Many haunted theme parks were abandoned around the world, and many of them are well-documented or still standing today. The reasons vary from loss of business to horrific accidents, but for one reason or another, they were left to rot and decay, sometimes with little warning. Even if the reason for their closure was peaceful, the skeletons of rides and shops fuel many urban legends and ghost stories that still haunt the senses to this day.
Regardless if adventurers are looking for creepy pictures or to find a ghost story of their own to tell, there are many abandoned theme parks to choose from. Here is a list of the most infamous parks around the world and the stories that they all inspired.
Nara Dreamland, Japan
Known for being the world's most photographed theme park, this amusement park in Nara was Japan's answer to California's Disneyland. It was very similar to the Disney one, from the design of the entrance to the fairy tale castle. A pay-as-you-go system allowed guests to pick and choose which rides they wanted to see, and the mascots were beloved by the children who visited.
Falling Attendance Killed The Dream
The park was very successful in the beginning, drawing in visitors from all across Japan and other countries. However, after Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan opened, the dwindling crowds led to the Park closing down forever.
- Nara Dreamland was opened on July 1, 1961.
- The park was located in Nara, Japan.
The Ghost Of Misplaced Dreams
Once its gates were closed, the park quickly deteriorated, creating a spooky and haunted visage. This led to many ghost stories, with illegally trespassing visitors recalling tales of eerie whispers and unexplained noises.
Nara Dreamland closed permanently on August 31, 2006.
The park was completely abandoned until its complete demolition in October 2016, but can still be seen in photographs and video footage.
Boblo Island Amusement Park, Canada
Of the many abandoned theme parks around the world, none are quite like the one on Boblo Island. From the fairies and boats that brought guests to the island to the massive amounts of things to do and see, there was a lot to take in and experience on the little island. Because of its location, it brought visitors from both the USA and Canada.
Owner Musical Chairs
While it was a popular destination during the entirety of its century-long run, the park and island itself fell into bankruptcy in 1949 and instead of becoming a National Park, it was turned into an official amusement park. It then changed hands multiple times, undergoing changes and upgrades with each one. It wasn't until the boats stopped running, however, that it truly declined until it was finally closed down for good.
The island began operating as a tourist attraction in 1898, though it didn't get its first rides until 1910, and wasn't made an official amusement park until 1949.
The park resides on Bois Blanc Island, also called Boblo Island, and is a piece of Amherstburg, Ontario.
Halls Abandoned By All But The Past
While there were never any horrifying stories, the past still haunts the island, and both those who live there and those who travel there speak of otherworldly whispers and ghostly activity, albeit mostly benevolent. Ghosthunters flock to the decaying buildings in search of supernatural activity.
- The park was closed at the end of September 1993. Many of the rides were sold off in 1994.
- Today, there are still several abandoned buildings, including the Sky Tower and the dance hall.
Lake Shawnee Amusement Park, United States
This park has perhaps one of the most complicated histories of the amusement parks listed here. It was the site of numerous deaths, both before and after the park's opening, and was later discovered to be a Native American burial ground. It was popular among locals, especially the coal miner families from around the area.
Health Failures And Historical Digs
Though it was a town favorite for nearly 40 years, things went wrong quickly. In total, six guests died in one way or another — the majority of them being young children. The park eventually closed in 1967 after failing a health inspection, and when a new owner tried to reopen it in 1987, it was closed again in 1988 when it became an archeological dig site.
- The park was opened in 1926 by C.T. Snidow.
- Lake Shawnee resided in Princeton, West Virginia.
Deaths And Ghosts
From a Massacre in the 1700s to the deaths of visitors during the park's opening, there are many reasons why the park is seen as quite haunted. The stories became even darker after the discovery of Native American artifacts and bones on the property, bringing about rumors of curses as well.
The park originally closed down in 1967 due to health code violations, but permanently shut down in 1988, after a brief reopening in 1987.
Since the closure, the park has become quite famous and there are now guided paranormal tours for interested travelers.
Dadipark, Belgium
The smallest of the amusement parks on this list, this private amusement park started as a small playground to amuse the children of the pilgrims who came to the Basilica. From there, a priest added rides until it became an amusement park that every child could afford and enjoy.
The Accident That Closed Its Doors
Pilgrims came from all over Europe, and the amusement park grew in popularity, and with it came many minor accidents. However, in 2002, a young boy lost his arm while on the Jet Boat ride, causing visitors to avoid the park altogether. The park closed for renovations, however, it was never finished, as the public's interest after the incident drained away.
- Built as a church play area for children who attended the Basilica of Dadizele in 1950, becoming a private amusement park in 1980, and is the oldest amusement park in the country.
- It was constructed in Dadizele, Belgium, in the East Flanders province.
Ambiance-induced Ghosts
Though there were never any deaths reported in or around the park, the creepy buildings and sight of the forest reclaiming the land led to many tales of supernatural sightings. There have been many who have reported spooky tales, but few of them had much credibility.
- The park closed in 2002 after the injury of a young boy, and though it was originally considered for renovations, it never opened again.
- The park was completely demolished in 2012 and plans are being made to remake it into a residential area.
No matter if the tales are real or imagined, the stories created from abandoned areas excite the imagination and lead to many embellishments over the years. While many have disappeared, replaced with something new, or simply lost to the forest, they live on in the memories and pictures that survive long after they have gone.