Miracle Strip Amusement Park was a theme park located in Panama City Beach, Florida, which operated from May 25, 1963 to September 5, 2004. The highlight of the park was Starliner, an out and back-style wooden coaster designed by John Allen upon the park's initial conception. A few other rides lay near 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 1960s until the 1980s, and the park grew up around Starliner, which was by far the main draw for the park's entire run. As the city became more of a spring break hotspot, the popularity of the family friendly Miracle Strip Park decreased, though it remained a draw for families up to the 2000s.
Opening In 1963, Starliner was the first roller coaster built in Florida. Roller coasters in general were on the decline after World War II and many doubted Starliner's success. To start up the attraction, a group of Panama City Beach men (Harry Edwards, Alf Coleman, Bill Parker, Don Bennet, and Julian Bennet), spearheaded by James I. Lark Sr., created a partnership. The group took money they had pooled together at the end of 1962 and the building of Starliner began in early 1963. Don and Julian Bennet originally owned the land the coaster was built on. Because of their attribute, start-up cost was cut down tremendously.
The park opened on Memorial Day weekend of 1963 to immediate popularity. The park grew as time progressed. In the mid-1960s, Ed Nelson of Birmingham, who owned and operated a municipal park (Fair Park), left Birmingham to join the up-and-coming amusement park. Nelson owned the original arcade machines (a mix of old and new hardware) but as part of his involvement leased them out to the park. Not only did the park rent from Nelson who owned the arcade games and a few rides, but the park also rented rides from traveling carnivals at this time. Eventually the company paid off debts and the park began to grow. Some of the stockholders were bought out, and eventually the park gained the arcade games, rides, and food service. The partnership was eventually dissolved, and became owned by one family only, the Larks, who later expanded the amusement park by creating Shipwreck Island Waterpark directly across the street.
Rides The park featured several typical rides that were enhanced by placing them within domed structures and adding lighting effects, temperature changes, smoke effects and music. These included the Abomnible [sic] 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, a train, a Vonroll type 101 skyride, a Wave Swinger, loop-o-plane and the stand-outs; Starliner Roller Coaster and O2 Tower. The park was also dotted with multiple kiddie rides. Another ride, a bobsled ride called Bayern Kurve, was like the Musik Express, but each car carried two passengers, one sitting in front of the other one.
RideInfoYearDescriptionStarlinera wooden roller coaster designed by John Allen of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1963.1963 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 coaster designed by John Allen of the Philadelphia Toboggan 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. Starliner was visible from any point in Miracle Strip and the nearby roadways. The trains were three bench PTC rolling stock with a single seat belt for both riders per cart and a single-locking lap bar. 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 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.Abominable SnowmanEli Bridge ScramblerThis 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. Originally the ride mechanics were stripped from the building, leaving the Snowman and its building in ruins for years. As of May 2015 the old Miracle Strip property has been cleared and overgrown with grass and weeds.