From record-breaking roller coasters to ambitious themed experiences, some attractions couldn't live up to their massive price tags. Join us as we explore theme park ventures that started with high hopes but ended in disappointment, featuring costly mishaps, technical failures, and unfortunate accidents.
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00:00Launching to 128 miles per hour in three and a half seconds.
00:05That's awesome!
00:07456 feet straight up, then back down and around.
00:11Welcome to Ms. Mojo.
00:13And today, we're looking at the most infamous times expensive theme park attractions fell into decline.
00:19We won't be examining complete parks, only individual amusements like roller coasters, rides, attractions, hotels, and shows.
00:27We object to the place they've picked.
00:32Number 10. Son of Beast. King's Island.
00:36Looking for a successor to their 1979 smash hit ride, The Beast,
00:41King's Island in Mason, Ohio commissioned the creation of its offspring, Son of Beast.
00:47However, the wooden roller coaster got a rough start when its opening was delayed in 2000,
00:52followed by $110,000 worth of fines by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for violations.
01:00I mean, you hate to think it might have happened, but did King's Island hide the truth about the roller coaster's safety?
01:05Well, an engineer who inspected the ride says yes.
01:09Then, when it was opened, there were several design flaws,
01:13leading to King's Island issuing a lawsuit against The Beast's creators.
01:17After a string of suspected connected injuries to riders, including major ones in 2006 and 2009,
01:25with the former involving multiple lawsuits, management had enough.
01:30Yannick is the last person involved in many lawsuits connected to that incident.
01:34A faulty support on the roller coaster was blamed for the jolting ride.
01:37In 2009, The Son of Beast was closed.
01:41Throughout its lifetime, nearly $30 million was spent on it.
01:45With all the initial capital that went into Son of Beast and the many years' worth of repairs,
01:49it's probably a $30 million investment.
01:52It would be a huge undertaking to take it out, let alone replace it with something comparable.
01:57Number 9. Submarine Quest – SeaWorld San Diego
02:01Due to the 2013 documentary Blackfish and the Fallout, SeaWorld needed to repair its image.
02:07So, in 2017, it launched the Ocean Explorer at its SeaWorld San Diego park,
02:14costing the company millions in construction.
02:16And then you take your plunge into Ocean Explorer.
02:19It's about inspiring our guests to not only explore the ocean, but act to protect it.
02:23This area was designed for children and was composed of several attractions.
02:28And on board, they'll conduct scientific experiments through digital play,
02:32and they'll get a chance to really learn about the oceans and see what type of explorer they're going to be when they grow up.
02:36This included the Submarine Quest, a ride that mimicked a deep-sea explorer with digital effects.
02:42However, the reception towards it wasn't great.
02:45The ride was closed every so often, with SeaWorld claiming it was having maintenance,
02:50despite park-goers seeing no work happening.
02:53In 2019, Submarine Quest was officially closed.
02:57This Sub, it's full of technology.
03:00We had to build a custom vehicle to house all these cool lighting effects, sound effects,
03:05and, most importantly, our brand new digital interface.
03:08The negative reaction to the Ocean Explorer caused multiple company higher-ups to resign
03:13due to not making back the investment.
03:16Number 8.
03:17The Smiler.
03:18Alton Towers.
03:20Armed with a terrifying commercial that haunts anyone who sees it,
03:23the UK's Alton Towers opened the doors to the Smiler in 2013.
03:28Join us.
03:40Costing 18 million pounds, around $27.4 million at the time,
03:46the opening had to be delayed due to construction issues
03:49and riders being stranded during a preview event.
03:53Not a great start.
03:54Yet, it got worse.
03:56In 2015, an empty test train stalled on the tracks.
04:00Sadly, an occupied one then crashed into it,
04:04causing serious injuries to riders, including losing limbs.
04:08I don't want it.
04:09I've never wanted it to reopen.
04:11That's just the obvious reaction.
04:13I just didn't think it'd be so soon.
04:15Like, it's only nine months.
04:16It's not a very long time.
04:17And if it was a worse day, we could have, like, we could have died.
04:22Within months, Alton Towers' owners, Merlin Entertainments,
04:26made 190 workers redundant after the accident,
04:30caused a fall in revenue.
04:32In 2016, after pleading guilty,
04:35the company was fined £5 million, around $6.5 million.
04:40What's your biggest disappointment?
04:44Alton Towers.
04:46Oh.
04:46I've never been.
04:48It's rubbish. Next.
04:49Number 7.
04:50Expedition Everest.
04:52Walt Disney World.
04:53In 2006, Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida,
04:57cut the ribbon on their brand new roller coaster, Expedition Everest.
05:01A one-of-a-kind theme ride brings them face-to-face with a boogeyman,
05:05the abominable snowman.
05:07Reportedly costing the House of Mouse over $100 million,
05:10the ride was the most expensive in the world at one point.
05:13One of its standout features was the animatronic Yeti figure.
05:17However, only a few months into its opening,
05:20the Yeti's structure split.
05:22Those attempting to reach the summit must face him.
05:37As such, it couldn't be operated in its primary mode.
05:41So it went to its secondary, which involved a lot of light effects and no movement,
05:46giving it the nickname Disco Yeti.
05:48But still, riders hated it.
05:51The lead Imagineer, Joe Rohde, promised in 2013 that it would be fixed.
05:55However, he retired in 2021 with the Yeti still broken.
06:04This Yeti is the single biggest dynamic figure that has ever been built.
06:11Number 6.
06:12Fujin Raijin 2.
06:14Expo Land.
06:15In 1970, Expo Land opened its doors in Suita, Japan.
06:19Between 1972 and 2007, the park reportedly brought in 83 million visitors.
06:27In 1992, Expo Land opened its newest attraction,
06:31the standing roller coaster, Fujin Raijin 2.
06:35Costing a reported 1.8 billion yen, around $13.4 million at the time,
06:41the ride continued along nicely.
06:44However, maintenance standards slipping and management ignoring a broken axle led to disaster.
06:49In 2007, the ride derailed.
06:5319 people were injured, with one other person sadly losing their life.
06:58While the park later reopened,
07:00Expo Land struggled to find sponsorship due to its broken reputation
07:04and multiple employees being criminally charged.
07:08In 2009, Expo Land was liquidated.
07:11Number 5.
07:12Rocket Rods.
07:14Disneyland.
07:15In 1998, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California,
07:18opened its new attraction in Tomorrowland, Rocket Rods.
07:22Blast off on Rocket Rods.
07:24A unique experience in speed.
07:27Wow.
07:28Exactly.
07:28The new Tomorrowland is now at Disneyland.
07:30And it's something you'll never forget.
07:32What?
07:33Again.
07:33The futuristic Drag Race-esque ride excited fans,
07:38but those emotions were quickly doused in disappointment.
07:40It was the day thousands of guests have been waiting for.
07:44The grand public opening of the new Tomorrowland at Disneyland.
07:47Even for one of the ride's first trips,
07:50race legend Mario Andretti struggled with the seatbelt, leading to delays.
07:55Mario Andretti took the pole position on the new Rocket Rod attraction.
07:59Man, this is pure excitement.
08:01I want to do it again.
08:02It only got worse from there,
08:03as Rocket Rods was closed multiple times for repairs.
08:07In 2000, Disney announced the ride would close for a major refurbishment,
08:11which they stated would last nearly a year.
08:15Instead, in 2001, it was officially closed.
08:18Reportedly, the construction cost over $20 million.
08:22In 2018, one of the original Rocket Rod vehicles was sold at auction for $22,500.
08:29We expect to fail.
08:30We intend to fail.
08:31We plan to fail.
08:32We plan to fail many, many, many times because we're experimenting.
08:36We're trying things that we don't know if it'll work or not.
08:38And if we're above 50% hit rate on our smaller projects, we're not trying hard enough.
08:45Number four, Discovery Island, Walt Disney World.
08:49In Bay Lake, Florida sits the disused Walt Disney World attraction Discovery Island.
08:54The island was once owned by radio host Delmar Nicholson,
08:58who bought it for $800 in 1937, around $17,700 in 2025.
09:05First opened in 1974 under the name Treasure Island,
09:10the site was used as a zoological attraction,
09:12allowing guests to see a range of animals.
09:15Visitors may spend as much time as they like exploring the island and its fictional landmarks,
09:20but it is, after all, the colorful inhabitants themselves who furnish the main attraction.
09:25However, it hasn't always been great for the creatures.
09:27In 1990, Disney paid $95,000, around $232,000 today, to settle 16 cases of animal cruelty.
09:38These characters and several other bird, mammal, and reptile species thrive and prosper on Discovery Island.
09:46And they're happy to share their island home with other Walt Disney World guests.
09:50Reportedly, due to the opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom, high maintenance costs, and lack of guest interest,
09:57the animals were moved to the kingdom in 1999, as Discovery Island was closed.
10:02The lights remain on around the perimeter, but deeper into the overgrown paths on the island.
10:08Surprise how dark it is in here!
10:10The group discovers abandoned buildings and cages.
10:14Number 3. Kingda Ka. Six Flags Great Adventure.
10:17When Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, announced their plans to build the tallest and fastest roller coaster on Earth,
10:25expectations were understandably high when Kingda Ka was opened in 2005.
10:31Exclusive rides on Kingda Ka, the tallest, fastest coaster on the planet.
10:35After plowing $25 million into its creation, Six Flags succeeded for a bit.
10:41It's skydiving, it's drag racing, it's rocket launching, it's everything that you've ever thought of as an extreme activity.
10:50After early structural issues hindered the launch and other roller coasters took its fastest spot,
10:56in 2014, Zumanjaro, Drop of Doom, was attached to the ride to try and at least make it memorable.
11:03However, Kingda Ka continued dropping down the Golden Ticket Awards leaderboards for top-steel roller coasters,
11:10eventually being unplaced.
11:12In 2024, the ride was officially closed.
11:15In 2025, Kingda Ka and the attached Zumanjaro Drop of Doom were demolished.
11:22Number 2. X2. Six Flags Magic Mountain.
11:26In 2002, Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California,
11:31officially opened the doors for their newest attraction, the X.
11:35Labeled as the world's first fourth-dimension roller coaster,
11:38the ride was meant to open a year prior, but maintenance issues hindered that.
11:43The problem seemingly came about from Six Flags changing the plans for manufacturer Aerodynamics.
11:49X.
11:52X has landed.
11:54The increase in costs, which reportedly came to $45 million,
11:59forced the manufacturers into bankruptcy.
12:03Due to the issues, in 2007, X was refurbished and rebranded into X2,
12:09costing Six Flags a further $10 million.
12:13Come, my friends, behold the thunder of X2.
12:19Closing your eyes won't make it go away.
12:23A host of effects were added, including flamethrowers.
12:26While it gave the ride a much-needed boost,
12:29over the years, it's fallen down the ranks for the Golden Ticket Awards'
12:32top-steel roller coasters list.
12:34A ride on a popular roller coaster ended in horror for these grieving parents.
12:39Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
12:43Light Magic.
12:44Disneyland.
12:45Opening in May 1997,
12:47this over $20 million parade closed within 10 days.
12:51Those imaginative wizards at Disneyland in California are rolling out quite an eye-popping
12:56spectacular, or street-tacular, as they call it.
13:03The show is called Light Magic.
13:05Horizons.
13:06Walt Disney World.
13:07Costing millions,
13:08the dark ride about the future wasn't able to see 2,000 before it closed.
13:17Step into the future in horizons.
13:22Step into the future today.
13:26Volcano, the blast coaster.
13:28King's Dominion.
13:30After 20 years of decline,
13:32the $20 million coaster was dropped in 2018 with little fanfare.
13:36Flip around upside down,
13:38four inversions,
13:39and an 80-foot dive at the end through a waterfall.
13:42The volcano is set to open in the spring of 1998.
13:45It is not for the faint-hearted,
13:46but I'll be there to help break it in.
13:48Windseeker.
13:49Knott's Berry Farm.
13:51After stalling multiple times,
13:53the $5 million ride was sent to Worlds of Fun in 2013.
13:57We aim for the stars.
13:58Take a spin on this towering monster,
14:01and you might see some of your own.
14:04Somewhere between the stratosphere and screaming your face off,
14:07you'll realize this is no tall tale.
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14:24In 2022, fans of George Lucas's universe were delirious
14:35as Walt Disney World opened up Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser,
14:39a unique live-action role-playing and choose-your-own-adventure attraction.
14:43And every character, crew member, and fellow passenger is also in your story.
14:49How you interact and make the most out of your cruise is totally up to you.
14:53Taking place over two days at a themed hotel,
14:56it was the stuff of nerdy dreams.
14:59Then the price of tickets was noticed,
15:01as well as the lackluster design and technical glitches.
15:04You probably haven't heard of it,
15:06because nobody ever talks about it,
15:07because it isn't any fun.
15:08Okay, wait, wait, something's gonna happen.
15:10It did nothing.
15:11Okay.
15:13That was your reward.
15:15For two people,
15:16the ticket cost came to $4,800.
15:20Disney was likely desperate to recoup the cash they spent on the facility,
15:24with estimates varying from $250 million to as high as $1 billion.
15:29With only 100 rooms,
15:32Disney needed to make a lot of money fast.
15:35All around, change is coming,
15:37something new is in the end.
15:44However, it didn't catch on.
15:46Allegedly, when the decision to close the Star Cruiser was made,
15:49the cast were given very little warning,
15:51only finding out they would be losing their jobs in a staff meeting,
15:54a handful of minutes before the media announcement,
15:56and just before starting a long shift.
15:58A year and a half later, in 2023,
16:01the hotel took its final flight.
16:02A spokesperson for Walt Disney World tells me
16:05the Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser
16:07will turn into office space for Disney Imagineers.
16:10Have you experienced any of the attractions
16:12we've mentioned in the video in person?
16:15Let us know your experience below.
16:17Just trust me,
16:18there's aliens singing behind that big old pole.
16:21Here we go.
16:27Here we go.
16:29Here we go.