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Abandoned Animatronics: Submechanophobia

Submechanophobia is the fear of man-made objects that are partially or fully submerged in water. The phobia includes shipwrecks, tunnels and sea mines, all understandably eerie. But personally, there is something undeniably creepy about old animatronics and statues, long forgotten and left to decay in murky bodies of water, rotting away forevermore. Here are ten abandoned animatronics and statues you wouldn’t want to encounter on a late-night swim...


Grayscale poster of two creepy animatronics in water; text reads Curiosity Crime and Cocktail Time Presents: Abandoned Animatronics.

1 – The Abandoned Octopus at Wet World Park, Malaysia.

The waterpark was very popular in the 1990s and 2000s, until high maintenance costs and a decline in visitors forced its closure. The huge octopus, who once oversaw the locals enjoying the attraction, is now left staring into the abyss.

 

A skull-faced statue or mural rises behind blue water, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
Nope.
Graffiti-covered wall in front of a large orange mushroom-shaped sculpture under a blue sky.
Close Up Nope

2 – The Forgotten Goblin

The Watermouth Castle, UK

Watermouth Castle is an attraction based in Devon; it's a charming, magical place perfect for children and adults who love whimsy. However, hiding away in the dungeon is the goblin, a decommissioned animatronic. Originally, he would light up and spray water at visitors, but now he is left to stare mockingly at onlookers.

 

Creepy troll-like face floats in dark water inside a tunnel, with a blue platform in front.
Gonna kill ya and eat your firstborn.

3- Brer Rabbit Ride

Oakwood Theme Park, Pembrokeshire, Wales

This track ride used to feature all manner of animatronic anthropomorphic rabbits until high running costs led to its closure in 2013. It hasn’t been fully sealed, leaving it to the Welsh elements and allowing urban explorers to take the horrifying photos of the remains.

 

Worn stuffed animal with floppy ears lies in a chipped blue tub under harsh light, against peeling green and gray walls.
We've all been there.
Creepy Halloween scene: a rabbit figure in an orange shirt holds a trick-or-treat bucket in a dim cave-like room.
I've seen some shit, man.
Dim room with a bunny statue on a pedestal, surrounded by dolls, draped decorations, and pumpkins in a cluttered eerie setting.
A Collection of Fuck Thats
Bunny piñata in a yellow shirt and flower lei stands beside a table of colorful offerings in a purple-walled room.
Drugs. Just Say No.
Creepy rabbit mannequin in red shirt sits on a toilet in a checkered room, with signs Rough for Bucks and Smooch for Do.
Trainspotting Remake Looks Shit

4- Murphy

The Excalibur Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas

In 1993, the show had its debut, featuring Merlin and a seriously impressive, 71-foot-long, fire-breathing animatronic dragon, nicknamed Murphy. The show closed in 2001, and, sadly, Murphy was abandoned in the waters. The water has since been drained, but he remains locked away behind a heavy wooden door, simply waiting until he can breathe fire once more.

 

Red-lit dragon statue breathes fire at a nighttime event, with crowds watching from balconies in the background.
Murphy in All His Glory
Wooden double doors on a building open over curved roller coaster tracks leading into a dark tunnel-like entrance.
Justice for Murphy!!

5 – The Hollywood Tour

Phantasia Land, Germany

The Hollywood Tour was an underground boat ride, featuring scenes from famous films such as Jaws, King Kong and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It ran from 1990 to 2020, when it was permanently closed, and deconstruction began, leaving the zombie-like remains of decomposing animatronics.

 

Large spider-like sculpture with long metal legs in a dim room, beside a small figure on a pedestal, eerie and surreal.
Some Dalek Muthafucka
Shark surfacing in dark water, mouth open, with rippling reflections in a dim night scene.
Jaws' Cousin, Teefs
Two brown animal figures arch over a dark water pool in a cave-like exhibit, with rocky walls and dim lighting.
We're Gonna Need a Bigger Rolled Up Newspaper

6- Moby Dick

Pleasure Island, Massachusetts

Pleasure Island was open from 1959 to 1969, and Moby, at 21 meters long and weighing 3 tons, was the star attraction. When the park closed, Moby was left to his fate, eventually ending up like his namesake and becoming just a legend. However, in 2022, an underwater drone explorer located Moby, still hanging on at the bottom of his watery grave.

 

Close-up of a giant whale’s pale head surfacing by a riverbank, mouth open, with trees reflected in calm water.
Heeey Yoouuu Guuyys!!!

7- Wooly Bill

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio

 Wooly Bill has become a rather beloved animatronic over the last 25 years. He lies submerged in the water, surfacing to snap his Jaws. Unfortunately, he always seems to be in a state of disrepair, his mechanism shot and left out to dry. However, he sporadically rises to the occasion and will snap when you’re least expecting it.

 

Crocodile in murky water with mouth open, seen through a chain-link fence in a zoo enclosure.
Raawwwr

8) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage

Walt Disney World, Florida

This was a huge ride from 1971 to 1994, ending in closure due to high costs and low profits. It featured sea serpents, mermaids, a giant squid and a recreation of The Lost City of Atlantis. After its closure, some of the animatronics were disposed of, while others were left alone in the dark, long forgotten.

 

Green dragon-like sculpture with glowing eyes rises from dark water in a tiled cave, giving a eerie, playful feel.
Help, I'm Kraken Up
Close-up of a red squid with long pale tentacles in dark water, its eye visible against a rocky seabed.
Zoidberg Had Hit Hard Times

9 – The Ettamogah Bunyip

Ettamogah Wildlife Sanctuary, New South Wales

This bunyip was created in the 1980s and would rise from the water, roaring and spraying water before returning to the depths. He got a makeover, which included a jaunty little party hat, but he was still closed in the 2000s. He’s now left to fall apart without anything to celebrate.

 

Giant frog statue emerging from a rocky pool under blue lights, with bulging eyes and sharp teeth, creating an eerie scene
Happier Times
Burn It.
Burn It.

10 – Bert/Bertha

Murray Bridge, South Australia

This is my absolute favourite out of all the animatronics I researched! Bert was created in 1972 as a coin-operated attraction that would let out a monstrous scream as he came up from the water. Ten years later, baby Oscar appeared, and the bunyip was renamed Bertha. Sadly, they were both vandalised and ended up being removed and replaced in 2000. Thought to have been unceremoniously dumped at a landfill, photos have since surfaced of Bertha in someone’s back garden. The whereabouts of poor baby Oscar are unknown.

 

A green swamp monster statue with a wide open mouth in a dim rocky display, lit warmly behind glass.
Jesus Fucking Christ
Black-and-white photo of two stone monster sculptures in water under a rocky overhang, one with round eyes and open mouth.
A Beautiful Family Photo
Green frog-like puppet with big eyes sits on a dim stage beside a white pole, creating a quirky, eerie mood.
Smile!!

And there is your nightmare fuel for the day! I had loads of fun researching this and will definitely be doing similar articles in the future! As always, look after yourselves and thanks for reading!


Hi! I spend a lot of time writing for the website, and I basically exist on caffeine and anxiety - if anybody would like to encourage this habit, please feel free to buy me a coffee!

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