From 1976 until 2001, Mystery Fun House was a second-tier tourist attraction that operated in the I-Drive corridor in Orlando. It was an old-school fun house, with mirror mazes and creepy dungeon rooms and monsters and magic shows, and it was wildly popular with families in the 1970s and ’80s. Today, it’s a Westgate Resorts/Florida Visitors Welcome Center owned by Central Florida Investments (which owns Westgate). Check out these photos from the attraction’s heyday and its current state. For more info on Mystery Fun House, check out the Facebook page dedicated to keeping its memory alive or the website Big Florida Country.
Who remembers Mystery Fun House, the lower-budget tourist attraction that used to be located in the I-Drive tourist corridor? There was a free trolley you could ride along I-Drive that would drop you off there. “The Wizard Awaits You!” (image via floridamemory.com)It opened in 1976, and was owned in part by local developer David Siegel. Yes, THAT David Siegel. And this one, too. It promised fun, laughs and surprises, including a mirror maze, fortune telling and a magic show. (image via facebook.com/mysteryfunhouse)Crazy murals were painted at the entrance. (image via facebook.com/mysteryfunhouse)Admission was reasonably priced. (image via bigfloridacountry.com)At some point in the attraction’s history, it introduced an animatronic act, similar to the ones they had at the old ShowBiz Pizza Theaters. (image via bigfloridacountry.com)Mystery Fun House had a rolling barrel you could crawl through. (image via floridamemory.com)There was also a mini golf course. (via facebook.com/mysteryfunhouse.com)Wizbang golf! (image via bigfloridacountry.com)Lazlo was the wizard’s personal handreading gypsy. He could read palms and tell fortunes. (image via floridamemory.com)There were big lighted palms in the room. (image via facebook.com/mysteryfunhouse.com)There was also a terrifying maze – enter if you dare! (image via bigfloridacountry.com)These giant punching bags were part of it. (image via facebook.com/mysteryfunhouse)It was creepy. (image via facebook.com/mysteryfunhouse)There was only one way out, and you had to grope your way to the exit. (image via bigfloridacountry.com)Tube slide! (image via bigfloridacountry.com)There were a bunch of monster exhibits, too. (image via floridamemory.com)There was a werewolf … (image via floridamemory.com)… and you could have your picture taken with him, while he sat safely chained next to you. (image via floridamemory.com)This witch with her decapitated head probably scared a lot of little kids. (image via bigfloridacountry.com)There was tons of stuff to look at.And play with.And there was a disco room with a light-up floor. (via facebook.com/mysteryfunhouse)You could boogie with the wizard on the dancefloor. (via floridamemory.com)You could get your handwriting analyzed. (image via floridamemory.com)Some dolls on display. (via floridamemory.com)And there was this dragon guarding the Forest Room. (image via facebook.com/mysteryfunhouse)A creeptastic exhibit, fun for the whole family. (image via floridamemory.com)Two movies filmed scenes at the Mystery Fun House — one was ‘Parenthood,’ the other was ‘Night Terror,’ which starred Mo Rogers and Grandpa Al Lewis (of ‘Munsters’ fame). (image via bigfloridacountry.com)This image released by Magnolia Pictures shows David Siegel, left, and Jackie Siegel, subjects of the documentary “The Queen of Versailles.” (AP Photo/Magnolia Pictures, Lauren Greenfield)Jack Spangler, vice president of Central Florida Investments, said Mystery Fun House had grown “stale.” The company wanted $6 million for the place.They never got it, though. It eventually became a welcome center for Westgate Resorts, the time-share company that made Siegel a multimillionaire. Siegel also attempted to build the most expensive mansion in all of Florida – which was never completed and is now also up for sale.The magician no longer greets visitors at the entrance.The parking lot is a vast expanse of hot concrete with little activity.Photos from the Orange County Property Appraiser’s office show that it’s just a shadow of its former self.The county appraises the property at around $1.5 million. It’s still owned by Central Florida Investments.There are rumors circulating that Mystery Fun House might be put up for sale again soon, though nobody seems to have any concrete information and we didn’t find any real estate listings for that address.So for now, all we have are the memories of the oddball place.And this image of the old wizard, who used to await us, tossed out back and baking in the hot Central Florida sun.
