10 Bizarre and Unsettling Theme Parks Someone Thought Was a Good Idea

Theme parks are designed to spark joy, thrill visitors, and create unforgettable memories. Even a single day spent wandering through rides and attractions can feel magical. That’s why it’s so surprising — and often unsettling — when a park closes its gates for good and is left to decay. But abandonment isn’t the only reason a theme park can feel eerie. Odd design choices, strange histories, or parks that operate in a half-functional state can all contribute to an atmosphere that feels more creepy than cheerful.

Since there’s no official category for “unsettling theme parks,” much of this topic comes down to interpretation. To find the most compelling examples, we sifted through articles, videos, and photo collections showcasing abandoned, bizarre, and mysteriously quiet parks around the world. We also looked to Reddit to see which locations internet users consistently describe as eerie. Click through the slideshow to explore some of the most unsettling theme parks that actually exist. And yes, a few of them are still open — at least in some form.

Nara Dreamland is now permanently closed, but it used to be a popular theme park in Nara, Japan. Although not related to Disney, it was modeled after Disneyland in California. The park opened in 1961 and closed in 2006. It remained standing but empty and abandoned until 2016 when it was demolished. Although there is nothing strange about a Disney-inspired theme park, it's the creepy pictures of the abandoned place that landed it on this slideshow.

Japan seems to be home to a lot of defunct and abandoned theme parks, including Gulliver's Kingdom. This strange theme park featured a 147.5-foot man tied down to the ground. The park remained open for 10 years. It was demolished in 2007.

Germany is also home to its fair share of odd and defunct theme parks, like Spreepark. The park first opened in 1969 as Kulturpark Plänterwald. It was renamed and changed after East and West Germany were reunified. So, what happened to this park? Well, Norbert Witte, the owner of the park, was caught smuggling drugs into Peru using amusement park rides. Before this, the park closed as there was a lack of funds to run it. Now, it's a green space for Berlin residents to enjoy.

A theme park all about dinosaurs seems so cool, but is it really? Eh. Dinosaur World is a chain of theme parks found across the United States (Florida, Texas, and Kentucky). You won't find thrill rides here, though. Instead, within the park are life-sized dinosaurs and small attractions. The life-sized dinosaurs, though, aren't exactly maintained.

Probably one of the more well-known theme parks is Chippewa Lake Park in Ohio. It's also one of the oldest and longest-running, as it opened in 1878. The park's first name was Andrew's Pleasure Grounds, and it had one roller coaster. Due to low attendance, the park closed in 1978. Interestingly, most of the rides were left standing and untouched, meaning they were overtaken by nature. Only a few rides today are left standing.

Another Japanese theme park gets a mention. Western Village was an American Western theme park in Japan that featured an old-west-looking town and multiple buildings. Also in the park was a replica of Mount Rushmore. In addition, the park was filled with cowboy animatronics. The theme park opened in 1973 but closed in 2007. Much of the park was left alone and abandoned.

Unlike many of the other abandoned theme parks we've covered, you can actually explore Taman Festival Bali. This Bali theme park was never successful, although the park was beautiful. Inside the park are a crocodile pit, a wedding chapel, and crumbling buildings. The jungle overtook the $100 million project. Graffiti now stains the buildings, and glass sparkles on the ground.

Geauga Lake Amusement Park is another long-lasting and old theme park that closed its doors and remained abandoned for years. This Ohio theme park opened in 1887 and has gone through many names, including Six Flags Ohio, Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom, and Six Flags Worlds of Adventure. The park closed in 2007, leaving behind old rides. Most, though, have been taken down. So, why is this park unsettling? Honestly, it's a string of bad luck. It's been hit by tornados, damaged by fire, and saw a decline in attendance.

Technically, Hồ Thuỷ Tiên is still open, although it is no longer a water park. Instead, this old water park is now a community green space. Before this, it opened in 2004 and closed within just one short year. The park, before it opened as a community space, was eerie and creepy, with crumbling rides overtaken by nature.

Lastly is Joyland Amusement Park. With a name like that, how can it be unsettling or creepy? Well, the abandoned attractions are freaky, like the Wacky Shack. Joyland Amusement Park opened in 1949 and was the largest theme park in Kansas. It closed in 2004.