Fun Mountain, Magic World, Ogle's Water Park, Porpoise Island

Today's Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge attractions are plenty exciting, but some of their predecessors offered visitors an experience that simply can't be replicated today − because these places no longer exist.

Tony and Linda Sweat, from Clinton, float along on the new Lazy River Ride at Ogle’s Water Park Tuesday afternoon with their daughter, Kelsey and her friend, Talya Anderson, June 6, 1995.

Once upon a time, you could watch porpoise performances, ride down a water slide called the hydro-chute or travel by "earth auger" to the center of the earth in East Tennessee.

It was a different era for the tourism industry in the two towns, one with rides that weren't as high-tech, and with more basic − yet sometimes unusual − attractions.

In at least one case, there's still evidence revealing where the shuttered attractions used to stand, but even so, the archives are necessary to find what the experiences were once like.

Fun Mountain

Gatlinburg's first hotel, the Mountain View Hotel, was demolished in 1993. What replaced the historic landmark? A theme park − although it didn't last long.

Fun Mountain, also referred to as the Gatlinburg Theme Park and Gatlinburg Amusement Park, had a partial opening in summer 1994. It offered rides including a Ferris wheel, chairlift, carousel, arcade, Tilt-A-Whirl, bumper boats and go-carts, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported that year.

Although the attraction closed its doors in the early 2000s, relics remain where it once was. A rusty, dilapidated ski lift still stands near the intersection of U.S. Route 441 and U.S. Route 321, tucked behind parking lots across the Parkway from Ole Red Southern restaurant.

The last ad for the theme park appeared in the News Sentinel in 1999, and its equipment was auctioned off in 2008.

Magic World

Magic World opened on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge during the early 1970s, and over its lifetime drew in visitors with dinosaur- and alien-themed features. It delivered on its advertised focus with magic shows and magic carpet rides.

The theme park originated as a miniature golf course but expanded through the years with additions such as a ventriloquist and the "Confederate Critters Show," a musical act put on by animatronic animals. Other attractions included the Flying Saucer Theater, Dragon Train Ride and Dinosaur Museum, according to a 1981 News Sentinel article.

Magic World closed in 1995, according to an obituary for Joyce Sidwell, who opened and ran the park with her husband and son, Jim Sidwell Sr. and Jim Sidwell Jr.

Ogle's Water Park

In the 1980s and '90s, Ogle's Water Park was a top spot for cooling off during the summer months. A 1982 News Sentinel article noted operators of the new park were preparing to hire 150 people.

By 1984, Ogle's was seeing around 2,500 visitors a day during the summer, people who enjoyed its six water slides, wading pool and wave pool, the News Sentinel reported that year.

But with the new millennium came Ogle's demise. By 2003, the park was gone, and ground had been broken for Walden's Landing, a dining and retail space in Pigeon Forge that is now called Lumberjack Square.

Porpoise Island

Like it or not, East Tennessee once had its own version of SeaWorld.

Porpoise Island opened in 1972 as a "Polynesian-style amusement attraction" where visitors could watch sea animals perform, the News Sentinel reported that year. Along with a porpoise show, the park also offered a seal show, bird vaudeville show, sea lion pool and deer ranch.

During the '70s, the attraction's president, Don Jacobs, invited high schoolers from Hawaii to perform at Porpoise Island stage shows.

By 1989, Porpoise Island was no more, and the property was up for auction. Today, the site is home to The Island in Pigeon Forge.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Porpoise shows, Confederate Critters, Fun Mountain: Smokies spots you can’t visit anymore