The park held the promise that visitors would see "10 big attractions at one admission price." These consisted of an Indian village, botanical garden, train ride, a Tom Sawyer style steamboat, Billy goat mountain, a ghost town and deer park.

Its location on the Tamiami Trail between Sarasota and Venice seemed ideal. At the time, the Orlando Mecca was yet to be put on the map.

Floridaland began to go belly up after being criticized for the death of several proposes compounded by financial troubles. Its fate was sealed in 1971 as roads like US 41 were left in the dust for the central Florida highway system and the emerging empire of Disney.

The aim of trying to appeal to such varied tastes on a small budget gave Floridaland a general chintzy quality. But this was vacationland in the 1960s. What would a ride through the South in the Chrysler be without stops to nibble on cheese?

Shortly after its closing, the property became a housing development. It is a story not unlike many other attractions, which once existed throughout the state. Strip malls, suburban sprawl and visitors turned residents, sadly has become the state of Floridaland.

Floridaland
US 41
Osprey, FL
(Images from the Back On Tack archive)