Abandoned - Splendid China Florida

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In the early 1990's, a small theme park opened at the cost of $100 million just outside of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It was called Splendid China and from day and despite it's location and high ambitions, it's prominence in the entertainment market fell sharply and by the early 2000's, was abandoned. Join me today as I discover the story behind this controversial park which ultimately became a financial catastrophe and an infamous abandoned site.
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Bright Sun Films 2023
Presented in 4K

[@waynehowie5507]

Here is a tidbit for everyone... I purchased a stock of Koi at auction before the park closed and imported them back to Canada and used them as breeding stock for a decade. I have shipped thousands of fish all over the world that are direct descendants from the Splendid China theme park. I also ended up with a handful of miniatures that I wish I had kept but put in Geocaches with my kids in the early 2000's. Statistically speaking there are millions of Splendid China Koi offspring all over the planet right now on one spontaneous business decision whim.

[@mikemancini313]

O k

[@orionxtc1119]

The NAME of the park was wong.... if they had called it something like Wonderful East Asia or similar, it would have offset boycotts's etc

[@deezeed2817]

Americocks are allowed to occupy Syria, Korea and lord knows how many other countries and start proxy wars in Eastern Europe but then call others "aggressive". The empire of lies is a cultural blackhole that can only push identity politics and LGBT propaganda. China does not need relations with the United Snakes. Time to padlock the embassies and continue engaging behind binoculars and gunsights.

[@YellaBellaReno]

Woah! That’s pretty cool.

[@dougtrav1]

Wow cool story

[@fratercontenduntocculta8161]

My mother helped make the costumes for this park. It was once known as Orlando Theatrical Supply, and they made costumes for both live dramatic performances like Operas and Plays, but really made their money by being commissioned by Theme Parks like this. I actually got to meet some of the performers when they came for fittings. Never got to go to the park myself, so thanks Jake!

[@denisesmith2745]

I love that! Thank you

[@mikemancini313]

​@@MiggerPleaseThe CEO of Splendid China Florida probably does ;-)

[@MiggerPlease]

@@mikemancini313 it's a dog eat dog world

[@mikemancini313]

@@MiggerPlease I mean he got sent back to China. He's gotta eat somethin over there ;-))

[@theleftyboater]

That’s pretty cool tbh

[@IrishLincoln]

My wife and I walked through this park after it closed. I think in 2007. We found a brochure at our hotel and decided to go check it out, but the clerk said it closed a few years prior. We decided to go for a walk and get dinner and we walked down to the park just to peek in. There was security in a truck and I asked him if it was okay if we just walked around inside a little bit and he said sure. We took an hour or so stroll through the abandoned park. It looked like it was closed for ages, but I guess Florida consumes stuff really quick. It was neat to see it before being torn down.

[@ACoolKidsProduction]

It's funny to me how they still had brochures from a place that had closed several years before. Shows how unimportant to them those things really are.

[@davidjacobs8558]

outdoor miniature park is just a bad idea. should be indoors. the element will destroy the models in short time. Lego Land has the same problem. their models look terrible after only few years.

[@Durwood71]

"Hi, security guards, can we look around this place you're supposed to be guarding?" "Go right ahead." Best security guards ever who are terrible at their jobs.

[@theartistformallyknownas2677]

Imagine instead of breaking into an abandoned building you just ask security "hey can I walk around here for a bit" and they just went "sure"

[@bigmac7299]

After watching the Eddy Burback/Tednivision Margaritaville video, seeing that this park became the villas they stayed at was a crazy crossover for me...

[@theonionlord251]

Same! My jaw hung open when he dropped that info

[@IVR02]

Me too. It was definitely an unexpected twist of fate.

[@blaked8438]

100%, I watched it last night, had never thought of that hotel, and now here it is again!

[@eko9554]

I already knew splendid china in 2018. Never knew it became a Margaritaville nor I knew that restaurant

[@chioj36]

Same! Lol

[@TheNumber1Goober]

To provide an update, the exterior of the old Formosa shopping plaza has been heavily renovated in the past 2-3 months. Whatever imagery of splendid China was left is now gone.

[@Derpherppington]

Good we don’t need anymore chyna

[@Ntsej_Muag]

​@@DerpherppingtonToo bad you still have your local Chinese restaurants. Can't get rid of those, can you? 😂😂😂

[@CarrotConsumer]

He says typing on his Chinese phone or computer. Lmao

[@vaderladyl]

What is your problem?@@Derpherppington

[@minivanwhy874]

Theres a little bit of the southeast wall left on formosa garden rd.

[@lisaw1215]

I used to visit Splendid China whenever I flew down to Florida to visit my father. He worked for Disney, but I always liked going here for a quiet and peaceful day. It was such a nice place to just wander around, look at the miniature displays, and get a really good meal. I was sad when it closed.

[@benjaminrobinson3842]

"I always liked going here for a quiet and peaceful day." Cool -- unless you're the owner of a theme park. Then it's kind of alarming.

[@braddishv3146]

@@benjaminrobinson3842 Or the owner of the park are CCP thugs who has murdered millions of their own people... Oh, but the food was good. Vile...

[@Just_A_Guy_Here.]

I'm your 300th liker here & bye.

[@GalvanizedArt]

I went to Orlando with a friend and their family a few years ago. We were staying in a rented house, and nearby there was a fancy Asian style wall surrounding what looked like an empty field, and the nearby strip mall had Chinese architecture as well. We were fascinated. Didn't learn about the splendid China park until a few years later, but that has to be what it was

[@frankrizzo4460]

Yeah I remember driving past that area where the wall still was standing and those huge empty fields inside where the park was. I think some sculptures were there as well, I never actually went to the park when it was open.

[@Mhhnpodcast]

That was my favorite smoke spot when I worked at the TGI Fridays right there and had no idea 💀💀

[@kwdoug]

Two wongs dont make a white

[@normanlee4322]

@@kwdoug not in Florida

[@jordanschellhase2952]

Sounds like little China area of 192

[@KpopApocalypse]

Just an FYI, the hotel that was owned by CTS was a Days Inn, not Comfort Suites. I worked for the company at Splendid China from the day it opened till it closed, by that time I was working at the hotel. Despite the low attendance and some of the negative attention, I have many years of wonderful memories there. It was my first job at 18 right out of high school and I was with the company for 12 years by the time the hotel closed.

[@anita.b]

Talk about job security WOW

[@joonbi3]

Did the Chinese performers have any freedom? I think I read somewhere they were not allowed to leave the property.

[@joonbi3]

In other news, your user name rocks!

[@jakelesnake]

Do you know of any existing miniatures from the park? I know a lot went to a place in apopka but they shut down and I don't have any knowledge of what haopen d to the miniatures that were there for sale

[@joonbi3]

@@jakelesnake the larger pieces were auctioned off. Many items were broken or covered with graffiti.

[@Angry_Squirrel555]

RIP Jimmy, he built a great brand that will last for years to come. I had no idea though that this was there before the Margaritaville resort.

[@nevertrustbob1291]

It's hilariously ironic his brand replaced this ccp project lmao

[@jcl7549]

Margaritaville raking over CCP's propaganda plaything is pretty beautiful in my book.

[@BrownEyePinch]

Great brand?😂 CCP is a terrible government

[@MissMTurner]

For those not familiar with Florida, Pinellas County is where Clearwater and St. Pete are located on the West coast of Florida. The county is the little dangly peninsula of Tampa Bay. As someone who grew up in the Tampa Bay Area, with Disney and Orlando being about 90 miles straight out I4 from us, it was common for schools to have field trips out there. I did a French class field trip to Epcot for example.

[@TokeyTheBear]

Same here! I live in Tarpon.

[@atix50]

Hello from Ireland! My family have been huge fans of Tampa since the 90s! Great summers in the laid back sponge docks. Incredibly friendly people. ❤ Even now, as an old fart (40s), we never miss a trip to Tampa if we visit Florida. X

[@peachesmontclaire]

@@TokeyTheBearNPR checking in 🤙🏻

[@TokeyTheBear]

@@peachesmontclaire Hell yeah! Right up the street from me!

[@giantturd5157]

I live in Lake County, not even an hour from Disney. Why the hell did we not get Disney trips??

[@timsharpe7429]

Back in highschool me and my buddied would go urban exploring here always. We had a few years of fun times exploring the abandonded buildings and cool architecture and were always respectful. We just loved exploring.

[@grinningtiki220]

Any pictures?

[@FunkyStudios]

I wasn't expecting this to end with Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville lmao.

[@seatspud]

Nibblin' on rice cakes, watchin' a vid by Jake, Chinese dissidents being boiled in oil...(whoops, too dark)

[@spindleclown]

Fun fact: The monkey king animatronic from the Sallycorp band survived (albeit missing his legs), and he has been restored to working order. There's videos of him! Unfortunately, the other animatronics are presumably destroyed, with an article from 2006 mentioning them missing eyes and having wires sticking out.

[@Durwood71]

"...with an article from 2006 mentioning them missing eyes and having wires sticking out." Animatronics are creepy enough, but that sounds horrifying.

[@emilyhannan7302]

I went and it was going downhill but still very cool to see. The terracotta soldiers were underground and the only way to get out of the Florida heat. They also gave you lunch as part of the admission to the park.

[@stephencoutu2674]

I took my parents there in the 90s when it opened and it was beautiful, with gardens and benches. We went in January when the weather was perfect, I still have the book that was sold back then, good memories with my family.

[@danieldietrich9969]

Just a quick correction: that Formosa Garden shopping plaza no longer looks the way you show in the video. It is currently being renovated to look like any other bland shopping plaza.

[@Jessesgirl2013]

That’s a shame. I definitely prefer the uniqueness of the themed buildings.

[@HypatiaMuse]

I'm a native of FL and used to visit this park as a kid with my grandparents. Just the other day ago I was wondering what ever happened to that place- this was informative!

[@welshie2007]

I'm a native and never heard of this before!

[@gabrielarambula4465]

Oh yeah! Another banger from Jake! Also, RIP Jimmy Buffett

[@NoelKunz]

I just got home from work at Margaritaville Resort. I had no idea I was standing in the grounds of a place I had only heard of. Fantastic video! I really loved learning about Splendid China in Florida!

[@NoelKunz]

And to think I stopped at that Ace Hardware today too…

[@gambit2321]

I actually live across the street from the shopping center and in the past six months it has been completely remodeled. There’s actually not a single trace of anything Chinese anymore. Instead it looks like a modern minimalist shopping center now. 😂

[@Sashazur]

That’s kind of sad. I love quirky old touristy architecture.

[@Alaryicjude]

I went here with my 8th grade art class in 1999 and it was a very memorable experience. I know I still have the drawings I made from there as we had art assignments for this field trip. This was wild to watch, knowing I've been there before. Touched my first alpaca fur and became instantly hooked on how soft it is. Thank you so much for making this documentary!! It really brought me back to a fun field trip!

[@Kraust]

The relationship between Margaritaville and Eddy Burback is permanently engraved into my mind.

[@iowndvc]

I remember Splendid China. It was nice, interesting...more like a museum than a theme park. There were no rides, but a couple of shows, like acrobats and dance. The kind of place you enjoyed for a day, but it really wasn't repeatable like Disney and Universal.

[@NatureXwars]

I can tell the Chens did no reasearch into the American market despite their best intentions. Arts & education rly doesn't compliment what made Florida attractive with its theme parks. And the saddest part Imo is nearly all the beautifully crafted miniatures gone to waste...

[@Revkor]

and workign with the CCP jsut doomed it because they would declare Tibet, Taiwan china

[@Wired4Life2]

Glad the Chens sold their stake so early, though. Any word on how the couple and/or their offspring are faring these days? Still in real estate?

[@coherentpanda7115]

I imagine the blank check from CCP investors made it a lot easier to make their idea happen, especially at a time when China was desperate to whitewash some of the recent atrocities. They seemed like someone who had a really neat idea, but the only reason it got off the ground was because of outside investors looking to build some soft power. for a certain country

[@maxalberts2003]

I suppose all that Flo'da has now to make it "great" are MAGA doublewides, illegal aliens and massive illiteracy. Wait. When was it ever any different?

[@SynxItax]

This sparked a memory for me of the Forbidden Gardens in Katy, TX -- an interesting miniature replica of a Chinese palace (the Forbidden City) with hundreds of authentically designed terra cotta soldiers. I went there two years before it closed in 2011. It was basically a museum with somewhat of a theme park element to it, although it wasn't well-known at all. I think it'd be a good topic for a video.

[@dawakat08]

I grew up by the coast (La Porte) and I remember the name but nothing about it lol

[@trenton8089]

Unlocked the same exact memories

[@1950SFA]

Same here! Went once with my Dad, was quite a place...seemed like it was out in the middle of nowhere...not so much anymore.

[@Caderic]

I forgot about that place. It would come up every once in a while in Texas history/travel things. Never made it there.

[@racooninvasion]

I went there right around when Ike hit Houston, that was kind of a cool place.

[@SakiMcGee]

I'm so sad that they refurbished the shopping plaza down the road. The Winn-Dixie there was *amazing*, had animatronics and a little pond and everything, all with that kitschy China theme. It was such a gem.

[@isthatatesla7191]

That sounds really cool 🆒. I have fond memories of a shopping center in Ocala. It's been office spaces for decades. Still fairly attractive, generally speaking.

[@Shag471]

I remember walking in there and thinking how odd it was for everything to be themed to China, not knowing about its location and the park next to it.

[@joe97nsx]

I used to go there for groceries a lot when I was vacationing there and staying in nearby vacation homes.

[@nathanbennett9999]

I lived in China for seven years. The sun-bleached signage, Oriental Trading Company quality costumes, the 20 year old used car atmosphere, and all that from a Chinese entertainment venue might appeal to me because it reminds me of China as I experienced it. For someone who has never been to China, I can't see it making a splash without the same deep pool of nostalgia.

[@dawgwiddaglasses]

Oh thank fuck, I desperately needed something to watch.

[@stivesyy]

Some days really be like that no matter how many times you refresh the home page lol.

[@RobVespa]

Despite the issues, this sounds like an amazing place. Wish I could've visited it.

[@AmusementLabs]

Fun story, so my mom just told me, while watching a show filmed at Margaritaville, that she and my dad went last minute to Splendid China because they were on the plane to Orlando and realized they forgot their WDW Forever tickets at home. Small world. Which they did not ride... ;P

[@newsman9539]

I really enjoyed this episode of Abandoned and I never even heard of Splendid China Florida. Great job and I can't wait for another episode of Bankrupt or Abandoned.

[@heribertoruizjr.5296]

The party dosent want you to know

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thank you so much!

[@heribertoruizjr.5296]

@@BrightSunFilms im referring to the ccp

[@newsman9539]

@@BrightSunFilms no problem. Just wondering. What is the next episode of Bankrupt going to be about?

[@swaptrickgaming]

Floridian here. I went to this park 3 or 4 times in my life. I was in 5th grade in 1995 and we went here for a field trip and another time with my parents around 1997. I have memories of a bustling, full park. All restaurants were open even the smaller ones at the back of the park, all outdoor theaters and the park, animatronics etc. The nights ended with a live performance in the main square along with fireworks. A standout memory was a dancer that had a traditional Chinese mask, and large hand fans. As he danced, he would cover his face with a fan for a slit second and his mask would change shape and color. It was great. I remember seeing the protestors outside but didn't understand what they were, thought it was just a celebration of some kind, banners and flags etc. I remember truly believing China was a beautiful country with a stable, rich history. Of course they do, but we believed the slick clean portrayal of that history depicted at the park. Today, while I understand the controversy, I still appreciate the memory of the art and skill on display. I went back with some friends in July 2003 for my 18th birthday. I remember a stark difference, a shell of what it was. Everything was closed, park seemed about 30% operational. Playplace was closed and boarded up. All but 1 restaurant was closed. We were excited because they still had a soda dispenser with Surge, but whatever drink they had on that tap was definitely not Surge lol. The outdoor stage theater was abandoned. We snuck backstage and found old dressing rooms and costumes. Only 1 shop up front was open. I still have some pictures of us putting our faces thru a head hole picture board which had a painted warrior on horseback with the phrase "I am Mu Lan." It was very sad to see, for a place we had such nostalgia for. While I am sad to see it disappear, I am glad the land is being put to use instead of just sitting there deteriorating and being vandalized. Thanks for the video.

[@Phlegethon]

this actually looks like a really cool park showing some cultural themes shame it went under

[@coherentpanda7115]

The concept is fine, but they scaled too large to make it profitable. They relied too heavily on bringing tourists in because locals would go once and never again. Perhaps if it had some rides or unique experiences it may have done better to attract more families.

[@Knochenbrigade]

The CCP is good at destroying things. People just didn't wanted to get indoctrinated with false history, which is understandable.

[@BrownEyePinch]

Shame? China is a nightmare, do your homework

[@samuraispike4615]

Cultural experience is great and all but all the false history and CCP propaganda is whats shameful.

[@theuglykwan]

They should have just kept the land and developed it later for housing. What a shame.

[@Ciborium]

Thank you for reminding me of this forgotten mystery. When I used to go to WDW on US-192, we'd drive by. I remember that next door to the park entrance was a shopping center with a Goodings. We would stop at Goodings for the restroom and to get provisions before continuing to one of the All Star resorts. Not only was the exterior designed to be complimentary to the park, but the interior as well. On the back wall they had an animatronic show that played every so often. I thought the Goodings was pretty good quality, like we think of Publix today. Over time, however, when the park closed, the Goodings went to seed as well. The Bakery closed as did the products. The produce section was replaced with candy, and a few overripe fruits. It was so hastily done that the shelf tags were still there of the produce that they used to sell. Other aisles that used to have grocery store items that residents would buy was replaced with Kwik-E-Mart type goods for tourists. I guess they finally closed and replaced with Winn Dixie before closing for good. I'm sure the new Publix down the road from them accelerated their demise. I mean, why go to a dying Goodings when a perfectly good Publix is available?

[@isthatatesla7191]

Character, and ambience to answer the last question.

[@michelled701]

My mom and I used to shop at Goodings as a kid when it was at W. Colonial Dr. and I still wonder to this day whatever happened to it... even the mention of that store takes me way back :(

[@pulaski1]

Expecting Americans on vacation in Orlando to have the slightest interest in learning about a foreign culture from the far side of the world, was _never_ going to be the basis of a successful business.

[@coherentpanda7115]

It didn't help Disney already had an entire massive park dedicated to cultural themes, including China, on a much higher end scale. The miniatures were neat, but as a kid I'd expect this is a mini golf course, and not just a place to view toy models and eat strange food I've never ate before.

[@pheddupp]

I'll bet if they converted part or all of the park into miniature golf holes with concessions and prizes, they would have stuck around a lot longer.

[@Rabbitlord108]

As a Floridian. I always find it fascinating to hear about abandoned places like this.

[@TOMMYBOY601]

Born and raised in Orlando and had no idea this was a thing. Now I shop in the target next to margaritaville

[@robertisimmons]

Holy crap I had completely forgotten this existed! We drove by it all the time when we went to WDW

[@christopherweise438]

I never even knew......and i'm north of 50 in the age department.

[@MrSEANDEERE]

This is a throwback. I remember driving past these chinese style walls when my family and I were staying in condo complex on one our disney trips. A few people have mentioned the same memory. I can remember seeing some of the minatures...or what was left of them. This was about 2005-6. Great video as always jake!

[@andrewlee88]

I went here as a kid in the 90s. They had some interesting manchu wok, american/china theme stuff. As a kid, asian, born in Canada this was FASCINATING. All i remember was watching the runway fashion show with many ladies, to which my parents said, "their legs are too muscular." Yup and they would toss a good luck charm into the audience - and i got one. Thanks for this video, my life is complete.

[@jz4057]

It’s amazing to see all the people in comments who had personal stories tied to an abandoned park. One failed project can change or affect so many people’s lives, especially the person who sold offsprings of koi fish from the park all over the world. Life is full of surprises.

[@estebanswan]

Went here dozens of times with my summer camp. I'm sure as an adult I probably would have appreciated it more but as a kid I always thought it was awfully boring. It felt like you were just walking around looking at toys you couldn't play with. Shows were entertaining though.

[@westlife4life]

this explains so much! I've been going to florida since the 90s as a kid. Currently I stay at a resort not far from the current Margaritaville resort (I frequent the plaza with the super target nearby when I'm visiting), but as a kid we stayed at Grand Lake Resort in the mid 90s to 2001, which is on 192 and just down the street from that China themed plaza. We used to go to the Publix that was there back then, and I've always wondered why that location has panda bears. To this day I have fond memories of that Publix because of the pandas!!!!! NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS CHINA THEMED!!!!!! Thank you for explaining this! I know it was such a small portion of the video, but it blew my mind! lol. I wish I had gone while it was open, but like many families, we went to disney, universal, seaworld, and NASA. Been to Busch Gardens once, but never went back. Actually, we went to Gatorland as a kid.... and never again because it was so hot and apparently Gatorland is located in the hottest area in florida, so yeah, not doing that again LOL. Love your videos, super informative and interesting! Been a long time viewer! Love from Toronto, Canada!

[@livinglikeananimal]

Grew up in northeast Florida. I've been to this park as part of a school field trip since we were less than an hour away. By the time we were going there (mid to late 90s), park was very empty, kinda shabby looking, and there weren't any performances or animatronics that I can remember. It was just a big empty space with miniatures that you could walk around and look at, a small gift shop, and not a whole lot else I could remember about it. I think it was near to the PGA IMAX theater so we would then go there to watch a documentary about Mount Everest. This was in the mid to late 90s. The size of the park really accentuated how empty it felt, I don't think we saw anyone else there that wasn't an employee, and the weather was really dreary that day so that just added to the overall gloom. Didn't know about the controversy (given that I was a literal child), but not at all surprised. I'm also not surprised that it closed given the sorry state it was in when I went on that field trip. It's kind of a shame because it sounded really cool in the beginning with the performances and such, not to mention all the care put into building miniatures and painting murals. All things an adult might be interested in and appreciate, but a child not so much. And many of the people visiting Florida had children in tow, so it makes sense that families would give Splendid China a pass for something the kids will find more engaging.

[@mchowdy22]

i met a martial artist that worked atsplendid china a few years back. He was an interesting dude

[@Game_Hero]

how so?

[@jakezoet-jd1wk]

It’s really strange how both a hotel and a theme park outside of Disney World thrived in the 90s, and slowly failed later on. Kinda makes you wonder why they would build them next to competition, doesn’t it?

[@Goldenkitten1]

Competition but also a natural draw for potential guests. A theme park like this would never draw enough crowds on its own but as a one day outing on your week long visit to Disney that gets you away from the noise and bustle is the crowd they were going after.

[@coherentpanda7115]

It was an attempt by the Chinese government to build soft power after Tiananmen, so absolute success was not the priority. If it was a US owner, it would have shutdown much sooner, but money was being funneled in from Shenzhen to keep the lights on.

[@rwdplz1]

There's all kinds of 'Budget Disney' places surrounding Disney World in Florida, really skeevy places...

[@Sashazur]

Obviously it can work to be near the competition. Ever notice how car dealers are usually all next to each other?

[@NotaPizzaGRL]

@@rwdplz1 Ripley's Believe it Or Not was alright. Always wanted to go the upside down house too.

[@jpzellar]

ALWAYS love your videos. You’ve found your stride so well over the years! Keeping Buffet alive over the past two videos for better or worse as well!

[@benvolio28]

Jake, the Formosa Gardens Shopping Center recently has undergone a cosmetic transformation and is no longer themed as it was previously. So, there is now nothing eluding to SC.

[@ZeroThreeDelta]

Oh nostalgia. We knew George - we leased an office space in Formosa Plaza back in the 90’s. Splendid China was a fascinating place but it fell apart so quickly. It was interesting to see up-close.

[@FigmentForever]

Went several times while living near Little Lake Bryan in LBV during my Disney College Program years. Got a truly great experience there but never knew about the controversial stuff as this was pre-big social media & online news. As a 20 something, I never read the newspaper unless looking for a used car or yard sale so I was oblivious. The workers there were so passionate about their jobs & guest experience though! I learned basic Mandarin from one of the women in the popular ad pictured in this video in fact. I truly miss late 90s-early 00’s HWY 195. I wish someone would look into Shell World & what happened to them. I always wanted the Manatee Volkswagen Bug ♥️

[@Jade-yb5zz]

oh my god I drove right by the margaritaville cottages every day of my trip in 2022 and had no idea that this is what used to be there. Was very confused by the theming of the shopping center- seems so random now!

[@Shag471]

Last time I dove by that property was in 2012 and those massive painted stone heads blocked the entrance to the park. My parents had rented a vacation rental home for a week in the gated neighborhood directly behind that property. I also remember someone was flying a drone over the property back then.

[@wdwexploreandchill]

I always love it when you are close to home, Jake! Fascinating and beautiful job as always. 💜

[@136miles]

I visited in 2002 or 3, it was run down a bit, there was one small display that was overgrown, so the 4 of us sent 30 mins weeding a brushing the path ways, (there was a broom near by) we were soaked in sweat, it looked much better, we could not sit and admire our work as it was way too hot, we found some shade and looked around the rest of the park, the displays were damaged, but you could still see how it should have been. We found what looked like a cafe at the back of the park it was an impressive building, but closed around it was a large carp pond and the fish were starving, we managed to buy fish food from the park entrance and went back to feed them. we sat and watched them until a man came and said "do you know what african bees are we said yes he said good now slowly walk towards me as there is a hive just 6 feet away from you!

[@RiverNaiad]

If somehow it had remained afloat through the 2000s & 2010s it definitely would have closed during the pandemic. 😕

[@FishManP]

And since that because of racism caused by trump

[@JohnMedved]

My friends and I went to this park one time right after it opened when they had "hospitality day" and offered half-price tickets for those who worked in the tourism industry in Central Florida. While we could really appreciate the craftsmanship that went into the miniatures, the park was very boring and very hot (NO shade). We felt so sorry for the people working in the restaurants because they were SO understaffed to handle all of us that were there for the discounted prices. I'm glad to say I went but I would have never gone back. My wife and I went to China in 2019; that's the real way to see what the country has to offer.

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

Nice! This and the Expedition Extinct video about this place are already my favs!

[@connorhollinger8109]

Jake, great video as normal! When I see your channels on my feed I instantly know which video to watch first. Thanks for the great, interesting content!

[@Cheezbat]

A buddy of mine actually saved and owns the monkey animatronic from the Sally corp animatronic show from the park. So cool to see!

[@BrightSunFilms]

That’s so cool!

[@jakelesnake]

Do you have any channel or social media? I would love to see pictures or videos!

[@sebastianmoreno5814]

I remember one time years ago I visited this place. We didn't spend time for long, visiting only the buffet. But I remember the place being empty and quiet.

[@Axiom-ug3js]

Awesome video, brought me a lot of memories

[@Jamon1916]

Another Great Video, Jake. Keep up the great work!!!!

[@matthewmireles3498]

It all connected for me when you described what the land eventually turned into. I stayed at the Margaritaville resort back in January.

[@FrankPiacitelli]

A shame it's gone, I would have liked to have seen this. Thanks for assembling and telling this story!

[@Atlas.X9X]

Always great content Jake, thanks for sharing.

[@munchydai8960]

THANK YOU for this! My family and i went there about 20 years ago and we still talk about this place. sad it is gone.

[@TheSavorySuitcase]

The lego miniatures at the old Cypress Gardens is a much less ethically concerning way to see little models like this!

[@michaelimbesi2314]

I think that besides the controversies, a big part of the issue was that it was a theme park about the history of another country. A miniatures park about American history *maybe* might have drawn enough tourists to stay in business, but even then, history has a reputation for being the dusty old boring subject in school. And Splendid China wasn’t even about America. I don’t think a similar park themed to Brazil or France or Sweden would have done much better.

[@benjaminrobinson3842]

Good point! In the Mike Thomas article, he writes that it's hard to see how well the park duplicates the real thing if you aren't familiar with the original real thing. Americans who wanted to know more about China could probably read books or rent videos about the country more conveniently than going to this park. Those who were less curious had no motivation to go. I was living in Central Florida at the time and thought, "Well, they're going to have a rough time making it." The only surprising thing was how quickly they ended up closing their doors.

[@misled1982]

As usual man, amazing detailed info about this park and its origins. Thanks!!

[@BradFoust1826]

I had completely forgotten about this place. Thanks for the video.

[@Mhhnpodcast]

Crazy coincidence: I was watching this video in my car. In the parking lot of my job. Which is right on top of where the park was 😅 it took me a second but they mentioned the Margaritaville plaza and I was like of FUCK I’m right here 😂

[@Sorcerers_Apprentice]

I went here once as a kid. The miniatures and gardens were nice, but I could tell the park had seen better days. There were not many other people, the buildings needed repairs and the food wasn't that good. I'm not surprised they lost a lot of money.

[@Whiskin87]

Love these looks at abandoned attractions. This one is super interesting. I’ve seen Expedition Theme Park’s video on it, and I’m glad to see you cover it too.

[@Free_Samples]

Bravo buddy 👏 Another great video

[@stellamcwick8455]

Kind of ironic that you could buy souvenirs at a theme park dedicated to China, made in the USA.

[@coherentpanda7115]

In my recollection only a few things were actually hand made. Most of the stuff in the gift shop was imported from China.

[@stellamcwick8455]

@@coherentpanda7115 , I was referring to Jake’s statement here 04:09

[@timbit72]

Awesome video as always Jake, i enjoy all your work...since its in the same area, have you thought of putting together something similar about The Holy Land Experience? Adam The Woo did a few drop inns over the years. The last time he was there a few months ago, construction on a new hospital is underway...One of your dives into its back history would be cool. From what Adam briefly mentioned when he visited, there could be some drama surrounding its demise...maybe even on a biblical scale...keep making us Canadians proud of one of our own 🤘

[@bobp5356]

Another great video. Thanks

[@ScareFestTTV]

Love this channel!

[@Out_And_About1872]

I remember being on holiday from Scotland with my parents to Orlando & we visited this place. I was fairly young & found it a bit boring compared to the other more exciting parks we’d already visited.

[@Lennyg845]

In the early 2000s some friends and I stumbled into the park around 8am. The park was not open yet so no tickets were being sold. There were workers there but no one spoke to us. We walk in through the front gates and had the park to ourselves for what seemed like hours. 😅

[@bamnet2k]

I got to go with my school when I was young - it was a truly awesome experience and seeing this brings back such fond memories. I still have my throwing stars purchased at the market.

[@TheStevenWhiting]

This is a good one as never knew this existed and you've mentioned the controversy instead of ignoring it as some would.

[@opaqueentity]

Not being from the US I’d never heard of this before so an amazing video. Great breakdown and great to see it actually cleared in the end. The mention of minature villages in Europe is funny as in the UK these places are really really small. Like many times smaller than a Walmart carpark. Look up Merrivale in Great Yarmouth :)

[@Exocartonic]

I would love to see a series about companies that come back from the brink. So basically the complete opposite of Abandoned. Stake n shake would be an interesting one to do an episode about. You could call it back from the brink.🤔

[@missvictoria1115]

Thank you for this update. We went here as kids. I always wondered what happened to it.

[@deplorabledave1048]

JAKE!!! How's it hangin, bro? Always great to hear from you in the way of one of your iconic videos

[@yupitsjessbbyx3]

I was obsessed with this place a a kid we went for a field trip and it was the most interesting attraction I had been to at the time. Especially as a small child the scale was even more impressive. I was too young to understand why this would be controversial but it’s not without merit.

[@richardvlogsdisney]

Seeing that entrance sign unlocked memories I didn’t know I had! The Taco Bell on that corner is pretty good though 😂

[@adamstrachn]

Wow brother, this was a time warp. Completely forgot it existed. I was a young kid, but have memories of going there a few times. Great video as always Jake 👍🏼

[@LoganFogBear]

i love re wathing my childhood through your vids.

[@PachinkoMedia]

It’s like reverse Shen Yun

[@Goldenkitten1]

I *KNEW* I had seen a giant buddha statue as a kid somewhere. It was like one of those core memories I remembered in exact detail but had no idea where it came from. Guess I know now.

[@jh1328]

I remember going here with my grandparents and I absolutely loved it. To a kid, it just seemed enormous.

[@mathieuleader8601]

the attention to detail was very intricate in the building design

[@allisonmaloney3428]

I had to go there for a girl scouts trip in 1994ish. I was in the 4th grade. It was miserable. We had spent the day at Universal the day before and we came here to look at tiny buildings. I will never forget. It was simply terrible to my 9/10 year old self.

[@allisonmaloney3428]

I lived in Jacksonville, FL so going to Orlando wasn't a big deal.

[@FishManP]

I stopped in a new development just down poinciana Blvd, and when walking past could see all the walls and entrance, and the local strip malls decorated similar, I looked it up and was well sad that it had got closed, I would love to have seen it, Even more depressing when margaritaville took over, not many places to go on the 192 anymore😢

[@justiniadonisi9290]

I went on a field trip when I was in middle school, and I really loved it. So much cool history! And the miniatures were a sight to see.

[@hockeyfans91]

Another great video mate

[@BrightSunFilms]

Thanks!!

[@Googledeservestodie]

This could have worked if it was part of a larger Park, but never by itself. When I see miniatures and model railroads they're usually part of a larger complex, like the model railroad at the Living Desert in California, or Small World at Disney World. It's a shame it was vandalized, because clearly a lot of work went into it.