Here in The City Beautiful, things come and go. In fact, it's pretty hard to find anything that has stuck around for more than a decade. Since development rules supreme, buildings and attractions in Orlando often sit abandoned and neglected. What we have here are the five most notorious abandoned places that once called Orlando home.
The 5 most bizarre abandoned locations in Orlando history
By Orlando Weekly Staff on Fri, May 27, 2016 at 7:50 pm
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The abandoned Water Mania park
Smaller and less fancy than other water parks in the area, Water Mania in Kissimmee was like the red-headed stepchild of our local theme-park scene until it closed 2005.
Photo via Dustin Walker/Flickr
Smaller and less fancy than other water parks in the area, Water Mania in Kissimmee was like the red-headed stepchild of our local theme-park scene until it closed 2005.
Photo via Dustin Walker/Flickr
The abandoned Water Mania park
The park featured rides like the Double Bezerker, the Anaconda and the Cruisin' Creek (their version of a lazy river), and it was also home to an inland surfing experience called "Wipe Out."
Photo via Dustin Walker/Flickr
The park featured rides like the Double Bezerker, the Anaconda and the Cruisin' Creek (their version of a lazy river), and it was also home to an inland surfing experience called "Wipe Out."
Photo via Dustin Walker/Flickr
The abandoned Water Mania park
At its peak in the mid-'90s, the chlorine-soaked park welcomed about 500,000 people a year through its turnstiles.
Photo via Dustin Walker/Flickr
At its peak in the mid-'90s, the chlorine-soaked park welcomed about 500,000 people a year through its turnstiles.
Photo via Dustin Walker/Flickr
The abandoned Water Mania park
After almost 20 years in business, the park closed those turnstiles for good on Sept. 5, 2005. These photographs were taken less than a year later.
Photo via Dustin Walker/Flickr
After almost 20 years in business, the park closed those turnstiles for good on Sept. 5, 2005. These photographs were taken less than a year later.
Photo via Dustin Walker/Flickr
The abandoned Water Mania park
These days, the spot where the water park once stood, at 6073 W. Irlo Bronson Highway (U.S. 192), is inhabited by a Golden Corral and Pirate's Island Mini-Golf course.
Photo via Dustin Walker/Flickr
These days, the spot where the water park once stood, at 6073 W. Irlo Bronson Highway (U.S. 192), is inhabited by a Golden Corral and Pirate's Island Mini-Golf course.
Photo via Dustin Walker/Flickr
Walt Disney World’s abandoned River Country
This sure isn't Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach but once upon a time, River Country was a popular water park at Walt Disney World.
Photo via gorillasdontblog/blogspot
This sure isn't Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach but once upon a time, River Country was a popular water park at Walt Disney World.
Photo via gorillasdontblog/blogspot
Walt Disney World’s abandoned River Country
The "theme" of River Country was old-fashioned swimming hole, with pools and crazy waterslides that used water pumped in from Bay Lake.
Photo via disneyparks.disney.go.com
The "theme" of River Country was old-fashioned swimming hole, with pools and crazy waterslides that used water pumped in from Bay Lake.
Photo via disneyparks.disney.go.com
Walt Disney World’s abandoned River Country
River Country closed in 2001, and Walt Disney World officials said at the time that it could reopen someday if there was enough guest demand.
Photo via abandonedplaygrounds.com
River Country closed in 2001, and Walt Disney World officials said at the time that it could reopen someday if there was enough guest demand.
Photo via abandonedplaygrounds.com
Walt Disney World’s abandoned River Country
Walt Disney World's first water park remains permanently closed, with growing algae and weeds.
Photo via disneyparks.disney.go.com
Walt Disney World's first water park remains permanently closed, with growing algae and weeds.
Photo via disneyparks.disney.go.com
Splendid China
The park was owned, in part, by the government of China. It was modeled on another park that existed in Shenzhen China, also called Splendid China.
Photo via Rhys Asplund,/Flickr
The park was owned, in part, by the government of China. It was modeled on another park that existed in Shenzhen China, also called Splendid China.
Photo via Rhys Asplund,/Flickr
Splendid China
Located very close to Walt Disney World, it wasn't all that popular. In 2003, just 10 years after it was built, Splendid China closed its doors.
Photo via Rhys Asplund,/Flickr
Located very close to Walt Disney World, it wasn't all that popular. In 2003, just 10 years after it was built, Splendid China closed its doors.
Photo via Rhys Asplund,/Flickr
Splendid China
A year later, many of the items on display were auctioned off. All that was left of the park were its structures and statuary, which stood on site for another 10 years.
Photo via Rhys Asplund,/Flickr
A year later, many of the items on display were auctioned off. All that was left of the park were its structures and statuary, which stood on site for another 10 years.
Photo via Rhys Asplund,/Flickr
Splendid China
The buildings were left vacant and urban explorers and others documented the decay of the park.
Photo via Rhys Asplund,/Flickr
The buildings were left vacant and urban explorers and others documented the decay of the park.
Photo via Rhys Asplund,/Flickr
Splendid China
Despite the message scrawled on this wall, nobody is here anymore. Splendid China was demolished in 2013 to make way for condos.
Photo via Rhys Asplund,/Flickr
Despite the message scrawled on this wall, nobody is here anymore. Splendid China was demolished in 2013 to make way for condos.
Photo via Rhys Asplund,/Flickr
Sunland Mental Hospital
Sunland Mental Hospital was located in the Pine Hills area of Orlando.
Photo by Paige Cherie Hundley
Sunland Mental Hospital was located in the Pine Hills area of Orlando.
Photo by Paige Cherie Hundley
Sunland Mental Hospital
The hospital cared for profoundly mentally and physically disabled children and adults during the '60s and '70s.
Photo by Paige Cherie Hundley
The hospital cared for profoundly mentally and physically disabled children and adults during the '60s and '70s.
Photo by Paige Cherie Hundley
Sunland Mental Hospital
The facility closed its doors for good in the mid-'80s, following many years of investigation into alleged neglect and abuse of patients.
Photo by Paige Cherie Hundley
The facility closed its doors for good in the mid-'80s, following many years of investigation into alleged neglect and abuse of patients.
Photo by Paige Cherie Hundley
Sunland Mental Hospital
The main hospital was demolished in 1998, and all that remains is the old administration building, where these photos were taken on Sept. 10, 2006.
Photo by Paige Cherie Hundley
The main hospital was demolished in 1998, and all that remains is the old administration building, where these photos were taken on Sept. 10, 2006.
Photo by Paige Cherie Hundley
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