Miracle Strip Amusement Park
Encyclopedia
Miracle Strip Amusement Park was a popular local theme park built in 1963 in Panama City Beach, Florida
, across the street from the beach. It featured several rides that were uniquely spectacular by placing them within enclosed spaces and adding pounding music and lighting effects, in addition to the usual amusement park fare. The highlight of the park was the Starliner Roller Coaster, an "out-and-back" wooden coaster designed by John Allen
upon the parks initial conception.
, which was like the Musik Express, but each car carried two passengers, one sitting in front of the other one.
, complete with spider motif. Much like the other dome rides above, loud music would play and various colored lights and strobes would flash as the ride spun around, sometimes in complete darkness!
Musik Express
was a fast-spinning ride with a 70's motif. The g-forces pushed riders up against each other. Loud music would play as the ride spun around at insane speeds. The Musik Express also ran backwards, but it was deemed unsafe at some point in the 1990s and operators were only allowed to run it forward (clockwise). Lots of small flashing lights accentuated the outside, drawing in riders.
It is now at Cliff's Amusement Park
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
.
Matterhorn
Himalaya
-type ride, it spun quickly forward and then backward and boasted a massive sound system. The carts were individually mounted on hanging bars rather than sitting flat on the ride floor like the Musik Express, however. This ride also pushed riders in the same carts together with g-forces. It was originally known as HeadAche at Knott's Berry Farm
in Buena Park, California
.
situated not far from the parks main entrance. It was a standard wheel with neon lighting effects. Up until 1999, it was run by the original motor (using a lever to adjust the speed and to slow it down) and the operator had to manually raise the platform by standing on a different lever. This sometimes made it difficult to control the Ferris wheel because it became out of balance. However, before the 2000 season, the motor was replaced. The lever which controlled the Ferris wheel was replaced by a toggle switch. The platform was also replaced with a new platform that only required a push of a button.The wheel is now located in Lake Winnipesaukee amusement park in Rossville,Ga. Just outside the city of Chattanooga Tn.
that started riders in a docking area made to look like a mill, complete with working mill wheel. The log-shaped carts would move slowly around a bend and take a long ride to the top of the first of two large hills. After the initial drop, the log flume would send riders along a rapid-like series of turns before pulling the cart up the second, much larger hill. The drop from this hill would end with a huge splash that often got riders quite wet (especially those seated in the back). The carts would then pull back into the station for disembarking.
Space Shot
Turbo Drop
combo tower that rocketed 12 riders up to the top for a breathtaking view of the 27 miles of beach front property, before dropping them at incredible speeds again into a soft landing. The ride cost about $2 million.
designed by John Allen of the Philadelphia Tobaggan Company in 1963. The coaster was the focal point of the park, running for almost the entire length of the rectangular strip that comprised it. The Starliner was visible from any point in Miracle Strip and the nearby roadways. The trains were three bench PTC rolling stock with a single seatbelt for both riders per cart and a single-locking lapbar. After the operator disengaged the manual brake system, the train left the station and began the 70-foot climb up the lift hill. The initial drop was 65 feet and gave way to several smaller hills, the third of which took riders through a tunnel painted like a dragon (as if you were entering its mouth). Riders were often caught off guard as a bunny hop was located halfway through the dark tunnel, allowing for some airtime. After the tunnel, the track looped around and hugged the previously-traveled track, over several more bunny hops for more airtime, before moving into the boarding station again, where a red light and bell signaled the end of the ride.
Adventure Park. Buescher said he plans to add Starliner, which was Florida's first roller coaster and was originally built in 1963 for the Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Panama City Beach. It will be the sixth roller coaster to the park. "We could not think of a more fitting place to salvage a major coaster than to bring it to Cypress Gardens and reintroduce it to a whole new generation," Buescher said.
It will be rebuilt at the park and brought up to safety standards, he said. Plans are to open it in late June or early July, with 2,640 feet of hills and valleys. Buescher estimated the total cost at $5 million.
became the oldest operating roller coaster in Florida.
Some attractions also came and went. A spinning ride called The Spider once stood near the Dungeon and followed its spider motif, but it was later replaced by a kiddie parachute ride. There was also at one point a walk-through haunted house called "Old House", but it was inexplicably demolished and replaced by the Blue Thunder in 1999. Vincent "Val" Valentine built this attraction in 1967. After "Old House" dismantled, the flashing mannequin skeletal ghost was taken to the Rootin' Tootin' Shootin' gallery, where he would have a precise shot from a rifle and mechanically rise from a grave with a weak mid-1990s "Don't Do Drugs" message strapped to his bones. It is now outside Lake Winnepesaukah
in Rossville, Georgia
. With not enough interest in this shooting gallery at lake winnie, it was dismantled and stored away in a shelter at the parks maintenance shop.Several of the kiddie rides from Miracle Strip are here,the bees,a childrens ride,and several of the rides that were under the matel building in panama city beach are now at Lake Winnie.
There was another ride called "Bayern Kurve" located originally where the Wave Swinger sat, then in the late '70s, it was moved next to the train depot. During the mid to late 1970s, a steel Galaxi coaster named the "Crazy Mouse" stood right next to the "Old House".
The log flume was taken apart and moved to Wild Adventures Park
in Valdosta, Georgia
. It was slated to open as the Shaka Zulu Water Ride in late 2006, but never opened to the visitors.
The O2 Tower also disappeared not long after the park closed. The ride was taken to Dixie Landin' Amusement Park
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
and opened in 2006 as Hot Shot.
The Wave Swinger has recently been spotted at the North Florida Fair. The Wave Swinger appears to have new or refurbished swings, though the overall look of the ride is the same.
The Carousel was moved to Pier Park in April 2009, and appropriately named "The Miracle Strip Carousel". It's located across from the Grand 16 Theatre.
The powered tracked Sports Cars were moved to Lake Compounce
in Bristol, Connecticut
and reopened in 2007 as Zoomer's Gas-N-Go.
The Blue Thunder was taken to Blue Diamond Amusement Park in New Castle, Delaware
which closed in 2008. It can also be seen on eBay.
A group of savvy enthusiasts purchased the elements of the Haunted Castle and moved them to a location where they were able to recreate the dark ride and run it for Halloween events. This same group is currently in the process of selling it to a party in Oxford, Alabama
as "The Terrortorium", where it will have a more permanent setup.
According to cover story in the September 7, 2009 Panama City News Herald, the remains of The Miracle Strip Amusement park would be either removed from the site to be sold, or demolished. This was scheduled to start on Thursday September 10.
Billy Lark was considering using eBay and Craigslist to sell some of the remains.
By 2010, the few remaining standing structures at the park had been demolished. The only remains of the park are sidewalks, concrete barriers, foundations and the main thoroughfare, which is overgrown with weeds.
Panama City Beach, Florida
Panama City Beach is a city in Bay County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico coast. The city is often referred to under the umbrella term of "Panama City", despite being a distinct municipality from the older and larger inland Panama City to the east, making Panama City and Panama City...
, across the street from the beach. It featured several rides that were uniquely spectacular by placing them within enclosed spaces and adding pounding music and lighting effects, in addition to the usual amusement park fare. The highlight of the park was the Starliner Roller Coaster, an "out-and-back" wooden coaster designed by John Allen
John C. Allen
John C. Allen was a roller coaster designer who was responsible for the revival of wooden roller coasters which began in the 1970s. He attended Temple University. He started working for the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1934 as a coaster operator and rose to become president of the company by...
upon the parks initial conception.
Opening
Miracle Strip Amusement Park opened in 1963 and was segregated until the late 60's with the Starliner Roller Coaster as its main attraction. A few other rides lay nearby to the Starliner and a small arcade center and food stands rounded out the fledgling park. As the strip grew in popularity and Panama City Beach became more of a tourist location, the park grew as well. More and more rides were added throughout the late 60's, 70's and 80's and the park grew up around the Starliner, which was by far the main draw for the parks entire run. As the city became more of a spring break hotspot, the popularity of the family friendly Miracle Strip Park waned, though it remained a draw for families up to the 2000s.Rides
The park featured several typical rides that were enhanced in unique ways by placing them within domed structures and adding lighting effects, temperature changes, smoke effects and music. These included the Abominable Snowman, Dante's Inferno and The Dungeon. There were also standard rides, such as bumper cars, a log flume, a scenic car driving attraction called Route 63, train, a Vonroll type 101 skyride, a Wave Swinger, loop-o-plane and the stand-outs; the Starliner Roller Coaster and O2 Tower. The park was also dotted with multiple kiddie rides. There was also a bobsled ride called Bayern KurveBayern Kurve
The Bayern Kurve is an amusement park and carnival ride made in both a portable and park model that debuted in 1965 and was invented by Anton Schwarzkopf, a legendary German engineer of amusement rides. During the ride, riders sit in one of the sixteen bobsled-themed cars that travel at a...
, which was like the Musik Express, but each car carried two passengers, one sitting in front of the other one.
Abominable Snowman
This was a typical Eli Bridge Scrambler placed inside a massive igloo-shaped dome with a menacing abominable snowman guarding the door, whose legs you had to pass under to gain entry. Inside the dome was a dark, smoky atmosphere and cool temperature, a welcome break from the summer heat outside. The walls were lined with mirrors as well. Once all riders were secure, one operator would retreat to the control booth to control the lights and music while the other operator would operate the ride. As the scrambler sped up, the lighting effects would begin, complete with multiple-colored flashing lights, disco effects and strobes. As of January 9,the mechanical components of the ride had been removed, but the outer shell of the ride and interior mirrors were still in place.Dante's Inferno
After walking into the mouth of a devil, riders found themselves within a dome housing a Chance Trabant. Much like the Abominable Snowman, the dome was lined with multiple lighting effects including rows of flashing white lights, red lights and strobes. Loud music would play as the ride began to spin and tilt. After a few minutes, the trabant would level out and the operator would exclaim that the ride would now go backwards, complete with the ominous sound of screeching brakes as the ride halted before reversing.The Dungeon
After walking through a section of sharply-turning tunnels decorated with spider webs, riders found themselves within a dome housing a Sellner Tilt-A-WhirlTilt-A-Whirl
Tilt-A-Whirl is one of the best-known flat rides, designed for commercial use at amusement parks, fairs and carnivals in which it is commonly found. The rides are manufactured by Sellner Manufacturing of Faribault, Minnesota...
, complete with spider motif. Much like the other dome rides above, loud music would play and various colored lights and strobes would flash as the ride spun around, sometimes in complete darkness!
The Shockwave
This was a Far Fabbri late 1992 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamikaze_(ride)[Kamikaze model with caged seats and shoulder restraints that started slowly moving riders back and forth, finally building up enough speed to send the arms of the ride full circle, sending riders upside down both forward and backward. The ride was shipped over to Australia a few years ago and was brought by Better Amusement Hire. The ride was then sold in 2007 to Flaherty Family Amusements who currently operate the ride.The Musik Express
A 1973 MackMACK Rides
Mack Rides is a German company that designs and constructs roller coasters. The family that owns the company also owns Europa Park.-History:The creation of the Mack company goes back to 1780, by Paul Mack, when he started building carriages. The Mack company started to design roller coasters in 1920....
Musik Express
Music Express
A Music Express is an amusement park and carnival ride based on the original Caterpillar rides of Germany. Several near-identical ride designs are also produced by other companies; Musik Express by Italian company Bertazzon and US Majestic Rides, Himalaya by American company Wisdom Rides,German...
was a fast-spinning ride with a 70's motif. The g-forces pushed riders up against each other. Loud music would play as the ride spun around at insane speeds. The Musik Express also ran backwards, but it was deemed unsafe at some point in the 1990s and operators were only allowed to run it forward (clockwise). Lots of small flashing lights accentuated the outside, drawing in riders.
It is now at Cliff's Amusement Park
Cliff's Amusement Park
Cliff's Amusement Park is an amusement park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States.- Early beginnings :Cliff and Zella Hammond built a small kiddie park in 1959 with a go-cart track and named it Uncle Cliff’s Kiddieland...
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
.
The Haunted Castle
Built by Bill Tracy in 1965, a campy haunted house ride shaped like a castle with a dead tree outside of it that ran two-seater cars through a maze of track showing off several morbid attractions; the electrocution of a dummy inmate, dismemberment, spiders and lots of blacklight effects. The ride even had a second floor with a break-away girder as the cars passed over, visible from the outside to give those in line a little scare themselves! It originally had a dragon facade and a clock with a 13 hand. It demolished in September 2009.The Train
A small multi-passenger diesel-engine train ride that took riders from the station roughly in the center of the park around a few attractions, such as the paratrooper, spider, dungeon, log flume, shockwave and blue tornado and through a tunnel. This then led into the wooded area where the park was never developed before looping back to the station.The Paratrooper
A spinning, tilting ride that was shaped to look like parachutes. The ride was located right next to the train station and was notorious for its long running time.The Blue Thunder
A MackMACK Rides
Mack Rides is a German company that designs and constructs roller coasters. The family that owns the company also owns Europa Park.-History:The creation of the Mack company goes back to 1780, by Paul Mack, when he started building carriages. The Mack company started to design roller coasters in 1920....
Matterhorn
Matterhorn (ride)
For the Disneyland attraction, see Matterhorn Bobsleds.The Matterhorn or Flying Bobs, sometimes known by alternate names such as Musik Express or Terminator in the UK, is an amusement ride very similar to the Superbob, which consists of a number of cars attached to axels that swing in and out...
Himalaya
Music Express
A Music Express is an amusement park and carnival ride based on the original Caterpillar rides of Germany. Several near-identical ride designs are also produced by other companies; Musik Express by Italian company Bertazzon and US Majestic Rides, Himalaya by American company Wisdom Rides,German...
-type ride, it spun quickly forward and then backward and boasted a massive sound system. The carts were individually mounted on hanging bars rather than sitting flat on the ride floor like the Musik Express, however. This ride also pushed riders in the same carts together with g-forces. It was originally known as HeadAche at Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm is a theme park in Buena Park, California, now owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, and a line of jams, jellies, preserves, and other specialty food, now part of The J. M. Smucker Company based in Placentia, California....
in Buena Park, California
Buena Park, California
Buena Park is a city in northwestern Orange County, California. As of Census 2010 the population was 80,530. The city is adjacent to the city of Anaheim and is 12 miles northwest of downtown Santa Ana. The Current OMB metropolitan designation for Buena Park and the Orange County Area is "Santa...
.
Zierer Wave Swinger
A massive swing-ride that rose into the sky after riders were strapped into their swings and tilted to one side as it spun riders in a wide arch. This ride was also notorious for its typically long running time.The Bullet
Much like the Shockwave but on a smaller and faster scale. This ride was also decidedly more comforatable than the Shockwave, though it lacked any interesting lighting effects.Sea Dragon
A large ride shaped like a Viking boat decorated with shields and a dragon head that swung back and forth, gaining momentum until it tilted riders vertically both forward and backwards.Big Eli Ferris Wheel
A large Ferris wheelFerris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
situated not far from the parks main entrance. It was a standard wheel with neon lighting effects. Up until 1999, it was run by the original motor (using a lever to adjust the speed and to slow it down) and the operator had to manually raise the platform by standing on a different lever. This sometimes made it difficult to control the Ferris wheel because it became out of balance. However, before the 2000 season, the motor was replaced. The lever which controlled the Ferris wheel was replaced by a toggle switch. The platform was also replaced with a new platform that only required a push of a button.The wheel is now located in Lake Winnipesaukee amusement park in Rossville,Ga. Just outside the city of Chattanooga Tn.
The Log Flume
This was a typical log flumeLog flume
A log flume is a flume specifically constructed to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. These watertight trough-like channels could be built to span a long distance across chasms and down steep mountain slopes...
that started riders in a docking area made to look like a mill, complete with working mill wheel. The log-shaped carts would move slowly around a bend and take a long ride to the top of the first of two large hills. After the initial drop, the log flume would send riders along a rapid-like series of turns before pulling the cart up the second, much larger hill. The drop from this hill would end with a huge splash that often got riders quite wet (especially those seated in the back). The carts would then pull back into the station for disembarking.
The O2 Tower
The O2 Tower attraction was a more recent addition to the park in March 2002. It was an 85 foot S&SS&S Power
S&S Worldwide is a company known for its pneumatically powered amusement rides and roller coaster designing.-History:S&S Worldwide was founded by Stan Checketts as S&S Sports, Inc. S&S Sports manufactures bungee jumping and trampoline equipment. S&S Sports was sold in 1996...
Space Shot
Space Shot
Space Shot is a type of amusement ride manufactured by S&S Power.The ride is a drop tower type attraction that uses compressed air to rapidly propel riders up the tower then gently lower them with a series of air-cushioned bounces back to the loading platform.The first space shot to be built in the...
Turbo Drop
Turbo Drop
Turbo Drop is a type of tower-based amusement ride manufactured by S&S Power, similar to the company's Space Shot. The current tallest Turbo Drop installation in operation is the Supreme Scream at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA.-Design and operation:...
combo tower that rocketed 12 riders up to the top for a breathtaking view of the 27 miles of beach front property, before dropping them at incredible speeds again into a soft landing. The ride cost about $2 million.
The Starliner
The Starliner was one of the first attractions on Miracle Strip Park and lasted from its conception to its closing. The ride was a wooden roller coasterWooden roller coaster
A wooden roller coaster is most often classified as a roller coaster with laminated steel running rails overlaid upon a wooden track. Occasionally, the structure may be made out of a steel lattice or truss, but the ride remains classified as a wooden roller coaster due to the track design...
designed by John Allen of the Philadelphia Tobaggan Company in 1963. The coaster was the focal point of the park, running for almost the entire length of the rectangular strip that comprised it. The Starliner was visible from any point in Miracle Strip and the nearby roadways. The trains were three bench PTC rolling stock with a single seatbelt for both riders per cart and a single-locking lapbar. After the operator disengaged the manual brake system, the train left the station and began the 70-foot climb up the lift hill. The initial drop was 65 feet and gave way to several smaller hills, the third of which took riders through a tunnel painted like a dragon (as if you were entering its mouth). Riders were often caught off guard as a bunny hop was located halfway through the dark tunnel, allowing for some airtime. After the tunnel, the track looped around and hugged the previously-traveled track, over several more bunny hops for more airtime, before moving into the boarding station again, where a red light and bell signaled the end of the ride.
November 10, 2006
Kent Buescher, president of Adventure Parks Group LLC, announced he's reaching into the past to help boost attendance at Cypress GardensCypress Gardens
Cypress Gardens was an American theme park near Winter Haven, Florida, that operated from 1936 to 2009.-History:Billed as Florida's first commercial tourist theme park, Cypress Gardens opened on January 2, 1936 as a botanical garden planted by Dick Pope Sr. and his wife Julie...
Adventure Park. Buescher said he plans to add Starliner, which was Florida's first roller coaster and was originally built in 1963 for the Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Panama City Beach. It will be the sixth roller coaster to the park. "We could not think of a more fitting place to salvage a major coaster than to bring it to Cypress Gardens and reintroduce it to a whole new generation," Buescher said.
It will be rebuilt at the park and brought up to safety standards, he said. Plans are to open it in late June or early July, with 2,640 feet of hills and valleys. Buescher estimated the total cost at $5 million.
Closure
The ride operated at Cypress Gardens for two years, and the ride closed with the park's theme park attractions in November 2008. It was the oldest roller coaster in Florida at the time. When the Starliner closed at Cypress Gardens, Space MountainSpace Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Space Mountain is an indoor outer space-themed steel roller coaster at the Magic Kingdom theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It opened on January 15, 1975 and is the original version of the iconic attraction that is included in all five of the Disney theme parks...
became the oldest operating roller coaster in Florida.
Other attractions
Miracle Strip boasted several other attractions, including an arcade center with various games, both electronic and more standard carnival fare, like ring toss and water-pistol games for prizes. There were multiple food and drink stands throughout the park as well and smaller versions of some of the bigger rides for the kiddies. Bumper cars, a large carousel and smaller Ferris wheel rides were also available. There was also a stage area where live shows were often scheduled near the bumper cars.Some attractions also came and went. A spinning ride called The Spider once stood near the Dungeon and followed its spider motif, but it was later replaced by a kiddie parachute ride. There was also at one point a walk-through haunted house called "Old House", but it was inexplicably demolished and replaced by the Blue Thunder in 1999. Vincent "Val" Valentine built this attraction in 1967. After "Old House" dismantled, the flashing mannequin skeletal ghost was taken to the Rootin' Tootin' Shootin' gallery, where he would have a precise shot from a rifle and mechanically rise from a grave with a weak mid-1990s "Don't Do Drugs" message strapped to his bones. It is now outside Lake Winnepesaukah
Lake Winnepesaukah
Lake Winnepesaukah is an amusement park located on Lakeview Drive in Lakeview, Georgia near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Winnepesaukah means "beautiful water." Carl and Minette Dixon opened the park to guests in 1925...
in Rossville, Georgia
Rossville, Georgia
Rossville is a city in Walker County, Georgia, United States. The city of Rossville was named after Cherokee Indian Chief John Ross, who resided there until being forced to relocate with his people to Oklahoma in the Indian Removal. Chief John Ross' log cabin home is still located in the city and...
. With not enough interest in this shooting gallery at lake winnie, it was dismantled and stored away in a shelter at the parks maintenance shop.Several of the kiddie rides from Miracle Strip are here,the bees,a childrens ride,and several of the rides that were under the matel building in panama city beach are now at Lake Winnie.
There was another ride called "Bayern Kurve" located originally where the Wave Swinger sat, then in the late '70s, it was moved next to the train depot. During the mid to late 1970s, a steel Galaxi coaster named the "Crazy Mouse" stood right next to the "Old House".
Demise
In 2003 it was announced that the 2004 season would be Miracle Strip's last. The owner, Billy Lark, sold the land for use in development of condos (which are slated to be called "Miracles Condos"). He cited a general lack of interest in the preceding years from tourists, loss of money and increased expenses in keeping the rides running. The final season ended in September 2004. Many rides have since been moved or disappeared.The log flume was taken apart and moved to Wild Adventures Park
Wild Adventures
Wild Adventures Water & Theme Park is located from Valdosta, Georgia, United States. It is owned by Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. The park features approximately 59 rides and attractions, including eight roller coasters, hundreds of exotic animals, shows, Splash Island water park and...
in Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of 54,518. The Valdosta metropolitan area, according to the 2010 estimate, has a population of 139,588...
. It was slated to open as the Shaka Zulu Water Ride in late 2006, but never opened to the visitors.
The O2 Tower also disappeared not long after the park closed. The ride was taken to Dixie Landin' Amusement Park
Blue Bayou and Dixie Landin'
Blue Bayou Waterpark and Dixie Landin’ are adjacent amusement parks in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Blue Bayou is a water park and Dixie Landin' is a more traditional amusement park with thrill rides.- About Blue Bayou :...
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
and opened in 2006 as Hot Shot.
The Wave Swinger has recently been spotted at the North Florida Fair. The Wave Swinger appears to have new or refurbished swings, though the overall look of the ride is the same.
The Carousel was moved to Pier Park in April 2009, and appropriately named "The Miracle Strip Carousel". It's located across from the Grand 16 Theatre.
The powered tracked Sports Cars were moved to Lake Compounce
Lake Compounce
Lake Compounce is an amusement park located in Bristol, Connecticut, United States and a part of the neighboring town of Southington, Connecticut; the lake itself lies completely in Southington. It is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America, having operated every year...
in Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
and reopened in 2007 as Zoomer's Gas-N-Go.
The Blue Thunder was taken to Blue Diamond Amusement Park in New Castle, Delaware
New Castle, Delaware
New Castle is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, six miles south of Wilmington, situated on the Delaware River. In 1900, 3,380 people lived here; in 1910, 3,351...
which closed in 2008. It can also be seen on eBay.
A group of savvy enthusiasts purchased the elements of the Haunted Castle and moved them to a location where they were able to recreate the dark ride and run it for Halloween events. This same group is currently in the process of selling it to a party in Oxford, Alabama
Oxford, Alabama
Oxford is a city in Calhoun and Talladega counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The population was 14,592 at the 2000 census. Oxford is one of two principal cities of and included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area...
as "The Terrortorium", where it will have a more permanent setup.
According to cover story in the September 7, 2009 Panama City News Herald, the remains of The Miracle Strip Amusement park would be either removed from the site to be sold, or demolished. This was scheduled to start on Thursday September 10.
Billy Lark was considering using eBay and Craigslist to sell some of the remains.
By 2010, the few remaining standing structures at the park had been demolished. The only remains of the park are sidewalks, concrete barriers, foundations and the main thoroughfare, which is overgrown with weeds.