[td1026]

I've always wondered why there aren't any amusement piers in Florida, with the exception of Daytona, which is less than stellar. I've always thought a roller coaster and some carnival rides on the beach would be awesome! It surprises me that Florida has nothing like this. Anyone have any idea why? I'd really like to see something like that come here one day.

[pcbgirl99]

I'm guessing the hurricane insurance would be astronomical.

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by td1026

I've always wondered why there aren't any amusement piers in Florida, with the exception of Daytona, which is less than stellar. I've always thought a roller coaster and some carnival rides on the beach would be awesome! It surprises me that Florida has nothing like this. Anyone have any idea why? I'd really like to see something like that come here one day.

Hurricanes

[gypsychic]

Yes, hurricanes and stringent building codes.

[Crane's Rooster]

Hurricanes and most good beachside property was bought up by developers for residential condos or homes.

[ferret111]

Hurricanes and the fact that most of Florida's beaches were developed later than areas with beach boardwalks, like New Jersey, New York, and California.

[beachmouse]

The big fishing piers that do get built these days are designed so that the deck surface will pop up and wash away in a bad hurricane. If the planks were more firmly attached to the pier pilings, the storm surge could try to pop everything up like a staple being removed and cause damage to pilings as well as pier deck. And the pilings are the most expensive part of the pier to build.

[td1026]

Hurricanes was my first thought, but then I thought about Kemah in Texas & there's Myrtle Beach.. I guess they there's no call for that in Florida. I suppose the beaches themselves are a big enough draw.

[daytonadewd]

You're not going to find pheasant under glass as a Boardwalk menu item!

If you know your Florida history, it was intended for the wealthy as the railroads built luxury hotels and resorts such as the Casa Monica in St Augustine, The Breakers in Palm Beach, Don Cesar in St Pete and Casa Marina in Key West. A railroad fare to Florida then compares to a First Class seat on a transcontinental flight today.

Their interests were racing their fancy (and expensive) motor cars, horse racing, gambling, sports fishing, golfing and yachting.

Boardwalks tended to attract middle and working class families and such were either brought as staff, or became tourists themselves to FL after WWII.

Daytona Beach Boardwalk is a remnant of it's original due to beachfront development, past hurricanes/storms and family businesses that had high costs and the next generation's lack of interest. (I guess it's more of a Promenade Beachfront Park, Bandshell and Shopping Mall now)

Daytona's Boardwalk only managed to survive to date as it catered to the All American family, Spring Breakers, NASCAR Racing Fans who are more interested in a slice of good pizza and ice cream over a seaweed mud bath and salt scrub.

I love walking on the Boardwalk in the evening with the lights from the Ferris Wheel and Amusements and the Fireworks from the Daytona Beach Pier on Summer Saturday nights. It's a magical place to bring your kids/grandkids for beach time memories.

Even tacky can have its own charms too.