Like little kids, we all experience a happy rush, a delighted thrill, when going to play at an amusement park. Yet when an amusement park is abandoned and an eerie silence settles over the rusty and crusty decay, the setting seems to twist the atmosphere of enthusiastic excitement into a suffocating blanket of dread. The place takes on creepy vibes and freaks people out. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and ripped the heart of fun and the amusement out of this park. Almost six years later, Six Flags in New Orleans is unnaturally silent, no lines and no laughter. This 140-acre surreal setting has morphed into a nightmarish land of twisted dreams. It seems as if the post-apocalyptic atmosphere might be the perfect place to make a zombie movie. As if lured by a distant echo of scattered screams and the ghost of good times, urban explorers venture out of curiosity and capture the moments and crumbling scenes. They share with us in a virtual urban exploration tour of this creepy abandoned amusement park – Six Flags New Orleans. Most of these photos are very recent, as in taken during 2011, nearly six years after Hurricane Katrina tried to swallow New Orleans and Six Flags. A special thank you to the urban explorers who risked arrest, and possible zombie attack, to go in and shoot these current shots of Six Flags, and then gave us permission to use their copyright photos. This is about twice the size of a normal post here, so we hope you really enjoy this virtual urban exploration tour into the defunct amusement park Six Flags New Orleans. [75 Photos]
Like little kids, we all experience a happy rush, a delighted thrill, when going to play at an amusement park. Yet when an amusement park is abandoned and an eerie silence settles over the rusty and crusty decay, the setting seems to twist the atmosphere of enthusiastic excitement into a suffocating blanket of dread. The place takes on creepy vibes and freaks people out. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and ripped the heart of fun and the amusement out of this park. Almost six years later, Six Flags in New Orleans is unnaturally silent, no lines and no laughter. This 140-acre surreal setting has morphed into a nightmarish land of twisted dreams. It seems as if the post-apocalyptic atmosphere might be the perfect place to make a zombie movie. As if lured by a distant echo of scattered screams and the ghost of good times, urban explorers venture out of curiosity and capture the moments and crumbling scenes. They share with us in a virtual urban exploration tour of this creepy abandoned amusement park – Six Flags New Orleans. Most of these photos are very recent, as in taken during 2011, nearly six years after Hurricane Katrina tried to swallow New Orleans and Six Flags. A special thank you to the urban explorers who risked arrest, and possible zombie attack, to go in and shoot these current shots of Six Flags, and then gave us permission to use their copyright photos. This is about twice the size of a normal post here, so we hope you really enjoy this virtual urban exploration tour into the defunct amusement park Six Flags New Orleans. [75 Photos]
Like little kids, we all experience a happy rush, a delighted thrill, when going to play at an amusement park. Yet when an amusement park is abandoned and an eerie silence settles over the rusty and crusty decay, the setting seems to twist the atmosphere of enthusiastic excitement into a suffocating blanket of dread. The place takes on creepy vibes and freaks people out. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and ripped the heart of fun and the amusement out of this park. Almost six years later, Six Flags in New Orleans is unnaturally silent, no lines and no laughter. This 140-acre surreal setting has morphed into a nightmarish land of twisted dreams. It seems as if the post-apocalyptic atmosphere might be the perfect place to make a zombie movie. As if lured by a distant echo of scattered screams and the ghost of good times, urban explorers venture out of curiosity and capture the moments and crumbling scenes. They share with us in a virtual urban exploration tour of this creepy abandoned amusement park – Six Flags New Orleans. Most of these photos are very recent, as in taken during 2011, nearly six years after Hurricane Katrina tried to swallow New Orleans and Six Flags. A special thank you to the urban explorers who risked arrest, and possible zombie attack, to go in and shoot these current shots of Six Flags, and then gave us permission to use their copyright photos. This is about twice the size of a normal post here, so we hope you really enjoy this virtual urban exploration tour into the defunct amusement park Six Flags New Orleans. [75 Photos]
Eerily silent in the forsaken amusement park, the Cool Zone is creepy; it’s like an ominous omen of what is to come in the forlorn and forgotten abandoned Six Flags in New Orleans. Photo #1 by © lostlosangeles / facebook.com/lostlosangeles
Hurricane Katrina killed this clown. According to the photographer, “An abandoned Six Flags amusement park, someone spray painted ‘Six Flags 2012 coming soon’ on the wall above the downed head. But they were clownin.’ Six Flags will never rebuild here.” That’s sad, but much of New Orleans has not been restored to her former glory. This defunct amusement park on the city’s eastern edge must surely serve as a constant reminder that Katrina tried to wash them off the map. To some of the people of New Orleans, the stark silhouette of Six Flags seems like an unhealed wound. Photo #2 by Keo 101
Welcome to Zombie Land kids! aka abandoned Six Flags New Orleans. After sea water submerged the park for over a month, it’s been left to fall to decay . . . a possible breeding ground for brain-eating zombies? Photo #3 by © Christopher Dame
Chained dreams of fun at Six Flags New Orleans, abandoned Jazzland – that’s what Six Flags opened as “Jazzland” in 2000. In 2002, Six Flags bought this amusement park. It closed in 2005 for the oncoming storm of Hurricane Katrina and never reopened. Before Jazzland, the area was swamps. Will the swamps reclaim the abandoned amusement park? Photo #4 by © FLLETCHER
Some photographers can see past the lifeless amusement park’s decay and desolation, showing us that there is still a chance the place could be cheery and not cheerless. This is Zydeco Scream in 2011. According to Wikipedia, this park once operated these roller coasters: Zydeco Scream, The Jester, Mega Zeph, Muskrat Scrambler and The Road Runner Express which has since been moved to Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. Photo #5 by © FLLETCHER
V is for Vendetta – against Katrina. Photo #6 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Twisted dreams and scattered screams. Photo #7 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Souvenir dreams. Photo #8 by © lostlosangeles facebook.com/lostlosangeles
Big Ball at New Orleans’ Six Flags. Photo #9 by © Ron Fuchs, Photographers Mate Third Class, USN (Vet)
Grounded roller coaster – please exit. Photo #10 by © Richard Thompson III
Like a Bad Dream. This is what the photographer had to say, “I spotted the haunted lines of its empty roller coaster from the Ninth Ward off Interstate 510 while playing tourist in 2009 and begged a friend to pull over to investigate. We found an open gate, infiltrated it, and proceeded to sneak around the eerie, ‘end of world’ Zombie like setting. An adrenaline enhanced experience I’ll never forget. It was like exploring a haunted, adult junkyard theme park on ecstasy, the sick criminal cousin of Disney World. In a good way….I could have spent days, if not weeks taking pictures on the lonely grounds.” Photo #11 by Keo 101
Just in case you don’t know the scoop on what Hurricane Katrina did to New Orleans and Six Flags, this photo is of New Orleans, LA, on Sept. 14, 2005. This was Six Flags Over Louisiana still submerged two weeks after Hurricane Katrina caused levees to fail in New Orleans. Photo #12 by Bob McMillan/FEMA
2011 – this is abandoned Six Flags in New Orleans now. Photo #13 by johnvoncurd
Unlike the bleak amusement-less park above, some photographers can still see and share with us the echo of magic in the abandoned theme park Six Flags – even 6 years later in 2011. Photo #14 by © FLLETCHER
The photographer wrote, “This sponge-like floor prevented many abrasions (and lawsuits). Now it serves as a sanctuary for a future meadow. What is it about us now?” Photo #15 by © lostlosangeles – facebook.com/lostlosangeles
True state of Six Flags New Orleans – 6 years after Katrina washed all amusement from the park. Photo #16 by © Christopher Dame
Graffiti – signs of life after the amusement park suffered fatal damage. Photo #17 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Fixing up New Orleans’ Six Flags was the road not taken. . . . Not yet at least. Photo #18 by © FLLETCHER
“Infrequent diversion.” Photo #19 by © lostlosangeles facebook.com/lostlosangeles
HUrricane Katrina called on this amusement park, abandoned now for 6 years. Photo #20 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Once upon a time, Six Flags was filled with children’s laughter – but now it’s sad, silent, and surreal. Photo #21 by © FLLETCHER
Weeds and rusting out rides, but it’s a long way still until nature reclaims abandoned Six Flags. Photo #22 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Abandoned Six Flags amusement park in New Orleans wrecked by Hurricane Katrina in 2005; submerged at one point under 6-8 feet of water. Photo #23 by Keo 101
No lines for dead rides. So-called “flat rides” at Six Flags New Orleans that are still standing but not operating include: Catwoman’s Whip, Dizzy Lizzy, Krazy Krewe, Gator Bait, Lex Luthor’s Invertatron, Mad Rex, Zydeco Zinger, Joker’s Jukebox, Lafitte’s Pirate Ship, The Big Easy, Jocco’s Mardi Gras Madness, and Mardi Gras Menagerie. Photo #24 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
I scream, you scream, but now no one screams for ice cream at Barbe’s Ice Cream Shop. Photo #25 by © Ron Foxx [Ron Fuchs, Photographers Mate Third Class, USN (Vet)]
Arcade & ferris wheel – The Big Easy is eerie at abandoned Six Flags New Orleans. Photo #26 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
This creepy Jester over the abandoned and spooky haunted house is holding out “prized” Mardi Gras beads as if trying to tempt urban explorers to come closer. Photo #27 by © Cree Garrard
Watch out for that tree! This ruined green wreck is the Jester. Signs of purple paint underneath are hints to the Jester’s former life as the Joker’s Revenge. Nature is working hard to push a tree up through the tracks and to have the last laugh and revenge. Photo #28 by © Christopher Dame
“Urbex.” Photo #29 by Brain farts Joschua
Katrina washed out the color and the fun at abandoned Six Flags in New Orleans. Now it’s creepy. Photo #30 by © FLLETCHER
Deserted, desolate, defunct amusement park Six Flags. Zydeco Scream roller coaster in the background is a “boomerang” steel coaster, meant to take riders forward and then fling them backwards for the thrills of upside-down loops and drops. But for six years, it’s been scream-free. All the rides are left to rust, the attractions rot, and the buildings crumble. Photo #31 by © Ron Foxx [Ron Fuchs, Photographers Mate Third Class, USN (Vet)]
Katrina killed the bumper cars. Photo #32 by © FLLETCHER
No one wants a ride? Granted, the Krewe of Kreeps ride was probably never supposed to be this creepy. Yet the trains sit parked, waiting for phantom riders to test out tracks that are now nothing more than a rusted wreck. Photo #33 by © Richard Thompson III
Nightmare amusement park. Photo #34 by © Cree Garrard
Six Flags New Orleans has been left to the roaches. Photo #35 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
“Under The Sea” probably never was envisioned to literally be submerged by the sea like when Hurricane Katrina attacked. Now the merman is headless as if he couldn’t bear to watch abandoned Six Flags be further ravaged by the elements and be unmaintained. Photo #36 by John Morrison
Sponge Bob’s shattered dreams at defunct Six Flags. Photo #37 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Six years after Katrina, you can no longer see the scummy waterline where 4–7 feet of rainwater and sea water soaked into Six Flags for a couple months. Photo #38 by © FLLETCHER
I left my heart in New Orleans after Katrina killed Six Flags. Photo #39 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Nightmare at Gotham City – Calling Batman, New Orleans needs you. Photo #40 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Clownicide. Photo #41 by © lostlosangeles – facebook.com/lostlosangeles
Smashed glass and control panel. Photo #42 by © Christopher Dame
Imagine bumping into you? Photo #43 by © lostlosangeles facebook.com/lostlosangeles
Six Flags officials claimed the park was 70-80% damaged or destroyed. The defunct amusement(less) park is too expensive to rebuild and too expensive to abandon, so it sits in New Orleans and waits for decay to claim it. Photo #44 by Keri Nash Watson
Zone of Cool no more. Photo #45 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
No jazz left in Jazzland aka abandoned Six Flags New Orleans. Photo #46 by © FLLETCHER
Looney Tunes Playgrounds Apparently Suck. Photo #47 by © Christopher Dame
NOLA rising – abandoned Six Flags – New Orleans. According to the photographer, “Something that I’ve only seen is New Orleans so far is the hopeful graffiti. A lot of the graffiti throughout the park spoke of love and renewal…and cockroaches.” Photo #48 by © lostlosangeles facebook.com/lostlosangeles
Rusted roller coaster tracks – view from the top of the tallest hill on the tallest roller coaster. The “Mega Zeph” – this wooden hybrid roller coaster, first opened as Jazzland’s signature ride. It has been decaying, the wood rotting and the steel rusting. Riders would climb a 110-foot lift hill before plunging into the first drop. Photo #49 by © Christopher Dame
Haunted Roller Coaster? Doubtful, but you never know what ghosts or zombies roam in the desolate park after dark. The delightful and magical sound of riders’ excited screams has not echoed through the abandoned park for 6 years now. Photo #50 by © Cree Garrards
2011 Main Entrance of abandoned Six Flags New Orleans. Photo #51 by © FLLETCHER
Muhahahaha still waiting for brave souls, or urban explorers, to enter at abandoned amusement park Six Flags. Photo #52 by © Cree Garrards
Graffiti and broken windows Photo #53 by © Ron Foxx [Ron Fuchs, Photographers Mate Third Class, USN (Vet)]
No more fun and games at defunct Six Flags. Photo #54 by © FLLETCHER
Skycoaster – fly no more. Photo #55 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Signs of urban explorer life after Katrina killed New Orleans Six Flags. Photo #56 by © FLLETCHER
Signs of rusty and crusty creeping in. Photo #57 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Yet for the surreal beauty that does exist, there are that many more rides that are rotting in New Orleans Six Flags. Photo #58 by © FLLETCHER
Plenty of graffiti artists have tagged the defunct amusement park. Photo #59 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Katrina Killed the Coaster in New Orleans. Photo #60 by Keo 101
Melting fans and a painted heart – “Because I’m too cheap for roses.” Photo #61 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Streets of Six Flags New Orleans are trashed. Photo #62 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Still hauntingly beautiful – “Jazzland” – abandoned New Orleans Six Flags. Photo #63 by © FLLETCHER
On Safari? Photo #64 by © lostlosangeles facebook.com/lostlosangeles
Abandoned Carriage House Mercantile. Photo #65 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Merry-Go-Round in now merry-less. Photo #66 by John Morrison – subism
No more happy kids at defunct swings. Photo #67 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
Distorted dreams of Six Flags New Orleans. Photo #68 by © FLLETCHER
Headless merman close to overgrown roller coaster. Photo #69 by © Mischelle Dawn Wright
No more games or gifts – arcade area at Abandoned Six Flags ‘Jazzland’ Park, 2011. Photo #70 by © Richard Thompson III
No happy times left in Looney Tunes area. Crumbled and decayed Six Flags New Orleans is now dark, desolate, and dejected damage. Photo #71 by Keo 101
Closed forever and not just for the storm – Six Flags New Orleans. A gloomy reminder that Six Flags will probably never regain the glory and good times of its hey-day. Photo #72 by Dr. Warner
Exit Abandoned Six Flags ‘Jazzland’ Park, 2011. The place is as deserted as a ghost town . . . except for brave urban explorers. Photo #73 by © Richard Thompson III
The exit sign in the New Orleans Six Flags. This photo was not taken in 2011, but in November 2010. Most of the photos are an up close and personal snapshot of how abandoned Six Flags in New Orleans looks today in 2011. Have a great day! We hope you enjoyed this extensive coverage by many terrific photographers, a virtual urban exploration. Photo #74 by Kelci C
Darkness falls, fade to black. The Big Easy Ferris Wheel at abandoned Six Flags in New Orleans still paints a pretty picture against the sunset. But the curtains closed six years ago on the final show at this abandoned amusement park. Photo #75 by Keri Nash Watson
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