Things that are no longer part of the Daytona experience

that you wish were still there. Example, motels, restaurants, souvenirs shops, special events, etc.

Please add your list of things that don%26#39;t seem the same since the they are no longer part of the Daytona experience.

A similar post was done awhile back but I think it is time to start another one since things are a little slow.

Things that are no longer part of the Daytona experience

Well, Love, I really miss the by-planes flying up and down the coast - I think someone said they were flying again this year - I hope so! My kids really miss the ';Wild Thing'; - they used to ride it every year! I did it once, (after a few drinks!) and that was enough for me LOL!!

Things that are no longer part of the Daytona experience

Miss the Tilt-A-Whirl and bumper cars at the Boardwalk, being able to drive on the beach all the way past the Boardwalk, being able to see the skyline behind you while on the beach (way too many high rise condos now) the smaller motels beachside that have been torn down, some were very nice and quaint, Woolworths where Belair Plaza is now, they had funky sounviners and awesome sundaes, So many things.......... bi planes with banner ads were back this year, Yay!

punz

I guess the thing I miss the most is Gaylord%26#39;s Seafood Restaurant that was in Ponce Inlet, (or Wilbur By the Sea). We ate there on our honeymoon in 1975 and it became our favorite restaurant, not only in Daytona but anywhere. There were some years that we ate there almost every night because we enjoyed it so much. Then it became Blackbreads, and it was still good for a while then it started gradually going down hill. Then it closed completely sometime in the early to mid 90s (I think, can%26#39;t remember for sure). And then that happened it really broke mine and my wife%26#39;s heart. We have never found another restaurant in Daytona that we enjoy as much as Gaylords. Although, we do like Sonny%26#39;s BBQ a lot not nothing like Gaylords.

Another thing we miss is a train of sorts that would ride up and down the beach. It was a motor driven vehicle that pulled a number of train like cars behind it and you could ride from one end of the beach to the other for a dollar. That was years ago, too.

But, looking on the bright side there are new adventures to explore and new experiences and traditions to start. So, that is something to really look forward to as well.

punz, you mentioned smaller beachside motels. Let me tell you have things have changed in that regard. In 1966 I went to Daytona with an aunt and uncle. We stayed at a very small beachside motel. We really enjoyed it very much. There were a lot of them then. Anyway, that was the year they were building the Hawaiian Inn. It was almost finished when we were down that year. Anyway, it was one of the biggest if not the biggest building on the beach in 1966. Everywhere you went people were talking about it because it was that fabulous back in those days. I remember saying to myself I would love to stay there sometime. Anyway, when I got married in 1975 (I had not been back to Daytona since 1966) I made reservations for me and my bride to stay at the Hawaiian Inn. My point in all of this is that now, and even in 1975, the Hawaiian Inn was not that much compared to the other larger condos such as the Oceans. Man, how things have changed. I mean there was a big change from 1966 to 1975 and now there is even a bigger change. LOL!

Well like you said, we can just move on to embrace the changes and make new memories. Hopefully enough of the original quaintness of Daytona will remain for us to enjoy. The old, original Bandshell and entrance to the beach on main street by the Boardwalk are still there and have been preserved.

punz

Is driving on the beach not allowed at all these days? We only drove on the beach one time and we got stuck. LOL!

Love, you can still drive on the beach in most places - however, there is about a 1 1/2 mile strip from the Plaza Resort and Spa down in front of the boardwalk and under the pier which have been no-driving for a few years - this includes the Ocean Walk condo area and the Hilton. There are also some places down in Wilbur-by-the-Sea and Ponce Inlet that are no driving.

Lamar and I were just talking last night about how, for so many years, Daytona seemed ';the same'; to us and that time kinda stood still there.....until the hurricanes of 2004.

Our little ';mom and pop'; motel we%26#39;d always stayed at was so damaged by the hurricanes, they couldn%26#39;t afford to fix it back up. Our little $30/night room with a kitchen was gone forever.

Since that hurricane season, prices have jumped up tremendously on many things, but especially lodging. We%26#39;ve found a place similar to our old one, but the price is now $60/night or more. Prices for eating out have jumped at least 15% to 20%, not to mention groceries.

Oh, for the good ol%26#39; days!!

Kat cub fan, I know what you mean about lodging prices increasing. We had reservations for Sept. of 2004 at the time the hurricanes hit in Daytona, naturally we cancelled. But, this year we call to make reservations at the place we have stayed since 82 or 83. Gosh, there prices had increased so much that we got a condo for the same price as what we use to pay for a motel room. I couldn%26#39;t believe the amount of increase.

Treasure Island Inn where we stayed once or twice a year for 23 years!!!