free html hit counter Six Flags rival forced to abruptly shut within days as owner shares heartbreaking message with theme park thrill seekers – My Blog

Six Flags rival forced to abruptly shut within days as owner shares heartbreaking message with theme park thrill seekers

A RIVAL to theme park Six Flags has announced it is to close within days.

The abrupt closure means thrill seekers will soon have one less spot to ride rollercoasters.

(TAKEN WITHOUT PERMISSION), Six Flags rival forced to abruptly close within days as owner shares heartbreaking message with theme park thrill seekers, https://www.zdtamusement.com/products/switchback, Credit: ZDT Amusement Park
ZDT’s Amusement Park in Texas is to close this summer
ZDT Amusement park

The owners of ZDT’s Amusement Park in Seguin – east of San Antonio – announced the closure in a heartbreaking message on Facebook on Monday, July 14.

It means operations at the family-owned park will officially end this summer.

“We are so honored to have provided smiles, thrills, and happy memories for 18+ years,” ZDT’s said in a Facebook post.

“After much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close our park.”

In the post, the company also said it had “appreciated the community’s support over the years”. 

For years, crowds were drawn to the park for its attractions such as go-karts, thrill rides and even a unique wooden shuttle coaster with an 85 degree incline known as The Switchback. 

ZDT’s shuttering will bring an end to a park that has been active since the early 2000s.

Sarah and Danny Donhauser opened the park in 2007, after years of rehabilitating what was formerly an agricultural and grocery center, the Seguin Gazette reports.

The family-owned park got its name ZDT’s from the couple’s children: Zach, Danielle and Tiffany. 

But low attendance and rising costs, along with a desire to spend more time with family, prompted the closure.


Going forward, the couple reportedly plans to sell or lease the buildings at the amusement park. 

Attendance concerns have plagued even larger amusement parks.

In May, park operators announced Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor in Bowie, Maryland, would close after the 2025 season.

When sharing plans to hold the final operating day in November, CEO Richard Zimmerman said the park isn’t a “strategic fit” with the company’s growth plan. 

Days later, Six Flags shared its 2025 first quarter results, which included a net loss of $220 million.

Still, Zimmerman noted that the company expected to recover attendance entering the summer season.

“We have a long track record of navigating uncertain macro environments, and we believe we are well-positioned to survive and thrive despite external headwinds,” Zimmerman said.

“As we continue to monitor the evolving economic backdrop, our teams are decisively pulling all available levers to drive profitability, offset cost pressures, and generate free cash flow—from adjusting operating calendars and promotional strategies, to improving expense management and accelerating synergy realization from the merger.”

Meanwhile, ZDT’s is looking forward to its last hurrah. “We hope you will come out for one last visit,” the park wrote on Facebook.

The last operating day at ZDT’s will be August 17.

What is it like to ride a ‘super rollercoaster’ at a theme park?

Lee Bell, pictured above, tried out the tallest and fastest rollercoasters in Europe at Energylandia in Poland …

“Reaching heights that send me hurtling to the ground in a weightless free-fall, you’d think I was riding one of America’s colossal coasters, but no. I’m on a ride called Hyperion in a seemingly quiet part of Poland.

“From the moment I arrived, it was clear I was in for a hair-raising time.
Hyperion intimidates with 1,500m of track that snakes around the car park, where carriages rush by careering riders at speeds of 88mph.

“This isn’t Energylandia’s only spine-tingling treat either Standing almost as tall at the opposite end of the park is Zadra This part-wood, part-steel coaster, known as a “hybrid” due to the two types of materials used, is the tallest of its kind in the world.

“With a 206ft, 90-degree drop and three inversions, it’s no wonder online community CoasterForce has ranked Zadra the third best coaster in the world. It is so intense riders are even made to wear goggles when riding the front row.

“If being flung around a track at break-neck speeds isn’t your jam, or if you want to give your now jelly-like legs a rest, there’s plenty of less intense experiences to enjoy.” – Lee Bell

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