Disney in the Panhandle?

Since this thread has been revisited:

I've been thinking about the theme park rumors and it has occurred to me that when Miracle Strip Amusement Park closed Sept. 2004, that there was talk that it would be relocated elsewhere in Bay County. The owners of Miracle Strip sold the land to developers and the equipment to someone else. Maybe this is the "theme park" everyone is hearing about. Maybe it is just a reincarnation of Miracle Strip, which wouldn't be a bad thing because it was a nice little amusement park.

Maybe it is just a reincarnation of Miracle Strip, which wouldn't be a bad thing because it was a nice little amusement park.

That would be a neat idea. I have a dream of winning the powerball, buying up a couple beachfront condos, leveling them, and putting up an old-fashioned (not Disney style) amusement park near the beach.

Lots of kiddies (now adults) had fond memories of that place and their time at the beach :wub: Too bad we now class shopping malls as "entertainment centers" and video arcades as "amusement."

My memory's pretty hazy, but I think there was talk of the rides getting sold off. Hopefully the nice old wood roller coaster found a home somewhere, whether it's at a new Miracle Strip Park or elsewhere. I love the old school wooden coasters so much more than what's supposedly the latest and greatest in thrill ride design.

Too bad the hurricanes make a Santa Cruz-style amuesment pier impractical in these parts. Because that would be just so cool if it was workable.

Hopefully the nice old wood roller coaster found a home somewhere, whether it's at a new Miracle Strip Park or elsewhere. I love the old school wooden coasters so much more than what's supposedly the latest and greatest in thrill ride design.

Damn ya Mouse! Ya made me take a stroll back through memory lane :(

The coaster was sold to Cypress Gardens: "Cypress Gardens will also break ground for the Starliner, another piece of amusement park history, which will get a new lease on life at the park in 2007."

A ride on the Starliner

Florida's Lost Tourist Attractions

Latest pseudo-news:

According to Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection folks in Tally-

1)There IS a theme park going in north of Panama City. It IS NOT Disney or Universal etc. but they are moving steadily through the permitting process and apparently this park will have some sort of zoo component too it.

2)Busch Gardens is/was looking at sites around Freeport and was discussing preliminary permitting issues with DEP but that this is not likely to go forward. According to DEP, Busch Gardens primary concern was the lack of housing options available for their staff who will run the park.

3)Disney has purchased a large tract around I-10 and is working with DEP to permit a planned community (like Celebration in Orlando). No theme park.

All information was verbal, I have not seen anything concrete to back any of this up.

And the panhandle's most persistant rumor rolls on..................

2)Busch Gardens is/was looking at sites around Freeport and was discussing preliminary permitting issues with DEP but that this is not likely to go forward. According to DEP, Busch Gardens primary concern was the lack of housing options available for their staff who will run the park.

Nearly two days passed and nobody's made a snarky (yet legitimate) comment on this? I can't help it. I miss SHELLY. :blink:

No offense twt512 ... thanks for the info! :cool: :popcorn:

Nearly two days passed and nobody's made a snarky (yet legitimate) comment on this? I can't help it. I miss SHELLY. :blink:

No offense twt512 ... thanks for the info! :cool: :popcorn:

Was doing some research for a client and found a dep permit for a development named Celebration Place by Celebration Development LLC in bay county but couldn't connect the principals to the Celebration in Disney. Actually one of the principals is a phil gann who's a pretty big recording artist. Can you shed any light on this SJ?

TFT, Nothing from Shelly :idontno: everyone is dying to know.

If we were to fill out a"missing persons report' on SHELLY what description would we give? :idontno:

Rumor has it that on May 28 Jeb Bush will announce a new ?celebrity and animal? theme park on Route 79 south of I-10. We?ll see :idontno: .

Rumor has it that on May 28 Jeb Bush will announce a new ?celebrity and animal? theme park on Route 79 south of I-10. We?ll see :idontno: .

A theme park and an airport? I feel bad for those few people who live in Ebro and along 79. We drive that way all the time coming from Tampa. I dunno ... kinda sounds like a nightmare. But a potential boost to St. Joe's RiverCamps. :roll:

Rumor has it that on May 28 Jeb Bush will announce a new ?celebrity and animal? theme park on Route 79 south of I-10. We?ll see :idontno: .

Which begs the question, "Just how far will the salary of a "Tilt-a-Whirl" attendant go toward living in the panhandle these days?" :confused:

Which begs the question, "Just how far will the salary of a "Tilt-a-Whirl" attendant go toward living in the panhandle these days?" :confused:

Good point - and :welcome: back SHELLY!

Which begs the question, "Just how far will the salary of a "Tilt-a-Whirl" attendant go toward living in the panhandle these days?" :confused:

Remember, this is just a rumor. But the rumored location is very close to I-10 ? away from the high-rent areas of SoWal.

It's VERY good to have you back Shelly!

Theme park on 79

Found this in my inbox this Am - it was forwarded a few times.

I just got the scoop from the head of the steering committee for the theme
parks. His name is Bud Revere and he will be happy to talk to any Realtors
or customers interested. His phone number is 850-718-2268.
There is a purchase of over 790 acres at Smith Lake around Bonifay, the
intersection of I-10 and Hwy 79, and around Hwy 288 in Washington County.
The property has been sold by Pru Timberland. Two separate entities (one
being Jim Fowler from Mutual of Omaha, the other not announced yet) will
put in 2 side by side parks. One will be an animal kingdom and the other a
theme park with music venues, roller coasters, etc. This will employ over 1500 people. Blue Dolphin Development out of Destin is handling the
development.
It will be a 5 year build out at a cost of $150 million. They are video
taping a presentation to the public that will be shown for a public
announcement on the news for Channels 4, 7 &13 on May 24th.
Many of you have had developers interested in the 2 large parcels I have
listed, which are just a few miles away from all of this. Please pass it
along because this should help your customers see the value of the
properties. Thanks!!

Amanda Corbin, REALTOR?