IF you happen to have a pair of ruby slippers lying around, it's time to put them on and head to the Emerald City - or Land of Oz. Though the theme park has been closed since 1980, it is reopening its doors to host a festival celebrating the 85th anniversary of the popular film - after all, there's no place like home . Inspired by the Wizard of Oz, Land of Oz first invited guests to experience their own journey along the yellow brick road when it opened in 1970.
And no, it's not in Kansas. The park, which wound up shuttering its doors ten years later, in 1980, is located in Beech Mountain, North Carolina. It also faced some ups and downs during its decade run.
Read more in theme park After being named the top tourist attraction in its inaugural year, a gas crisis would eventually affect ticket sales, followed by a fire in 1975 that led to financial ruin, according to their website . Still, a new "wizard" took over Oz - or TriSouth of Atlanta, one of its original investors - allowing it to stay open for another five years. It was also host to many famous faces, including the original Scarecrow, played by Ray Bolger.
Upon reopening, the park offered new attractions, as well as a very special guide - Dorothy herself, who would walk guests through the park. Most read in Travel Over time, Land of Oz started to look "run down," leading to a low attendance rate. Though a revitalization plan was drawn up, to the tune of $3 million, plans of a final closure were announced.
After 1980,.