Neverland Ranch: Inside Michael Jackson's Theme Park Home (VIDEO)

It was a dream come true -- for a little while. And while it hosted its demons and has an uncertain future, one thing is for sure: the Neverland Ranch was, on its own terms, a truly magical place.

The theme park, fairy tale home of Michael Jackson was home to rides, a zoo and a seemingly endless array of attractions that came from the mind of the pop star. From its iconic train to a carousel, ferris wheel and arcade, the ranch was a dream come true.

Financial difficulties put the property in foreclosure, with the estate coming into the control of a joint venture between Jackson and a financier, the intention being to rework the mission of the massive complex. That, of course, was waylaid by Jackson's death in 2009. Some say it should become a state park; others think it should be a theme park. Recently, it's been rumored that Jackson's children want to buy the property back at some point, which would make for a kind of storybook ending for the fantasy land.

Finance and politics aside, take a trip inside the magical land by watching below.

Comments

[GirlInNYC]

08:17 PM on 11/10/2011

I loved Mke the artist, and am disappointed that this bickering is what's left of his legacy. I thought I'd read comments about this place, but it's all guilty vs. innocent arguing. However, I can't say that Mike didn't tarnish his own legacy with his personal choices. Yes, there are opportunist. You learn that the first time and don't repeat the same behavior, but he did. And there are supporters with valid points like the FBI's final vindication. Anti-MJ people will reject all facts because they want to hold their position(s). Some pro MJ people will ignore clear signs because they love him unconditionally. I have a favorite celebrity, but I don't know that person. I support the artistry. Until we are personally familiar, that's all I support.

[NHBill]

01:34 PM on 11/09/2011

Almost as creepy as the Psycho house.

[Erin Tucciarone]

01:07 PM on 11/09/2011

why cant this be turned into something like give kids the world, he loved kids and families and to make it a place that sick kids could go to would be a great honor to his name.

[Esther21072011]

06:28 AM on 11/10/2011

Because it's creepy as it's a place 'he loved kids' in a sick and perverted way.

[olitenup]

12:13 PM on 11/09/2011

I hope the kids do get it back.

[Jarret Boisvert]

12:13 PM on 11/09/2011

Seeing Is This It showed me that he was so childlike. Even to be talked to, it seemed like an adult talking to a kid. I don't know what happened behind closed doors, but I'd like to think that nothing bad happened. Neverland Ranch should be preserved as it is. Too bad that Jackson's legacy was tainted during the 90s with the allegations. He was a masterful talent.

[NHBill]

01:32 PM on 11/09/2011

It is a monument to child abuse.
Both the abuse done to him and the abuse he performed.

[PrunellaC]

11:05 AM on 11/09/2011

Good gad, I think I've seen more low-key landscaping and architecture in Vegas.

[Giverny]

09:37 PM on 11/09/2011

He was acquitted.

[Esther21072011]

06:28 AM on 11/10/2011

So was OJ and Casey Anthony.

[westreal]

10:03 AM on 11/09/2011

They should turn in into a tourist attraction.

[Vicky Lupo McDonald]

09:59 AM on 11/09/2011

When I watched the video "This Is It" I was extremely moved by it! The song "Earth Song" gave me chills and my eyes filled up because watching the depiction of what we are doing to the earth, to the land, to the animals is so hurtful and so true! When Michael sang that song with such conviction I just couldn't stop thinking about it... a very powerful message! We will never, ever know the real truth behind the accusations against him with children, or who fathered his children etc. and all the other things that were said and done in his life, but I do know that he was exceptionally talented beyond a doubt in my mind!

[LoriAnn Eorio]

02:29 PM on 11/09/2011

awesome!

[don48895]

09:51 AM on 11/09/2011

give it to his kids

[don48895]

09:50 AM on 11/09/2011

let his kids have it

[NHBill]

01:34 PM on 11/09/2011

Why would they want it?

[Joe Nole]

09:49 AM on 11/09/2011

If you want to catch fish, you bait the hook.

[Angioplasm]

09:16 AM on 11/09/2011

Thats a lot of books,bet he hadn't read more than 5 himself. Looks to me like he was a hoarder,buying things he would never use himself,but he just had to have it.

[presump]

05:05 PM on 11/09/2011

You are so wrong, but keep on making comments about subjects you know nothing about - it makes you look so clever. MJ was incredibly well read. Google Michael Jackson the bookworm. Please educate yourself before making stupid comments.

[Angioplasm]

05:55 PM on 11/09/2011

Do you actually think I would google anything about that freak? I saw parts of "This is it" just to see what the" greatest performance ever" might look like. Well it didn't impress as even being any good by any stretch of the imagination. It looked like a transgender scarecrow trying to dance while trying to sing,pathetic.

[Marzipan29]

01:57 AM on 11/10/2011

That just shows your ignorance. Your comment earlier suggested that you knew how many books Michael had and how many he read. Well....Your next comment explains it all.

[dav0001]

06:35 PM on 12/04/2011

I'm going to have to disagree with you. I totally believe Michael was a child molester but I think he was an amazing and talented performer and the show looked like it was going to be amazing.

[djselbac]

09:07 AM on 11/09/2011

Welcome to neverconvictedland ranch.

[NHBill]

01:34 PM on 11/09/2011

Welcome to paythemoff ranch.

[djselbac]

01:59 PM on 11/09/2011

LMAO even better! you win !