Joyland - Abandoned Amusement Park - Wichita, Kansas

Joyland was a popular amusement park in Wichita, Kansas, from 1949-2004. Now there are only a few abandoned buildings and rides remaining. I never got to visit Joyland, but I wish I would have. A lot of people from the Kansas region speak fondly of the park. Check out this video of what is left!
Follow my travels:
Travel blog: johnwisewsu.blogspot.com/
Instagram: / travel_wiseguy
Twitter: / john_wise_wsu
Contact: [e-mail]
MUSIC
Waiting - Andrew Langdon
I'll Remember You - Jeremy Blake

[@marlenac3238]

Born and raised in Wichita Kansas, this is truly heartbreaking😢 so so many fond childhood memories of riding the roller coaster over and over again. It's a shame to see it reduced to piles of rubble💔 Thank you for the memories

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes it is very sad indeed. So many people have great memories of the park. Thank you for watching!

[@clamanthurdle4249]

I’m from Kingman Kansas

[@michaelperry4477]

I was born and raised there myself. Spent a lot of time at joyland as a kid!! Moved away in 2000 but my parents still live there and have made a lot of work trips there. I drove past it on the highway every day this past week, was wondering how it looked

[@markwilder3146]

I also was born and raised in Wichita, loved going to Joyland back in the 60s. They had a large swimming pool also.

[@spurbronc9449]

So many great memories in 80s and 90s for me. I still can strongly remember the major senses from there!! Lol. Especially the smells and sounds! Real French fries and funnel cakes!! Lol

[@kandipiatkowski8589]

I worked at Joyland during the 87, 88, and 89 seasons. I was able to tour the park after it was abandoned. It made me very sad. The buildings had to be torn down because people kept breaking in and setting fires. Even tho Margaret (the owner) tried to take the necessary measures to prevent break ins, it still kept happening. The city stepped in, and Margaret was forced to tear down the remaining buildings in order to avoid more fires. It's sad that she was the one who got in trouble, even tho she tried to keep people from breaking in.

[@Emily_TeenookClothing]

Yea, I knew Margaret as well. It really breaks my heart honestly. 😥

[@CSweeeeets]

Did they tear down the wacky shack???

[@kandipiatkowski8589]

@@CSweeeeets sadly, yes. My historic preservation group was supposed to get the facade, but it was either a casualty of fire or demolition.

[@user-zh1sq6lb8z]

I loved Joyland! I remember the school trips and KFDI listener appreciation days so fondly

[@christinachavez9816]

Born and raised in Wichita remember going there during school events and kfdi day

[@lakarachilders4519]

As a person born and raised in Wichita I have fond memories of Joy and. From going there on Easter Sunday, bringing my report card for admission, riding the train, the roller coaster, the creepy clown playing the wirlitzer and of course the wacky shack! It's so sad that it is no more. I live out here by Joyland and I drive by it often and I can't help but shed tears when I drive past. So many memories of my childhood.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Great memories! Thanks for sharing!

[@lakarachilders4519]

Indeed! You are very welcome, thank you for your video!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much!!

[@Emily_TeenookClothing]

Those were the times. I loved the bring your report card for admission but only if it was good deal. 😂 I lived in Riverside area so I wasn't close but wasn't far either.

[@kevinintheusa8984]

I worked at Joyland from 1972 to 1976 and had the best time ever since it was my first job. I started at the Go Cart track but then I was moved to the rides. I was taught to run all the rides and I used to take patrons in groups from one ride to another in the Summer heat. In my last 6 months, I ran the Wacky Shack and had a blast scaring folks. My dad retired to Myrtle Beach, SC and we moved in the Fall of 1976. I got a job with the MB Pavilion since I had experience running rides. Good times. I met, my now wife, at MB Pavilion in 1977 and we have two great kids and a lifetime of memories around rides and amusement parks.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you for the comment and nice memory! I’ve talked to so many people since I did this video and lots of similar feelings and Joyland. Definitely a special place for lots of people!

[@Emily_TeenookClothing]

Yea, I wish i had met you as I was a kiddo in the 90's.

[@davebuser]

As a Wichita native living in Columbus for the past few decades, that was pretty intense to watch. Joyland was part of my childhood and I'm sure even more my parents' and grandparents' childhoods. Mixing in the heyday footage with the ruins was super bittersweet. Nice work. Cheers!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

❤️

[@erikwolfarng]

It is so surreal to see videos like this. I find myself watching the camera view as you walk around thinking, "That's where I stood! That's where I was!". I was fortunate to live in a neighborhood close by and got to visit Joyland many times in its greatest days. In fact, My elementary School (Still there by the way) is right across the street. It was absolute TORTURE to be a child in class and hearing the sound of the "Toy Train" as it drove past. Teachers would cover the windows so we would stay focused on class rather than staring outside in hopes of catching a glimpse of the train as it rolled by. Ahhhh memories.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I'm very jealous you were able to experience Joyland when it was rolling along strong! I've had a lot of people talk fondly about their time there. It's sad it has become abandoned but at least it gave a few decades of enjoyment for the people of Wichita.

[@kencarp57]

I did EXACTLY the same thing watching this video! I paused the video many times, trying to recreate the joy of Joyland in my mind as I peered at the still frames trying to get my bearings and visualize where each ride had been in the complete rubble the park is now.

[@Emily_TeenookClothing]

🤣 Yea, I remember hearing that story from my dad.

[@Chuck88vert]

I spent alot of time at this park. It makes me realize that I'm get toward the end of my life also To all young people remember life is very short. Make the best of it. I was at this park from 1968-1972 I was 10-14 years old.

[@kellykramer2582]

I loved that roller coaster as a kid in the 60's.

[@wilblissful]

OMG!!! I spent so much time here as a child. Those were wild times!! Sad to see it this way.

[@kayyoung2696]

Me too!!!!

[@wilblissful]

@@kayyoung2696 You're a hoodlum! I know for a fact!!

[@nutrinutbob]

I used to work partime as a floor guard at the skating rink while I was at McConnell circa 78-81.

[@lynettevulgamore9815]

So many memories of joyland, loved going there. Took my boys there when they were young. It's such a shame they couldn't save it.

[@ALthePAL01]

We lived in Wichita in 1970-1972 and from 1975 on. If you took your report card to Joyland they would give you ride tickets for good grades...the better the grades, the more tickets you got. So we always went at least once a year. Sometimes my dad's company rented the entire park for a company picnic and we got unlimited rides. If you rode in the last car of the roller coaster, you could actually feel the car come off the rails momentarily coming over some of the rises. But my absolute favorite thing there were the bumper cars! When we moved back in 1975, I was a teenager and my friends and I went occasionally. It was a great time, and sad to see it reduced to rubble today. Thanks for the walk-through.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks for sharing! So many great memories of Joyland! I appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@buckyc.9069]

That was called the "KAKEland scholarship party. KAKE TV and KFDI radio were big promoters of Joyland.

[@buckyc.9069]

In the summer 1980, the KFDI listener appreciation show, at Joyland, was headlined by "Alabama". Just after their first album dropped. They probably never played a venue that small again. When they played here in 1981, it was at The Kansas Coliseum. A big step up.

[@georgemcfly1205]

My dad was a fireman for the City. Once a year they would have a family picnic day at Joy Land. We would spend a whole Saturday there with all the other fireman and their families. Near the log jam was a wooden bridge that would take you down to the picnic area. Hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cold soda all day. I'd ride that roller coaster and the wacky shack over and over. I can still hear the music from Louie the clown

[@kaymerry369]

It is sad. The happy part many memories of fun remain forever.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Lots of great memories in the comments here!

[@sarajuanaict]

How depressing. I loved joyland so much 💜💚❤

[@sadiehatesbowling957]

If it's any comfort to you now us teenagers get a kick out of going there to explore and hang out

[@kencarp57]

Thanks for this video! I grew up in the 1960s on the other side of that highway to the west, and I attended what was then Sowers Elementary School that is visible in the background in a portion of your video. It's heartbreaking to me to see the ruins of Joyland. I spent many happy days there in the 60s as a kid - riding the roller coaster many times; riding the Scrambler, the Rock-O-Plane, the train, the Ferris Wheel, the Carousel, the Safari ride, the bumper cars, and all of the other rides there; watching the big Wurlitzer Organ played by Louis the clown; putting trash in Porky the Paper Eater's mouth; walking around the old West area; and roller skating at the roller rink they built sometime in the 60s. I also remember a big rocket ride that went round and round up into the air, with cars that looked like spaceships on the ends of long arms that could move up and down hydraulically... you could make your "rocket" car go up and down using a little stick in the car, like an airplane. I don't remember there being any seatbelts in those little "rockets"! I also remember riding a being a ride like that at Walt Disney World much later... in the late 1990s, I think. The log ride must have been built after we moved away from Wichita in 1970, I think... I don't remember ever riding it. And of course, the Wacky Shack came long after I was no longer in Wichita. I have watched many videos of Joyland here on YT and elsewhere. I watched a video somewhere showing the demolition of what remained of the roller coaster. It was very sad. I like to remember Joyland as it was in the 1960s when I visited the park so often. I remember that we received free Joyland tickets at the end of each school term - 3 for each A, 2 for each B, and 1 for each C... I was a good student, and I always received a bunch of tickets each year!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you for watching and the nice comment! I tried to add the old footage to remind people of the good ole days! Lots of people have commented and told their stories as well. Wish I could’ve gone during that time!

[@kencarp57]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I meant to mention that I loved the old footage you included! It really took me back to the fun days of my childhood in Wichita! RIP Joyland

[@joedessenberger2048]

Worked security for the Nelson's in the early 1990s. They were great people and hard working. You could see their love for the park in everything they did. So unfortunate that it ended up this way. Location always hurt it because it was not in a visible place and visitors to the area often never knew it existed. The restored carousel at Botanica is a thing of beauty. Wonder what happened to the train...

[@sungirl123]

So sad such a fun place growing up also my first paying job when I was 15. I thought it was sad when it closed even worse seeing the abandoned land.

[@thomaslewis6244]

Joyland was a Icon in Wichita I was able to go to joyland in the early 90's before my oldest son was born I had the time of my life, so sad it is gone.😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@sassyinscrubs5206]

I used to love kfdi days and end of school days getting tickets for grades. I loved that place..makes me sad

[@jasonboldea6754]

At the time, 2 things, it was the oldest wooden roller-coaster and the biggest go cart track in kansas.

[@tammylawrence2023]

I moved to Kansas from Maryland about a month ago. Your channel is giving me a new perspective on my new home state. Thank you.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Welcome to Kansas! I moved here in 2006 - have loved it! Thank you!

[@Roybwatchin]

When you walked up onto the roller coaster platform, it brought back a flood of memories for me. I went to Joyland all throughout my childhood, with my family and also many school fieldtrips over the years. I'm just thankful that I was able to take my two sons there when they were little, they are now 33 and 30 yrs old. Sad to see it in this condition. Thanks for posting this video.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! Glad it could bring back some good memories!

[@vendettavan32]

so many memories; i remember thinking i was so brave for riding in the front seat on the roller coaster but the wacky shack and log jam was probably my favorites.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome! So many people have shared great memories of Joyland. Glad it was here!

[@jerryl.1033]

The front seat and the back seat were the two best places to ride. The front seat for the spectacular view and the rear because it was the bumpiest. I rode it hundreds of times.

[@HsvPeavey]

I remember always riding the coaster with my cousin and always unbuckling the seat belt and floating over the hills. So dangerous but such mwmories

[@michaelperry4477]

Wacky shack! Yes! And joyland is where I developed a love for roller coasters. Too bad I’m to bad of shape to handle them much anymore. A few a silver dollar city close to where I live is the best I can do on a good day

[@balferono4568]

It was such a great park.

[@debjordan4399]

That place was so much fun when I was a kid in the 1960's. Swimming, the train ride, roller coaster, bumber cars, Farris Wheel and so much more. It was the highlight of all the kids in south central Kansas summer's.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Love that!! 😊

[@TamaraOMalley1961]

How sad, loved the video. Thank you John.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I agree. Thanks for watching!

[@jonboy1138]

I grew up around Wichita. I can remember when I was in grade/middle school every year for the last day of school we would take a field trip to Joyland. It was also one of the first places my wife and I went on a date. So many memories. Sad to see it like this.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I've heard so many people talk about their wonderful memories from Joyland. Definitely sad to see it go!

[@joshdouglas3528]

Lots of dates there. Lots of making out in the wacky shack😂😂

[@whalesong999]

Thoughtful music accompaniment. I lived the next county to the east and visited Joyland many times throughout the '50s. Senior year '59, we swam in their large pool just off the parking lot. The Ottaways who conceived this venture also traveled with portable carnival rides - they were very skilled technicians and mechanics.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! And a great story! I wish I could've visited Joyland back in the day - I know it meant a lot to the people of Wichita. Appreciate you watching!

[@jljordan1]

Used to attend school with a gal whose grandparents owned it, The Nelson’s. We’d always go on school field trips there, and look for coupons in the paper for unlimited free rides, since it operated like the fair rides (it costs tickets!). Always had a fun time in the wacky shack! Supposedly there’s another “wacky shack” somewhere around, I was told this when picking up my wacky shack shirt at Vortex souvenirs in Delano! I graduated high school in 2003 and went to Wichita State before I became a nurse, but our school started scheduling the trips to Kansas City’s Worlds of Fun instead because Joyland wasn’t really keeping up with maintenance in the late 90s. But we still had fun! Thanks for the memories 🥹

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! So many people have great memories of Joyland - I appreciate the comment and thanks for sharing!

[@jmj2683]

Great video. Love the piano also.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you for watching!

[@livingitupdaily]

So many memories. I remember going in 2006 once I rode my first rollercoaster at joyland 😢 this definitely hurts to see

[@rosaingram23]

Breaks my heart. So many memories as a child and as a mother. At one time someone could have rebuilt. But to late now.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Appreciate the comment and thanks for watching! Joyland was a special place for a lot of people!

[@justindearmond1]

went there a lot in the 1980 and early 90s. was such a cool place. had my brothers 5th birthday party there back in '85.

[@SunyCartoons]

It's weird to think there use to be a theme park there. Now it just looks like a random collection of buildings in the middle of nowhere.

[@oliviak2963]

I’ve never been to Joyland, but seeing this breaks my heart 😔

[@chriscosby2459]

I lived in Wichita from 88 to 07. I remember Joyland, it went downhiil the last 5 years of operation. Wild West World amusement park in Park City didn’t even make it through the summer. Wild West World was a total train wreck.

[@janettemerchant4258]

That's sad to hear😢 I used to go to Joyland as a teenager and then we would also skate at the skating rink, we had so much fun. I have many fond memories of Joyland as a teenager.😢

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😞

[@chiefamylee]

Binge-watching your awesome videos, now, thanks again!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Much appreciated! I’m sure you’re tired of me by now 😂😂

[@chiefamylee]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Not at all. I am sitting here with a glass of green juice and just opened your video on up Pinhook, Missouri. :):):) Some I enjoyed so much, I know I will be returning to rewatch.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That’s so nice of you to say! 😊 Pinhook was very eerie to explore!

[@kimball9260]

My mom operated a few of those rides when she was a teenager back in the 60's. Nice video. Thanks for sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Oh wow, I'm sure she saw some amazing things back in the day there! Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@kimball9260]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy absolutely. I also subscribed. Have a great evening!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you!

[@Steve-on1ys]

Got something in my eyes.. really

[@rlgroshans]

So sad. That was such a happy place.

[@hungarysammy]

Was so sad to see Joyland go! Thankful I got to experience it, growing up, and got to take my young children there...such a fun place! Great roller coaster! Loved the ferris wheel, swinging bridge, bumper cars......so many things! So fun! Except for the scary clown playing the piano!!🤣 ( You may have heard about it!) Great video! Brings back lots of memories!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! Definitely a lot of people in the comments with similar feelings and memories. Wish I could’ve gone!!

[@jackie4350]

This was the best video I've seen of joy land you didn't leave anything out thanks

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Aww thanks so much! So many people have talked about how much they enjoyed Joyland. It was definitely a special place!

[@sueelliott3206]

That would have been quite the place in its day. TFS

[@deacongowan117]

Breaks my heart, many summers spent here

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Lots of people have shared so many great memories of Joyland! Too bad it’s not open anymore!

[@tinatate6109]

Hey new 2 your channel🙋 i miss going there has a kid!!!❤💔 brought back childhood memories!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you for watching and subscribing! It seems like a lot of people had great memories at Joyland. Too bad it's gone!

[@kooley2k]

Born and raised in Wichita. Joyland was awesome as a kid. I'm talkin back in the 70s/80s. Super fun times in the summer. I actually remember that green canopy you're walking under. They used to have Boeing appreciation day on a Saturday in the summer, and I can still picture all the tables lined up under that canopy with food and people everywhere. The best rides were the Wacky Shack, roller coaster & go-carts..IMO. Also, I remember there was a really creepy animatronic clown when you first walk in playing this organ. It kind of reminded me of that clown Pennywise from the movie "It". My brother used to work there as a teenager. He said the Arcade was the coveted job, bc it was the only place that had air conditioning in the whole park. Haha. Thanks for sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’m always impressed with the memories people have of Joyland. It was certainly a big part of the community! Thank you for sharing and watching this video! I definitely wish I would’ve been able to go back in the day!

[@coryferguson8234]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy what city in Ohio did you live in ?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

@@coryferguson8234 I grew up about 45 minutes east of Cincinnati along the Ohio River. Grew up on a farm, the nearest town was Russellville - very small.

[@coryferguson8234]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy OK cool I myself was Born in a Farm Community in North Eastern Colorado about 3 hrs from Denver and after my folks divorce My Mother and I moved to Mo about 40 minutes south of KCMO grew up there but in 1979 we lived in Wichita for about 9 months then back to Mo

[@CopFaxx]

Many exciting days at Joy Land back in tha day. Sad to see what happened to it.

[@bdbeatle1]

Nice job interspersing vintage footage with current to get an idea of what it used to be!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you - appreciate it!

[@wawalan1]

My wife rode her first roller coaster in Joyland about 1971 or 1972. She was terrified! We will never forget that ride.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂

[@kaymerry369]

Sad but left behind alot of fun and scary memories for many people.

[@Mesoz]

Man this is a bit nostalgic, used to go here when i was a kid. Also was where I had my very first job when I was around 14. Loved working there, but quit due to paychecks bouncing lmao. Even with the majority being demolished. Still very easy to recognize so much. A lot of memories ahah.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

From what everyone says, it wasn’t perfect but it had great character. So many people have fond memories of Joyland! Thanks for watching!

[@kevinstreeter6943]

I know it has been closed a long time, but I did not know it was this bad. It was not a big theme park. The local population should have been enough to support it.

[@Emily_TeenookClothing]

I was heartbroken about the roller coaster coming down. I'm 31 now and I lived in Wichita until I was 8 or 9 as I was born there but had to leave due to "educational reasons". My parents and I knew the owners but the owners of Joyland couldn't get anyone to buy the land of what they had told us.

[@austinaronis2216]

Ah yes, there was that time when the maintenance guy was weed whacking underneath the coaster only to have his head lopped off when the coaster came by. Great video also.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Oh my 😮

[@pastoraj]

I have such great memories of going to Joyland

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Seems like lots of people feel the same! Obviously a place close to a lot of hearts in the area!

[@pastoraj]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy My first "real" kiss took place in the spook house ride. That's one I'll never forget.

[@wichita603]

I went to sowers school and jaradine grow up right around there lord this breaks my heart. I lived close to the owners.

[@jerryl.1033]

I worked there my senior year of high school. It didn't pay well but it was the most fun job I ever had. I ran the roller coaster most of the time but also ran most of the other rides as needed, including the ferris wheel, scrambler, whacky shack, bumper cars. It was so fun to see the excitement on everyone's faces as they rode the rides.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I bet that was a great job and it sounds like you have some wonderful memories from it! It seems like a place that so many people from this area really loved!

[@jerryl.1033]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy It was fun, but didn't pay well. I went into the Army after graduation. Went back to Joyland many times, always enjoyed riding the rides and bringing my family there. If we ever meet in person I will have to tell you about some of the antics that took place with the employees.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

@@jerryl.1033 That sounds fun! If you're ever in Wichita let me know and we'll connect! [e-mail]

[@jerryl.1033]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Just sent you an email

[@kevinintheusa8984]

I worked there from 1972 to 1976 and it was my first job ever. I had gone there many times before I got a job there. I started on the games and moved up to the rides a year later. I ran the Wacky Shack my last Summer there in 1976.

[@delano62]

I can't even remember how many times I went there as a kid.

[@RocketVlogs]

Rad. I didn't know there were any remnants anymore. I took some photos for an art project before they tore the rollercoaster and swing down and now they are the album artwork for my band's new EP coming out soon.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That's awesome! Would love to see that artwork!

[@monoknot5868]

I went there just a couple of months ago and it was so sad. We climbed the Log Jam, slid down the slide, and explored the ruins. I'm really hoping someone buys this land and brings Joyland back to life!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It is very sad - would be great for someone to revitalize the park but I don't think it'll happen, unfortunately.

[@JamesValentineBaja1000]

Never gonna happen

[@deacongowan117]

That’s never going to happen.

[@rosaingram23]

Unfortunately almost everything is gone. No way it can be brought back at this point. We will just have to be happy with the memories I am afraid.

[@theskyischill]

heck yeah I found this video on its birthday!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome!

[@Queen_of_chaos]

I live near that area…I was 3 when this place closed.. 😭 I cannot believe it’s still dead… ty for the memories tho-

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you for watching. It’s very sad 😢

[@joshdouglas3528]

Havent been to joyland since like 99 i think. It was a fun place

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Seems like almost everyone really enjoyed those Joyland days!

[@sadiehatesbowling957]

Just explored it with my little sis. Definitely one of the coolest abandoned relics in Wichita. Beats just loitering in a Walmart parking lot, anyway 😒

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I haven't been there since this video so it would be interesting to see it now.

[@sadiehatesbowling957]

​@TravelwithaWiseguy that big blue slide is all overgrown and covered with graffiti now. We climbed to the top of it and found some vegetable oil some people left and we used it to slide down. Burned my ass like a bitch 😭

[@cmbeluscak3586]

My 1st roller coaster ride was there in the summer of 69.

[@haroldmorgan752]

When we were growing up grandma and grandpa would get on the bus to Wichita from Omaha and visit our aunt and uncle inth summer time. That would be our place to go.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Oh wow that’s a heck of a trip to see Joyland! Must’ve been some good times!

[@PumpinPeen]

Watching this and hearing you say you’re from Ohio is awesome same here from Cuyahoga Ohio and moved to kansas

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! I went to college at Kent State so I know Cuyahoga well!

[@HipPocketMemories]

I worked at Joyland in the 1970s. It was a special place.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It sounds like it - I wish I would’ve been around at that time to enjoy it too!

[@chrissy9070]

lived in kansas 91-92 loved joyland

[@a.t.m873]

I heard in 2019 they’re planning to put a amusement center with a few rides, a paintball range and wedding place there called joyland. Smaller but still something

[@wri6345789]

I'm a native of Northwest Arkansas, but my sister lived in Wichita in the mid fifties when I was a pre adolescent, so I remember getting to visit Joyland a time or two during that era. Sad to see that it is no longer open...

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I bet those were some great times! Wish I could’ve experienced it as well. Thanks for the comment!

[@wri6345789]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy You are welcome! I have fond memories of Joyland!

[@voxromantic3340]

We went there every year after school let out with a family from Great Bend. Those family friends and us had KFC on the tailgates of the station wagons🙂 Joyland gave free ride tickets for good grades for goods grades!! That left me out😂. You got like 4 tickets for an A, etc. I loved that place!! The Clown on the Organ weirded me out though….. Last time I went was in the early 90’s with my kids. There was a woman getting on the Roller Coaster with a 2 year old!!!! She just held it in her arms and rode😮 The help didn’t say a word! I knew it was not going to end well for the park, and very soon!!😢

[@justnerdystuff]

Perfect music for how you presented the ruins of Joy Land. However, put a creepier music background and you've got the opening scene for the next teenage horror flick.🤓🗡 Especially that footage in the basement, that was scary even with the nice music.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yeah another perfect spot for a horror movie 😂

[@stanleypalmer7895]

I've only been here since 1975 Joy there was fun places that feature craft that International Cold Storage a lot of companies like that used to have their picnic a lot of Joy there the roller coaster was awesome because it's the last of the wooden ones

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Lots of great memories of Joyland!

[@aliceolivares-chawk8307]

We would take our kids to Kings Island, PIZZA, the rides, Hanna Barbera, The smurfs and the fireworks! 😍😍😍 My kids loved going to Holland Park too. 💕

[@aliceolivares-chawk8307]

*Joyland* not Holland I don't like auto correct ☹️

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes! I grew up near there so I went all the time. Great theme park! Wish I could’ve visited Joyland!

[@Oct131917]

I think Joyland was one of the last amusement parks to have an all wooden roller coaster

[@littlewazz]

its such a shame and sad to see places like this giving people joy and happiness, being sold auctioned off or in ruins

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😞

[@melissabrown3783]

So much of my childhood here and fanta-sea

[@janicestouffer6699]

Sad to see Joyland as it is now. I remember going there, probably in the late 50's, my parents, my sister, and family friends went there. I remember my Mom and the parents of the other family went on the roller coaster. I don't remember if my Dad went on it or stayed down with the 4 of us kids. I remember the calipee and I believe there was a swimming pool, but not sure about that.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you for the comment and for watching! So many people have said similar things and had fond memories of Joyland!

[@rosaingram23]

Yes there was a huge pool but it closed before the park did due to insurance problems

[@rossbryan6102]

A TOUGH LIFE FOR AMUSEMENT PARKS IN WICHITA!! ANOTHER ONE AT PARK CITY AT NORTH END OF TOWN WENT DOWN THE TUBE, AS WELL!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yeah I think it was Wild West World or something like that. Didn’t last long at all!

[@johntracy7795]

I remember Joy land giving free tickets for your grades. Show them your grade card and you earned so many tickets for A's, B's, etc. Remember Wacky Shack and Bumper Cars...and the organ playing clown.

[@waynelogan3412]

Went there every year from 94' till 02'. It was a sad day when the door closed

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Seemed like a great place to have some fun in Wichita! Thanks for sharing!

[@arsenal-slr9552]

The place was still fun and clean in 2003. I went a final time in 2006 just before it closed for a final time and it was bad. No working Roller Coaster, No Wacky Shack, the log ride water was greenish brown. So sad

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I wish I couldn’t been able to go at least once before it closed! So many people have fond memories of Joyland. Thanks for sharing and watching!

[@brendabrenda8266]

So sad, that was my childhood

[@livelaughlovethelife]

awesome content. You are so brave for going alone. The amount of homeless people living there is wild! It was such a happy place! I went in 2018 and got so many photos.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you for watching!

[@MissteriousOne]

I miss the Wacky Shack 😭

[@mandalynn1384]

So sad. The wooden roller coaster, wacky shack, train, and organ were historic landmarks

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes, it is in a sad state for sure. A lot of people have sent me messages about how much they enjoyed it when it was open!

[@joeyshields4987]

I remember riding the roller coaster 11 times in a row, the last time I was in the back by myself and my cart came off the rails when we went down the steep drop and it terrified me when I felt the thud landing back on the tracks

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Wow that’s crazy! And 11 times in a row - might be a record 😂😂

[@joeyshields4987]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy i was like 6 and just barely stood tall enough, I had my first mountain dew that day so after the first adrenaline rush I was hooked

[@robertpolnicky7702]

Left wichita in 1972. Live in Tennessee now. Really what it tells me the standar😅d of living has changed over the years with factories going over seascwith the signing of gattvand nafta crooked trade deals and the loss of trade union strength where campaign finance bribery in state legislatures stops legislation where people dont have extra money for joyland the way they did in 1961. When i was a kid there was kiddie land and joyland.

[@plateshutoverlock]

This park when it was open looked a lot like Dorney Park in Allentown, PA did back in early 1980s when I went there as a little kid. This is like looking at a torn down (early 80s) Dorney Park. :-|

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Sounds like Dorney Park was fun! Sad to hear about it and Joyland 😞

[@timmillan6701]

Lived right next door to Joyland ( on East Sunnybrook) in 65. Then Dad got transferred from McConnell to Langley in Va. That put us closer to his family in Allentown Pa. Spent most vacations in that area- including Dorney Park. I rarely hear others mention it - it was great fun for me. Hershey Park as well- but that one was a bit more famous

[@travis303]

Hard to believe I used to work here when I was in high school. I still have my staff shirts hanging in a closet at my mom's house. I remember this being a big day for us kids when we got to go to joyland. I was trained to run every ride there. Where you stood on that platform at the Logjam, that is where a staff member would stand at the top of the hill to make sure everything was OK at the top of the hill. It took two people to run the Logjam, one at the controls at the bottom, of course also getting people situated in their logs, and one at the top. At the beginning of the day, when you got your assignment you had to operate your ride at least once to make sure everything was operating properly. In the Logjam's case, one person would sit in a log and go for a ride while a person ran the controls. same with the Wacky Shack, a staff member would go through the shack in a cart while the other person manned the controls to make sure all was operating properly. Same with the roller coaster. Other rides you could just let run on their own without anybody in a seat. That roller coaster as iconic. I remember though I got knocked out once on it. I was running the roller coaster and the car got passed the brakes and the platform and stopped at the bottom of the hill. Me and a maintenance guy had to push the car onto the chain to try and get it back up the hill again and back around. I underestimated how hard the car would grab on that chain and it, and I took off, and I fell through the tracks. I next remembered my eyes open and seeing the maintenance guy standing around me asking if I was OK. That was quite a thing, lol.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Oh wow those are some amazing memories and stories! Thanks for sharing. Joyland was such a memorable place for so many people in Wichita and the nearby region!

[@kevinintheusa8984]

I worked there from 1972 to 1976 and I ran the Wacky Shack my entire last Summer in 1976. I wish I still had my staff shirts but they are gone. We moved to Myrtle Beach, SC and I got a job at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion in 1977 and worked there until I went to college in 1978. The Pavilion is also gone now too but I met my wife there and we have some great memories of riding the rides and eating funnel cakes.

[@travis303]

@@kevinintheusa8984 I don't remember if I wrote that I still have my staff shirts in my novel above or not but I had two and they are still sitting in a closet at my mom's house.

[@Kerry-uo6og]

So many report card summers. Its the only reason I'd try for A's..more tickets.

[@timadkins903]

How did you get down in there I’ve been trying to do a whole documentary on the place and I keep being told to leave that place

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I guess I got lucky because there was no one around that day. I shot all the drone footage from outside the property as well.

[@timadkins903]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I may have to sneak down in

[@kathycochran5567]

How did you get access to do this video? I thought it was all fenced up. I have many great memories of Joyland. I have lived in Wichita all my life and couldn't begin to count all the times I went there as a child and as an adult, taking my children there and always hoped I'd be able to take my grandchildren there to experience the fun and thrills that I did. Thank you for this video and the great memories it gave me.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I just walked in. There are a couple open places to enter through. Thank you for watching!

[@Roybwatchin]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy I'm surprised that you didn't see any homeless people there, and or kids spray painting things. You were brave walking down those stairs, I believe it was at the swimming pool? I'd be on edge walking around there, I'd make sure a take a buddy or two. Thanks for posting the video.

[@lilstepnoel]

Between Kiddie land and Joyland we had a lot of fun growing up and it didn't break the bank doing so.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I've heard that from so many people - it was definitely a positive place for a lot of people from the region!

[@lilstepnoel]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy It's true! We also had many lakes to go to in Wichita and close to Wichita. Our skating rinks were nice too. We dragged Douglas street, it wasn't a dull town that's for sure.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

:)

[@dmh20002]

This video made my wife sad. Three generations of her family grew up there.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😢 lots of people had many great memories there

[@jamesharry4587]

I remember the metal slide looking different. I thought it was wider and red.