In a world where the times are always rapidly changing, we daydream about some of our favorite childhood memories that haven’t stood the test of time over the years. While we love spending the day at our favorite swimming holes and lakes, there was nothing ever quite like taking a trip to your local water park to cool off and get your adrenaline going. Whether you enjoyed wading in the lazy rivers or lived for the thrilling water slides that would get your blood pumping, these places provided their visitors with fun days in the sun.
No longer looking like the adventurous paradises that they once were, these abandoned water parks are an eerie reminder of summers past:
- Water Wonderland - Texas
West Texas Drone/YouTube For the younger residents living in the Midland area, this now deserted water park once gave purpose to every hot summer day. One of the most missed spots on our list, Water Wonderland has a history of locals petitioning for its revival. Sadly, as much as people miss the bumper cars, wave pools and water slides, it would cost millions of dollars to get up and running again. Another issue? The area has a history of droughts; having a giant water park seems out of the question to many. Currently, the water park is in its worst condition ever, covered in overgrown grass and an outrageous amount of disappointing graffiti.
A special thanks to West Texas Drone for capturing this amazing yet creepy footage of the abandoned Water Wonderland!
- Rock-A-Hoola Waterpark - California
Jeff Kern/Flickr Also referred to as Lake Dolores Waterpark, this once extravagant water park became open to the public back in the early 1960’s after only being used as a private resort. Rock-A-Hoola would end up closing after an unfortunate event that took place back in 1999. After undergoing a great deal of renovations, the park would find itself experiencing legal troubles when an employee was injured on a ride. After the park was closed, an employee went down one of the rides that resulted in serious injuries. In return, the water park would have to pay millions of dollars in legal fees that would play a huge part in this Newberry Springs attraction’s demise.
- Wild Waters - Idaho
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adamthewoo/YouTube What was once the largest water park in the Northwest, has now become and eye sore to anyone who is driving on the highway nearby. It closed its doors six years ago, but locals dream of restoring the water park or even turning into a skate park. Basically anything other than the overgrown mess it is today. When it opened up back in the early 1980’s, everyone always longed for a season pass. To Idaho residents, there was nothing better than sneaking in some time at Wild Waters before the day was through.
Pictured above, you can see an image from adamthewoo, who has an amazing YouTube channel that will keep your eyes glued to the screen!
Click here, to watch his footage from Wild Waters!
- Ebenezer Floppen Slopper’s Wonderful Water Slides - Illinois
triton115/YouTube If you want to discover a water park that looks as though it’s been picked up and dropped off into a dense forest, then Ebenezer’s is the place for you. The water park now remains swallowed by overgrown greenery without a true explanation as to why it ever closed in the first place. Opening in the late 1980’s, the park doesn’t appear to be terribly missed by the locals that once took advantage of its wonderful but wacky water slides.
A special thanks to triton115 for trekking through the woods to explore this abandoned water park!
- Water Mania - Florida
Danielle Hallett/Flickr Closing in 2005, this water park found in Kissimmee was home to one of the largest wave pools in the area. The nearly 40-acre park opened in the late 1980s and was a wonderful place to cool off when you were tired of swimming in your average pool.
Many thanks to Danielle Hallett for uploading her video of Water Mania to YouTube, such chilling footage!
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West Texas Drone/YouTube
For the younger residents living in the Midland area, this now deserted water park once gave purpose to every hot summer day. One of the most missed spots on our list, Water Wonderland has a history of locals petitioning for its revival. Sadly, as much as people miss the bumper cars, wave pools and water slides, it would cost millions of dollars to get up and running again. Another issue? The area has a history of droughts; having a giant water park seems out of the question to many. Currently, the water park is in its worst condition ever, covered in overgrown grass and an outrageous amount of disappointing graffiti.
A special thanks to West Texas Drone for capturing this amazing yet creepy footage of the abandoned Water Wonderland!
Jeff Kern/Flickr
Also referred to as Lake Dolores Waterpark, this once extravagant water park became open to the public back in the early 1960’s after only being used as a private resort. Rock-A-Hoola would end up closing after an unfortunate event that took place back in 1999. After undergoing a great deal of renovations, the park would find itself experiencing legal troubles when an employee was injured on a ride. After the park was closed, an employee went down one of the rides that resulted in serious injuries. In return, the water park would have to pay millions of dollars in legal fees that would play a huge part in this Newberry Springs attraction’s demise.
adamthewoo/YouTube
What was once the largest water park in the Northwest, has now become and eye sore to anyone who is driving on the highway nearby. It closed its doors six years ago, but locals dream of restoring the water park or even turning into a skate park. Basically anything other than the overgrown mess it is today. When it opened up back in the early 1980’s, everyone always longed for a season pass. To Idaho residents, there was nothing better than sneaking in some time at Wild Waters before the day was through.
Pictured above, you can see an image from adamthewoo, who has an amazing YouTube channel that will keep your eyes glued to the screen!
Click here, to watch his footage from Wild Waters!
triton115/YouTube
If you want to discover a water park that looks as though it’s been picked up and dropped off into a dense forest, then Ebenezer’s is the place for you. The water park now remains swallowed by overgrown greenery without a true explanation as to why it ever closed in the first place. Opening in the late 1980’s, the park doesn’t appear to be terribly missed by the locals that once took advantage of its wonderful but wacky water slides.
A special thanks to triton115 for trekking through the woods to explore this abandoned water park!
Danielle Hallett/Flickr
Closing in 2005, this water park found in Kissimmee was home to one of the largest wave pools in the area. The nearly 40-acre park opened in the late 1980s and was a wonderful place to cool off when you were tired of swimming in your average pool.
Many thanks to Danielle Hallett for uploading her video of Water Mania to YouTube, such chilling footage!
