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Miracle Strip Amusement Park (Most Terrifying Abandoned Amusement Park)

The abandoned amusement park often cited as America’s most terrifying in Florida is Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Panama City Beach.

Although it closed in 2004, parts of it were left abandoned for years before some rides were relocated or sold.

The eerie remnants of the park, combined with its overgrown and decaying structures, make it a popular spot for urban explorers and photographers.

In 1963, Florida welcomed its first roller coaster, the Starliner, a wooden ride designed by a legend in the coaster industry.

This iconic attraction operated at Miracle Strip Amusement Park from the day the park opened until it closed, before moving to another ill-fated park and becoming lost to history.

The Starliner roller coaster, built with enduring quality, stood as a testament to the craftsmanship of its era.

Also see the most scary bridge in Florida.

The Birth of a Legend

The late 1950s saw a surge of motels in Panama City Beach, catering to tourists eager to experience its white beaches.

With the influx of visitors, the demand for entertainment grew, leading to the creation of various roadside attractions.

By 1960, the “Miracle Strip” was bustling with a variety of tourist draws, each striving to capture the attention and money of the beachgoers.

Amidst this surge, local builder Jimmy Lark, inspired by popular seaside resorts, decided to create a standalone roller coaster.

With no prior experience, Lark and his partners enlisted the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, led by John C. Allen, to design and construct the ride.

The result was the Starliner, a wooden roller coaster built for speed and thrills, estimated to cost around $100,000 (nearly a million dollars today).

Miracle Strip Amusement Park: A Thrilling Era

Opening in June, Miracle Strip Amusement Park quickly became a beloved destination.

The park, which started with just the Starliner, expanded over the years to include over 26 rides and attractions. The Starliner, with its out-and-back design and manual operation, was the park’s crown jewel. Riders enjoyed the thrilling 70-foot lift hill and the 65-foot drop, with the coaster delivering eight exhilarating hills throughout its layout.

In the 1970s, the third hill was enclosed, adding a dragon’s mouth and a hidden bunny hop in the dark, enhancing the ride’s appeal.

For just 50 cents, riders could experience this classic wooden coaster, making it a must-visit attraction.

The park’s success was largely attributed to the Starliner, which drew in crowds and paid off its debts, cementing its status as one of Florida’s top tourist destinations.

The Decline and Closure

Despite its popularity, Miracle Strip Amusement Park couldn’t escape the challenges of changing times. In 2004, the park closed to make way for high-rise condos, ending an era of excitement and memories.

Defunctland Suggestion: Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Panama City Beach, Florida.
byu/Toto_LZ inDefunctland

The Starliner was sold, with uncertain plans for its future. While there was hope for its relocation, it eventually moved to Cypress Gardens Adventure Park.

Cypress Gardens: A New Home, A New Hope

Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, Florida’s first theme park, purchased the Starliner in 2005, intending to restore and incorporate it. However, the park struggled financially and filed for bankruptcy in 2006. Despite reopening the Starliner in 2007, Cypress Gardens couldn’t sustain its operations and sold the park. The Starliner operated for only a year before the park closed again, leaving the coaster abandoned.

The End of the Line

In 2010, Legoland Florida acquired Cypress Gardens, transforming the site into a family-friendly destination.

While many of Cypress Gardens’ attractions were preserved, the Starliner was not part of Legoland’s plans. The classic coaster was dismantled and stored, with hopes of its revival diminishing.

Meanwhile, in Panama City Beach, efforts to revive the original Miracle Strip continued. Teddy and Jenny Meeks established a small retro amusement area, including some original park rides.

They aimed to bring back the Starliner, but financial and logistical challenges thwarted their efforts. By 2014, the dream of restoring the Starliner had faded, and both Miracle Strip parks sat abandoned.

A Legacy Remembered

For over 40 years, Miracle Strip Amusement Park brought joy to countless visitors. Its closure marked the end of an era, with the Starliner representing the golden age of roller coasters.

Today, the National Roller Coaster Museum in Plainsview, Texas, preserves part of the Starliner’s legacy, ensuring that this iconic attraction will not be forgotten.

The Starliner may not have been the biggest or most thrilling coaster, but it held a special place in the hearts of those who experienced its rides.

Its story is a reminder of the ever-changing landscape of amusement parks and the nostalgia that old attractions can evoke. While the Starliner may never roar back to life, its memory continues to thrill the imaginations of roller coaster enthusiasts and former park-goers alike.

 
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