Top 10 Haunted Amusement Parks
#10: Universal Studios Hollywood
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Universal City, CA If you’ve ever visited Universal Studios Hollywood, the odds are probably pretty good that you had a great time, without thinking too much about the laughing spirits of ghostly pilots. If you’re into the paranormal, however, then maybe you’re familiar with the story of Frank Stites, who reportedly haunted the back lot long after his death. It’s said that Stites’ ghost could be seen wearing vintage aviation gear, due to the fact that the real-life stunt pilot tragically passed away while performing at the opening of the then-titled Universal City back on March 17th, 1915. Today, an effigy mannequin dressed in tribute to Stites can be found on the backlot, standing as tribute to the fallen pilot, and his ghostly remains.
#9: Six Flags Over Texas
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Arlington, TX It’s said that the ghost of a little girl haunts the Yellow House, located near the entrance to the Six Flags roller coaster, the Texas Giant. Her name is Annie, and if you’re an Arlington local (or a paranormal enthusiast), then you’re probably aware of her legend. Customers and employees have reported sightings of Annie in and around the area, roaming about Six Flags Over Texas. Her body was originally found in a creek bed back in 1920, a creek that was located on the ground that now holds the park. A local paranormal group even conducted an investigation that turned up a recording that supposedly said, “Let me play with your hair.”
#8: Kings Island Amusement Park
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Mason, OH There are a number of ghosts that are said to haunt the premises of this amusement park that’s located in Mason, Ohio. The most famous of these Kings Island ghosts is probably Tower Johnny, who’s said to have haunted the Eiffel Tower replica, after falling from an elevator shaft during a grad night party back in 1983. Electrical issues at the park are often attributed to his mischief, which ties into one of the real-life tragedies of Kings Island, known locally as “Black Sunday.” Here, three people were accidentally electrocuted in a fountain, while a fourth fell to her death while attempting to view the accident while on an aerial ride.
#7: Cedar Point
Sandusky, OH We’re staying in Ohio for the moment, and narrowing our criteria to focus upon one specific ride over at Cedar Point Amusement Park. It’s the park’s famous carousel. Tales have been told for years about a ghostly woman that could reportedly be seen riding one specific horse at night. It was even said that the ride would operate on its own late at night, during one of her hauntings. The woman in question was actually described as being the ghost of Mrs. Muller, the wife of the man who carved the horse for the carousel back in 1917. Today, the original horse is no longer on the carousel but is on display in a museum in the park.
#6: Disneyland (Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island)
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Anaheim, CA No one should ever lose their lives at the Happiest Place on Earth. The Delaurot brothers admittedly broke the rules when they were able to stow away on Tom Sawyer Island by avoiding Disneyland employees. When they decided to leave the Island, however, they decided to swim across the Rivers of America. The older brother, Bogdan, tried to swim with his younger sibling on his back, as Bogdan’s brother didn’t know how to swim. Tragically, the elder sibling ended up drowning, while the younger Delaurot managed to signal for help while dog paddling. It’s said that Bogdan’s ghost still haunts the island to this day.
#5: Busch Gardens
Tampa Bay, FL An amusement park restaurant might not be the first place one might think to look for a ghostly apparition, but employees at a Tampa Bay Busch Gardens eatery swear that there’s something strange in their neighborhood. The sightings take place specifically at the Serengeti Overlook Pub, formerly known as the Crown Colony House, and workers there have described cold spots, children’s laughter and mechanical malfunctions after hours. Some have named the ghost “Wendy,” while a mysterious woman in white has also reportedly been seen wandering the dining room after all the guests have left for the day.
#4: Sylvan Beach Amusement Park
Sylvan Beach, NY The next amusement park on our list has actually leaned into their spooky reputation for the paranormal, even offering after-hours ghost tours for the skeptical, optimistic, or morbidly curious. Sylvan Beach Amusement Park is allegedly the home of several benevolent ghosts of individuals that are said to have loved the park during life, so much so that they continue to show up to members of the staff, after their deaths. The hit television show “Ghost Hunters” has even visited Sylvan Beach during one of their episodes, lending further credence to the legends that still swirl around the park to this day.
#3: Enchanted Forest
Turner, OR Speaking of ghost hunting programs, “Ghost Adventures” was another show whose cast decided to see for themselves the veracity of claims concerning a haunted park. In this case, it was this iconic Oregon amusement park, Enchanted Forest. The park is absolutely charming with tons of heart, soul and character. But it’s also reportedly a home to ghosts that roam the rides and attractions late at night. This is allegedly due to the land upon which Enchanted Forest stands, land that is said to have been a bloody battleground, haunted by the souls of slain soldiers. Is it true? Stay the night and find out.
#2: Lake Shawnee Amusement Park
Princeton, WV Although Lake Shawnee Amusement Park has been out of operation for decades, there are a number of reasons why the area is said to have been haunted long before it was forced to shutter its doors. One of them is allegedly due to the land that houses the park is an ancient Native American burial ground. If that sounds like a cliché plot of a horror, that’s because it is, but Lake Shawnee was also the site of a couple of tragic deaths on park grounds. Additionally, attempts to reopen the park were officially kiboshed when excavation uncovered skeletal remains of those aforementioned Native Americans, pushing Lake Shawnee officially into the, “holy crap, this place IS haunted” category.
#1: Six Flags Great Adventure
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Jackson Township, NJ We wish we could end this list on a lighter note, but sometimes, reports of paranormal activity possess roots based in some real-life tragedy. A fire raged through the popular Haunted Castle attraction featured within Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey. The incident took place on May 11th, 1984, spreading quickly, due to the highly combustible materials that made up the Castle’s construction. Eight victims died after being trapped within the ride, and spirits of young people wearing clothes indicative of that era are said to have been seen by both guests and park employees alike. We hope that their spirits, if indeed present at Six Flags, somehow find rest.
