Hamtramck, Michigan: Hamtramck Disneyland - Dmytro Szylak Folk Art

Built by the late Dmytro Szylak, the eye-boggling mass would spin in the wind and light up at night, accompanied by traditional Ukrainian folk music.

Still going strong! Such a great stop!

Dmytro Szylak, the creator of Hamtramck Disneyland -- a colorful folk art mass with everything from Ukrainian washerwomen to Santa in a helicopter -- passed away on May 1, 2015. He might have been 92, or maybe 95. We visited his yard in 2011, and found Dmytro to be remarkably agile for his age and not shy about asking for donations.

The fate of his Disneyland is now uncertain. According to local media reports, Dmytro's will is being contested by several people, including his daughters, but those same sources report that Hamtramck's mayor definitely wants to preserve Dmytro's creation, both as a source of tourism and civic pride. Even if the mayor succeeds (and we hope she does), it won't be the same without the gruff Dmytro. [Thanks to Jim McNally and Jay for the tips]

A retired gentleman named Dmytro Szylak -- who came to Hamtramck from the Ukraine right after WWII -- created Hamtramck Disneyland. It took him from 1997 or so until 1999 to put it all up. Several of the displays are wired-up and move when he flicks a switch. He also has lights and music wired-up. It's in the back of an unassuming house on Klinger St. right in the alley. It looks like a carnival for gnomes. I live in the house, and my landlord is Dmytro Szylak.

Down a small alley off of Klinger in Hamtramck, MI lies the Hamtramck Disneyland. It is a backyard filled to 30 ft. tall with crazy items. There is a structure that supports reindeer, Mickey Mouse in a plane, there are mini cars on the ground, toys galore, etc. etc. Way too much to describe, you just have to see it! All built by one older gentleman.