meeks added more rides, something which the land owners Simon Group Properties were very pleased with. Eventually the Meeks pulled more rides out of storage as the park become more popular and Miracle Strip officially had a new lease of life.
Unfortunately the newly renovated Miracle Strip Pier Park closed its doors in 2015 once again, as the land owner sought to evict them for unpaid rents; during this time the Meeks had permission to build a panoramic wheel, but time was running out as the wolves were already at the door. Around this time the Meeks became embroiled in a dispute over another park “Pier Park Rides" which was to be built on their doorstep, to which permission was eventually given.
What Are Most Remembered Classic Rides At Miracle Strip?
Obviously the Starliner will be the most remembered ride, along with the Abominable Snowman featuring an Eli Bridge Scrambler, Dante's Inferno which offered a journey inside a covered dome in a classic Chance Trabant featuring light and smoke effects, The Dungeon which was a Sellner Tilt-A-Whirl and The Haunted Castle which featured a classic U-Turn two-seater electric track car inside a campy haunted house.
Find Out Where The Miracle Strip Rides Got Relocated To?
Many of the Miracle Strip rides met fates after the initial closing. Some went to other theme parks such as the Starliner at Busch Gardens in Florida, and around the USA, others were kept in storage, and some were left abandoned at the original location. In many cases they were demolished but not all of them. We’ve found out where they are now, and you won’t believe how they look now
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What Made Miracle Strip So Attractive- Anyway?
Miracle Strip and other family run parks like it, that are not run by global corporations have a certain magical and nostalgic touch that you simply won't find in parks like Disneyland. The park itself becomes part of the community and it's where lasting memories are made for some families. Yes Disneyland and the like does have its place but with a park like Miracle Strip- it's simply different kind of special. We follow the journey down memory lane to rediscover what memories are really made of when it comes to Miracle Strip Amusement Park. We love this park.
Remembering Miracle Strip Amusement Park
Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_Strip_Amusement_Park
Old Miracle Strip Amusement Park - Facebook fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/Old-Miracle-Strip-Amusement-Park-303539346648109/
Read more:
What separated Miracle Strip from other Amusement parks?
The sad story of the Miracle Strip Amusement Park
Dante’s Inferno: Hellish Thrills and Hidden Chills
The Haunted Castle: Who Started The Screams of Excitement?
A look back at the Starliner Roller Coaster
Old memories of Big Eli last a lifetime
What ever happened to The Abominable Snowman?
The best Amusement resorts in Florida you never hear about
Theme Rides to Avoid in Florida
The Dungeon
The Musik Express ride
Contemplating the mystery of Florida Man
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Balancing Aggression and Caution in Online Poker Play
