The much-awaited Paradise Pier Fun Park in Biloxi is opening in just a matter of days and it aims to change the family-fun tide on the Gulf Coast.
The amusement park will open at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 3 with the Biloxi Tide-Turner as the centerpiece. It’s a 20-story high observation wheel, which is similar to an old-fashion Ferris wheel but much larger and provides views of the Gulf of Mexico and the barrier islands. It includes 20 enclosed gondolas with LED illuminating lights and allows Margaritaville to offer heated or cooled compartments as the weather dictates.
An additional high-rise attraction is the Aero bar, which also provides a view of the Gulf and the barrier islands. Riders sit in an enclosed car facing each other in a circle with a bartender in the middle. The car slowly rotates as it takes two minutes to go up and down and five minutes sitting at the top allowing time to admire the view and sip hand-crafted signature cocktails.
Another unique ride, but not a unique experience for the Coast, is the S.O.S., which is described as being caught in the middle of a raging hurricane and feeling like you are spinning, gliding, and tossed around like a ship in choppy waters.
And if you need a little something on the softer side, check out the Saltwater Stables, a double-decker merry-go-roundwith a nautical twist. Soar to new heights over the Gulf from the top level or sit back and relax on the lower section. Either way, the journey is sure to be filled with salty waves on horseback or carriages.
You’ll find 15 rides total at the Paradise Pier that also include the Sea Swinger, the Beach Cruiser, the Storm Surge, and the Rolling Thunder roller coaster, making it the premier spring break destination and summer vacation spot.
And just in case, the amusement park was built for hurricane preparedness on a platform that will lift it above any storm surge and provides convenient parking underneath. As a precaution, all 15 rides can be taken down and moved to a huge storage facility on the Coast if a hurricane is threatening South Mississippi.
One-day passes for admission to Paradise Pier are $70 each for unlimited rides and select indoor attractions in the Margaritaville Family Fun Center adjacent to the new park. A two-day bundle is also available for $100 or three days for $120. Season passes are also available at a discounted rate.
All photos courtesy of Paradise Pier Fun Park.
