Lost and Abandoned: Forgotten Amusement Parks

By Sophia Maddox | December 28, 2023

Six Flags Stopped Flying Over New Orleans

Very few places bring memories of joy and laughter more than a theme park. Whether you've snacked on cotton candy while visiting with some of your favorite Disney characters or you have memories of spending your summer vacation soaring upside down with friends on a roller coaster, you likely have fond memories of a theme park. While some theme parks continue to provide people of all ages with a variety of memories, the world is filled with some theme parks that have closed their gates and shut down their rides for the last time. 

These once-thriving playgrounds now stand silent, nature reclaiming what was once a realm of excitement. Ferris wheels stand frozen against the sky, their stillness a stark contrast to the dynamic scenes they once framed. Carousel melodies have faded, replaced by the whispers of wind through rusting structures. Join us as we unravel the stories of these lost amusement parks, where the echoes of joy linger amidst the rust and decay.

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Kristina Rogers/Shutterstock

Nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River, Six Flags New Orleans was once a bustling hub of entertainment and excitement. Originally opened as Jazzland in 2000, the park underwent a transformative rebranding in 2003 when Six Flags, a prominent amusement park chain, took over. The new identity brought with it a promise of thrilling rides, family-friendly attractions, and a vibrant atmosphere that would make it a staple in the region's leisure landscape.

Tragically, this promise didn’t last long. Hurricane Katrina, the devastating storm that struck in 2005, wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast and left Six Flags New Orleans in ruins. The park, situated in a vulnerable flood-prone area, faced insurmountable damage. Floodwaters submerged the grounds, submerging rides and structures and rendering them unusable. The magnitude of the destruction dealt a severe blow to the park's operations, prompting its closure in 2005. Despite efforts to revive it, the extensive damage proved too extensive, leading to the abandonment of Six Flags New Orleans.

Today, the abandoned park stands as a haunting reminder of the destructive forces of nature. While the skeletal frames of roller coasters and the faded hues of once-vibrant attractions remain, Six Flags New Orleans shows the fragility of man-made entertainment in the face of natural disasters.

Spreepark: Abandoned in Berlin

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Flickr

Developers put Spreepark on the banks of the River Spree in Berlin, Germany. The park, which has been closed for more than 20 years, originally opened in 1969 as Kulturpark Plänterwald, the park underwent a transformation in the early 1990s when Norbert Witte, an entertainment entrepreneur, took over. After undergoing a rebrand, the park featured a unique blend of East German nostalgia and new, imported rides, becoming the only amusement park in the former East Berlin.

Spreepark's allure, however, was short-lived. Financial difficulties, coupled with a series of legal troubles for Witte, led to the park's closure in 2001. The once-vibrant rides and attractions, including the iconic Ferris wheel and dinosaur-themed displays, were left to succumb to the encroaching forces of nature. Attempts were made to revive the park in the mid-2000s, but they proved unsuccessful.