Once delightful domains of sight and sound, these creepy abandoned theme parks now moulder away in silence attended only by shadows and memories.

What a dump… er, no, not this charmingly manicured abominable snowman in particular but the entire abandoned Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Panama City Beach, Florida.

The park closed in 2004 and “enjoyed” a whole half-decade of unhindered deterioration until the site was finally demolished in 2009, as disturbingly documented by Flickr user Steve Sobczuk. You’ve gotta admit, the Dante’s Inferno ride never looked spookier than it did in its dying days.

No Hue

Ho Thuy Tien is an abandoned water park and aquarium located in Huong Thuy, a district of Hue, Vietnam. Urbex explorers like Courtney Lambert of A Great Perhaps had best navigate those slimy water slides with care – the park’s aquarium once housed a trio of very hungry crocodiles who were abandoned along with the rest of the park in 2013. Fear not, animal lovers: thanks to Lambert alerting PETA and the WWF, the crocs were moved to a wildlife park in northern Vietnam.

Petrified

Prehistoric Forest Amusement Park in Michigan’s otherwise pleasant Irish Hills opened in 1963 but by the 1980’s, changing trends in recreation and tourism saw visitors and revenues enter an irreversible slide. We’d like to say an asteroid gave the struggling tourist trap its death blow but the truth is far less dramatic – the park was sold by its original owners in 1997 and closed for good in 1999.

In Prehistoric Forest Amusement Park’s heyday, as many as 70 fiberglass statues of dinosaurs, mammoths and the odd Neanderthal Man (kidnapped by students in 1985 and deposited in front of Saline High School) dotted the park’s forested grounds. A few still stand today; most have been damaged or destroyed by vandals. Kudos to KE Photography & Video (whose video of the abandoned park in winter can be viewed here) and Flickr user Wolly Shambler for capturing and posting the images above.

Darkest & Disturbingest Africa

The former Umoja Children’s Park is located in Chake-Chake, a town on the Tanzanian island of Pemba, just north of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean. If the eerie, rusty caterpillar ride looks familiar, it’s the same kind of “Happy Worm” kiddy ride as one reputed to be in the infamous Pripyat amusement park near Chernobyl, Ukraine. You know the one… THIS one:

Joyless

One of six Joylands in the USA, the former Joyland Amusement Park in Wichita, Kansas, operated from June 12th, 1949 through 2004, and then again for a short time under new ownership in 2006. The park suffered extensive vandalism during almost a decade of neglected abandonment, a sad fact reflected in the images above.

By the summer of 2015, the park’s last remnants (the roller coaster, to be exact) had been dismantled and the site bulldozed flat as the Kansas prairie. Flickr user Krisi Metzen snapped these scenes of a joyless Joyland in October of 2013.

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We Are Not Amused 15 Creepy Abandoned Theme Parks

Inspired by classical fairy tales, this deserted theme park recently opened its doors to an urban explorer and photographer, giving outsiders a glimpse into the current state of the place as well as its potential to be reborn in the hands of the right buyer. Traveling to the site from Tasmania, Urbexography has done a remarkable job at documenting this strangely magical place.

From the Fantasy Glades website: “In the 1960’s a family of ‘Little People’ George and Rosemary Whitaker, along with their children James and Lynette, and Rosemary’s parents, Aub and Lin Gribble, set out on a journey from Sydney to Port Macquarie in NSW Australia with a dream to create their very own children’s Fairy Tale Theme Park.” It was closed 35 years later in 2002 and has remained so since.

The main attractions were based on the works of the Brothers Grimm, aided by the experience of the park’s founders in theatrical stage and set design work around such themes. Located in a patch of natural bushland at Parklands Close in Port Macquarie, the location features Snow White’s cottage, bedrooms of the Seven Dwarves and other features of similarly famous fairy tales and fables.

Whether the magic is gone forever or can be maintained and rebuilt is ultimately a question of economics – the current owners would love nothing more than to sell the place to someone who has an interest in bringing it back to life.

In the words of the photographer: “Fantasy Glades was an absolutely magical, special place for many people including myself as a child and also my children when they were little.  It has been visited and enjoyed by numerous families from all around the world since 1968 when it first opened. Fantasy Glades is a hidden piece of paradise in one of Australia’s best locations.”

Adventuring under the sea has a dangerous and classic appeal. These images of incredible submarine-themed rooms and decor are the perfect inspiration for a crazy decorating adventure in one’s own home.

(Images via smarthomearchitecture)

The most intriguing designs with submarine inspirations tend to have a ton of steampunk elements, that add to the old-style naval design. This particular apartment has integrated LED controls that allow the apartment owner to manipulate nearly any aspect of the lighting.

(Images via lessthanperfectlifeofbliss, abc)

This is an example of an Extreme Makeover episode that hit right on the money. Inspired by 20,000 leagues under the sea, the portholes add a fantastic effect and make it seem like the room is entombed at the ocean floor.

(Images via intheboatshed, ourconceptartbook)

These exceptional models of antique diving suit designs look like they could also serve in space. The image on the left is  of a wild suit found in the Paris Musée de la Marine that appears it could handle almost anything thrown at it. One wonders if it served as inspiration for the videogame Bioshock.

(Images via sentientonline)

The idea of having a submarine / jungle theme for a movie room is an intriguing one. How did the submarine get there? The atmosphere of this room is definitely unique, and the comfortable furniture is a great contrast to the worn and rugged steel ribs of the submarine.

(Images via thebolditalic, babble)

A child’s room should never be boring. Take these oceanic themed bedrooms as the perfect example of a room that can wow everyone who enters it. Artist Jay Nelson created the perfect nautically themed bed, totally encased in what looks to be the perfect exploration craft into the world of dreams. Kuhl design build created the much more involved bedroom featured in the bottom image, with an entire ship anchored to the wall.

(Images via geekologie, uberreview, lovelylisting, geekologie)

Estonian artist Mati Karmin has created a fantastic set of furniture built out of the decommissioned hulks of old naval mines. The bed, desk, and fireplace all seem comfortable enough, but it’s hard to imagine anyone actually being comfortable in that chair.

(Images via dec0r, steampunkxlove, ideasforroom, dornob)

Anyone who has the funds to create a home movie theater also has enough money to embellish it a little. The fixtures in the red Nautilus themed room showcase a cozy and elegant design that matches well with the descriptions from the original science fiction tale. The room with the white submarine doors is much more authentic and rough, which is likely favored by true naval aficcionados.

(Images via whokilledbambi, technabob, etsy, hometone)

For a quick addition to any nautical theme, an exploratory tentacle can be just the right touch. ArtAkimbo’s etsy shop has an incredible variety of tentacles to match any color scheme.

We all juggle multiple tasks throughout our daily lives, rushing to get one thing done before tackling another. Wouldn’t it be nice to sit down, relax and have a cup of coffee? At these 12 multi-functional ‘combo’ cafes, you can do your laundry, get a fishy pedicure, have your bike repaired or play with a rented cat and enjoy a drink at the same time, without ever having to leave the room.

Sip & Suds at the Wash & Coffee

(image via: wash-coffee.com)

Have you ever sat for hours at a laundromat, wishing it had the ambiance of a coffee shop? Too bad you don’t live in Munich (or do you?) so you can hang out at the Wash & Coffee. With its bright modern décor, cafe seating, hot beverages and even sandwiches and salads, Wash & Coffee makes the chore of laundry much more fun.

Let Fish Nibble Your Feet as You Drink

(image via: julia.johansen)

Sit back and relax with a book, a coffee… and an extremely ticklish pedicure courtesy of a tank full of ‘doctor fish’. The Dr. Fish Cafe in Busan, South Korea lets you do just that. You order a drink, and when you’re done, head over to the spa area where you wash your feet and then let the fish snack on your dead foot skin. Yum. The whole experience costs less than $10 USD.

Photo and Printing Coffee Bar

(image via: popupcity.net)

Grab a cup of joe and munch on a muffin while you’re printing documents or photos – just be careful not to spill or smear. The Fotocafeen bar in Copenhagen entices people who need printing services to stay a bit longer, enjoying a beverage while they wait.

Buy a Drink, Rent a Cat

(image via: global post)

Before you even see the coffee and tea menu at the Calico Cat Cafe in Tokyo, you’re presented with a menu of a different sort: a selection of cats from which to choose. Not to eat, you understand, but to pet and coo over. Guests are given complimentary bags of cat food and allowed to play with the cat of their choice. It may seem strange, but in this city – where owning a cat is often impractical – “commitment-free cat stroking” is an attractive option.

Urban Station Coffee Shop & Work Space

(images via: urbanstation.com.ar)

The Urban Station in Buenos Aires is just one of many coffee shop/coworking space combos around the world, where mobile workers can get a coffee and camp at a table, using the free wi-fi as long as they like. The Urban Station has plenty of accessible outlets and also offers conference tables and other coworking amenities.

H&H Car Wash & Coffee Shop

(images via: wandrlust.net)

Combination car wash/coffee shops are more common than you might think, present pretty much all over America. The H&H in El Paso is an iconic example, open for decades, proving that providing coffee along with other urban services isn’t just a passing trend.

‘Look Mum No Hands!’ Biker Cafe

(image via: lookmumnohands.com)

You’ve heard of biker bars for motorcyclists, but what about cafes for bikes of the pedal-powered sort? Bike cafes are popping up everywhere, and it’s easy to see why cyclists love them. At London’s ‘Look Mum No Hands’, there are plenty of places to park your two-wheeler or even have it serviced while you use the internet and nosh – a great addition to an increasingly bike-friendly city.

Coffee Shop & Florist

(image via: bridge city florist)

Combination florist/coffee shops are also surprisingly common. The Bridge City Florist in South Dakota is one of many that create a tie-in by selling not just coffee and tea, but also chocolates – a logical companion to a fresh bouquet of flowers.

Drink, Shop & Do

(images via: drinkshopdo.com)

Are you enchanted by the cute, creative décor found in many coffee shops? Then you should check out London’s Drink, Shop & Do, where virtually every item you see is on the menu. Including the furniture, vintage tea sets, wall hangings and knick knacks. This set-up gives you a chance to sit and contemplate the items on display. The ‘Do’ part starts at 7:30pm, when the shop hosts crafting events like card-making and paper mache.

Dental Clinic & Coffee Shop

(images via: heavenly dental cafe)

It may not seem logical to down a sugary drink immedately before heading into the dentist, but the Heavenly Dental Cafe in the Phillipines actually encourages it. “We know what you’re thinking – Nobody looks forward in going to the dentist. It doesn’t have to be that way. From the moment you walk though the door, you’ll see that this not your typical dental office. Heavenly Dental Café is a fusion of dental clinic and coffee shop, wherein patient can relax, and have a cup of latte before their procedures begin. Patient are also welcome to enjoy a hearty light snacks, and surf the internet that sometimes it’s easy to forget that you are here for a dental appointment.”

Get a Mocha & A Bike Tune-Up

(images via: dutch bike co flickr)

Dutch Bike Co. in Seattle is another bicycle-themed coffee shop where cyclists can buy a bicycle or accessories, have their own repaired or simply park and drink. The shop also rents 3-speed classic city bikes as well as ‘conference bikes’, where seven riders can sit in a circle and chat (with one steering).

Holy Post Cafe – Coffee Shop, Church & Post Office

(image via: the telegraph)

It’s the trifecta – some might say the holy trinity of cafe combinations. St. Luke’s Church in the tiny village of Kinoulton, England gets potential church-goers in the door by necessity since nearly everyone has to send a letter now and then, and gets them to stay with coffee and scones. Leather sofas and contemporary dining furniture give parishioners a cozy place to chat.

If cannabalistic sushi, Buns & Guns and soft serve in toilet bowls weren’t enough for you, never fear – there are at least a dozen more bizarrely themed restaurants around the world to gawk at. Whether you’d like your server to dress up like your boss so you can beat him up, enjoy being ambushed by ninjas in a dark alley or just want to be treated like a pretty, pretty princess, these restaurants deliver some of the weirdest atmospheres in the world.

Calico Cat Café

(images via: Global Post)

The first menu you’ll see at Calico Cat Café in Tokyo has nothing to do with food: it’s the cat selection. But you won’t be dining on any of these adorable felines – they’re just there to provide some companionship while you sip a cup of tea. The watchful staff ensure that guests treat the cats respectfully, and provide complimentary bags of dried cat food that can be used to attract your desired playmate. For many Tokyo residents, owning a cat isn’t realistic, so the city’s 30-odd cat cafés give them a chance to enjoy some “commitment-free cat stroking”.

Alice in Wonderland

(image via: La Carmina)

Fall down the rabbit hole into an Alice in Wonderland-themed restaurant based on the story by Lewis Carroll, with wait staff decked out in light blue and white checkered pinafores and walls painted with strange, vaguely Alice-inspired imagery. The coasters are playing cards, little bowls of snacks are decorated with signs that say ‘Eat Me’ and you summon your server with a little brass bell. The menu features a Japanese spin on French and Italian cuisine and a large variety of bite-size appetizers.

Devil Island Prison Restaurant

(images via: China Sales Training Network)

The owner of the Devil Island restaurants in China reportedly wanted to scare people away from a life of crime by showing them just how rough prison life can be – through a jail-themed restaurant where you’re led to your table in handcuffs and served fried coffin-shaped bread. Each table is surrounded by rusting prison bars, and you’re served by waiters in black-and-white striped uniforms. A similar restaurant in Beijing is misleadingly named ‘Zen Cool’.

Ninja New York

(images via: NYCgo.com)

Some of New York’s most creative fusion food is served in a rather unusual restaurant, one in which no expense was spared to create an atmosphere that one reviewer described as “Ninja Disneyland”. Guests are led to the subterranean eatery through a “secret path” where “ninjas” lurk in the shadows, and brought to a table housed within a dungeon-like chamber.  The ninja waiters perform magic tricks that extend into the meal, like sauces that catch on fire.

Dinner in the Sky

(images via: The Daily Mail)

Not everyone can stomach eating a meal while dangling 150 feet above the ground from a crane, even if you’re not usually afraid of heights. At Dinner in the Sky in Belgium, diners are strapped into chairs, raised to half the height of Big Ben and served meals like ham salad and sauteed prawns that are cooked in a small oven in the center of the structure.

Dinner in a Hospital

(images via: Spot Cool Stuff)

Taipei is known for its variety of strangely themed dining establishments, but this one might just take the cake. Your surreal experience starts with the name, D.S. Music Restaurant, which in no way hints at what’s actually inside. Wait staff dressed in nurse uniforms push you to your table in wheelchairs, where your drinks are served from an IV-like contraption hanging from the ceiling. The ‘nurses’ ask trivia questions, and if you get them right, you’re rewarded with shots of a tasty drink squirted into your mouth with a syringe. It only gets stranger from there. Once you’re done eating, a female staff member in a deranged ballerina costume dances on your table.

Rising Sun Anger Release Bar

(image via: Sydney Morning Herald)

It’s a tough, stressful world out there, and there’s only so much you can take before you just have to let out some anger and frustration. If using restaurant staff as punching bags sounds like a good anger management tactic to you, check out the Rising Sun Anger Release Bar in Nanjing City, China where customers pay a fee to beat up staff, scream and break glasses. The staff, which dons protective gear, will dress up to resemble the person you’d really like to physically assault. The bar is said to be especially popular with Chinese women who work in the service industry.

Dick’s Last Resort Restaurant

(image via: Dick’s Last Resort)

If you’re more of a masochist than a sadist, Dick’s Last Resort Restaurant may be just up your alley. With locations all over America including Chicago, Boston and Dallas, Dick’s will satisfy your impulses to be treated rudely, called names and ridiculed by restaurant staff. If that sounds like everyday dining to you, rest assured that Dick’s will kindly write out these insults and put them on dunce caps which you’re obligated to wear while eating.

Wizard of the Opera

(images via: Diamond Dining)

Billed as “gorgeous gothic dining”, the Wizard of the Opera restaurant in Tokyo has a vaguely Phantom of the Opera-based theme, with lots of sumptuous red velvet and the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical soundtrack on repeat. Among the dishes served are smoked salmon shaped like a rose, and the staff will even write the word ‘opera’ in chocolate on your plate.

A380 In-Flight Kitchen

(images via: The Age)

Mmm, airplane food. If you just can’t get enough of eating on airplanes but you’re sick of going through security and paying expensive airfare to do it, you may want to visit the A380 In-Flight Kitchen in Taipei. The restaurant resembles the inside of a plane, with faux oval-shaped windows, baggage compartments and speckled blue seats complete with headrests. Waitresses dress like flight attendants, and “passengers” have much more than just chicken or fish to choose from.

Yellow Treehouse Café

(images via: Yellow Treehouse)

Built around a redwood tree near Auckland, New Zealand, the Yellow Treehouse Café will fulfill all of your fantasies about treehouse life, and then some. Designed by Pacific Environment Architects as part of a marketing campaign for the area’s yellow pages, the café is no longer open for dinner but can be rented for private parties.

Princess Heart

(images via: News on Japan)

Some girls never outgrow their princess fantasies, and if you live in Japan, you can luxuriate in all the frilly pink princess regalia you can stomach whenever you want at the Princess Heart restaurant.  Customers are led to a full-length mirror where they’re apparently supposed to ask who’s the fairest one of all, before taking a seat in a throne and being crowned. Women can drag their male partners along, but single men aren’t allowed.