The magic of Michael Jackson is hitting different again and not just through music streams. Since the release of the biopic Michael, fans are rediscovering every corner of his legacy… including a towering piece of Neverland nostalgia now sitting in the desert.
At Scandia Family Fun Center, one attraction is pulling fresh crowds: “Michael Jackson’s Slide.” Originally part of the legendary Neverland Ranch, this 39-foot-tall, three-lane giant has become an unexpected hotspot. Families are lining up again, drawn by the renewed MJ buzz and the chance to literally ride a piece of pop culture history.
Back in the day, Neverland wasn’t just a home, it was MJ’s personal fantasy world, inspired by Peter Pan and built into a full-blown amusement park. The 2,700-acre estate featured nearly 20 rides, including this very slide, which once stood near a carousel captured in aerial shots of the property.
The slide itself, possibly once dubbed the “Thriller” slide, stretches an impressive 162 feet. It landed in Victorville in 2018 after being acquired from Jackson’s estate, years after the rides were put into storage.
Its journey traces back to longtime collaborator David Helm Sr., who worked with Jackson for over a decade installing and maintaining rides at Neverland. When Jackson relocated, Helm helped remove and store the attractions, with plans for a future reinstall that never came following the singer’s passing in 2009.
Today, what was once part of a private dreamland is open to the public, sun-faded, slightly worn, but more alive than ever. Thanks to the renewed spotlight on MJ, this relic of Neverland isn’t just standing tall, it’s sliding right back into the cultural conversation.
