I used to work here. I started in Guest Services as a tour guide and would take people on golf cart and walking tours through the exhibits telling them about the history and interesting bits about the structures. Then I took a position in maintenance to repair the exhibits which took a beating from the guests, weather, and grounds crew. It was constant upkeep. Not surprised that the park deteriorated so quickly once abandoned, but it just breaks my heart because it was once such a beautiful place. It wasn't a "theme park" but a "themed" park more history and beauty than thrills, spills, and chills of the other parks in the area. It wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but it was lovely in its hay day. Thank you for this video. It was a nice walk down memory lane not only of the park but I also knew many of the performers featured in the video clips too.

I visited this place in 1995 on a family holiday. My biggest memory was the huge amount of caterpillars that were over the paths.

Everything was auctioned- from the items left in the gift shops to the lights in the parking lot. It was open to the public, I went and bought several boxes of various items. Still have terracotta warriors and other items from there.

I was there in November 2003, about 2 weeks before it closed, it was so sad, staff were still pruning trees and trying to tidy up, my family and I even weeded an area around some buildings, the show was good with the jugglers .... but the performers all looked sad, we were there the whole day and enjoyed it, most of the shops were closed and the coy carp in a large pond at the back of the park were starving, there was no fish food to buy for them the machines were empty, if it was still open I would go again, a nice relaxing day. we met some locals who said it was going to close because "americans do not like to walk and want thrills not culture" the people who said this were local and came to the park several times a week. Sometimes when we have Chinese food we play the music CD we bought from there the shop that was open were trying desperately to get you to buy stuff, I am genuinely sad it has gone. I love disney but this was a nice relaxing day feeding your brain as well as your body

If they were influenced by the success of model villages in Europe? Why didn't they open one in Europe? It would have been perfect in the UK.

DUDE OKAY I went to with a friend and her family last spring, and near the rental house we were staying at there was a massive Chinese-looking wall, and a shopping complex that was also heavily Chinese-themed. We were so damn confused about why it looked like this, but chalked it up to general Floridian weirdness. Thank you for solving the mystery!

The biggest mistake was not building RIDES. They could have had a coaster from Swartzkopf or Arrow. A lot flume. A dark ride of Chinese Mythology. It r failed because it wasn't cool enough. Old Town lives because it has rides and keeps evolving. Now they have a coaster on the world stage.

My family went in 2000 with free tickets. It was so hot and we’re native Floridians. The vending machines were empty so there were no drinks. The show was good but a huge bug kept running across the stage so I was distracted. Needless to say we did not eat there either. Really not appropriate for preschoolers (mine were 1 & 4) except for the show. I’m a history buff so I’m the one who enjoyed it. I did not know the back story. Makes sense as to why we saw no employees and the vending machine was empty.

I love these off beat attractions. The kind you would see a brochure for in a travel stop. Do as many videos as you can on these things all over the USA!

This honestly makes me sad. We went on a school trip when I was in middle school, and I remember being blown away by all the monuments, especially because they were to scale (allegedly). The tour guide we had was very energetic and enthusiastic, and it really left an impression on me. I didn’t know it closed, was vandalized, and is now completely gone.

When I was in my early teens my friend and I jumped the perimeter wall and snuck into Splendid China after it had been closed down. I still remember walking along the miniature Great Wall and seeing all the eerie remains of the park. Most of the miniature terra cotta soldiers and figures had been stolen or smashed, and weeds were quickly taking over. Those were some cool memories I'll have forever.

I waned to go here SO BAD... I'm a Tampa native, and loved going to the "miniature city" of Safety Village. So when I saw a commercial showcasing that there was a WHOLE LAND of miniature China... I wanted it. Sadly, my parents didn't agree on the importance of going, and I never got to visit. Thank you for sharing this... it gives me another chance to virtually explore the world I never got to see in real life. I love this channel!

I visited Splendid China in 1994-?it was so beautiful but very empty.!I wish it had survived because it was really unique!

I live in Orlando. This was my favorite theme park. I went two or three times a year. It was affordable and educational. Good food, entertainment and outdoor museum. I was so sad when it closed.

All that time money and effort put into those replicas its so sad to see them go to waste in such a short amount of time

Very interesting , never knew it existed, most tourists probably just went to Epcots china Pavilion and said "Been there, done that" Shame really

My family owns a holiday home next to the empty plot left by the park we all wonders what was there and why the convenience store was China themed we really didn’t know what was there. I have littrually wondered what was there since I can remember this was so cool finally knowing what was there this was most interesting to see.

I moved to Orlando in 1997 and began working in the tourism industry. I followed the story of Splendid China closely, and think you have done a Splendid job of portraying it. I think I still have a ticket to it stashed somewhere.

I went here!!!! It was so weird!!! Omg!!! They had these little tiki type umbrellas called “shade structures”! My sister and I still joke about them to this day! Also you could put a quarter in one thing and watch a little man roll up a carpet! RIP to my grandma, who I would have done ANYTHING FOR! She always wanted to see the Great Wall... well this was as close as it got! I will never forget this place! I think it might be Dino land now? Every time I drive on this part of I-4 I joke with my daughter about splendid China! Insane!!! I’m dying over here! Lol 😂

I live 2 miles from from splendid China. Had an annual passport and went at least once a week. I went until the end. My video camera died in the stone forest so all of my footage is gone. I went in after it closed about 4 times.

I definitely will never ever forget going there as a kid and loved this walk down memory lane. There was a grocery store nearby decorated with a bunch of Chinese stuff.

Their biggest mistake was not having rides.

I went there a couple times...it was actually very calming and lovely with the gardens and statues. Unfortunately Disney just sets the standard and is always evolving and just as competitive as ever. They had some amazing artists and I still have a bowl on my shelf from there!

It's still floors me that the Publix located right next to where the park used to be still has tiny remnants of the theming from the park. Not too far away from it is where they're putting in a giant Margarita vill attraction which might be something for you to look into.

I remember going here as a kid. I have fond memories of leisurely walking through this park with my cousin and grandparents. It was a beautiful park. My mom still has some miniature people from the gift shop that were just like the ones in the dioramas. The terra cotta warrior area was really cool.

I was fortunate enough to visit this park twice during annual trips to Florida. You could tell, on the second visit, that it was having management issues. It was a lovely park, a leisurely stroll with a lot of interesting exhibits.

I went here in the early 2000s. I was about 16 and recall it being a LOT smaller. Probably because it was mostly shut down by them.we saw a slow, had dinner, and fed a lot of koi

I'm an amateur miniaturist, I lived in the southeast at the time this place was open, and I was an avid theme park enthusiast. Yet I'd never even heard of Splendid China before running across this amazing video today!!! Thank you for posting. I wish I could have seen it with my own eyes. especially the terracotta warriors!!! OMG!

I have never forgotten this place. It's still one of my most favorite memories as a kid. My Grandfsther came with us too, one of my only memories I have with him. I was devastated when i heard this was closed. I wanted to go back.

I live in Florida and have been to Orlando countless times and yet I don't remember this park at all, which is crazy to me! Thank you so much for the video!

Great job as always. I love that you pick the more obscure attractions that don't already have dozens of videos. Being of Chinese decent and living in central Florida we went multiple times. It was very beautiful but you had to be in the right mindset. It was more like a museum than a theme park. One thing I think you should have mentioned is how different China was viewed at the time. Very few people travelled there and Americans knew very little about the country. Now, especially after the Beijing Olympics people know a lot more and travel there frequently. I remember during one of the acrobatic shows a young Chinese performer was supposed to walk across a series of lit light bulbs. she failed and broke one. I later saw her boss making her remove the broken glass by hand. I felt sorry for her. Do you if there is any truth to the rumor about it being a front for human trafficking!

11:32. I can recognise the candy Disney castle at the back. It was the year I visited the park!

On my honeymoon in 1995 I lost my driving license on the flight, so we had no hire car for the first few days and walked everywhere. Splendid China was almost opposite our hotel on the 192, so it was one of the first places we visited. The acrobats were great and the models were amazing. We had photos taken sitting next to a lion and a white tiger. I still have the ornate medicine balls I bought there. I tried to go back with my children in the early 2000's only to find it was shut and wrecked. Shame.

I literally lived right next to this 2016-2017 and had no idea that’s what used to be there! So interesting thank you!

The small private school I went to kept on taking us to this place for field trips. In retrospect, probably because it was cheap. Since we kids kinda "knew" the place though, we had fun, and we could pretty much meander wherever we liked. We especially liked the petrified forest. Never got to try much of the food though mostly because 1- I was a kid and was broke, and 2- Lot of folks in our group were vegetarians, so the group meals ended up with very limited options. Still though, pretty good memories! Though, yeah, place was usually kinda empty, so I wasn't surprised when it closed down.

I went in 1998 with my family and there was no one around, it was a ghost town. It was a nice place and my parents found the video from holiday and it should have a lot of footage from place.

i remember visiting the parking and finding it very relaxing and empty... The Shows were excellent. The little nephew and niece wanted some rides. The Adults found it a nice break from Disney.

My nephew was heavy into aisan culture and his desire was to go to this place. On his birthday, I told him I would take him. We drove from Melbourne, FL to Kissimmee and once there began inquiring about directions. Although several people knew about it, nobody knew if the park was still open or what times. After spending most of the day, we settled for going to Medieval Times and had a lot of fun. This was mid ninety and it took up to now to solve the mystery.

Wow, forgot all about this. Visited as a kid in '94, so must have not long opened. Only real memory, and perhaps a clue to its demise, was how damn hot it was there, and there being very little / no shelter/shade as you explored the park. Highlight was the water fountain we found at the end of the tour!

We visited Splendid China many years ago. I enjoyed the visit. I remember the a acrobats being really special and all the miniature buildings etc were great fun. I had no idea it had shut. Time to look out my photos and video I guess.

Old Town Magic Shop was my sanctuary as a kid. We had a timeshare at Orange Lake Country Club. It was so awesome.

Cool video. I actually went to this place as a kid. I remember it being somewhat interesting, but I never really wanted to go back. I just wanted to go to Disney at that age.

My family went to this park several times and I remember loving it. The live show was wonderful! Wish it was still open... :(

I enjoyed Splendid China. The guided tour was really good. Realising this was in Florida right next to Disney felt like you'd discovered a secret corridor of priceless art smack bang in the middle of McDonalds. Like, we knew it wouldn't do half the business but if you loved it you loved it. We were there early though by the looks of this.

I visited during the first opening year.It was a great experience and learning the culture of China.Too bad is closed.

I visited Splendid China twice when I was a kid. Once in 1998 (because I remember the tiger and still have the Polaroids they took of my mom and me with it) and once sometime after (can't remember what year). The first time was absolutely amazing but the second was crap, it rained all day and no one was there. My parents still have the souvenir book and postcards. I wish I could go back in time and visit it again. Sigh.

My parents lived right beside Splendid China. We went in every evening to feed the huge koi carp with my kids. Loved that place.

0:42 the font of that logo looks like the same font used for the legend of Zelda logo

I went exploring there in 2015 before they tore it down, it was super fun. We got chased out by security but made it out fine lol

I remember seeing the commercials for this! This was back during that period in the 90s when all these tourist destinations were popping up in Orlando.

I was oné of the few Brazilian visitors who have been to this park... I was 14 y. o. at that time. It was actually included in the package tour due to weather issues and we wouldn’t be able to make it to a water park in the winter! It was just a contemplative full experience...

My goodness! Me and my family visited this place when it first opened! The miniatures were pretty neat. And they had shows, too.

😃😃😃😃😃Thank you sooooo much for making this! I always wanted to go here! Wonderful video! I am interested in that Bach/Bok tower. Never heard of it before.

Fantastic brother and here in my home state I never even knew this place existed thank you for the great video!!!

I remember driving past this place a lot of times and never realised what it was until seeing this video! Thank you for this!!

Went here on a field trip in elementary school. Great memories! Thank you for making this video.

Thanks for doing this video. I wasn't able to get to visit the park before it's closing. This gave me some idea of what it was like.

I just realized today how much I really love you intro clips with the pictures behind the words. I would love to see something like this, I can understand why it failed though.

Wow! Great episode! I always love hearing about the more obscure theme parks and the way you explain them is so fascinating!

Really enjoyed visiting this park. Great watching this and reminiscing. Cheers

Your intro makes your videos so amazing. I love your videos!

Thank you for teaching me about something I didn't know! I live quite close to this area and yet I never knew about this. Points for originality

great job...i was on the opening marketing team and your history of the park is spot on.

Remarkably well made video. Well researched and informative. Thanks so much for producing it. I learned a lot!

Making a successful theme park needs the necessary insight to make it work. Way back when Disney thought of EPCOT, he envisioned that it would literally be a futuristic community where people lived. Some time later Disney management realized that this concept would never work since people would never pay just to see people living in a futuristic community and so the concept had to evolve. (This was told on a number of websites and I believe the Orlando Sentinel ran an article on this some years ago.)

I've stayed by that strip mall and Publix that is Chinese themed many times and had no clue why it was themed that way. Always though it was really neat. Happy to know the back story now. Thank you!

My family went there when it opened , my kids hated it because there was nothing of interest for them , there was no shelter walking through the park from the searing Florida sun , the food was cold , the employees weren’t exactly friendly , however the shows were fantastic !

Amazing video as usual. I look forward to all your videos! Keep up the great work!

In the early 1990's, I went to DW twice with my parents, driving to Orlando from eastern Ga. I remember our driving past the entrance sign for SC, being very curious about it, & wanting to go. My parents had some interest but didn't feel committed or compelled to visit, so we never did. At least I have the memory of twice driving past the entrance, probably more than that, to & from our motel. In addition to DW, we also were visiting some relatives in Orlando, whom I don't think had been to SC, though I could be wrong about that. Even if they had, apparently it wasn't enough of a ringing endorsement to convince us to go. As a history buff, though, I believe I would've enjoyed visiting SC. I like miniature recreations of famous historical sites, geography, etc. This video was very informative & intriguing!

One of my best childhood memories growing up my parents would take me to splendid China I remember the day when we went to the theme park just to discover that it had been shut down I cried so much😭

Nice Video Well Done!

I went there a lot as a kid. Thank you

Very interesting, never knew such a place ever existed! Thanks for sharing. :D

I remember last time going here as a newlywed (thinking '97 or '98) for some kind of time share presentation and was allowed to "stay and visit" the park..I remember it being pretty empty, but had a good time, but we were in and out in about 2 hours tops!

great video, really interesting piece of American Theme Park history...the last sentence narrated was especially poignant re: a park that promoted understanding a different culture [failed] to understand the tourist culture of central Florida wherein the park was located” ...wow that certainly makes an incredible point on many different levels

Really interesting video. I remember seeing this on wish you were here with judith chalmers but never got to go.. Id love to see a video about the MGM theme park in Las Vegas or boardwalk and baseball in Orlando

Great video, I'm surprised you could fibd so many videos documenting this place, and as usual, fantastic job on history research, editing, and relaying information to us. Sticking with the florida theme, perhaps Wet N Wild or Cyprus Gardens for expedition extinct and/or Busch Gardens for just a normal video.

Fascinating, I live in Florida and never heard of this place before.

"I remember being a kid and begging my parents to take us all the way from Canada to Florida to see Splendid China with NO RIDES instead of Disney or Universal!!" said no child ever. 😂🤣

Anyone watching this post Covid-19?

Well done Sam! I'd never heard of this one before. I do like miniature parks (Cotswald, Madurodam, Bekonscot, etc) and wish I had seen this one!

I lived not too far from here and was excited about this park when they opened. So we left our kids with a babysitter and went by ourselves because it definitely wasn’t a park for kids. That was a big problem. It was enjoyable but you could only spend maybe 3 to 4 hours there max. I was sad to see what happened to it but I do have some of the figurines from the Forbidden City display that was sold at auction.

I went here multiple times. The first time, shortly after it opened, and I absolutely loved it. I love learning and exploring other cultures, so this was right up my alley. The miniatures were amazing, and the place was extremely peaceful and well maintained. I probably went a total of 4 times throughout the first decade, and with each time returning, I would see more and more evidence that things weren't going well. The last time I was there, I believe only one place was open that served food, and one small shop was open at the front of the park, selling sad looking items. I was there with a friend and including us there were probably no more than 10 people. At least, that's what it seemed. People come to Central Florida to be entertained, not to learn. I would have loved to have seen it succeed because it was so different, but I believe its fate was sealed before it even opened.

Miniatures are always cool. Sad to see the vandalism that occurred to the exhibits.

Just a 2020 update, Margaritaville is thriving and that strip mall that was Chinese themed is long gone. It’s sad I would’ve loved to visit this place as an adult. I believe a similar park but Japanese themed would be successful as the popularity with the culture grows, especially with anime and their cuisine.

Never knew this was ever there and I live not too far north of it

I remember passing by this place during a car ride in Florida when I was a kid.

The whole time I was screaming at the screen "why don't you have rides!?" in the way I'd scream "GET OUT" at a horror movie

Nice video.

Great Video wow 😍😊

I grew up in Orlando and went once in about 1995 when I was about 10 and I REALLY wish I would have gone back one more time, but when I was in high school, this was like the garbage park that no one had gone to in years.

I visited the Splendid China tourist attraction near Kissimmee, Florida with my dad in 1998 circa.😊

The one in Shenzhen is not as popular as it used to be either. It's basically a big garden with small sculptures. I agree that it would be much better with flume rides through the scenery, dark ride attractions, a roller coaster, etc. I believe it would have survived in the States if they had used this approach. Just look at Sea World. They had to eventually add attractions like this. I believe Cypress Gardens failed for this reason as well.

Great video. I never knew this park existed.

I agree rides would’ve improved the park greatly. Even just a couple rides would’ve brought more people in. Also improve some of the food since they said it was awful. Make it food people would like. Some Americanized and some the same as before that way there’s something for everyone to eat.

It closed on New Year's Eve. What a way to go.

Those panda animatronics are super creepy.

I remember this, never visited it. Thanks from Orlando

I saw up in Apopka, at the train station there, around 2008, several sections of their buildings in the rail yard.

I feel their marketing failed. It should have been called Splendid China MUSEUM. Calling it a PARK in Orlando will make families think of Disney theme park. This was more of an outdoor museum exhibit.