Eerie abandoned theme park is full of rides that have never been used

Theme parks are typically filled with the sound of excited shrieks from ride-goers and the clatter of rollercoasters climbing up the tracks, but you could hear a pin drop at this particular one.

That's because the Pripyat Amusement Park never even opened it's doors or welcomed a single guest through its gates - and by default, the array of rides have never been used either.

Eerie pictures of the would-be attraction in Ukraine show how it has been frozen in time since the last-minute cancellation of it's grand opening on 1 May, 1986.

The public never ended up stepping foot inside the Pripyat Amusement Park due to the worst nuclear disaster the world has ever seen unfolding just days ahead of it's launch.

Nearly four decades on, the theme park serves as a haunting reminder of the devastation that gripped that corner of the globe all those years ago, as well as a symbol of what could have been.

Decorations still remain hung from the rides ahead of it's opening, while abandoned bumper cars are parked haphazardly in another enclosure that has been taken over by greenery.

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Somehow, most of the hulking metal structures - which were built for the 50,000 thrill seekers who once lived in the town of Pripyat to enjoy - have remained almost fully intact.

The main attractions at the park, which are featured in video games such as Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, included the dodgems as well as a 'paratrooper ride', swing boats, and a carnival shooting game.

Even the huge 85ft Ferris wheel - which can be seen from miles away - is still standing, despite being right in the danger zone when the Chernobyl disaster took place.

Terrifying amounts of radiation were released into the environment when an explosion occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which is located just a few miles away from the Pripyat Amusement Park.

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The plans to open the place of fun were quickly scrapped on 26 April, 1986, when the blast of Reactor Four occurred.

It is thought to have resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and resulted in a 2,600km exclusion zone being erected, which includes the neglected theme park.

As a result of this, it's rides also have high radiation levels - are said to be the most severe in the area under the iconic Ferris wheel.

Despite the risks, people who are brave enough to visit the site occasionally fill its empty carts with teddy bears as a memorial to those who lost their lives due to the Chernobyl disaster.

The concrete areas are regarded as pretty safe these days, but it's still a spooky place to visit nonetheless.

Topics: Theme Park, World News, Ukraine, Weird

Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

@livburke_