This Once Popular Amusement Park In Texas Is Closing Its Doors For Good

One fateful day in the spring of 2007, the town of Seguin, Texas, welcomed a fun-filled, action-packed new attraction. Adding to Seguin's unique suite of local landmarks (a collection that includes the world's largest pecan), ZDT's Amusement Park brought a wave of excitement to the city's residents. Roller coasters, a splash zone, go-karts, and more drew in crowds looking to let loose and enjoy a day of frivolity. Given the park's location near one of Texas' most intriguing sights and the iconic Hill Country destination of San Antonio, long-term success must've seemed all but guaranteed. Alas, after nearly two decades in operation, ZDT's Amusement Park announced it will permanently close following a final day of fun in August, 2025.

"For more than 18 years, we've had the privilege of filling your days with smiles, thrills, and unforgettable memories," the ZDT's Amusement Park website shares. "After much consideration, we've made the difficult decision to close ZDT's Amusement Park. Our last day of operation will be Sunday, August 17, 2025. We would love to see you one more time before the gates close."

But what factors went into that decision to close the park? And how are the denizens of Seguin taking the news? Let's dive into some answers.

As ZDT's co-owner Sarah Donhauser (half of the parental pair behind the park) told local news station KSAT, "Attendance has been dwindling in recent years, so you know, the time has come." Donhauser went on to add: "It became apparent that we needed to go ahead and close at the end of this summer."

Like many similar attractions, ZDT's Amusement Park struggled as COVID-19 lockdowns swept through America in 2020. However, as a family-owned business, the park didn't have the resources that entertainment giants Six Flags and Disney have to withstand lost business. Donhauser expressed optimism about ZDT's ability to bounce back when the park reopened in June 2020 after a three-month pandemic closure. "We have a capacity of 50 percent that we need to hold to but we have no concerns about hitting that capacity," she told Seguin Today. "We won't have any issue with that at all." However, despite that positivity, it seems attendance never returned to sustainable levels.

Amusement parks must rank among some of the top places for making long-lasting childhood memories, so it's no surprise that past parkgoers are grieving the loss of ZDT's. One look at the comments on the venue's recent social media posts shows just how much people in and around Seguin will miss the place.

"There isn't another park out there like this," @ch.p1312_ commented on Instagram. "The feeling of coming across a minuscule family amusement park taking up half a block in a quaint Texas town that features one of the most unique roller coasters on Earth is a magical experience. It was truly something special."

The Donhauser family shares similar sentiments. Married park owners Sarah and Danny Donhauser used their children's initials to name ZDT's, and Danny once described the park as a dream project. While that dream came to life for about 18 years, it's due to return to the land of fantasy after closing day on August 17, 2025. Until then, wistful visitors can take their final rides on popular park coasters like the beloved Switchback. For now, the fate of these rides after ZDT's closure is uncertain. No eccentric Texas billionaires have come out of the woodwork to buy the amusement park (so far, at least), so it seems individual rides may simply go up for sale. Until Switchback finds a new home, Seguin-area thrill seekers can always satisfy their craving for adventure on this unique Southern coaster about 40 minutes from ZDT's.