This seems like a scenario in Rollercoaster Tycoon where you start with a huge plot of land and a ton of random pathways, but don't have enough money to build any major attractions yet.
The fact the park is empty of customers and most of the rides are no longer in operation, really makes me worry for the quality of life those animals are getting.
Sadly, you're absolutely right. There have been 2 more animal deaths (a beluga whale and a bottlenose dolphin) just this month, and an orca last month. There have been repeated calls to shut this place down, with many former employees coming out speaking about the horrific conditions for the animals there.
@@user-mq4ig5pf2b That’s awful, but you can tell just by looking at the environment that it’s a terrible place for the animals. (Even the koi aren’t in a good environment. I have a koi pond and koi do better with some vegetation, especially the really young ones. And, also with some kind of fountain or waterfall filter/pumping system to improve the water quality.)
Felt like you showed up in a station wagon with your family only to find out the park was closed so you took the security guard hostage and forced him to let you ride all the rides. I was here in the mid 90's and they had a pit full of bears that you could buy a cup of marshmallows to throw at them. They would sit on their butts and wave at you and catch the marshmallows in mid air. They probably all died from diabetes. Such a weird park.
I remember you could feed the bears like you mentioned, and the "Deer Park" let you walk among the deer and feed them. Although, as soon as you had food, they'd clamour towards you and nip you if you took too long to feed them.
@@IndigoFireFandubs the deer park brought me alot of trauma. I remember being able to feed them. I was 4 and remember them being surrounded. Dad had to save me.
That poor kid tried so hard to say hi to you lol I think the park itself would be amazing if everything was properly taken care of. The walkways have a nice peaceful feel to them. I hope those animals end up with a better home. Thanks for bringing us with you! : )
Many locals would tell you NOT to go. The treatment of the "animals" is atrocious. The reason the orca that died last year was a result. This is probably their last summer. Trying to get the tourists that don't know any better. It's sad that they've been able to get away with things as long as they have. I love that you've come to Canada. We have so many awesome attractions it's a shame you got reeled in. Hope you enjoyed the falls!
This park used to be very popular back in the 90s. The people who run it are questionable and the mistreatment of a lot of the animals was what led to what you see now. They refuse to sell the park from what I understand even though selling it could probably lead to something much better for the area. As of right now, it's an overpriced mess of a skeleton of a theme park.
@@inkspec2.022 it has literally been years upon years since I've last been there, but yes, it did used to have a lot more. Their big attractions were the orcas and beluga whales but due to laws and stubbornness to change, this is what you see now.
Check out Bright sun film's tour of this park. I remember in the 90s and early 2000s the constant commercials and ads. I went a very long time ago in the 90s as a young kid and have not been back there since.
Oh, what a shame. The theme park looks pretty cool and enoughly-well preserved, even with few people around. But it's real: many places had their time of splendour and slowly or quickly faded away, sort of speak. And then they close or in strange cases (could be seen as a weird kind of "sustainable negligence" or pure lazyness from owners), it becomes this "limbo park" stuff. Doesn't go up hill nor down, and gets enough revenue to just, well... stay open. It's curious how this kind of places exist all over the world. Frozen in time and still breathing.
No one would take it if there were people there either. I lived in the area for 8 years. Never locked my doors or car, nothing ever happened. Niagara is an extremely safe place. I’ve been there on busier days and left our wagon full of bags and food at the main path unattended while we would go on Dragon Mountain (they don’t let you take wagons past the little building). We would be gone for an hour and everything was still there when we returned.
@@bennyhonna8195Niagara Falls is a cesspool of crime, drugs, and generally the worst society has to offer on both sides of the border. The Canadian side just looks nicer and the tourist traps are kept a bit cleaner.
@@chrismdb5686 I can tell you have never lived in the Falls. The Canadian side is a beautiful city outside of the tourist areas and extremely safe. The American side is very different. But you are entitled to your opinion
@@bennyhonna8195 The tourist areas are 90% of the city on both sides. The Canadian suburbs may be nice, but neither city is, and NF, USA, is one of the most dangerous cities in the country. No, I haven't ever lived in Canada, but I moved away from the American side of the falls for very good reason. Did I forget to mention the human trafficking rings that operate on both sides? Probably.
A beluga whale and a dolphin died the recently. People are not happy that this keeps happening. Perhaps this is why no one is there. You are at a park funeral my friend.
@@silverghostcat1924 no one wants to go to it anymore so thats why once the last animal dies its over, so dont say that its early cuz that park is gone unless unless a better one comes
As someone who has spent decades going down to Niagara Falls, ON, Marineland has the exact aura of a Silent Hill level just before the air ride siren goes off and it all goes to hell. I remember very little of my one visit there other than huge, empty expanses of nothing but pavement.
I think is perhaps one of the most depressing places I ever have seen. My heart goes out to the animals above all.. I honestly hope they are taken care of properly.
I went there being from Canada and found that the rides were not scary at all but the cracking breaking sounds often scared the hell out of me fearing for my life of a mechanical failure.
It’s sad that they abuse animals, that’s why it’s like it is now. Nobody who knows the story will ever go there again. Not sure why it’s even open anymore.
People are protesting. Eventuallt they will close down these parks. they care about rides more than the bigger tanks. SeaWorld in USA raised money to make bigger tanks for their marine life but instead decided to use that money on rides. That goes to show. they dont give a crap. A small park with a ton of parking that goes all around the park.
@@SCREECHJELLY It's a change in mentality. Back when animal circuses and big marine mammal show theme parks where in their hey day. What we call animal abuse today, used to be call family entertainment. It also ignorance of that time too. Back then, no one had much awareness that having a marine mammal that is suppose to swim more then an hundred miles a day, in a tank that is only like an Olympic size diving well, was harmful to the animal then good.
@@SCREECHJELLY Eventually it will likely close down, but enough people must still be going to the park to keep them in business for now. Probably foreigners like Jacob who might not know WHY locals don't want to go.
Man, the memories of the 70’s. I remember going as a kid, with my parents. While watching the whales, some kid got stung by a bee, and was running around screaming till he collapsed. My Dad got me an inflatable Kandu ( the thing to have as a kid in Ontario) somehow it got a hole in it, and went in the garbage in the parking lot. I took my kids once years later, I felt the same frustration as my father.” everyone loves Marineland!”
My first looping rollercoaster was Dragon Mountain in the early 00s but since then, this place has become an animal cemetery. its a shame its still allowed to operate.
Oh gawd, made the mistake of looking this place up and seeing its list of controversies. Won't make the mistake of ever going there, thanks. Great video as always!
Man you’re going to have to start Carpetbagger International soon!! You’ve been quite a few places in the US over the years. A special show where Jacob explores the best international road side attractions and interesting places around the world would be amazing! Give a thumbs up to this comment if you also want to see “The Carpetbagger goes International” too! 👍👍👍
Yeah I sorta do but I'm voting for him to exhaust all possibilities in North America first. Rudy Maxa and Rick Steve have already done good jobs covering the old world.
Jeez, I remember very clearly the TV advertisements of this place way back when I was just a kid. Never been, but The Sky Screamer was brand new and they made an ad about it: "You're gonna love the Sky Screamer! You'll want to ride it, over again!" Seeing the park now in its end phase is really something else.
I'm from Buffalo also and used to come here all the time as a kid! I still remember the theme song from the commercials - it's kind of sad to see what's become of Marineland. It's funny because all the rides (the working ones, anyway) look reasonably well-maintained but those scary mechanical noises are a good reminder of how very old this park is, LOL! I do worry about the animals there. I hope they're being taken care of properly.
As a Canadian who went to Marine land as a kid in the 90s , and now will have the theme song stuck in my head, this is crazy to see, it was packed when I was a kid and the lines were so long, it always bothered me they had orca whales in captivity even when I was like 7, its a 12 hour drive from my province to Ontario...wonder if it picks up in July or August? Those are our summer months 😂..🎵🎶theres a place i know in Ontaro, where the sea lions kiss so the story goes, everyone loves Marine Land 🎵🎶
@@melisagilbert4486 They'll never change! The sooner this park is closed for good and the remaining animals relocated to a place where they'll be properly cared for the better.
You know as somebody who grew up in Canada and seen the ads for the park and remember the stories being told by family and friends about the park. I'm amazed you went to Canada's most weirdest park and on top of that I remember all the crazy stories that other companies wanted to buy it. Just saying they got discouraged. There's a lot of stories out there but yeah that park I'm shock it's even open still. How did they even have money to operate?
For a moment, I thought you had returned to your roots and were doing an abandoned places video. The park looked interesting enough however, being the old fart that I am, I'm not sure my knees could handle all that walking.😂
All that walking reminded me of the old school Cypress Gardens-but having all those paths there made sense visitors were there to enjoy the gardens. Also the entertainment that I saw there back in the day was human centered (water ski show and dive show) and far less depressing than this park. I don’t know that botanical gardens would work in Canada-my point is that having this much land offers lots of opportunity for creating a much better experience for humans and other animals.
That was so sad to see when the best part of an amusement park/zoo visit was the carpetbagger imitating a dolphin with a plastic head on a stick. I did laugh aloud at "where's the penguins?" "I guess there's no penguins.."
I honestly liked the selection of uniquely designed rides this place has & the large amount of space, nature doesn’t have to be completely destroyed for human enjoyment. Thanks for showing us this place bagger!
The large amount of space is due to profit loss for years and years because nobody in Ontario wants to go there and support it lol they get more protesters outside than people in the actual park. They should use the space to make larger tanks if they're going to continue insisting on keeping captive marine life but they've proven to not care about the wellbeing of their animals for a very, very long time.
I remember my dad said I was at Marineland when I was five years old. As it probably was better than what it appears to look like. As I can understand that two Beluga exhibits are in after the death of Kiska as she passed two weeks after my dog died. As there is news that the dead owners wife plans to sell the park. As for the land animals could be moved to Toronto Zoo and the animals could be moved to other parks as for Niagara Aquarium could take all the animals in, but the dolphins and belugas could be moved to Sea World parks and other parks that can house them. As perhaps Marineland can be a new amusement park without the animals like six flags or Dorney. As maybe the park will make improvements hopefully.
That was bizarre, I too worry about the care of the animals. Those few aquarium with the koi and gar did not look that good. I had to look on Google earth and it said that major roller coasters is temporarily closed. Oh when you go to the amusement parks and ride something that makes you feel sick . Carry some peppermint or ginger hard candy also drink a ginger ale, those all help decrease nausea. Way to hang in there! Keep up the great work oh any word on your car
As someone from Buffalo who vividly can see the Walrus dude mascot and hear the commercial jingles permanently embedded in my brain for decades, that's a great gift for Jen, she will definitely like it!
Marineland is a former shell of itself. I worked there for one summer about 10 years ago. From my understanding, the park used to get about 1 to 1.5 million guests a year back in the 90s and 2000s. When I worked there in 2014 they had around 700k after the summer season. Now, I am hearing they are lucky to see 250k in an entire season. The park used to be much more lively. Very sad to see the park slowly falling apart, but I also understand why. I worked there when the original owner was still alive and he did not take care of the park the way his wife has. There was one attraction added between 2009 and 2019. Since 2019, the “new” owners have added 2 rides, polar splash, penguin palace, Marineland Express, and has made many small park improvements. Niagara is a small community and everyone knows everyone. Pre-COVID, the goal was for Marineland to make a transition from marine park to theme park, similar to what Sea World is doing. That has obviously been delayed due to the pandemic, but hopefully people see the positive changes the park is making and start going to the park to see for themselves.
Thanks for the info and background of this theme park. Seems like it has been going downhill, which is always a shame. I do hope it recovers its past glory and keeps delivering fun and joy to present and future generations.
I went to MarineLand twice in the early 2000s (both times on school field trips.) That was just before I started hearing all the stories about the neglect of the animals. Being the massive animal lover I am, I've never been back since. Where did you hear that they were making the transition from marine park to amusement park? My mom and I have been saying for years that that is what they should do! If they added more thrill rides/shows it could be like a Disney park minus Disney characters. That way, my country could have something close to being its own Disney park since the Mouse House has always refused to build one here.
You should definitely go back for Dragon Mountain. It's perpetually unfinished with a really weird layout. It was opened without all the theming ever being built. It's truly bizarre. There are great videos you can see about it. The Problematic Coasters series has a good one I think
What a pity the big open spaces haven't been given over to those very big fish that very much look like they need more room. 🙁 Thanks Jacob. You've been very brave 👍
It’s like a Back Rooms video. But I am so impressed with the money spent on the infrastructure and the theme in g. Because of your video, I am going to go this summer.
Fun fact: Dragon Mountain has one of the longest ride times at 3:30 and one of the longest track lengths at 5500 ft.... Also covers a huge area of land...
Speaking from experience, I definitely remember it being a whole lot more popular in the early-mid 2000's what with all the stupidly catchy "Everyone Loooooooooves, Marineland" commercials that they'd air on TV. It was certainly more popular with kids and teens before all the animal neglect and cruelty got more spread out what with the internet becoming more popular with kids. I'd say it dropped off around the late 2000's - early 2010's, at least that's around the last time I went because my school would do school trips to it but we stopped going once I hit like 6th grade.
Last time I was thier, was almost 9 years ago, and it was as empty as it is now. But the best thing about it, I was able to ride the sky screamer for almost 30 min non stop before getting tired of it and having to get off.
I definitely have a photo of me on that dragon carousel & the hawk ride in the 90s I remember feeding the loose deer in the park Those train tracks used to be used & that polar splash is a splash pad. Who knows if it’s even used anymore Penguin palace gave me the creeps I remember they had sea lions shows in that arena
I gotta say, Jacob was certainly giving... generous in his review of it. Even ignoring the animal abuse allegations (which is hard to do)... This is a park in its death throes, and even through the video, signs of decay were very obvious (the aquarium, the one building with the arcades...). Many rides closed due to lack of staff, stalls just shuttered up. The park has history of corner cutting, scrapped projects, and poor management (rumors that the original owner was a bit of a penny pincher). There were some other things that i don't know of Jacob noticed, like the train tracks that go through the park but aren't part of it. Or that for that huge empty space, only 1 restaurant is open. And yeah, land or sea, none of those enclosures are suitable for the animals they held. Right now it sounds like marineland is looking to sell, and I'm pretty happy with that. Get rid of the animals, and you know primo real estate to create an amusement park to put Canada's wonderland to shame. Get like six flags or heck, Sea World (they should know how to unanimal their parks). Wouldn't mind some good competition in the amusement parks up here
17:20 Very COOL video of the Beluga 🐋 🐋 Whales swimming by the blue window while you are standing on the left side. NICE work, Jacob. Unexpected and beautiful!
I would call that Drop Zone The Milkshake Good Lord! I felt sick just watching it. That is the craziest place I have ever seen. Hopefully one day soon it will be on a RUclips Abandoned Parks video. I really hope the animals are being looked after. That place is scary. I mean what the heck? Where was the food?
That place looks like it in serious trouble. The condition of the stone work by the second beluga whale place plus the fact there are no people, things closed and just so light use of the land.
Grew up visiting family in Niagara Falls/Fort Erie, so I visited here a few times in the early 2000s. It was always pretty quiet, but never looked as abandoned as this. I always felt like for such a large plot of land with empty areas, they should have just used the extra space to give the animals bigger tanks/exhibits. In my country, we have no captive whales or dolphins any more, it was outlawed in 1993 to keep these animals at zoos/parks , so it feels pretty sad to see these animals in such small tanks. I hope they get relocated one day to somewhere with more space.
It's kind of sad to see the place so empty. They could put a great haunt in there- with all that open, desolate area. I like how you've incorporated footage of you riding the amusements with a stationary camera. It adds another dimension.
I went to Niagara at 13 years old with my family and still have very clear memories of walking through that park in the 90s. There were more people when we went there but it was still very quiet. there would be tons of nothing and no one and then tiny gatherings of people. I see it is still pretty strange. I mostly remember walking around and having random deer/petting zoo animals just walking around everyone on the paths. Such an odd place. Def watch the documentaries on youtube about that place. The Late Owner was not the greatest owner for management, design, or animal collecting. I think at this point they are stil trying to figure out what to do with it after his death in 2018.
Just finished watching the video. Anyone who went in the 90s id be interested if you remember this too. i dont remember the deer being behind a gate in one area. I remember them walking on the cobblestone area with everyone. like they were free to roam....am I imagining that?!
@@Lisa.SoaresHey, just chiming in to say you are correct. The deer used to be an attraction people could go in and just interact with the deer. It was closed a while back after a father and son(s) caused a stampede, and with the uncontrolled number of deer it was a huge risk.
@@BlackCerberus wow ....i can see where that could have happened. I remember being so nervous like there was no real way to escape if you didn't want to be hands on with the animals then. Was so weird
The world has changed in terms of captive animals. Your vid is a great representation things to come. Looks like Marineland is in its final years. Hope the property goes back to the indigenous peoples for their use as they deem appropriate instead of a whole bunch more hotels.
Jacob, did you know you’re featured in today’s video from Weird History Food RUclips channel about Hidden Valley Ranch? Toward the end they featured you for a couple second clip.
The Ontario Gov. Just charged Marineland about the way they keep the black bears.I thought they closed years ago as they were charged with something else, years ago ..Because of that they don't advertise
I absolutely love your channel and you but *please, on behalf of me, ex-employees, the animals and many other people- please* don't support Marineland again. This place should have been shut down ages ago. The last captive killer whale in the world, Kiska, just passed away there at the age of 47 due to severe neglect and a bacterial infection. She was deemed "The loneliest Orca in the world" because she was left to float in a small concrete tank alone for 14 years straight and she showed highly severe signs of neglect, depression and loneliness. She would repeatedly swim in slow tight circles, bash her head against the tank or just float still in place for hours. There's a reason Marineland is always empty now (and has been for 10+ years) and nearly everyone in Ontario hates it. Edit: As someone who lives about 30 minutes from Marineland this story has always horrified and fascinated me. More info on Kiska if anyone cares: She was captured in 1979 at the age of 3 from the North Atlantic Ocean and taken to an aquarium in Iceland where she was temporarily housed with four other young orcas (one of which was Keiko who eventually was used as the orca in "Free Willy"). Keiko and Kiska were then sold to Marineland. Keiko was then resold to a park in Mexico before being rescued, rehabilitated and released back in to the Icelandic ocean. Kiska stayed behind in Marineland and gave birth to 5 calves. They all died young and one died before it could even be named. Orcas are very social animals and this alone caused her to be extremely depressed. Marineland then wanted to breed Kiska again as soon as possible because her calves dying were considered a profit loss, so they traded Busch Gardens 3 belugas and 2 trained sea lions for one 4-year-old male Orca named Ikaika aka "Ike". Ike arrived with dental issues due to chewing on the metal bars of his pool and required medication to help it heal. Marineland neglected to treat him properly and his dental issues rapidly got worse. Seaworld insisted they acquire Ike and that they could treat him properly. Marineland refused. Seaworld then took Marineland to court and won. Marineland appealed and lost a second time. Ike was then shipped to Seaworld. A sanctuary+rescue in Nova Scotia tried to help Kiska and Marineland was on board until the Niagara police charged Marineland with using whales and dolphins for entertainment purposes (which is prohibited under the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act). Marineland then, for whatever reason, cut off all contact with the sanctuary (I assume because it would just contribute to their bad press if they acknowledged the issue+handed over Kiska). So ever since 2009, Kiska sat alone in her isolated concrete tank to deteriorate physically and mentally until she passed.
I live in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, about an hour from the park, Jacob, you say you were there early and that’s why there was no one there, it always is that empty, the park is up for sale, and they are getting investigated for breaching the new act that prevents animals in captivity other then approved zoos like the metro Toronto zoo, etc…. So do not let them fool you, it’s a has been park and on it’s way out
Jacob, have you heard of the Corning Museum of Glass? We have gone twice and still haven’t seen everything it’s not super far from Rochester and Buffalo we even went to the Case/Zippo museum in Bradford, PA, stopped at the Cuba Cheese Factory and got cheese!😊
The drop tower is similar to the Disney Tower going up and down, because it's run by air. Now the ones at the fair are worse because they only go up and drop really fast without warning. I haven't ridden one but one day, and probably the reason they stopped longer on top so you can get a look at the falls etc.
This seems like a scenario in Rollercoaster Tycoon where you start with a huge plot of land and a ton of random pathways, but don't have enough money to build any major attractions yet.
Comment of the day.
I was thinking the same thing lol
I'd imagine that was what the park was going for too until less and less people starting coming to the park.
The fact the park is empty of customers and most of the rides are no longer in operation, really makes me worry for the quality of life those animals are getting.
Sadly, you're absolutely right. There have been 2 more animal deaths (a beluga whale and a bottlenose dolphin) just this month, and an orca last month. There have been repeated calls to shut this place down, with many former employees coming out speaking about the horrific conditions for the animals there.
I kept thinking the same thing. Everything looks like it could use a little cleaning. The fish tanks especially. It looks half abandoned.
@@user-mq4ig5pf2b omg that’s awful!
Me too. How do they keep their doors open?
@@user-mq4ig5pf2b That’s awful, but you can tell just by looking at the environment that it’s a terrible place for the animals. (Even the koi aren’t in a good environment. I have a koi pond and koi do better with some vegetation, especially the really young ones. And, also with some kind of fountain or waterfall filter/pumping system to improve the water quality.)
Felt like you showed up in a station wagon with your family only to find out the park was closed so you took the security guard hostage and forced him to let you ride all the rides.
I was here in the mid 90's and they had a pit full of bears that you could buy a cup of marshmallows to throw at them. They would sit on their butts and wave at you and catch the marshmallows in mid air. They probably all died from diabetes.
Such a weird park.
That is a really good description, yes you are right.
Wow! That could be a plot for a movie.
"Sorry folks, park's closed. The moose out front should've told you."
I remember you could feed the bears like you mentioned, and the "Deer Park" let you walk among the deer and feed them. Although, as soon as you had food, they'd clamour towards you and nip you if you took too long to feed them.
@@IndigoFireFandubs the deer park brought me alot of trauma. I remember being able to feed them. I was 4 and remember them being surrounded. Dad had to save me.
I'm gonna be real with you guys, this has got to be one of the most depressing theme parks I have ever seen
Agreed
Canada Aye.
Yeah it's in it's death knells. Esp for spring/summer 🥲
Watching Jacob on kiddie rides made it worse.
It's especially depressing when you consider what the park used to thrive off of.
The kid on the pirate ship. "hi...Hi...HI!"😂
the dolphin impression was the best thing ive seen today! 😂
Who Hoo.......
It was classic! 😅
If there was a theme park equivalent to a dead mall, this would be it.
The fact that you appear to be one of the only people in such a large park certainly gives it an unsettling feeling.
this place should be replaced with a naruto theme park
That poor kid tried so hard to say hi to you lol I think the park itself would be amazing if everything was properly taken care of. The walkways have a nice peaceful feel to them. I hope those animals end up with a better home. Thanks for bringing us with you! : )
Many locals would tell you NOT to go. The treatment of the "animals" is atrocious. The reason the orca that died last year was a result. This is probably their last summer. Trying to get the tourists that don't know any better. It's sad that they've been able to get away with things as long as they have. I love that you've come to Canada. We have so many awesome attractions it's a shame you got reeled in. Hope you enjoyed the falls!
This park used to be very popular back in the 90s. The people who run it are questionable and the mistreatment of a lot of the animals was what led to what you see now.
They refuse to sell the park from what I understand even though selling it could probably lead to something much better for the area. As of right now, it's an overpriced mess of a skeleton of a theme park.
Did it have more rides and enclosures? Seems to be so open
@@inkspec2.022 it has literally been years upon years since I've last been there, but yes, it did used to have a lot more. Their big attractions were the orcas and beluga whales but due to laws and stubbornness to change, this is what you see now.
Check out Bright sun film's tour of this park. I remember in the 90s and early 2000s the constant commercials and ads. I went a very long time ago in the 90s as a young kid and have not been back there since.
Oh, what a shame. The theme park looks pretty cool and enoughly-well preserved, even with few people around. But it's real: many places had their time of splendour and slowly or quickly faded away, sort of speak. And then they close or in strange cases (could be seen as a weird kind of "sustainable negligence" or pure lazyness from owners), it becomes this "limbo park" stuff. Doesn't go up hill nor down, and gets enough revenue to just, well... stay open.
It's curious how this kind of places exist all over the world. Frozen in time and still breathing.
Selling it would only lead to a casino. Nothing worthwhile.
Jacob trying to get the bear's attention was just like that kid trying to get Jacob's attention on the boat ride.
or the damn deer's attention
So he was able to leave his camera on the ground while he was on the rides because there was absolutely no one else there? 😂
No one would take it if there were people there either. I lived in the area for 8 years. Never locked my doors or car, nothing ever happened. Niagara is an extremely safe place. I’ve been there on busier days and left our wagon full of bags and food at the main path unattended while we would go on Dragon Mountain (they don’t let you take wagons past the little building). We would be gone for an hour and everything was still there when we returned.
@Bennyhonna 81 Those are my kind of people. Very nice to hear. Somone stole my tree clippers out of my yard. Can't do that here.
@@bennyhonna8195Niagara Falls is a cesspool of crime, drugs, and generally the worst society has to offer on both sides of the border. The Canadian side just looks nicer and the tourist traps are kept a bit cleaner.
@@chrismdb5686 I can tell you have never lived in the Falls. The Canadian side is a beautiful city outside of the tourist areas and extremely safe. The American side is very different. But you are entitled to your opinion
@@bennyhonna8195 The tourist areas are 90% of the city on both sides. The Canadian suburbs may be nice, but neither city is, and NF, USA, is one of the most dangerous cities in the country. No, I haven't ever lived in Canada, but I moved away from the American side of the falls for very good reason.
Did I forget to mention the human trafficking rings that operate on both sides? Probably.
A beluga whale and a dolphin died the recently. People are not happy that this keeps happening. Perhaps this is why no one is there. You are at a park funeral my friend.
No one is there because it's very early in the season. I'm sure it fills up more later in the season.
I dislike these parks as much as anyone, but just checking - animals do die, right?
@@silverghostcat1924 no one wants to go to it anymore so thats why once the last animal dies its over, so dont say that its early cuz that park is gone unless unless a better one comes
Wow, that almost felt like an abandoned amusement park at times. I don't understand how they stay in business with such a small amount of visitors.
4:15 - 4:28 That was a comically long segment, I nearly spat out my toothpaste 😂
Marineland is the only theme park where the main colour scheme is rusty, unpainted metal hahaha
honestly its done
Clearly, not everyone loves Marineland.
That stupid jingle! I live in Ontario and Global used to play that damn commercial so often
@@linda10989 I too grew up in Ontario, the ad did run in high rotation. I can still sing it.🤣
Marineland is like The Backrooms of theme parks.
only there is no creature after u
Grabbing each other's swing at the end of the ride was the best part! Can you believe those pathways used to be packed, in the 80s?
Everyone needs to look up Phil Demers.
You all need to hear his story about Marineland and what they have been going on in Marineland.
As someone who has spent decades going down to Niagara Falls, ON, Marineland has the exact aura of a Silent Hill level just before the air ride siren goes off and it all goes to hell. I remember very little of my one visit there other than huge, empty expanses of nothing but pavement.
Great game. I love them all, film was rubbish
I think is perhaps one of the most depressing places I ever have seen. My heart goes out to the animals above all.. I honestly hope they are taken care of properly.
The park has long been controversial because of that reason.
I gotta ask, would it be less depressing if the place was packed? Wouldn't it be worse if the animals were surrounded by gibbering clapping primates?
@@suicidality2744 thats why we need a naruto theme park to replace this dump
I went there being from Canada and found that the rides were not scary at all but the cracking breaking sounds often scared the hell out of me fearing for my life of a mechanical failure.
It's very sad what has become of this park.
It’s sad that they abuse animals, that’s why it’s like it is now. Nobody who knows the story will ever go there again. Not sure why it’s even open anymore.
People are protesting. Eventuallt they will close down these parks. they care about rides more than the bigger tanks. SeaWorld in USA raised money to make bigger tanks for their marine life but instead decided to use that money on rides. That goes to show. they dont give a crap. A small park with a ton of parking that goes all around the park.
@@SCREECHJELLY It's a change in mentality. Back when animal circuses and big marine mammal show theme parks where in their hey day. What we call animal abuse today, used to be call family entertainment. It also ignorance of that time too. Back then, no one had much awareness that having a marine mammal that is suppose to swim more then an hundred miles a day, in a tank that is only like an Olympic size diving well, was harmful to the animal then good.
I feel sorry for the animals. The park itself can get screwed.
@@SCREECHJELLY Eventually it will likely close down, but enough people must still be going to the park to keep them in business for now. Probably foreigners like Jacob who might not know WHY locals don't want to go.
Man, the memories of the 70’s. I remember going as a kid, with my parents. While watching the whales, some kid got stung by a bee, and was running around screaming till he collapsed. My Dad got me an inflatable Kandu ( the thing to have as a kid in Ontario) somehow it got a hole in it, and went in the garbage in the parking lot. I took my kids once years later, I felt the same frustration as my father.” everyone loves Marineland!”
Jacob finally fell off the end of the map and landed in the backrooms
Loved the phrase " in the squids clutches""!!! Hilarious!! Nice relaxing spin around the squid 🐙🦑!!
My first looping rollercoaster was Dragon Mountain in the early 00s but since then, this place has become an animal cemetery. its a shame its still allowed to operate.
Oh gawd, made the mistake of looking this place up and seeing its list of controversies. Won't make the mistake of ever going there, thanks. Great video as always!
Man you’re going to have to start Carpetbagger International soon!! You’ve been quite a few places in the US over the years. A special show where Jacob explores the best international road side attractions and interesting places around the world would be amazing! Give a thumbs up to this comment if you also want to see “The Carpetbagger goes International” too!
👍👍👍
Yeah I sorta do but I'm voting for him to exhaust all possibilities in North America first. Rudy Maxa and Rick Steve have already done good jobs covering the old world.
I think he is scared to fly honestly. Or fears leaving the states. He has been doing the same stuff for years..smh
Jeez, I remember very clearly the TV advertisements of this place way back when I was just a kid. Never been, but The Sky Screamer was brand new and they made an ad about it: "You're gonna love the Sky Screamer! You'll want to ride it, over again!" Seeing the park now in its end phase is really something else.
Those poor Belugas they look sooooo BORED with their eternal circle….⭕️
I'm from Buffalo also and used to come here all the time as a kid! I still remember the theme song from the commercials - it's kind of sad to see what's become of Marineland.
It's funny because all the rides (the working ones, anyway) look reasonably well-maintained but those scary mechanical noises are a good reminder of how very old this park is, LOL!
I do worry about the animals there. I hope they're being taken care of properly.
That is one of the most depressing theme parks I have ever seen.
yeah I agree it sure is
I live in Ontario and I remember the commercials for that theme park on TV. You knew it was summer when they started playing them.
As a Canadian who went to Marine land as a kid in the 90s , and now will have the theme song stuck in my head, this is crazy to see, it was packed when I was a kid and the lines were so long, it always bothered me they had orca whales in captivity even when I was like 7, its a 12 hour drive from my province to Ontario...wonder if it picks up in July or August? Those are our summer months 😂..🎵🎶theres a place i know in Ontaro, where the sea lions kiss so the story goes, everyone loves Marine Land 🎵🎶
that theme song lives rent free in my head and has since the 90s
No it’s like that all the time. Look up Phil Demers and you will find out why everyone hates Marineland nowadays.
@@SCREECHJELLY they're in the news again charged for not taking care of the bears by not providing water, did ya see that here last week? Crazy eh!
@@melisagilbert4486 They'll never change! The sooner this park is closed for good and the remaining animals relocated to a place where they'll be properly cared for the better.
Being a kid from Buffalo, NY in the 90s the theme song is unforgettable and randomly pops in my head every now and then.
You are not holding the security guard at bbgun point are you? That park seems vacant 😮
Thank for keeping the kid in all of us alive, Jacob!
Amen !!!! 🎡🎠🎡🎠🎡🎠🎡
4:11 I love how long you voice the 🐬 DOLPHIN! 😆 That was very funny, Jacob!
You know as somebody who grew up in Canada and seen the ads for the park and remember the stories being told by family and friends about the park. I'm amazed you went to Canada's most weirdest park and on top of that I remember all the crazy stories that other companies wanted to buy it. Just saying they got discouraged. There's a lot of stories out there but yeah that park I'm shock it's even open still. How did they even have money to operate?
Looks like a post apocalyptic theme park.
The gift shop was a sign of what was to come.
this is the most depressing theme park i've ever seen, especially when it takes up land that is larger then every disney world park combined.
It seems like there are alot of Buluga whales in a small area.😢
It’s sad to see a park empty how do they afford to feed their animals. Small pools for animals 😢😢😢😢😢😢
For a moment, I thought you had returned to your roots and were doing an abandoned places video. The park looked interesting enough however, being the old fart that I am, I'm not sure my knees could handle all that walking.😂
Hi Jacob nice to see you wear your new hat, it looks good on you. Wear it more often lol thanks for sharing this video. Stay safe 🙏🤓📸
Hello from Park Forest Illinois have a good day Carpetbagger and The Carpetbagger's plus Baguettes
Love ❤️ the dolphin on a stick complete with Carpetbagger impression!!! Very excellent. Gotta give you an Attaboy, Jacob!!!
Jalapeño “on a stick”!
All that walking reminded me of the old school Cypress Gardens-but having all those paths there made sense visitors were there to enjoy the gardens. Also the entertainment that I saw there back in the day was human centered (water ski show and dive show) and far less depressing than this park. I don’t know that botanical gardens would work in Canada-my point is that having this much land offers lots of opportunity for creating a much better experience for humans and other animals.
It's crazy I went to this park back in 2012 and it had a lot of people, definitely weird how things changed so much since I was there last
It looks like there’s more employees than patrons. How do they even keep what they have open?
That was so sad to see when the best part of an amusement park/zoo visit was the carpetbagger imitating a dolphin with a plastic head on a stick.
I did laugh aloud at "where's the penguins?" "I guess there's no penguins.."
I honestly liked the selection of uniquely designed rides this place has & the large amount of space, nature doesn’t have to be completely destroyed for human enjoyment. Thanks for showing us this place bagger!
The large amount of space is due to profit loss for years and years because nobody in Ontario wants to go there and support it lol they get more protesters outside than people in the actual park. They should use the space to make larger tanks if they're going to continue insisting on keeping captive marine life but they've proven to not care about the wellbeing of their animals for a very, very long time.
I remember my dad said I was at Marineland when I was five years old. As it probably was better than what it appears to look like. As I can understand that two Beluga exhibits are in after the death of Kiska as she passed two weeks after my dog died. As there is news that the dead owners wife plans to sell the park. As for the land animals could be moved to Toronto Zoo and the animals could be moved to other parks as for Niagara Aquarium could take all the animals in, but the dolphins and belugas could be moved to Sea World parks and other parks that can house them. As perhaps Marineland can be a new amusement park without the animals like six flags or Dorney. As maybe the park will make improvements hopefully.
That was bizarre, I too worry about the care of the animals. Those few aquarium with the koi and gar did not look that good. I had to look on Google earth and it said that major roller coasters is temporarily closed. Oh when you go to the amusement parks and ride something that makes you feel sick . Carry some peppermint or ginger hard candy also drink a ginger ale, those all help decrease nausea. Way to hang in there! Keep up the great work oh any word on your car
Ginger is a great natural remedy that I swear by as well.
Dolphins at the Dolphin show: "So long, and thanks for all the fish."
As someone from Buffalo who vividly can see the Walrus dude mascot and hear the commercial jingles permanently embedded in my brain for decades, that's a great gift for Jen, she will definitely like it!
I used to live in the Falls and Marineland was great in the 80's. So sad that it has gone to crap.🐾🐾🇨🇦
I needed a Little carpetbagger today. Thanks Jacob!
I can not believe this "theme park" is still operating. I thought it had already closed down.
Herschend, Merlin, Palace, etc.. where are you???
Marineland is a former shell of itself. I worked there for one summer about 10 years ago. From my understanding, the park used to get about 1 to 1.5 million guests a year back in the 90s and 2000s. When I worked there in 2014 they had around 700k after the summer season. Now, I am hearing they are lucky to see 250k in an entire season. The park used to be much more lively. Very sad to see the park slowly falling apart, but I also understand why.
I worked there when the original owner was still alive and he did not take care of the park the way his wife has. There was one attraction added between 2009 and 2019. Since 2019, the “new” owners have added 2 rides, polar splash, penguin palace, Marineland Express, and has made many small park improvements.
Niagara is a small community and everyone knows everyone. Pre-COVID, the goal was for Marineland to make a transition from marine park to theme park, similar to what Sea World is doing. That has obviously been delayed due to the pandemic, but hopefully people see the positive changes the park is making and start going to the park to see for themselves.
Thanks for the info and background of this theme park. Seems like it has been going downhill, which is always a shame. I do hope it recovers its past glory and keeps delivering fun and joy to present and future generations.
I went to MarineLand twice in the early 2000s (both times on school field trips.) That was just before I started hearing all the stories about the neglect of the animals. Being the massive animal lover I am, I've never been back since. Where did you hear that they were making the transition from marine park to amusement park? My mom and I have been saying for years that that is what they should do! If they added more thrill rides/shows it could be like a Disney park minus Disney characters. That way, my country could have something close to being its own Disney park since the Mouse House has always refused to build one here.
That was so sad….I was disappointed the penguins were gone. Thanks for the tour.
You should definitely go back for Dragon Mountain. It's perpetually unfinished with a really weird layout. It was opened without all the theming ever being built. It's truly bizarre. There are great videos you can see about it. The Problematic Coasters series has a good one I think
What a pity the big open spaces haven't been given over to those very big fish that very much look like they need more room. 🙁
Thanks Jacob. You've been very brave 👍
Agree. I kept wondering why with all the space available the tanks had not been made bigger. Made me sad seeing them.
@@Helene_M2019 how do your ASPCA allow it I wonder.
Very sad.
It’s like a Back Rooms video. But I am so impressed with the money spent on the infrastructure and the theme in g. Because of your video, I am going to go this summer.
Fun fact: Dragon Mountain has one of the longest ride times at 3:30 and one of the longest track lengths at 5500 ft.... Also covers a huge area of land...
Only reason id visit as a coaster enthusiast. I would Marathon it and leave
Yeah I remember it being very long
Speaking from experience, I definitely remember it being a whole lot more popular in the early-mid 2000's what with all the stupidly catchy "Everyone Loooooooooves, Marineland" commercials that they'd air on TV.
It was certainly more popular with kids and teens before all the animal neglect and cruelty got more spread out what with the internet becoming more popular with kids.
I'd say it dropped off around the late 2000's - early 2010's, at least that's around the last time I went because my school would do school trips to it but we stopped going once I hit like 6th grade.
Last time I was thier, was almost 9 years ago, and it was as empty as it is now. But the best thing about it, I was able to ride the sky screamer for almost 30 min non stop before getting tired of it and having to get off.
I definitely have a photo of me on that dragon carousel & the hawk ride in the 90s
I remember feeding the loose deer in the park
Those train tracks used to be used & that polar splash is a splash pad. Who knows if it’s even used anymore
Penguin palace gave me the creeps I remember they had sea lions shows in that arena
I am shocked you ride the swings,as they are terrifying and seem flimsy at best,!!! Attaboy again, Carpetbagger!!!
Rip kiska the orca 🙏🏼❤️
You could of at least said hi to that poor kid saying hi to you multiple times when riding the ship lol
Terrible place. Those animals are treated poorly.
Such a depressing place.
I gotta say, Jacob was certainly giving... generous in his review of it.
Even ignoring the animal abuse allegations (which is hard to do)...
This is a park in its death throes, and even through the video, signs of decay were very obvious (the aquarium, the one building with the arcades...). Many rides closed due to lack of staff, stalls just shuttered up. The park has history of corner cutting, scrapped projects, and poor management (rumors that the original owner was a bit of a penny pincher).
There were some other things that i don't know of Jacob noticed, like the train tracks that go through the park but aren't part of it. Or that for that huge empty space, only 1 restaurant is open.
And yeah, land or sea, none of those enclosures are suitable for the animals they held.
Right now it sounds like marineland is looking to sell, and I'm pretty happy with that. Get rid of the animals, and you know primo real estate to create an amusement park to put Canada's wonderland to shame. Get like six flags or heck, Sea World (they should know how to unanimal their parks). Wouldn't mind some good competition in the amusement parks up here
A bit like Disney World
With a lot of open space for more stuff
Thank you for sharing Jacob
17:20 Very COOL video of the Beluga 🐋 🐋 Whales swimming by the blue window while you are standing on the left side. NICE work, Jacob. Unexpected and beautiful!
This is the funniest shit I've seen all day ... Park looks like a fever dream of a place 😂
Thanks for this man, I'm flying to Buffalo and was gonna take my kid there. I think I'll just hit up Six Flags Darien Lake :)
I would call that Drop Zone The Milkshake Good Lord! I felt sick just watching it. That is the craziest place I have ever seen. Hopefully one day soon it will be on a RUclips Abandoned Parks video. I really hope the animals are being looked after. That place is scary. I mean what the heck? Where was the food?
I’ve never seen a ride like the dragon ride where you face that direction! How cool
That place looks like it in serious trouble. The condition of the stone work by the second beluga whale place plus the fact there are no people, things closed and just so light use of the land.
Grew up visiting family in Niagara Falls/Fort Erie, so I visited here a few times in the early 2000s. It was always pretty quiet, but never looked as abandoned as this. I always felt like for such a large plot of land with empty areas, they should have just used the extra space to give the animals bigger tanks/exhibits. In my country, we have no captive whales or dolphins any more, it was outlawed in 1993 to keep these animals at zoos/parks , so it feels pretty sad to see these animals in such small tanks. I hope they get relocated one day to somewhere with more space.
Who owns Marineland? I"m gonna guess it was some son or daughter that inherited it, and they couldn't care less about it anymore.
It's kind of sad to see the place so empty. They could put a great haunt in there- with all that open, desolate area. I like how you've incorporated footage of you riding the amusements with a stationary camera. It adds another dimension.
I went to Niagara at 13 years old with my family and still have very clear memories of walking through that park in the 90s. There were more people when we went there but it was still very quiet. there would be tons of nothing and no one and then tiny gatherings of people. I see it is still pretty strange. I mostly remember walking around and having random deer/petting zoo animals just walking around everyone on the paths. Such an odd place. Def watch the documentaries on youtube about that place. The Late Owner was not the greatest owner for management, design, or animal collecting. I think at this point they are stil trying to figure out what to do with it after his death in 2018.
Just finished watching the video. Anyone who went in the 90s id be interested if you remember this too. i dont remember the deer being behind a gate in one area. I remember them walking on the cobblestone area with everyone. like they were free to roam....am I imagining that?!
@@Lisa.SoaresHey, just chiming in to say you are correct. The deer used to be an attraction people could go in and just interact with the deer. It was closed a while back after a father and son(s) caused a stampede, and with the uncontrolled number of deer it was a huge risk.
@@BlackCerberus wow ....i can see where that could have happened. I remember being so nervous like there was no real way to escape if you didn't want to be hands on with the animals then. Was so weird
The world has changed in terms of captive animals. Your vid is a great representation things to come. Looks like Marineland is in its final years. Hope the property goes back to the indigenous peoples for their use as they deem appropriate instead of a whole bunch more hotels.
Jacob, did you know you’re featured in today’s video from Weird History Food RUclips channel about Hidden Valley Ranch? Toward the end they featured you for a couple second clip.
The Ontario Gov. Just charged Marineland about the way they keep the black bears.I thought they closed years ago as they were charged with something else, years ago ..Because of that they don't advertise
I absolutely love your channel and you but *please, on behalf of me, ex-employees, the animals and many other people- please* don't support Marineland again. This place should have been shut down ages ago. The last captive killer whale in the world, Kiska, just passed away there at the age of 47 due to severe neglect and a bacterial infection. She was deemed "The loneliest Orca in the world" because she was left to float in a small concrete tank alone for 14 years straight and she showed highly severe signs of neglect, depression and loneliness. She would repeatedly swim in slow tight circles, bash her head against the tank or just float still in place for hours. There's a reason Marineland is always empty now (and has been for 10+ years) and nearly everyone in Ontario hates it.
Edit: As someone who lives about 30 minutes from Marineland this story has always horrified and fascinated me.
More info on Kiska if anyone cares: She was captured in 1979 at the age of 3 from the North Atlantic Ocean and taken to an aquarium in Iceland where she was temporarily housed with four other young orcas (one of which was Keiko who eventually was used as the orca in "Free Willy"). Keiko and Kiska were then sold to Marineland. Keiko was then resold to a park in Mexico before being rescued, rehabilitated and released back in to the Icelandic ocean. Kiska stayed behind in Marineland and gave birth to 5 calves. They all died young and one died before it could even be named. Orcas are very social animals and this alone caused her to be extremely depressed.
Marineland then wanted to breed Kiska again as soon as possible because her calves dying were considered a profit loss, so they traded Busch Gardens 3 belugas and 2 trained sea lions for one 4-year-old male Orca named Ikaika aka "Ike". Ike arrived with dental issues due to chewing on the metal bars of his pool and required medication to help it heal. Marineland neglected to treat him properly and his dental issues rapidly got worse. Seaworld insisted they acquire Ike and that they could treat him properly. Marineland refused. Seaworld then took Marineland to court and won. Marineland appealed and lost a second time. Ike was then shipped to Seaworld.
A sanctuary+rescue in Nova Scotia tried to help Kiska and Marineland was on board until the Niagara police charged Marineland with using whales and dolphins for entertainment purposes (which is prohibited under the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act). Marineland then, for whatever reason, cut off all contact with the sanctuary (I assume because it would just contribute to their bad press if they acknowledged the issue+handed over Kiska). So ever since 2009, Kiska sat alone in her isolated concrete tank to deteriorate physically and mentally until she passed.
I have never clicked on a video so fast
I live in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, about an hour from the park, Jacob, you say you were there early and that’s why there was no one there, it always is that empty, the park is up for sale, and they are getting investigated for breaching the new act that prevents animals in captivity other then approved zoos like the metro Toronto zoo, etc…. So do not let them fool you, it’s a has been park and on it’s way out
Rip Kiska
The viking boat ride type is called a Rockin' Tug. Because the base model is themed like a tugboat.
Loved that kid sitting in the back of the viking ride saying hello to your camera 😊
Jacob, have you heard of the Corning Museum of Glass? We have gone twice and still haven’t seen everything it’s not super far from Rochester and Buffalo we even went to the Case/Zippo museum in Bradford, PA, stopped at the Cuba Cheese Factory and got cheese!😊
The drop tower is similar to the Disney Tower going up and down, because it's run by air. Now the ones at the fair are worse because they only go up and drop really fast without warning. I haven't ridden one but one day, and probably the reason they stopped longer on top so you can get a look at the falls etc.
On my bucket list, I just recently went to Canada's Wonderland for the first time ever and rode every ride.