Remember these Florida theme parks before Disney World? See what they looked like

Jeff Kleinman
·1 min read
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When we think about Florida theme parks today, it’s mostly about Disney and Universal.

Or perhaps on second thought: Legoland, SeaWorld and a few others.

Florida has a tradition of tourist attractions. Some of them are just a memory now, including Cypress Gardens. And other have evolved such as Busch Gardens.

Then there are the long lost places. Remember Pirates World, the Serpentarium, Cypress Gardens?

Let’s take a look at what once captivated use at those old Florida theme parks and attractions:

Serpentarium

What: Exhibition space for snakes at Southwest 126th Street and South Dixie Highway. Led by Bill Haast. Closed in 1984.

The Serpentarium
The Serpentarium
Demolition starts on the Serpentarium in 1984.
Demolition starts on the Serpentarium in 1984.
Bill Haast of the Miami Serpentarium in 1967.
Bill Haast of the Miami Serpentarium in 1967.

Six Flags Atlantis

What: Water slide theme park in Hollywood closed in 1992 after damage from Hurricane Andrew. Replaced by Oakwood Plaza shopping center.

Six Flags Atlantis in Hollywood
Six Flags Atlantis in Hollywood

Parrot Jungle

What: Moved from longtime Pinecrest home to the MacArthur causeway and changed name to Jungle Island.

Parrot Jungle billboard.
Parrot Jungle billboard.
Winston Churchill, Butch the Cockatoo, Marco, a military macaw, in 1946 at Parrot Jungle.
Winston Churchill, Butch the Cockatoo, Marco, a military macaw, in 1946 at Parrot Jungle.
A jogger passes the old 1936 entrance to Parrot Jungle.
A jogger passes the old 1936 entrance to Parrot Jungle.
The entrance in Pinecrest.
The entrance in Pinecrest.

Monkey Jungle

TO KNOW MORE: Monkey Jungle’s big money trouble: Attraction sues for federal aid that could be lifeline

Pirates World

A ride at Pirates World in Dania.
A ride at Pirates World in Dania.

What: The 87-acre buccaneer theme park, built in 1966 at Federal Highway north of Sheridan Street in Dania Beach, closed by the summer of 1975. Also a site for rock concerts.

Miami Wax Museum

What: North Miami attraction featured wax figures of celebrities and notables through history, Closed in 1984 and replaced by an office building.

Wannado City

What: Indoor theme park featuring various businesses and jobs for kids to experience closed in 2011 at Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise.

At Wannado City in Sunrise, kids get to do what they want to do: be a surgeon, a circus clown, newspaper reporter, artists, baker, police officer, archaeologist, pilot. Here is a view of one of the city’s many streets. The children’s attraction, packed with venues that let kids play grown up to the max, is discounted this summer for Florida residents and features a brand new Coca-Cola venue plus a lineup of special shows.
Wannado City, a theme park is opening at Sawgrass Mills mall.
Wannado City, a theme park is opening at Sawgrass Mills mall.
A retired DC-9 is moved into Wannado City in Sunrise.
A retired DC-9 is moved into Wannado City in Sunrise.
The Spirit Airlines flight simulator at Wannado City.
The Spirit Airlines flight simulator at Wannado City.

Cypress Gardens

Boat ride along canal Cypress Garden.
Boat ride along canal Cypress Garden.
Cypress Gardens Park in Central Florida.
Cypress Gardens Park in Central Florida.

What: Botanical garden with water ski shows, boat rides, Florida-shaped pool. Winter Haven attraction replaced by Legoland.

Ocean World

Ocean World in Fort Lauderdale.
Ocean World in Fort Lauderdale.

What: In Fort Lauderdale off the 17th Street Causeway until it closed in 1994. Featured dolphin and sea lion shows on 3 1/2 acres.