Theme-parks have entertained man kind for quite a while now, offering children and grown-ups alike endless hours of fun. However, somewhere along the way, theme-parks stopped being amusing and turned into just plain weird. Here are the seven most bizarre theme-parks in the world:
Love Land (South Korea)
Located on Jeju Island, Love Land is a theme-park that celebrates sex. It features 140 explicit sculptures and is described as “a place where sexually-oriented art and eroticism meet.” The exhibits include phallus statues, all kinds of interactive devices and even stone labia.
Love Land was opened in 2004, long after Jeju Island gained the nickname “honeymoon island”. Because most of the marriages were arranged, hotels would provide erotic entertainment for the newlyweds, to help break the ice. The theme-park is only open for visitors over 18, but it has a play area for kids.
Diggerland (England)
I don’t know who came up with the idea of opening a theme-park based on construction machinery, but I have to say it was a brilliant idea. There are now four Diggerland parks throughout England, featuring around 20 different types of diggers for children and adults alike.
Owned by a company specialized in renting excavators, Diggerland features machinery modified so that it can be operated by a 5-year-old, while his dad is checking out diggers for hire. A fun way for boys to bond with their fathers, Diggerland is also a killer marketing tool.
Zapa Cement Factory (Czech Republic)
The least famous of our seven establishments, the ZAPA cement factories, in the Czech Republic are not really theme-parks. But you couldn’t tell by looking at them. The truth is, by painting their facilities and vehicles like rides in a theme park, have made ZAPA factories some of the country’s most popular attractions.
Sure, you wouldn’t want your children playing in such a toxic environment, but you’ll have a tough time explaining them the dangers. The factories’ original paint jobs have also made ZAPA one of the most likable companies in the Czech Republic.
Suoi Tien (Vietnam)
If Walt Disney and Buddha would have designed a theme-park together, it would probably look like the Suoi Tien Amusement Park, in Ho Chi Min, Vietnam. What makes it so special you ask? Well, it’s the first Buddhism theme-park in the world.
It’s just as colorful as Disneyland, only instead of characters like Donald, Mickey Mouse or Goofy, Suoi Tien has the Dragon, Phoenix, Tortoise and Unicorn. It also features a Heaven Palace and a Hell Palace, located on opposite sides. They’re both filled with great rides, only in the Hell Palace you have a lot of evil-looking statues staring at you.
If Buddhism isn’t your thing, you can head over to the Crocodile Kingdom, where you can feed meat to the 1,500 crocs living there.
Bon Bon Land (Denmark)
Probably the most amusing theme parks in the world, Bon Bon Land is also one of the strangest. Featuring cartoon-like characters like Henry Hound, a gassy dog who farts all the time and feels embarrassed about it, drawings of animals defecating in the mouths of other animals, Bon Bon Land might seem perverted and inappropriate for children, but it’s just plain fun.
The theme park was inspired by the Danish candy company Bon Bon, which makes sweet treats based on toiled humor. For example, one of their most popular products is the “Dog Fart”. Bon Bon Land may be tacky but it will leave you speechless, breathless and wanting for more.
Grutas Park (Lithuania)
Also known as Stalin’s World, this bizarre Lithuanian theme park offers visitors a collection of statues from the Soviet era. It’s definitely not the most amusing place on Earth, unless you consider gulags funny. But, it could be worse, if the authorities hadn’t been against it, tourists would have been transported around Grutas Park in gulag-like trains.
The 86 statues in Grutas Park were salvaged after Lithuania regained its independence, in 1990, and organized into spheres. The Totalitarian Sphere, the Terror Sphere, the Soviet Sphere, the Red Sphere, the Occupation Sphere and the Death Sphere contain all kinds of communist art reflecting Lithuania’s gruesome past.
Holy Land Experience (USA)
Located in Orlando, Florida, the Holy Land Experience is a bible-inspired theme park. It’s the perfect place to visit if you want to be transported back to some of the most important times and places in the Old and New Testaments.
Many described the Holy Land Experience as a very educational and inspirational place, where children as well as grown-ups can learn about religion, while others consider it to be quite disturbing. And to be honest, seeing a blood covered man playing Jesus, carrying a huge cross on his back, could affect impressionable children.
Love Land (South Korea)
Located on Jeju Island, Love Land is a theme-park that celebrates sex. It features 140 explicit sculptures and is described as “a place where sexually-oriented art and eroticism meet.” The exhibits include phallus statues, all kinds of interactive devices and even stone labia.
Love Land was opened in 2004, long after Jeju Island gained the nickname “honeymoon island”. Because most of the marriages were arranged, hotels would provide erotic entertainment for the newlyweds, to help break the ice. The theme-park is only open for visitors over 18, but it has a play area for kids.
Diggerland (England)
I don’t know who came up with the idea of opening a theme-park based on construction machinery, but I have to say it was a brilliant idea. There are now four Diggerland parks throughout England, featuring around 20 different types of diggers for children and adults alike.
Owned by a company specialized in renting excavators, Diggerland features machinery modified so that it can be operated by a 5-year-old, while his dad is checking out diggers for hire. A fun way for boys to bond with their fathers, Diggerland is also a killer marketing tool.
Zapa Cement Factory (Czech Republic)
The least famous of our seven establishments, the ZAPA cement factories, in the Czech Republic are not really theme-parks. But you couldn’t tell by looking at them. The truth is, by painting their facilities and vehicles like rides in a theme park, have made ZAPA factories some of the country’s most popular attractions.
Sure, you wouldn’t want your children playing in such a toxic environment, but you’ll have a tough time explaining them the dangers. The factories’ original paint jobs have also made ZAPA one of the most likable companies in the Czech Republic.
Suoi Tien (Vietnam)
If Walt Disney and Buddha would have designed a theme-park together, it would probably look like the Suoi Tien Amusement Park, in Ho Chi Min, Vietnam. What makes it so special you ask? Well, it’s the first Buddhism theme-park in the world.
It’s just as colorful as Disneyland, only instead of characters like Donald, Mickey Mouse or Goofy, Suoi Tien has the Dragon, Phoenix, Tortoise and Unicorn. It also features a Heaven Palace and a Hell Palace, located on opposite sides. They’re both filled with great rides, only in the Hell Palace you have a lot of evil-looking statues staring at you.
If Buddhism isn’t your thing, you can head over to the Crocodile Kingdom, where you can feed meat to the 1,500 crocs living there.
Bon Bon Land (Denmark)
Probably the most amusing theme parks in the world, Bon Bon Land is also one of the strangest. Featuring cartoon-like characters like Henry Hound, a gassy dog who farts all the time and feels embarrassed about it, drawings of animals defecating in the mouths of other animals, Bon Bon Land might seem perverted and inappropriate for children, but it’s just plain fun.
The theme park was inspired by the Danish candy company Bon Bon, which makes sweet treats based on toiled humor. For example, one of their most popular products is the “Dog Fart”. Bon Bon Land may be tacky but it will leave you speechless, breathless and wanting for more.
Grutas Park (Lithuania)
Also known as Stalin’s World, this bizarre Lithuanian theme park offers visitors a collection of statues from the Soviet era. It’s definitely not the most amusing place on Earth, unless you consider gulags funny. But, it could be worse, if the authorities hadn’t been against it, tourists would have been transported around Grutas Park in gulag-like trains.
The 86 statues in Grutas Park were salvaged after Lithuania regained its independence, in 1990, and organized into spheres. The Totalitarian Sphere, the Terror Sphere, the Soviet Sphere, the Red Sphere, the Occupation Sphere and the Death Sphere contain all kinds of communist art reflecting Lithuania’s gruesome past.
Holy Land Experience (USA)
Located in Orlando, Florida, the Holy Land Experience is a bible-inspired theme park. It’s the perfect place to visit if you want to be transported back to some of the most important times and places in the Old and New Testaments.
Many described the Holy Land Experience as a very educational and inspirational place, where children as well as grown-ups can learn about religion, while others consider it to be quite disturbing. And to be honest, seeing a blood covered man playing Jesus, carrying a huge cross on his back, could affect impressionable children.