The Saddest Theme Park Ever Created (Dismaland)

In 2015, Banksy created arguably his most ambitious exhibition ever. Today we take a tour of the darkest theme park ever created, Dismaland.
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Sources:
Tour: • Dismaland Full Experience
Ferris Wheel: • Dismaland Ferris Wheel
Official Trailer: • Dismaland
Unofficial Trailer: • Dismaland - The Offici...
Music:
In Motion/A Familiar Taste
• Tiptoes - Myuu (Tip Toe)
• FREE FOR PROFIT | Dark...

[@DamperMoney]

Holy shit I didn’t know that Paparazzi continued to take photos of Princess Diana’s corpse, that is beyond fucked up. I wonder what those people think knowing that people know what they did to cause her death.

[@spidey1z]

That’s cute. You think paparazzi are human. They were probably thinking. “I hope, that I got her last picture alive and first dead picture.” The paparazzi are parasites

[@mattd5240]

Paparazzi aren't human, they're parisytes who deserve anything bad that happens to them.

[@Jakepearl13]

Knowing this makes me think even lower of the press

[@CarlyCatharsis]

I Dunno. I Took MANY Photos Of My Annt; AFTER She Passed. Eventhough She Disliked Having Her Picture Taken in Life? It Was Actually A Way To Help ME Remember Her One Last Time!! For As WE ALL Get Older... Our Memories WILL Tend To Fade😣

[@mochibunnyan6556]

​@CarlyCatharsis yeah but Princess Diana died in a car "accident" and her corpse was probably EXTREMELY fucked up. Also, these weren't people taking pictures of their dead loved ones; it was press and paparazzi taking pictures of someone who had just died in a vicious accident that they themselves were a part of.

[@AmandaabnamA]

The fact that he purposively ripped his art when it was to be sold to destroy it, but the it is worth more encapsulates how vapid the art world is

[@taffysaur]

Not “his” art after it was sold. It’s actually an interesting piece, post-rip, but I don’t know that I approve of selling someone something for millions of pounds THEN destroying it.

[@okeus]

@@taffysaur it was a piece he gave to a friend. presumably, said friend sold it to auction

[@taffysaur]

@@okeus I have to assume, though, that destroying it was Bansky’s idea. I mean, that’s the point; that it’s an art piece in itself. Both the act of destruction and the destroyed piece. Like I said, it actually is an interesting concept, I’m only saying the guy who paid millions of pounds for it would have every right to be annoyed. After it’s sold, it’s HIS property, not Banksy’s nor the friend’s.

[@nemosthebandit]

I like how people think Banksy is a one man operation. Did anyone see “Exit Through the Giftshop”. Banksy is an entity comprised of multiple artists designed to sell an idea.

[@thecinematicmind]

They even had a reference of the documentary at the gift shop at Dismaland. Nice.

[@MermaidMakes]

We call ourselves collectives. Mostly. You could say any famous concept was created by a group of artists, including bigger celebrities. How many pop artists have a team of people that write their music for them? How many actors have a team of people directing and marketing them?

[@uzytkownik15]

Orrr it was bullshit and a play on the viewer. Personally I think it’s a team of collaborators working for one artist

[@MermaidMakes]

@@uzytkownik15 it is!! I’m part of an art collaborative too. Banksy is an art collaborative…probably spearheaded by one or two people. It’s like how people say “the hacker known as 4chan”. media just can’t understand there’s an entire group working harmoniously towards a singular goal. They’re used to covering politicians 😂😂

[@revimfadli4666]

​@@MermaidMakeseven politicians can have hidden backers lol

[@Jordanmills93]

I just have to throw this in here because I don't know if it was attentional on the artist side but the way how the Cinderella Carriage is tipped over both the pumpkin and the wheels make a perfect Mickey logo. And even though one of the wheels is completely destroyed you can still make out a quote on quote Hidden Mickey.

[@matiasdupree4834]

That was definitely intentional

[@genocidegames8423]

my thought too.

[@basicallybases]

also, the carriages left and right windows kinda represents mickey's eyes, and cinderella's lifeless body were used to represent his nose

[@WobblesandBean]

Nice observation

[@SpellboundWolf]

Spooky

[@duncanself5111]

I went to that with my mate from Bristol. All the staff were purposely rude and unhelpful 😆

[@Nixx0912]

Sounds like a dream job for someone who used to work in hospitality 😂

[@CaptainZuurpruim]

I am rude and unhelpful! Could have been my dream job indeed, dammit.

[@matthewszalkowski4719]

Could you be rude back or just sarcastic

[@duncanself5111]

@@matthewszalkowski4719 it was obvious it was all part of the "theme park" so nothing they said should've been taken personally. Sure you could've had fun with it and given a bit of banter back if wanted

[@mistypuffs]

It’s the British way ❤

[@thecinematicmind]

The Cinderella artwork in the Castle is a masterpiece.

[@averyeml]

So Dismaland always messed with me extra hard specifically because of the Ariel statue in the big nasty moat. That statue glitches my brain out in a way I cannot stand but want to praise the artist endlessly for, and it also triggers this weird “kids are afraid of the most useless crap” memory I have of being an 8 year old at Walt Disney World, leaning over a railing and seeing a bronze statue of King Triton just… in the water that freaked little-kid me out to no end. It’s dumb, I’m embarrassed, but kids are afraid of useless stuff all the time and that statue just brings up an eerie ghost of that irrational fear every time I see it

[@myaf3107]

from what i remember Ariel looks normal in the reflection of the water. i always thought that was rlly cool, but never thought abt what the meaning behind it could be

[@beelzemobabbity]

Submechanaphobia

[@averyeml]

@@beelzemobabbity yeah when that first became a thing I was like “YES! That’s ME!” But then it just kept going as this crazy trend almost like a creepypasta and I felt lowkey embarrassed to say I genuinely have it

[@beelzemobabbity]

@@averyeml yeah lots of stuff ends up like thats sadly

[@medeucaa]

U might have submechaniphobia like i do lol

[@javiarcamaro7178]

It’s like a real life “Your childhood is over” meme as an entire park, I love it.

[@prxttypurin]

I went there and I just remember how horrifying it was for me when I was a child. It definitely hurt a bit of my childhood seeing the ‘Disney’ castle like that and seeing a dying Cinderella.

[@TheSapphireLeo]

But accurate to the facade and to the logical brain?

[@roldirevan2130]

Welcome to the real world.

[@legallyrequired]

This was first released when I was 13, I was absolutely fascinated by it. I’m still so upset I wasn’t able to see it in person. It is just so amazing and well done, I still think about it. Every time I see a video or article about it I feel obligated to watch it.

[@NovaDraconis]

Art critics : This piece definitely has a deep meaning. We should recognise that the oil industry is bad and do something about it! Actual artist : Hahah, trucks in air go broom broom.

[@Urm0mz]

Most artists make art because they find joy in it. I don't know an artist who is as depressing socially as the anti social art they create😂 it ain't that deep. The blurbs are what sell the art

[@caetano9567]

There are a lot of depressed artists...

[@mintyflores7378]

I actually experienced this recently in a writing workshop. Everyone thought my short story about a person just chilling was about fear and lost memories.

[@tophatring8445]

@@caetano9567no one said there wasn’t

[@caetano9567]

@@tophatring8445 i know, i was just saying...

[@KrazyKuno]

To be honest as someone who knows the place this was based on pretty well he was spot on with how the employees feel, are treated, etc. Yeah, they say everything is all happy and great, but when you scratch the surface there's a lot of stuff you uncover; stuff they wish to keep hidden. Homeless employees, a system where one has to come into work sick or get penalized to the point of being fired, and a number of other issues. And their faithful cult of attendees don't care unless it affects them personally. I honestly wanted to buy a shirt and wear it to the (redacted) parks and see if I would cause any disturbance.

[@WobblesandBean]

Oh yeah, I have friends who were "cast members" who all have horror stories to tell. One I find the most disturbing is how the "face" characters, like the princesses, enjoyed a cult like status among the performers. All were barely 18, but were lusted after and frequently engaged in... activities that youtube will delete my comment if I say, in the tunnels beneath the park that they use to traverse from area to area.

[@KrazyKuno]

@@WobblesandBean the irony is they only get to be a princess for a few years, and then replaced by another younger person. So sad to then be reduced to either a mascot or shop minion.

[@Lungfish851]

I thought this was just what the average british amusement park was like

[@Brieftrager_Pat]

…no?

[@yup8865]

Lol

[@reteledman]

alton tow-

[@rojin866]

When he was talking about how grey and depressing the place looked the only thing i could think about was how literally every theme park I've ever visited in my country looks exactly like this.

[@I_Was_Groot_2000]

Alton towers: Blackpool pleasure beach: Chessington worlds of adventure: Thorpe park:

[@quintinbrakebill8875]

This park needs to make a return in the near future. Bring back some previous art pieces while adding some new ones based around more recent events. Come to think of it, have a sub-section of the park based around the dark sides of social media and internet in general.

[@blxxdbvrn]

God that’s what I think when I first saw this.

[@redrasegarden]

Banksy should look into Halloween mazes, this gave me abandoned by Disney vibes

[@carminecdinoproductions]

Yeah! He should!

[@redrasegarden]

@@carminecdinoproductions think he would

[@GloomyFish]

I went there! It was honestly amazing. So happy to see someone talking about it EDIT: this video is bringing back so many memories. I really wish Dismaland was still there, i would love to be able to see it again

[@badlarry172]

yeh you were lucky, wish i had seen it

[@GARFIELDENA]

ENA PFP🤯

[@cuppa_joe935]

Fun fact, Dismaland was a big inspiration for an art project that I made a little while ago. The art project was about a theme park inside of a criminals mind and I thought the vibe of Dismaland fit that. I even made my own knock off Mickey Mouse (:

[@Zilkenian_Davenport]

Oh gosh, I remember the "horse meat" situation back then. It was actually huge, and I remember my mother and grandmother stopped buying meat from the supermarket for years. heck, my grandma never again bought meat from the supermarket because she didn't trust it, instead she went to a store where she could see the meat cut and treated. The fact that a merry go round referenced this is both unnerving and satisfying.

[@waddledottz]

why would people disguise horse meat as cow? horses are expensive HAHHAA

[@onesiewoman2357]

It was incredible. The security staff were so funny. It was only 10 miles from my home.

[@allystitcheskurta]

Dude! This just sounds like a dream come true!! A dark Disney theme park! Man…I wish it’ll go on, maybe make it more interesting and create it like a horror theme but Disney.

[@selfishstockton6123]

It doesn’t need to be horror themed. Reality is horrifying enough

[@MuerteMorrison]

They have disney haunted park mazes in hong kong, it's basically horror themed Disney characters

[@creepersonspeed5490]

you are kind of missing the point though, this would just make it another piece of entertainment. which is not the point

[@myaf3107]

I was very lucky to go when i was 13. from what I remember, the squiggly-ness of the ariel statue meant that she looked normal and non-squiggly in the reflection of the water! very cool!

[@0therun1t21]

No explanation needed for any of this art, it's all very direct and gets the point across immediately, no room for interpretation. I think the messages would come through loud and clear even if you don't get the references. I'm not critiquing your video, I very much appreciate your tour, it's the first time I've seen some of it, including behind the walls of Dismaland, that was incredible! Basqiat comes to mind as well, but he was the opposite, kind of mysterious and cryptic, imptessionistic and abstract in a lot of his work but the messages still came through. I really wish he was still with us. The saddest robot would have fit right in with Dismaland too, total bummer!

[@midwaygamer-ou3my]

I always felt banksy might be more than one person it's just an alias for all the people who portray him.

[@Guyfrom2001]

“My artfart mother, Karen, brought me to a shitty parody of Disneyland.” Yeah I bet I’d be let down too.

[@Wooshey_Wooj]

I like how Cinderella’s chariot is in the shape of the Mickey logo.

[@lucario719]

I appreciate the dark humor of Diana Cinderella's upturned carriage also being a hidden Mickey

[@legoc-3po845]

Dismaland is my favorite Amusement Park, not because it has stunning attractions or visuals but literally the polar opposite, it is so effective on making the visitants so dissapointed and upset with how delusional everything is.

[@booterscooch5105]

I think one of the best touches is that the birds are tweeting at almost the same frequency as the camera flashes so they blend together

[@thewilliamsanimationprojec822]

If this was still open, a fun challenge would be try to make the staff break character and act like you’re having the time of your life in the park.

[@somebum4087]

I’m just curious: Did that Cinderella piece cause any outrage in the UK?

[@skootergirl22]

Don't think anyone cared

[@thecinematicmind]

More from the media press than the public. The public knew the artwork was about criticism of the paparazzi and how they treated Princess Diana.

[@aeddiefarmer]

It might have if the sculpture was released closer in time to the actual event, but as it was it didn't make any waves.

[@VixNickNacks]

I went there with my partner, I bought a t-shirt, program and won a meaningless rubber band for failing to hit a anvil off a table with a ping-pong ball. My partner also ended up with a golf ball from the "Crazy Gulf", you could say it was a "Hole in One!"

[@eko9554]

Reminds me of Epic Mickey and Kingdom Keepers. I remember hearing about this park around the mid 2010s on a video compilation.

[@DanielWeidner-li2yf]

TBH I would want to see a fanfic where the DHIs accidentally gets sent here instead of Disney World, and it basically being a horror story.

[@plwushii]

Honestly this would be awsome if it was there for longer, the messages in it are amazing.

[@vantavarmint8212]

Its cool to see this covered after so many years! I'm a local and I still have my shirt from when I went with my family, though I was just 11 at the time. I think its important to meantion something about why Weston-super-Mare was chosen in particular, its because its a real life version of what Dismaland is a parody of. Obviously, the direct inspiration was Disneyland but Weston has always been a tourist town and has been in decline for over a hundred years it feels like. The tides are deadly, the sand is more mud than anything else, Birnbeck pier is abandoned and inaccessable, the Grand Pier has burned down twice and is currently filled with overpriced attractions and cheap memorabilia. Every year buisness' open and close down and tourist season brings less and less people. The town is Dismaland. I grew up with it and so I am naturally fond of it because of and in spite of its many flaws but its a truely miserable place. As for the exibition itself, I was a particularly smart ass child so take this with a grain of salt but even back then I felt that the entire messaging of the place was a bit surface level. But thats fine, art with obvious messages has its place. My favourite part was actually the miniature city, the level of detail in that thing is truely off the charts, I'm glad I got to see it in person. Cheers for the video mate

[@nyekomimi]

Let's not forget that the upside-down carriage doubles as most grim Hidden Mickey!

[@kexard]

This entire park reminds me of the “Mouskewitz” (or however you spell it) urban legend about the employees at Disneyland who considered it the least-happy place on earth.

[@nickythehickey]

isn’t mouskewitz the family from american tail

[@kexard]

@@nickythehickey oh yea! It is. But, I think that was also the name of the urban legend. I don’t know if it was confirmed or not. Then again, maybe it was “Maushewitz”. Been a long time since I heard the legend.

[@carminecdinoproductions]

Why?

[@kexard]

@@carminecdinoproductions I think it was due to harsh working conditions. Been a while since I looked into it.

[@MrOnewallatatime]

I commented a few years back that "still my all time favorite youtube channel"... and you still don't disappoint. And still my all time favorite youtube channel.

[@LocalTreeFort]

I'm not usually a fan of Banksy but that Cinderella piece is amazing.

[@ShortbusMooner]

Well, I guess I didn't know much about Banksy! Thanks for filling in the gaps! 😁👍

[@paulwilliamson3211]

As someone who lives in Weston-super-mud and has been to both Disneyland in Paris and Florida, Dismaland was the best by far.

[@storr5313]

I remember doing a project for this at art in school, it was a strange but awesome art installation with lots of political pieces, was left in awe with my teenage brain.

[@DiscoTimelordASD]

The Princess Diana/Cinderella piece hit me like a sledge hammer to the heart.

[@maybeimar0b0t]

The recent Willy's Chocolate Experience was unintentionally just as unsettling as Dismaland 😂

[@johnnyblade4351]

Was really unhappy I didn't make it !!! Shame they couldn't of made a tour. Great Stuff

[@StefanoAraneda]

I always love to look at this kind of art. Thanks for an awesome video Man!!

[@carlapowell4864]

I love this art work!!

[@onegrlindawrld6297]

This is fascinating . Best footage I've seen of it .

[@pamelaapgar8184]

Man I would of loved to have seen Dismaland

[@paddlingpuppies]

I wonder where all the pieces are now? In storage? Destroyed? Returned to their creators? Other than the trucks, I mean; very apropos, having it in Las Vegas.

[@carriemummy]

That's amazing! How did I never hear of this place? BTW, the kids on the carousel are totally joining in on the spirit of the place!

[@Dimension137]

actually there was no alcohol found in the drivers system with princess Diana. no evidence to prove he was drinking

[@gemstone108]

I remember being on the internet while this exhibit was up and so many people (at least in my internet circles) were dunking on it for being an edgelord thing and making memes and stuff. It was kinda funny at times but at the same time I was like “Man, is it bad I think this is kinda neat?” 😂

[@rickshearer]

Why would you "highly recommend to explore the park" when it is gone? haha jk Yes, even on the internet it looks creepy...so much so I will explore the park further. As always, your many many hours of hard work with research, production and script/narration is fantastic! 📽🎬🏰

[@EmmaGoldmanlovesyou]

I got to see ‘big rig jig’ in person a bunch of times! I always took friends to see it, and my little ones liked it. I live close to the arts district.

[@mintyskullz]

Honestly...that sounds like my dream job that i'll be definitely good at.

[@zionred]

many works attributed by Bansky are certainly some of the most interesting modern art pieces of this generation. However, some are also just pretentious gags that hardly qualify as "art," created by someone who obviously needs therapy.

[@jugofwar8124]

Its amazing how they can get the weather to always be grey and dreary... oh wait, that is just England

[@Spooks._.]

I so badly wanted to go there! My old art teacher did a presentation on it and I begged my parents to take me as it wasn’t too far from us

[@thaitoan4760]

The benefit of working here is that you don’t have to pretend you are enjoying your job.

[@WilliamTylerDesign]

I think it would be cool to see this place now, completely abandon, no upkeep, just even more dismal.

[@princesskristan]

I'm sad I never got to see it. I live on the other side of the world, and every video, picture, or article that I read about it, it intrigues me

[@welcometomybrain7385]

I was lucky enough to see this when it was open. Me and my family just happened to be in the area at the time on holiday, when we stumbled upon the exhibition. Of course we had to go in. I’ve still got the t shirt and pocket money loans leaflet. Being about 10 and a half, it was more just a cool and interesting attraction, if not a bit, well, dismal 😂 But now I’m older I can understand and appreciate it even more. Still one of the coolest places I’ve been to!!

[@thetwistedsamurai]

Not to be morbid but I cannot find that photo of Diana’s hair in the crash that you mentioned. It’s legitimately impossible to find for me.

[@kaitlando636]

Maybe deleted or very covered up?

[@jonsmith6331]

Truly all of the brave social commentary as a painting of evil Ronald McDonald...

[@callmeanon660]

My art teacher in elementary school showed a sort of trailer of it to the class, I dont exactly remember the lesson or the reason why but I thought it looked really cool

[@MigoKazan]

I hope the person who bought the painting that got shredded got refunded, since it technically got destroyed in the "shipping and handling" process And I hope all of those paparazzi got arrested for essentially committing regicide

[@feehloif3]

With all seriousness, this is incredible.

[@Dogflamingo]

Dope vid bro, you should add it to the playlist

[@princessmarlena1359]

“The Unhappiest Place On Earth”.

[@ladyofthelake93]

A customer service job where you can look as miserable as you feel sounds amazing.

[@AlexReynard]

OH CHRIST, THE ENTIRE CRASHED CARRIAGE IS A HIDDEN MICKEY! JESUS, WHAT ATTENTION TO DETAIL!!!

[@blxxdbvrn]

Crazy how this place ages more well as time goes by, even though it’s closed.

[@darrenjarvis2118]

Am interesting fact, once the park closed and was torn down all the material used was sent to calais to help refugees heading to England build shelters

[@sockjems2558]

I was lucky enough to go, it was a great experience. I loved the bumpercar death routine. The security guards confiscated my unicorn upon entry - it was fantastic!

[@naomii_star]

There was a dismaland at Brisbane and it was honestly very fun

[@class37thrash]

I was lucky enough to be able to experience this in person. I will forever be thankful of that.

[@TheTrumpReaper]

1:48 I posed for that bumper car shot. 😁☠️

[@ShiekahTribe]

Just one small correction - the place is called Weston-super-Mare, not "Weston".

[@Ultra04channel]

I love how there was all this political commentary and satire, as well as some very disturbing pieces, and then you get to the "Big Rig Jig", and it's just "I just like trucks."

[@dc9662]

"Dismaland was so dense." If you ended the sentence there, you would have been correct.

[@Slikx666]

What an excellent idea, wish I could have gone there. 🤔👍

[@ToyInsanity]

Now he has Funko Pops lol

[@ambarvizcarra9656]

This reminds me of omega mart it’s so immersive

[@lauramalerich5129]

This Theme park looks awesome I'd love to go to a place like that!

[@nrrdgrrl4life365]

the princess diana one is amazing

[@raymxslappedyall1891]

wow I wonder if disney ever had a problem with this

[@PastelOddity]

I remember being obsessed with this in high school for some reason, and looking back on it, _oof_ , I was quite the edgy teen. 😂

[@overlord6993]

Cant believe banksy stole that one joke from drawn together where all the disney princess die

[@zendog8888]

Damm this place looked awesome!!wish it was still open. I would have loved to visit.

[@FlasKamel]

Great video as always, though I have to say there's something about Banksy's art that, while iconic and cool visually, feels kinda "cheap". Like it's a bit like "Oooo, Hello Kitty but with devil horns in a sewer!"

[@Taliex13]

I was lucky enough to go twice, would have gone more if I could have!

[@joe3489]

0:19 Gray Fox?? You're that ninja!

[@patrickhicks9880]

I met an old woman once who told me her grandchildren were abducted at Disneyland I think that's a lot more disturbing than this thing I remember the horse lasagne story Princess Anne thought it was ok

[@haleandguu]

oh my god !! thats horrific ..

[@MiggsMultiple]

Always like your videos...Glad you still make them

[@Penguins44]

“ No where will you find a statue of a critic…“ Umm, Martin Luther.

[@elizabethcharlton7755]

I always thought the Cinderella carriage was meant to show how destructive paparazzi is. You can clearly see her eyes are open, so maybe she could've gotten help, especially with how the birds seem to be trying to pick her up. But between the paparazzi crowding around her and the disorienting flash, there's no way to get anyone in to help her, or get her out to somewhere safe. She's doomed, and by the look in her eye she knows it. Because a princess in distress sells more papers than helping her

[@Watsitlike-kp7er]

Could u imagine the conversation of a kid and parent “mommy can we please go to Disneyland “ “no honey where going to Dismaland “ “what?”

[@MG-do7yg]

Wonder if they would bring that here, could set it up in Orlando, lol

[@Lo0ny_T0ons]

Or California since that was the original Disneyland

[@arielruh7773]

I want to see that

[@TheElvisJamboree]

Move over Dismaland, Willy's Chocolate Exhibition is the new Saddest Place On Earth.

[@eden.nd.]

It'd be helpful to give the town's full name of weston-super-mare bc there's another area called Weston in England.