Abandoned - Splendid China Florida

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.

Other Great Splendid China Media -

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Bright Sun Films 2023

Presented in 4K

[waynehowie]

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.

[fratercontenduntocculta]

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!

[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.

[bigmac]

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

[lisaw]

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.

[TheNumberGoober]

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.

[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

[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.

[timsharpe]

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.

[stephencoutu]

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.

[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.

[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!

[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!

[Angry_Squirrel]

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.

[emilyhannan]

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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[nathanbennett]

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.