Slippery When Deserted

This aerial shot shows the Wonderland Water Park in Dubai—once a lively splash zone, now looking more like a scene from a dystopian movie. Opened in 1996, this park was the go-to place for water slide fun in the desert heat before it was abandoned in 2016. Its twisting, looping slides now stand still, a relic of Dubai’s early attempts at creating larger-than-life attractions.

While Wonderland is stuck in time, Dubai’s modern water parks like Atlantis Aquaventure and Wild Wadi are still making waves, drawing in tourists with their insane rides and luxury experiences. It’s a bit ironic, though—where Wonderland once ruled, Dubai now reigns supreme in crafting unforgettable tourist playgrounds.