Grab Your Friends & Roadtrip To This Nightmare Abandoned 'Wizard of Oz' Theme Park This Summer

A long time ago, during a time called the 70s, there was once a theme park built in North Carolina. It was nestled into a mountain with a long yellow brick road snaking through the terrain: There were homes of Munchkins brimming with flowers and a wicked witch's castle looming over visitors. It wasn't Oz, but it was as close visitors could get.

In the 80s, the famously failed park dedicated to the L. Frank Baum book and well beloved 1939 film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz sat abandoned, falling into a state of decay. It had suffered a massive fire in 1975 that destroyed its Emerald City and the original dress worn by Judy Garland in the film and didn't quite recover. Over time, it became reserved mostly for hikers who had stumbled upon it or enthusiasts who intentionally wound their way up the yellow brick road to take photos.

Now, however, as The Land of Oz has gained more traction in the last few years and has sparked interest, Vice reports that the park will open its gates for six days this summer for "immersive tours."

Vice continues, "In its heyday, the Land of Oz featured a replica of Dorothy's Kansas farmhouse and a barn that housed a petting zoo, singing and dancing actors who portrayed Dorothy and her friends, a gift shop, restaurant, and live show that was performed every half hour, and a ski lift with cars that looked like hot air balloons, which would ferry visitors back to the 'real world.'"

Now, according to the park's website, you can take one of those immersive tours through the park. "Journey with Dorothy" asks visitors to drop everything and remember the magic of their childhood as Dorothy takes them "down the yellow brick road into the magical land of Oz to help her search for the wonderful wizard during this interactive experience.”

Guests may even be called upon to act out scenes from the movie as the tour makes stops! Guests are also encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters as they sing down the famed yellow brick road.  The park will be open for tours every Friday in June as well as Saturday June 30. Tickets are $25 per person. More information can be found here.

Click your heels three times and find yourself in Oz this summer!