Some Not So Happiest Places On Earth...Anymore
What happens when a Disney theme park shuts down a ride or an attraction? Well, it often just sits there and rots, or gets overrun by the surrounding nature. These are actual images of what once were bustling and beautiful Disney attractions—lost to history.
Discovery Island
Disney's Discovery Island began its life as Treasure Island in 1974 (based on the 1950 Disney pirate adventure film), and there was even a shipwrecked boat on the shore of the island. The attraction became Discovery Island in 1977 and visitors had a lot to discover there, for over two decades.
10 Most Disturbing Abandoned Disney Theme Parks
Discovery Island
Accessible by boat, the 11.5-acre nature preserve on an island in Bay Lake had all kinds of animals to see, especially birds—with one of largest walk-through aviaries in the world. However, in 1999, the Discovery Island was closed—no longer available for tourists to discover.
10 Most Disturbing Abandoned Disney Theme Parks
Discovery Island
Disney's Animal Kingdom opened in 1998—making Discovery Island somewhat redundant, and the animals were slowly moved to the new "kingdom". There might have also been a desire to shutter the island after Disney had to settle lawsuits regarding their staff's mistreatment of the birds—with the negative publicity leading to a decline in visitors to the island as well.
10 Most Disturbing Abandoned Disney Theme Parks
River Country
Let's stick with Bay Lake and move from the Discovery Island in the middle of the lake to the shores of the lake and one of Walt Disney World's first big expansion projects, River Country—which opened to the public in 1976.
10 Most Disturbing Abandoned Disney Theme Parks
River Country
With its rustic and lush landscape, River Country was a full-on water park that described itself as an "old-fashioned swimming hole". There were beaches and a lagoon and water slides, and it was one of the first water-only theme parks ever built. So, what happened?
10 Most Disturbing Abandoned Disney Theme Parks
River Country
Well, despite a couple fatal accidents in the park over the course of 25 years, the most likely explanation for the park's closure was that it had just gotten out of date. In 1989, Disney opened Typhoon Lagoon and in 1995, they opened Blizzard Beach—both more modern (and more exciting) than River Country.
So, in 2001, River Country closed for winter repairs and never reopened.
10 Most Disturbing Abandoned Disney Theme Parks
River Country
If you were wondering what the waterslide from the previous photo looked like when it was in use and flowing with water and happy kids...
The Singing Runway
Walt Disney World Airport, aka Lake Buena Vista Airport, aka Lake Buena Vista STOLport, aka The Singing Runway, was an actual airfield owned by the Walt Disney Company and located inside Disney World. It opened in 1971 and was designed for smaller commuter airliners.
ABANDONED - Walt Disney World Airport Runway - STOL Port
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The Singing Runway
The small airfield was initially intended as a proof-of-concept for a planned larger airport on Disney property. However, the Singing Runway was only active for a few years and the plans for a bigger airport were ultimately rejected.
ABANDONED - Walt Disney World Airport Runway - STOL Port
The Singing Runway
There has been no service to the airport since the 80s and since 2017, Walt Disney World has used the abandoned runway as a storage lot.
And if you're wondering why it's known as "The Singing Airport"—it's because there were grooves in the runway that initiated the playing of "When You Wish Upon a Star" when driven over at 45 mph.
ABANDONED - Walt Disney World Airport Runway - STOL Port
Rainbow Corridor
Back in the 80s and early 90s, on the second floor of Epcot’s iconic Imagination Pavilion, as part of the ImageWorks play area, sat the Rainbow Corridor (better known by most as the Rainbow Tunnel). Yes, the same tunnel that Michael Jackson did a photoshoot inside of.
Rainbow Corridor
Sensors in the tunnel were supposed to have the effect of having one color follow you all the way through your walk of the corridor—but they didn't quite work that way and eventually, it just became a rainbow pattern of lights arching over you as you walked through.
1989 Epcot Center Imagination Inside ImageWorks Sensor Maze Pyramid
Rainbow Corridor
Then, in 1992, it was all over. Imagination Pavilion was totally redone, ImageWorks was moved and renamed What If Labs?, and the entire second floor was closed off to the public—including the now defunct Rainbow Tunnel which remained intact as a tunnel (just without any of the rainbow light stuff).
The Old Abandoned Image Works 2014 - Extinct EPCOT Walt Disney World
Rainbow Corridor
In 2016, the second floor area was finally reopened—this time as a DVC lounge. But, if you looked through a vent in the wall, you could still see the Rainbow Tunnel (albeit in a state of being dismantled).
EPCOT’s ABANDONED Image Works Second Floor Open Again | Rainbow Tunnel Hidden Behind a Vent
Rainbow Corridor
The dismantling continued and by 2017, all that was left of the tunnel were some pieces of metal—having stripped it down almost completely from the new-age light walk it was in 1982.
cool stuf at epocot disneyland florida
Mark Twain Riverboat
The Frontierland area of Disneyland Park (aka Euro Disney) didn't just have one riverboat guests could ride—it had two. There was the Molly Brown (named after the famed Titanic survivor) and there was the Mark Twain riverboat (named after...well, Mark Twain). For years, both these boats took guests along the river, playing audio recorded conversation of the captain with either Brown or Twain (depending on which boat it was).
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 3
Mark Twain Riverboat
Between 2005 and 2011, the Molly Brown suffered a bunch of engine and structural issues that caused it to be off the river for much of that time, and to go through a complete refurbishment—leaving the Mark Twain as the only working riverboat for much of those years. That is, until 2011, when the Mark Twain was used to break the ice in the river, got stuck, and was damaged while being pulled out.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 3
Mark Twain Riverboat
The boat was dry docked for repairs but apparently those repairs never happened. In fact, the boat started to rot and Disney even built a barn around it to shield it from the eyes of the guests.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 3
Mark Twain Riverboat
Over the years, the rotting boat has continued to fall apart, with Disney only taking it out of its enclosure when needing to dry dock the Molly Brown for repairs. They often cover it up with a sheet so people can't see how bad it's gotten.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 3
Mark Twain Riverboat
There were reports that Disney planned on doing a full restoration of the Mark Twain riverboat, but as of now, it continues to rot in its barn—so, we aren't counting on it.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 3
Fort Wilderness Railroad
Opened in 1974, the Fort Wilderness Railroad was a very cool mode of transportation for guests of the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. The train was made up of four cars that held 20 passengers each and took a beautifully long route all around the Wilderness resort. And for five years, it was a super popular transportation system for guests.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 3
Fort Wilderness Railroad
But there were issues. One being the fact that there was only one spot along the route where the train could refill its water—so, if the conductor missed it, the train would often not make it the full route and have to be towed back. Also, the tracks were built on swamp land and this led to a need for repairs more often than if hadn't been built on swamps. But the biggest issue was how close the tracks were to campsites and guests.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 3
Fort Wilderness Railroad
The route often brought the train within feet of sites and guests, and there was no fencing or safety rails of any kind. It was really just a matter of time until something horrible happened. And that time was 1979, when a little girl was hit by the train while riding her bike on the tracks. Thankfully, she wasn't too badly hurt—but that was it for the Fort Wilderness Railroad. It was shut down and never reopened.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 3
Fort Wilderness Railroad
After that, the train cars were left to rot. Some were up-cycled and used in different parts of the park before once again being abandoned. Eventually, they were all purchased, and are now owned by private collectors.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 3
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
From 1971 through 1994, the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride took guests down under the water in a submarine to discover the Lost city of Atlantis. They'd also see sea monsters, treasure, and giant octopuses attacking a submarine (not the one they were in, of course).
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 4
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
There's no denying that the ride was popular, but there's also no denying that it was also very expensive to maintain—and eventually, that cost just became too much. In 1994, Disney shut down the attraction for renovations and never reopened it. It wasn't until 1996 that the company made the official announcement that 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was closed for good.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 4
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
The site became Ariel's Grotto and they even erected a King Triton statue in the lagoon. But while the submarines were all removed from the area—it would be another decade before all the underwater creatures and animatronics were dealt with.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 4
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
In 2004, Disney drained the lagoon and we finally got to see the state of all the animatronics that had been living down there. Needless to say, they weren't salvageable. That drained lagoon eventually became the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 4
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
And before we move on to the next attraction, how about a photo of an animatronic octopus after all those years abandoned under the water (at least, I think it's an octopus...)?
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 4
Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland
Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland was a train ride attraction in Frontierland that opened all the way back in 1960 in Disneyland. The ride, which was an extension of Rainbow Caverns Mine Train, would take guests on a trip through all sorts of environments filled with over 200 animatronic animals and natural wonders.
Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland
As with many on this list, the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland was a very popular experience with guests. However, as thrill rides became more in demand, all that "mine train" space was needed to build something bigger...Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (which opened in 1979).
Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland
The new "Big Thunder" used many of the sets from the old ride as part of the new attraction, but much of the tracks and tunnels were left abandoned to rust and boarded up.
Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland
For decades, an old engine and a couple train cars from the original ride were left along the side for guests to see as part of the scenery on Rivers of America. However, in 2010, they were finally removed.
Nara Dreamland
Yes, I know that Nara Dreamland—located in Nara, Japan—was never an actual Disney Park. But, it was supposed to be one (and the photos are really cool), so it counts.
Abandoned Disneyland Knock-Off - Nara Dreamland Theme Park Exploration
Nara Dreamland
Disneyland opened in California in 1955 and upon seeing the amazing creation, Japanese Businessman Kunizo Matsuo got the idea in his head that a similar park would do great in his home country. So, he contacted the Disney company with the hopes of franchising a Disney Park in Japan.
Things looked to be moving forward—with Disney Imagineers supposedly even creating concepts for the park—but eventually, it all fell apart for one reason or another (the speculation is that licensing became a sticking point).
Abandoned Disneyland Knock-Off - Nara Dreamland Theme Park Exploration
Nara Dreamland
But Matsuo wasn't about to give up on his dreamland—so, he removed everything related to Disney IP and moved forward—opening his Nara Dreamland park on July 1, 1961. Matsuo might've removed all of the Disney IP, but the similarities to the California theme park were glaringly obvious. And that seemed to work, making the park a very popular spot for almost two decades.
Then, in 1983, Tokyo Disneyland opened for business and thus marked the beginning of the end for Nara.
Abandoned Disneyland Knock-Off - Nara Dreamland Theme Park Exploration
Nara Dreamland
The decline was gradual, and it would take another 20 years or so, but in 2006, Nara Dreamland shut its doors for good. It was abandoned for a decade before eventually being demolished in 2016. Plans are to create a commercial resort and water park on the lot.
Abandoned Disneyland Knock-Off - Nara Dreamland Theme Park Exploration
Disney Junkyard
This isn't an abandoned Disney attraction, but rather where many of those abandoned attractions are stored. At one point—back in the 70s—this large piece of land behind the Magic Kingdom was set to become Disney's Persian Resort. But that project never came to fruition and now it's known as Disney's Junkyard.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 3
Disney Junkyard
You'll find all sorts of abandoned and rusting pieces of Disney theme park history back there, including an old monorail.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 3
Disney Junkyard
And how about this original Davy Crocket canoe—which probably brings back memories for those of a certain generation.
Attractions Abandoned by Disney 3
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