Circus world theme park
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, tu
Boardwalk and Baseball, originally known as Circus World, was an amusement park in Haines City, Florida, USA. The park originally had a circus theme before later changing to a baseball theme. The park closed on January 17, 1990 after it was purchased by Anheuser-Busch.[1]
History
Circus World, a circus-inspired amusement park, was announced in September 1972 with plans for an amusement park, safari, and hotel. The project was developed by Ringling Brothers-Barnum and Bailey Combined Shows, Inc., a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Ground broke for the park's preview center on April 26, 1973, with Mercury Construction Co. building the center.[2] The preview center included a large building themed as a circus tent, complete with an IMAX theater inside.
Mattel announced plans to sell the subsidiary in December 1973. At approximately the same time, the preview center was delayed from December till February 1974. Circus World Showcase, a preview center for the Circus World amusement park, opened on February 21, 1974 after a media preview the day before. It included a carousel as the only ride. At the time, the complete project was estimated to cost $50 million and
Lunch & Learn: The Dazzling, Defunct Circus World Theme Park
Friday, March 7, 2025, Noon – 1 p.m.
With wooden coasters, elephant rides, and a six-story IMAX screen, Circus World Showcase was shaping up to be the Greatest Theme Park on Earth. So, what made this Haines City attraction close its doors in 1986? Step right up and hear all about it at March’s Lunch and Learn!
About the Speaker
Kallie Turner is the curator of education at the Orange County Regional History Center. She received a B.A. in Art History from Columbus State University in Georgia and a master’s in Museum Education from Florida State University in Tallahassee. Through her work, she aims to curate programs that are accessible, entertaining, and educational.
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General Public: $5
History Center Members with lunch: $12
General Public with lunch: $17
Lunch must be ordered by 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 6.
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Related gallery: 15 creepiest photos of clowns from Florida’s past
CIRCUS WORLD
By Mike Miller July 31, 2025
OVERVIEW
Circus World, a circus-themed amusement park near Haines City, Florida, at Interstate 4 and US Highway 27, operated from February 21, 1974, to May 10, 1986.
Developed by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, it aimed to be the circus’s winter headquarters and a major tourist destination, 30 miles from Orlando.
Despite its unique offerings, it struggled against Walt Disney World and closed after 12 years.
HISTORY
In 1972, Irvin Feld announced Circus World to capitalize on Central Florida’s theme park boom. The Circus World Showcase, a 27,000-square-foot big top-style preview center, opened in 1974 after a 1973 groundbreaking.
Plans for a 19-story elephant-shaped hotel and Barnum City never materialized. Mattel, Inc. bought the park in 1975, adding rides like “The Roaring Tiger” coaster.
After Mattel sold it back to Kenneth Feld in 1982, developer Jim Monaghan purchased it in 1984 for $10 million.
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich (HBJ) acquired it in 1986, closing it to retheme it as Boardwalk and Baseball, which opened in 1987.
FEATURES
Circus World featured a big top t