A look at what happened to Disney's Discovery Island in FL
A look at Treasure Island Hotel in Daytona Beach
Taking a look at what happened to Disney's Skyway.
The story of Six Flags New Orleans.
A look at the Alcatraz jail.
A look at the fall of Nickeloden Studios in FL
A look at the Horizons ride at EPCOT Center in FL
A look at the failed Legendary Year's Resort at Walt Disney World
A look at the Met Life Wonders of Life show at EPCOT Center
This place is so damn cool. Also please try not to take this too seriously, we know its a sad subject but we think life should be taken lightly :)
The fall of River Country at Walt Disney World
A look at The Peoplemover ride at Disneyland
A look at the Triceratops Encounter at Universal Studios.
One of the saddest and one of the oldest theme parks in the world, the Geauga Lake Amusement Park was an amazing place. Some would even say better then Cedar Point.. UPDATE AUGUST 2016: Just announced that the second portion of the lake, Wildwater Kingdom will close forever.
The rise and quick fall of Target Canada
Rolling Acres Mall in OH
A look at the Journey Into Imagination at EPCOT Center
A story of Disney's attempt to build a more "local" theme park in Virginia. A park catering to the United State of America's long history. This is Disney's America.
Ah yes, my whole childhood of spending hours upon hours looking for that one movie they never had. A huge part of our recent culture, and one of the most spectacular modern bankruptcies, Blockbuster was the best.
The Magic Kingdom and all of Walt Disney World would have been pretty different if these hotels were built. Let's take a look at some of them.
An update on Disney's Discovery Island
Before the war between Circuit City and Best Buy, Circuit City was the number one electronic store. In only a matter of years, the entire company went under leaving hundreds of stores abandoned.
Nothing like this exists in the world. A park replicating Disneyland so much only to be left abandoned and now known for legitimately how creepy it is. This is Nara Dreamland.
One of the most famous yet unknown shipwrecks in the world. A 1970's cruise ship which met its fate on a reef. A ship that left such an interesting story.
A discount store giant on the American east coast. A department store infamously known for its public decline in its later years. This is Ames Department Stores.
The relatively unknown planned second park to the Disneyland Resort. A massive and ambitious plan to bring Epcot into California, only for its concept to be left abandoned.
At one time the worlds largest mall. A structure with such promise and ambition, today we take a look at one of the largest abandoned malls ever, the Randall Park Mall.
Lets take a look at one of the most infamous abandoned legends ever, Disney's Mowgli's Palace and figure out the real story behind it with Disney, Premier Cruise Lines and Great Guana Cay.
In the heart of Florida's Space Coast, lays one of Cocoa Beach's most iconic abandoned buildings. The Glass Bank.
Take a look with me through the creation and making of an Abandoned episode. Lots of time and energy is poured into making this show so the overwhelming support it gets is genuinely fantastic. Thanks for watching.
Take a trip back to the mid 80's when Vancouver hosted a World's Fair event with one of the most unique fast food restaurants ever constructed. Friendship 500, or better known asThe McBarge.
Back in the 70's and 80's, discount department stores were all the rage. Much like K-Mart, Ames and Walmart, a retailer named Bradlees was taking over the northeast United States. A brand that eventually killed off in the early 2000's which resulted in tons of stores becoming Abandoned. This is Bradlees.
Just outside of Detroit, in Pontiac Michigan, sits one of the most famous and iconic abandoned structures in the country. At one time the largest NFL stadium and host to SuperBowl 16. This is the Pontiac Silverdome.
In the heart of Frederick, Maryland sits the now infamous Frederick Towne Mall. From its rocky start as an emerging shopping centre in the 70's, to a dead mall eventually becoming one of the most surreal abandoned malls in America today.
Emerging from the collaboration of two massive retailers, came the creation of what ultimately became a Canadian department store icon. One that, like its American counterpart, struggled to make it though the modern retail environment. Eventually finding itself in the situation its in now. This is Sears Canada.
Walt Disney World's Epcot has seen major changes, especially recently. Over its 35+ years, Disney has attempted to create all sorts of attractions and pavilions for the park. Lets take a look at some of the amazing things Disney had planned, which ultimately were abandoned.
In the mountains of North Carolina, sits one of NASCAR's most legendary tracks. A speedway known for its fan service and amazing races with iconic drivers. This is the North Wilkesboro Speedway.
As one of the last segregated hospital complexes opened, the United Community Hospital or formally known as the Southwest Detroit Hospital now stands as one of Detroit's most famous abandoned buildings. Lets take a look at some of the history behind this modern family hospital.
One of the most iconic and experienced retailers in America, today I'm taking a look at a brand that rose to the top, rivalling Sears and JC Penny. But was ultimately taken out after years of depression. This is Montgomery Ward.
After much request, today I wanted to take a deeper look into the worlds most famous and iconic children's toy store that became a staple of millions childhoods, only to crumble in 2018. Lets take a look at Toys R Us.
I wanted to take a look at the iconic, American ocean liner, resting abandoned in Philadelphia. After hundreds of attempts to turn this decaying vessel into anywhere from a luxury family cruise ship, to office space for tech companies, lets look at the fascinating history of the SS United States.
On the sunny shores of Florida's Gulf Coast, sits an astounding enormous abandoned resort. From its early iterations in the 1950's, it grew into a famous yet family oriented timeshare and hotel resort. It had also been the infamous hotel where George Bush stayed the night of September 10th, 2001. This, is The Colony.
Way back when Walt Disney World opened in the 1970's, in the family campground was a train system that almost no one knows about today. An attraction that ultimately became short lived, transporting guests to River Country and ultimately spewing the idea for a never built hotel. This is the Fort Wilderness Railroad.
After over 80 years in business and the worlds largest electronic store retailer, today I explore how this billion dollar company which revolutionized the electronic store market, eventually came tumbling down into its eventual bankruptcy in the same vein as Circuit City. Let's take a look at the history of RadioShack.
Back in the early 2000's, Walt Disney World had a tough decision on their hands with a brand new value resort they had been building. One that left the delay of Disney's Pop Century Resort, and abandoned the entire other half of the hotel, never to be finished. Leaving abandoned towers across the lake, with their fate uncertain. This is the Legendary Years Resort.
After over a decade since one of the worlds most destructive storms, the remnants of what became one of the most iconic victims still stands today. A hospital which has been operating for more than a century was finally taken down by Mother Nature and ultimately abandoned to today. This is Charity Hospital in New Orleans.
Since its opening in 1965, the Houston Astrodome has gone through many changes over the years. However after several enormous changes, the facilities including the stadium are left vacant and abandoned. Let's find out why...
Throughout the history of American racing and Nascar, there have always been legendary tracks. However in some incredible cases, track facilities that were left behind for one reason or another are left completely abandoned in modern time. Today let's take a look at how a legendary, Nascar race track met its current fate.
Deep in the heart of Pennsylvania sits a ghost town, now just an empty road alongside vacant lots, but it didn't always used to be that way... Hundreds of feet below the town rests the answer as to why an entire American town was forcefully evacuated for fear of their lives. This is the incredible story of the town of Centralia and how hundreds of families left due to a burning coal mine beneath their feet.
After over 130 years of business, today I am looking at one of the most iconic and prolific retailers in history. A corporation which grew from a small mail order business in Chicago, to pioneering modern retail and what is now known as the "big box store" as well as shopping malls. It became one of the worlds largest companies and brands... all until its rapid and public decline. Leaving hundreds of abandoned stores and leaving a huge mark in retail. This is Sears.
In 1940, a stunning and iconic vessel was launched called the S.S America. A ship of pride for the United States and after a long career in her golden years, the vessel ended up in a state of limbo for a while. She was left abandoned floating aimlessly until she was bought out and renamed to the SS American Star. Fate had saved her... or did it?
Back in the 1970's, the Walt Disney Company built what was at the time the worlds first fully themed water park. It was beloved and visited by millions until it unexpectedly closed in 2001. Since, there have been urban legends, failed concepts and explorers venturing inside what was now an abandoned Disney water park. For years it sat abandoned becoming an iconic decaying theme park. Today I am revisiting the topic that started this whole series and diving deep to explore the full history and what is eventually going to happen to Walt Disney World's River Country.
Setting up retail in Canada is rather hard. However through most of the 1900's, there was one brand that rose through everyone else and became a thriving discount department store brand. One most Canadians remember fondly and went to every week. Zellers was a Canadian retail icon and one very much preferred over their fierce rival Walmart. However their fate ultimately ended with yet another American retail brand trying to make their own entry into Canada. That went well...
Among all of the victims of the 2009 global financial crisis, there is one property still struggling to find luck in our modern times. The once named Xanadu Mall (now called American Dream) had eaten through billions of dollars, sat abandoned for years and even today is not fully open. Did I mention it's been under construction outside of New York City for over 20 years? Let's take a look at the infamous and morbidly ambitious, American Dream Shopping & Entertainment Complex.
On the shores of the struggling Atlantic City sits a shinning, modern glass resort seemingly different to all the other old, tired looking casinos on the iconic boardwalk. Revel was the new development poised to reshape the gambling town and breath life back into the community. However things didn't go as planned. So today I'm looking a bit deeper into how a brand new, billion dollar resort failed so spectacularly and eventually sat abandoned for several years.
Across 3 Disney theme parks was a classic and beloved attraction which Walt Disney himself picked out. Over time however, the world grew and times had changed leaving the abandoned theme park relics as the only reminder of their existence. But now there is even a brighter future for the extinct Disney Skyway.
In-between what was Horizons and the Universe of Energy, sat the Wonders of Life pavilion. A large golden dome housing all kinds of educational exhibits and rides showcasing the importance of staying healthy. It was a $200,000,000 attraction which only really lasted for around 13 years. Guests who visited towards the end, witnessed the sad downfall of a classic Epcot pavilion until it was left partially abandoned with it's attractions now infamously left to decay. This is the incredible and sad story of Walt Disney World's, Wonders of Life.
Ever since the 1950's, SS Kresge and Kmart have been shaping the way North Americans shop. Kmart especially pioneered now common place shopping aspects and became a massive brand which is known around the world. With well over 2,000 stores across America, there was no stopping this mega retailer from their billions of dollars worth of sales. That was until a series of poor decisions and bad timing rather quickly brought down the goliath brand. Today almost all of those stores are closed and most abandoned, with little business from the company still being done. Join me as I look into how Kmart failed and who's to blame.
Among all of the ambitious development projects in the early 2000's, perhaps there was none more spectacular and iconic than the Chicago Spire. A concept to fill a long vacant plot of land at the mouth of the Chicago River. The Spire was planned to be the tallest skyscraper in America and briefly in the world. However a series of financial catastrophes then ensued leaving an enormous abandoned foundation. This is the Chicago Spire.
Along the Mississippi River and just outside the city centre of Memphis sits perhaps the most out of place structure in any American city. The Great American Pyramid as it was touted in the late 80's was promised to be the next huge landmark in the midwest, a tourism marvel which would be reveared by millions. When it opened in 1991 however, the Memphis Pyramid arena wasn't the spectacular landmark it was supposed to be, Join me as I look into how this strange stadium got built, how it was abandoned and how a Bass Pro Shop ultimately moved in. This is a weird one.
Famous for being the 3rd largest mall in America, Century 3 Mall was the product of the mall boom across the nation. Built with style and size, the shopping centre became enormously popular. But as time passed, it became famous for a completely different reason, it's unbelievable, surreal visuals of a dying mall. Join me as I look into how this happened and what the future holds for Century 3.
After nearly a decade of trying to get a theme park built in the beach town of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Hard Rock officially opened their very own licensed theme park. The cleverly crafted amusement enterprise was the brain child of ultra creative professionals and by all marks, it was poised to be a successful entry into the popular tourism city. However after unbelievable poor timing, the park was thrusted into bankruptcy and closed after only a few months of operation. Join me as I find out how this all happened and what ultimately happened to this promising, rock and roll theme park.
On the North End of the iconic, Las Vegas Strip sits a massive, glass tower higher than any other building down the boulevard. For those who have visited the strip, the sight of this infamous tower has become all too common. Today I wanted to figure out what happened here and how what was supposed to be a new resort brand failed miserably and left a never finished mega casino left abandoned. This is The Drew, or formally known as the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
Situated on the gorgeous Palos Verdes Peninsula was once one of the most iconic amusement parks in California and certainly the largest marine based oceanarium in the Los Angeles area, opening a year before Disneyland. Marineland of the Pacific ultimately grew to a become a massive park where millions of visitors from around the world would come to see the various exhibits and attractions held within the picturesque facility. However this draw only lasted for so long as their main competitor Sea World had different plans for the iconic park.... One that ultimately left this theme park completely abandoned.
Today, I'm diving deep into a fascinating and infamous mall located in the suburbs of Chicago. It was once a lavish, modern shopping showcase following the first malls in America. By all accounts, it should have succeeded and for its first few years, it did! However crime and population shifts plagued the mall over the next few years and heinous events occurred far too regularly. After just 12 years, Dixie Square Mall closed for good, bringing a much different legacy for the property. Blues Brothers was filmed there, yet afterwords was left to decay and that's how it sat for the proceeding 30+ years...
For years, images of ghostly McMansions have been circling around the internet with seemingly no real explanation as to what happened. That's just what were going to figure out today as the real story behind this creepy ghost town is fallout of something that was much, much bigger! Indian Ridge Resort just outside of Branson, Missouri was set to be one of the largest private developments in the area. However after financial disaster and federal investigations leading to 5 people going to prison, the story of the downfall is almost as incredible as the ambition of this enormous development.
Nestled in the iconic hills of the Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania, sits a resort almost as famous as the location it resides in. Penn Hills Resort began all the way back in the 1940's and grew to be one of the most popular and iconic honeymoon destinations in America. A luxurious symbol for a natures getaway complete with heart shaped hot tubs in their suites. However, as years went on, people stopped coming not just here, but for most of the Poconos resorts. Join me today as I find out what happened to this incredible hotel and more broadly, what happened to the Poconos.
Down the notorious North end of the Las Vegas Strip, sits a massive resort nearly 3 times as large as its neighbour, the never finished Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Just like that resort, the Echelon Place Casino & Resort Las Vegas was set to be one of the most expensive private resorts in the world. One set to completely transform the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard with its sheer size and luxury, bringing thousands of hotel rooms and new brands like Shangri-La to the city. However after 2008, everything stopped and for years, the unfinished structures sat abandoned and baking in the hot desert sun. Join me today to find out how this happened and how Resorts World Las Vegas now occupies this once incredible project.
In a small village just outside Beijing, China sits one of the most infamous abandoned theme parks ever. Often circulated around the internet as a never finished Disney theme park copycat, the amazing story of the never finished and abandoned Wonderland Amusement Park has never really been told properly. It was once a theme park poised to be the largest in Asia and beat Disney themselves to the country. The Magic Kingdom style theme park would have been enormous but after several missteps, the failure became far more known than the promise. Join me as we demystify this incredible park in China!
In 1982, The Walt Disney Company opened their ambitious park of the future. A theme park designed to inspire and educate people on the world, culture, history and most importantly, our collective future. In Epcot Centre's Future World section, two buildings stood as the core for the entire park, a showcase of science and technology in a hands on format. Communicore was Epcot's Main Street USA and stood for many years as a showcase of the future. Ultimately with new company leadership, it was changed to Innoventions. The purpose was lost over the years until it fell into a depressing state with large portions abandoned. Now we're looking to the future of what Disney Parks have in store for the buildings. Plans which themselves might even be abandoned...
Ever since 1982 when Disney's Epcot Center first opened, a pavilion sponsored by GE had been planned to tie everything in Future World together as it looks far into the future. A year later, that attraction materialized in the form of Horizons, an omnimover ride visiting the lives of family members through their life in the future. It was nothing less than spectacular and very much beloved by many as it was everything Epcot was meant to be and encapsulated the spirt of Walt Disney himself. However just 11 year later it was closed and only operated seasonally. It was abandoned altogether in 1999 and demolished soon after to make way for Mission Space. So join me today as I find out why Disney demolished one of their best attractions ever.
At one time, Detroit Michigan was the capitol for automotive manufacturing. The perfect place for Packard Automotive to relocate to and build our their dream plant. After decades of success and buildings encompassing millions of square feet, the brand went under and their factory in limbo. Now, the former Packard plant stands as a monument of failure and quite possibly the largest abandoned factory in the world, in the middle of Detroit.
For over 35 years, Fry's Electronics have been a staple in consumer electronic shopping, especially in California. With a localized, national reach as well, the company slowly grew into a quirky, big box electronic store chain which also sold apparel and food. All contained within their themed, massive stores. But in recent years, customers dwindled and those who did stick around noticed empty shelves. Suspicions of company trouble were proven correct as in 2021, the company announced they would be shutting down, leaving a several stores abandoned in their wake.
Climbing high into the Saudi Arabian skies was a tower like no other. At 1km high and surpassing the world's already tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, this mega was truly enormous. Originally named the Kingdom Tower and planned to be the centrepiece of the sparkling Jeddah Economic City. However things didn't go to plan and today I'm going to find out why the worlds newest, modern skyscraper never made it past the 50th floor and why it sits abandoned in an empty plot of land, in the desert.
Perched 5,000 feet into the sky among to famous Smokey Mountains sits a theme park like no other. Built in the early 1960's, Ghost Town in the Sky became a charming and very popular amusement park, meant to immerse guests in the Old West. After a long run, the park began to slump in tourists and eventually began to struggle. I'm finding out how this all began and how closures and financial issues plagued Ghost Town and what the future may hold for this beloved theme park.
In the early 1970's, Milwaukee had gotten two massive indoor shopping malls that helped define the era. One of them, being the Northridge Mall, a sprawling million square foot mega retail hub for the north side of the city. However as false rumours spread, originating from a notorious crime on the property, business had faded away. Ultimately the mall closed and began a multi decade series of false promises, failed development and the blame game. All ending with a popular abandoned building and as a result, a heavily destroyed one.
In the early 50's, a discount retailer was born in a small suburb of New York. Over time, the company grew to become the 3rd largest discount retailer in the United States with well over 160 stores. However, it all came crashing down in the 1990's with their bankruptcy and collapse. Join me today as I find out how a beloved retailer in the North East United States grew from small roots, and eventually came crashing down after fighting against Walmart, Target, Ames, Bradley’s and more. Today, it’s nearly forgotten about all these decades later. This is the Caldor Department Stores.
Deep in The Catskills Mountains sat at one time, one of the most iconic and largest hotels in America. Millions of people from the hot New York City, traveled here for vacation over the summers, many of whom staying at this luxury hotel. Across their 500 rooms, the jewish family run resort had played host to celebrities and politicians. But following a series of bad business decisions and casino plans with little funding, the property became derelict and ultimately abandoned. Join me as I document and explore the fascinating history behind this beloved mega resort hotel.
In the early 1960's, the city of Miami, Florida set out to build the world's first, purpose built speed boat racing facility complete with a custom basin and special viewing stand. Today, it's known as the Miami Marine Stadium and has been revered for its innovative and stunning architecture. But for the last 20 years, it has also been left to the elements and artist, standing completely abandoned since the 90's. Join me today in this incredible story of how this unqiue sport stadium in South Florida Icon got built, how it was seemingly forgotten about and what the future now holds.
At the end of East Capitol Street in Washington DC, sits a prominent stadium which at one time was a staple in sports events. From its iconic games to the very design, it inspired millions who visited it and set the standard for modern stadium architecture in America. But after half a century of operating, RFK Stadium has seen a sharp and noticeable decline. Today, it sits as a massive abandoned stadium in the middle of the nation's capitol.
In the 1950's a small franchisee of the Big Boy Burger chain was slowly rising from their very humble beginnings. It was called Shoney's and through the 1970's, 80's and 90's, the restaurant company grew to become a powerful corporation, building multiple brands like Captain D's Seafood and built out a network of over 1,800 restaurants across North America. However their empire would crash down in a spectacular way through the 2000's, leaving behind a trail of abandoned restaurants and a brand name that is largely forgotten.
In the early 1990's, a small theme park opened at the cost of $100 million just outside of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It was called Splendid China and from day and despite it's location and high ambitions, it's prominence in the entertainment market fell sharply and by the early 2000's, was abandoned. Join me today as I discover the story behind this controversial park which ultimately became a financial catastrophe and an infamous abandoned site.
Since the enormous rise of Tuberculosis in America and especially the state of Kentucky, Waverly Hills Sanatorium has stood on the top of a hill near the city of Louisville for decades. It was once a massive hospital which saw thousands of patients, a terrifyingly high portion of which dying within its walls. It was abandoned for the better part of 20 years and miraculously still stands today as the paranormal epicentre. Join me today to find out why!
Since the 1970's, the Jamestown Mall in St. Louis, Missouri has been a local shopping staple. For decades it was a popular, regional shopping mall which housed major retailers like JCPenney, Macy's and Sears. However by the turn of the millennium, its decline was palpable and it ultimately closed in 2014. By that point, various factors were playing against the mall and for the next 10 years, it would sit abandoned and rotting away as an infamous, million square foot hazard. Join me today as I find out what led to the mall's closure and why it took so long for new development.
In 1990, in conjunction with the opening of Universal Studios Orlando, Nickelodeon Studios had officially opened to the public. But it's purpose as the new headquarters for the Nickelodeon network, where all future shows like Double Dare, Kenan & Kel, Slime Time live and so many more would be filmed, was quickly becoming unprofitable. Despite it being a popular attraction within the theme park, the studios closed and were left completely abandoned. Join me today as I take a look at what happened to this deeply beloved studio/attraction, and what ultimately happened to it's iconic facade.
Rising 60 stories along the East River of Manhattan, 1 Seaport at 161 Maiden Lane, was a luxury condo tower poised to become another iconic real estate venture in the city. However, after major construction mistakes were made, the tower and its owners entered a deep hole of financial turmoil, litigation and failed promises. All of this has left a once $400 million condo tower, completely abandoned in one of the densest cities on earth, now tilting precariously to one side. This is New York's leaning, abandoned condo tower.
When the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: Submarine Voyage became an instant hit. It was a theme park attraction like no other in Florida and a classic ride within Walt Disney World for decades to come. However by 1994, the iconic attraction was abruptly closed and would sit abandoned for the next decade, sitting in the middle of the most visited theme park on earth. Join me today as I find out why and take a look at the history of this beloved attraction.
Since the late 1930's, a home grown stadium in Akron Ohio has played host for thousands of events. From football games of all kinds to major concerts from music legends, the 40,000 seat Rubber Bowl was something of legend. For over 70 years it sat as an iconic local event venue, one however that would ultimately close and sit abandoned. Join me today as I find out why this iconic sports facility ultimately sat abandoned and what ended up happening to it.
For over 20 years, Disneyland's Tomorrowland has had a prevalent, massive reminder of the past high above guests. It's the tracks of the former Disneyland Peoplemover, an attraction born from Walt Disney's love for transportation concepts and one which ultimately closed in the mid 90's. Replacing it was a short lived, thrill ride known as the Rocket Rods and it's failure left this once beloved attraction completely abandoned. Join me today as I take another look at this iconic, abandoned attraction.
The 2008 recession halted construction projects around North America, some of which would never get going again. The Bloomfield Park, master planned community was one such project. It began as a dream to bring New Urbanism to Michigan and build a spectacular, multi billion community. But following a legal and financial mess, the project was put on hold and would ultimately fall into disrepair. Join me today as we look into this fascinating, failed construction project and what happened to it!
Brennen from Uncharted Travel and I take a detailed look at my past video on the spectacular, abandoned ski resort. We had a crazy time filming this place and I figured this would be the perfect platform for us to share those experiences and what it was like to experience this magnificent place.
In this very special video, we got the extremely unique opportunity to visit the former McBarge (floating McDonalds for Expo 86) and see what it looks like today. Not only did we explore the gutted interiors, but got a first hand tour from Friendship 500's very own owner, Howard Meakin! Join us as we find out what has happened to this once famous, floating restaurant and what the near future holds for the abandoned, McBarge.
