12 abandoned water parks around the world and the stories behind them

Zoë Miller,Erin McDowellJun 21, 2020, 22:44 IST

Macassar Beach Pavilion in Cape Town, South Africa.Tobster FPV/YouTube

Water parks are one of the most popular summer activities for families.
However, many water parks worldwide have been left abandoned due to financial, or even sinister, circumstances.
Some are covered in graffiti, while others have been completely overtaken by nature.

Water parks offer a fun way to cool off in the summer, but some have seen better days.

From Lake Dolores Waterpark in Newberry Springs, California, to Aquaria Park in Ravenna, Italy, many water parks have simply been abandoned over the years.

Here are 12 abandoned water parks around the world — and the stories behind why they've been left empty.

Lake Dolores Waterpark in Newberry Springs, California, was constructed in the early 1960s by a local businessman.

Lake Dolores Waterpark in Newberry Springs, California. Connor Exploring/YouTube

It reopened in 1998 as a 1950s-themed water park called Rock-A-Hoola.

Lake Dolores Waterpark in Newberry Springs, California. The Carpetbagger/YouTube

The park's legacy lives on as its empty, graffitied pools have made it a desirable and edgy location for filmmakers.

Lake Dolores Waterpark in Newberry Springs, California. Connor Exploring/YouTube

Hoy Thuy Tien in Hue, Vietnam, is one of the world's most famous abandoned water parks.

Hoy Thuy Tien in Hue, Vietnam. For 91 Days Travel Blog/YouTube

The park, which reportedly cost $3 million to build, opened in 2004 before construction was complete.

Hoy Thuy Tien in Hue, Vietnam. For 91 Days Travel Blog/YouTube

Today, the park is overgrown and covered in graffiti.

Hoy Thuy Tien in Hue, Vietnam. For 91 Days Travel Blog/YouTube

Ebenezer Floppen Slopper's Wonderful Water Slides in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, closed in 1989.

Ebenezer Floppen Slopper's Wonderful Water Slides in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. Felix Hamilton/YouTube

Closed in 1989 for unknown reasons, this former landfill returned to its garbage-strewn roots.

Ebenezer Floppen Slopper's Wonderful Water Slides in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. Felix Hamilton/YouTube

Disney's River Country in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, opened in 1976.

Disney's River Country in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Seph Lawless

The once-thriving water park shut down for good in 2001.

Disney's River Country in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Seph Lawless

Despite its defunct status, River Country's mystique attracts urban explorers and photographers seeking to investigate the site's forlorn grounds.

Disney's River Country in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Seph Lawless

L'Aquatic Paradis in Sitges, Spain, became a counter-culture hub after closing.

L'Aquatic Paradis in Sitges, Spain. Cinematic Media/YouTube

After two years, a tragic accident occurred at the park.

L'Aquatic Paradis in Sitges, Spain. Cinematic Media/YouTube

Atlantis Marine Park in Two Rocks, Australia, opened in 1981.

Atlantis Marine Park in Two Rocks, Australia. JJ's Adventures/YouTube

The park — which featured pools, pedal boats, and live dolphin shows — closed in 1990 due to financial trouble.

Atlantis Marine Park in Two Rocks, Australia. JJ's Adventures/YouTube

Macassar Beach Pavilion in Cape Town, South Africa, was built in 1991 on South Africa's False Bay coast.

Macassar Beach Pavilion in Cape Town, South Africa. Tobster FPV/YouTube

Before it was abandoned due to financial trouble, the Pavilion used to be a popular resort.

Macassar Beach Pavilion in Cape Town, South Africa. Tobster FPV/YouTube

Water Wonderland in Midland-Odessa, Texas, was a bustling family destination in the 1980s.

Water Wonderland in Midland-Odessa, Texas. Above The Lanes/YouTube

Water Wonderland changed hands before shuttering once and for all in 2003.

Water Wonderland in Midland-Odessa, Texas. Above The Lanes/YouTube

Safari Lagoon Waterpark in Pandan, Selangor, Malaysia, was built on the roof of a shopping center.

Safari Lagoon Waterpark in Pandan, Selangor, Malaysia. neoseven07/YouTube

Two factors resulted in the water park's eventual closure in 2007.

Safari Lagoon Waterpark in Pandan, Selangor, Malaysia. neoseven07/YouTube

Fun Park Fyn in Aarup, Funen, Denmark, opened in the 1980s.

Fun Park Fyn in Aarup, Funen, Denmark. TriggerfingerFilm/YouTube

At one point, there was talk that Fun Park Fyn would be revitalized as a Hans Christian Andersen-themed park, since the author was born on the island.

Fun Park Fyn in Aarup, Funen, Denmark. Casper Explores/YouTube

Wet n' Wild in Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada, closed in 2002.

Wet n' Wild in Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada. Daniel Coz/YouTube

The park used to be a fun spot for families to visit.

Wet n' Wild in Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada. Daniel Coz/YouTube

Aquaria Park in Pinarella di Cervia, Ravenna, Italy, was a popular destination in the '90s.

Aquaria Park in Pinarella di Cervia, Ravenna, Italy. Bacco/YouTube

It offered amenities that other water parks lacked, such as beach volleyball and tennis courts. At night, Aquaria Park also operated a disco.

Aquaria Park in Pinarella di Cervia, Ravenna, Italy. Bacco/YouTube

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12 abandoned water parks around the world and the stories behind them

Lake Dolores Waterpark in Newberry Springs, California, was constructed in the early 1960s by a local businessman.

It reopened in 1998 as a 1950s-themed water park called Rock-A-Hoola.

The park's legacy lives on as its empty, graffitied pools have made it a desirable and edgy location for filmmakers.

Hoy Thuy Tien in Hue, Vietnam, is one of the world's most famous abandoned water parks.

The park, which reportedly cost $3 million to build, opened in 2004 before construction was complete.

Today, the park is overgrown and covered in graffiti.

Ebenezer Floppen Slopper's Wonderful Water Slides in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, closed in 1989.

Closed in 1989 for unknown reasons, this former landfill returned to its garbage-strewn roots.

Disney's River Country in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, opened in 1976.

The once-thriving water park shut down for good in 2001.

Despite its defunct status, River Country's mystique attracts urban explorers and photographers seeking to investigate the site's forlorn grounds.

L'Aquatic Paradis in Sitges, Spain, became a counter-culture hub after closing.

After two years, a tragic accident occurred at the park.

Atlantis Marine Park in Two Rocks, Australia, opened in 1981.

The park — which featured pools, pedal boats, and live dolphin shows — closed in 1990 due to financial trouble.

Macassar Beach Pavilion in Cape Town, South Africa, was built in 1991 on South Africa's False Bay coast.

Before it was abandoned due to financial trouble, the Pavilion used to be a popular resort.

Water Wonderland in Midland-Odessa, Texas, was a bustling family destination in the 1980s.

Water Wonderland changed hands before shuttering once and for all in 2003.

Safari Lagoon Waterpark in Pandan, Selangor, Malaysia, was built on the roof of a shopping center.

Two factors resulted in the water park's eventual closure in 2007.

Fun Park Fyn in Aarup, Funen, Denmark, opened in the 1980s.

At one point, there was talk that Fun Park Fyn would be revitalized as a Hans Christian Andersen-themed park, since the author was born on the island.

Wet n' Wild in Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada, closed in 2002.

The park used to be a fun spot for families to visit.

Aquaria Park in Pinarella di Cervia, Ravenna, Italy, was a popular destination in the '90s.

It offered amenities that other water parks lacked, such as beach volleyball and tennis courts. At night, Aquaria Park also operated a disco.