The World’s Seven Most Absurd Theme Parks

Dickens World, England

With his staggering works set on the backdrop of the squalor of 19th century English society, Charles Dickens was a literary genius. Unfortunately, someone took his words a little too literally and transformed his world into a theme park that recreates the filth, poverty, and even the unpleasant smells of Victorian London.

Memory Village, Haiti

Despite not being built yet, the Memory Village in Haiti deserves a spot on the absurd theme parks list. The proposed park seeks to educate visitors on slavery by allowing them to play the role of a slave. This includes donning traditional slave clothing and then simulating being kidnapped, chained and sold to plantations. The theme park will be a 12-hour experience and will end with visitors staging a rebellion for emancipation.

The Holy Land Experience, USA

Zealots can rejoice at the extremely bizarre Holy Land Experience, an entire theme park based on the life and times of Jesus Christ. The theme park features an olden-day Jerusalem with markets, a Judean Village, a temple and thousands of artifacts from the bible. Alongside plays, presentations and musicals, patrons can also join Jesus and his disciples at the Last Supper Communion, watch a dancing water presentation and rest, reflect and pray at the Living Word Prayer Garden.

Išgyvenimo Drama, Lithuania

The controversial theme park, Išgyvenimo Drama, opened in early 2008 and allows tourists to experience life as a 1984 USSR citizen. Situated inside an actual bunker, the theme park was conceived as a means to educate people about Lithuania’s history during the Soviet Union. The experience involves watching TV programs from 1984, wearing gas masks, learning the Soviet anthem under stress, eating typical Communist-era food, and even undergoing a Gulag-style interrogation and medical check. The simulation may be traumatic, but it does end with a celebratory shot of vodka.

Suoi Tien Park, Vietnam

Meant to be a peaceful retreat for Buddhists, the Suoi Tien Park in Vietnam invites patrons who have overcome past transgressions to frolic in their splash pools, enjoy the thrill rides and visit the Heaven Palace. Unfortunately, heaven also involves passing through hell. In Suoi Tien park, this translates to a jaunt through a bat cave and mid-air cycling over a crocodile farm filled with 1500 crocodiles.

Love Land, South Korea

Love Land in South Korea is not a theme park in the traditional sense. Focused entirely on sex, it is not a family-friendly. Built in 2004, the park has sex education films on loop, 140 sculptures of sexual positions, hands-on exhibitions such as the “masturbation-cycle” and large statues of genitals. Unsurprisingly, it is quite the popular destination for honeymooners.

Grutas Park, Lithuania

Commonly referred to as “Stalin’s World”, Lithuania’s Grutas Park is a disturbing place. Founded by Vilumas Malinauskas, the park houses statues of famous Communists – including Stalin, Lenin, Marx – and is surrounded by barbed wire and watch towers in attempt to recreate the Soviet-era in Lithuania. Despite the dreariness, the park also has a zoo and playground in an attempt to lure families.