Lake Buena Vista on Disney’s Discovery Island may not too look too dangerous or creepy, in fact, it seems picturesque. However, rumor has it that the lake is the reason why this attraction was closed. Unfortunately, the water in the lake carries a bacterium that is so dangerous to humans that it could cause death.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, so this lake will remain out of bounds, and Discovery Island will ironically be abandoned.
Chateau Miranda – Celles, Belgium
Although the castle is located in Belgium, it was actually built by French aristocrats who had left France during the revolution. In the years after and as the Second World War approached, it was turned into an orphanage and functioned as one until 1980 when the building was abandoned.
Strangely the family refused any help to restore the building from the government, and as a result, it is now in a state of disrepair. It is also said to be haunted, so lots of people visit in search of ghosts and thrills.
Aniva Rock Lighthouse – Sakhalinskaya Oblast, Russia
At first glance, this abandoned lighthouse looks idyllic, situated in the seas between the East coast of Russia and Japan. In reality, the building used to serve as a prison for some of Russia’s most dangerous criminals.
The prison has since been closed down, but the island remains under Russian control with the lighthouse now derelict and the island uninhabited.
Gulliver’s Travels Park – Kawaguchi, Japan
This park is dedicated to the story of Gulliver's travels, as we can see from the giant Gulliver lying down in the middle of the park.
The Japanese government tried to keep the property open but unfortunately not even that could save it. Now, despite its bright facades, the park lies empty and derelict. A sad end for Gulliver.
Ryugyong Hotel – Pyongyang, North Korea
The enormous Ryugyong Hotel was a project under the North Korean dictatorship, and with 105 floors it would be one of the tallest hotels in the world. However, the country was plagued by famine, and work on the hotel ground to a halt.
Then in 2008 they decided to make the building weatherproof and fitted it with an outer layer of glass costing a huge $150 million. Much of the hotel remains unfinished to this day, despite having a polished look from the outside.