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rocketman23
Posts: 429
Registered: 12/20/2001
Rank: Silver Critic
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 6/7/2004 9:05:00 PM
Miracle Strip & Panama City, 6/5-6/6/2004
The trip began as a farewell to Miracle Strip, but particularly Starliner. However, somewhere along the way so much emphasis was taken off Starliner and on the several unique attractions at Miracle Strip. The trip up to Miracle Strip began at 6:45am with my Dad, Justin, and myself. Along the path, we swung by Gainesville to pick Bart up. The approximately seven hour trip up wasn’t too bad. Once off I-10 going south to Panama City, there are plenty of signs and structures to make fun of in this sparse and odd stretch of road. The billboards for Dirty Dick’s Crab House were perhaps the most intriguing coming into Panama City. Once there, we found Miracle Strip after passing the adjacent waterpark. Plenty of parking spots were to be found as we did not compensate for the time change and arrived about an hour before (1pm) it opened (2pm). We scoped the entrance out briefly and then decided to get one round of the infamous Goofy Golf in.
Goofy Golf is within walking distance of Miracle Strip and is probably the best golf course I’ve played on. Lost in the midst of jungle and castle themed putt-putt’s, one course open since 1959 shines like a beacon of the roadside attractions of yesterday. The two courses are littered with large creatures with no coherent theme. A red Chinese dragon leads us to the window where a game can be purchased for $5. We opted for course #2 first because course #1 looked to be the best. We’d get around to that the next day. A purple dinosaur stands along side hole 1. This dinosaur is a walk-in. Feel free to explore the ribs of this beast from the inside before you take your first shot. Hole 1 is aptly named “The Goop” and is simply a weird alien creature that you run down his gullet in order to come out near the hole. The holes continue and become more unique. One you must hit around a rocket, another you hit through a chicken coop. From one hole, we’re forced to walk through a bizarre cave grotto to get to the next hole. There are misc. sites such as a fountain with Poseidon head that have nothing to do with the holes. To finish the course we found a bobbing emu, a tail-wagging monkey, a Sphinx, a coiled snake, and a giant rainbow fish. Before we left, I got one of every vintage postcard Goofy Golf had at 25 cents a piece. That ate up just enough time to get back to the Miracle gates in time for opening.
An armband including admission will cost only $18 and the entertainment inside is plenty worth it. First in the gates we angled towards the coaster, but just couldn’t resist riding what lied within the giant satan head. Yes, that’s right; it’s called Dante’s Inferno. This very well-kept head is the entrance (right in his mouth!) to an indoor trabant. We got a seat and were the only ones on the ride for the first run. The building was filled with smoke and white and red lights flashed wildly as we spun in the dark. There was music played, but it often doesn’t fit. On our first run, the Beach Boys was blasted. Beach Boys in a giant devil’s head… that’s kind of funny. Once the front spin was done the employee declared we’d now go BACKWARDS (backwards said in weird evil voice). This is certainly a unique flat ride and the best trabant I’ve ever been on. Next up, the Starliner.
The Starliner queue ramps up and around the curved station. A quick three rides in the key seats for any wooden coaster (front, third, and back) revealed that it was a solid out ‘n back. The back row provides the best ride, but a rougher ride. Going up the chain lift, the smell of grease was apparent and strong. The first drop provides some air, but at the bottom of the hill is probably the roughest spot of the ride although not that bad. The second hill bounced us up and down violently. Shortly after, the train dives into the mouth of a dragon. A tunnel with an airtime producing hop follows. The train turns and makes a run for home. No airtime on the trip back, just a leisurely rid
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MovieCoast
Posts: 1359
Registered: 1/1/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/9/2004 4:42:00 PM
I WANTED TO GO THERE SO BADLY!!! STUPID CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE!!!
--------------------
"Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate?"
VISIT MY COASTER SITE!!!
http://moviecoastsworld.250free.com
Coaster Count: 38
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adriahna
Posts: 4692
Registered: 6/4/2003
Rank: Site Moderator
Skooter Junkie
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 6/9/2004 4:53:00 PM
Really, really great TR, rocketman - you totally captured the spirit of Miracle Strip. What a shame it's soon to be a thing of the past. However, you helped those of us who never made it to understand it's uniqueness, and live vicariously through your writing. Thanks.
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yfz450
Posts: 1743
Registered: 3/13/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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6/9/2004 8:19:00 PM
good tr i wan't to go there now
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