Circus World

[Travisma 1,317]

Let’s remember the shuttered Orlando theme park Circus World

 

Back in 1973, Circus World opened to the masses about 30 miles from Orlando in the small Polk County town of Haines City on the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and Interstate 4.

The Feld family, then owners of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, wanted the Central Florida theme park to combine live shows and amusement park rides with a new winter quarters for the circus, according to State Library & Archives of Florida. In its heyday, Circus World had a 27,000-square-foot building that looked like a giant circus tent, carousel, Ferris wheel, wooden roller coaster, polar bear show, lion tamer, flaming high diver, elephant performances and rides, and of course, lots of clowns. Visitors could even attempt to walk across a tightrope or trapeze through the air.

Circus World was sold several times, and the theme park was eventually shut down in 1986 by then-owners Harcourt Brace and Jovanovich. The attraction was rebuilt and opened as Boardwalk and Baseball in 1987, before being sold again along with SeaWorld Orlando and Cypress Gardens to the Busch Entertainment Corporation. Busch shuttered Boardwalk and Baseball for good in 1990. The park was torn down, turning that corner of U.S. 24 and I-4 into strip malls and cheap motels.

The few things that remain of Circus World are the memories and these vintage photographs from the State Library & Archives of Florida. 

[Tony 27]

I remember circus world and when it turned into boardwalk & baseball. I was scared to death of that wooden roller coaster i think it was called the hurricane?..

[Grumpy and Grandma 740]

Went there in 1979. Had a Rally at the Camping World Campground behind the store on 192 (now condos) Then spent 3 days at the FORT. 

[dblr....Rennie 224]

Always wanted to try and visit there but never made it. ☹️

[xplore 2]

Went there in 1985 with my girlfriend's parents. She was one of the audience members they picked out of the crowd and they would do a tightrope act with the cast.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

13 hours ago, Grumpy and Grandma said:

Went there in 1979. Had a Rally at the Camping World Campground behind the store on 192 (now condos) Then spent 3 days at the FORT. 

That store was there in 1979?

[Grumpy and Grandma 740]

45 minutes ago, DaveInTN said:

That store was there in 1979?

Not sure about that particular store, but I was told that is where their CG was when I asked about 10 yrs ago. If I remember it correctly we were originally scheduled to go to Mill Creek, but they backed out of the contract at the last minute and we ended up at C.W.  I know it was sudden change in location.

Edited April 2, 2019 by Grumpy and Grandma
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[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

18 hours ago, Tony said:

I remember circus world and when it turned into boardwalk & baseball. I was scared to death of that wooden roller coaster i think it was called the hurricane?..

We went when I was a kid and they had a loop coaster - the kind that literally went back and forth through a loop and that was it.

The park was pretty empty that day and I think I rode that thing 27 times.

[xplore 2]

2 hours ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

We went when I was a kid and they had a loop coaster - the kind that literally went back and forth through a loop and that was it.

 

I remember that. Scared the $@# out of me when it went backwards.