Demand for amusement parks isn’t slowing down, regardless of financial headwinds and geopolitical tensions. In truth, shoppers are extra centered on the worth of experiences and creating enjoyable recollections in instances of uncertainty.
The U.S. amusement and theme park trade is projected to achieve a market worth of $25.5 billion in 2026, representing a gradual enhance from $24.62 billion in 2025 as shoppers proceed to prioritize discretionary spending on experience-first leisure, in accordance with Mordor Intelligence.
“Vacation spot parks mix resorts, premium eating, and proprietary IP to justify multi-day visits and keep a gradual cadence of capital refresh,” writes Mordor Intelligence.
U.S. amusement trade key highlights:
- Spending versus attendance: Walt Disney Firm earnings report knowledge cited by Journey Weekly revealed that whereas attendance is flat or considerably decrease, shoppers are spending extra.
- Client choice: Greater than two-thirds (68%) of shoppers favor household leisure facilities that supply interactive and immersive experiences, together with digital actuality.
- Merchandise spending: Spending on merchandise is growing, with a 6.24% CAGR forecast by 2031, pushed by unique collaborations, in accordance with knowledge from Mordor Intelligence.
- Loyalty shift: Shoppers are prioritizing season passes to lock in worth; these repeat guests generate the best margins by secondary spending on meals and merchandise.
Sources: Mordor Intelligence, Enterprise Analysis Insights
Regardless of the demand and projected development, Journey Touchdown is closing one other park.
Journey Touchdown closes its St. Augustine park after greater than 25 years
Journey Touchdown will shut its St. Augustine park, positioned at 2780 SR 17, after greater than 25 years, reported The Florida Occasions-Union – Jacksonville.
The park was constructed again in 1999 and options:
- 18-hole miniature golf course
- Monster Video and Redemption Gaming Arcade
- Batting cages with diverse ability ranges
- Journey Speedway Go-Karts
- On-site meals companies
- A themed snack bar
Supply: Journey Touchdown
“It’s with heavy hearts that we share that Adventure Landing St. Augustine will be permanently closing on Sunday, April 12. We’ve loved being part of this community — celebrating birthdays, family nights, first dates, and countless memories with all of you. While we’re sad to see this chapter come to an end, we are incredibly grateful for the years of fun and support you’ve given us,” the park shared in a Fb publish.
Journey Touchdown closes its St. Augustine park after greater than 25 years.
Andrew Angelov/Shutterstock&interval;com
Journey Touchdown earlier closures
The most recent closure comes some six months after the corporate shuttered its Jacksonville Seaside location.
Journey Touchdown’s St. Augustine location was the corporate’s third park in Northeast Florida. Its first amusement park launched in 1995 in Jacksonville Seaside. Its second park opened at 4825 Blanding Blvd. in 1996, and the third debuted in 1998 in Daytona Seaside. All three parks have closed during the last 4 years.
Progressively, Journey Touchdown expanded, opening parks in New York, North Carolina, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Ohio.
After its St. Augustine location closes, the corporate will proceed to function 5 parks.
Journey Touchdown’s 5 open parks:
- Buffalo (Tonawanda), NY: Includes a mega-arcade, mini-golf, and Teddy Bear Manufacturing unit.
- Dallas, TX: Provides go-karts, bumper boats, laser tag, and batting cages.
- Raleigh, NC: A longstanding staple on Capital Boulevard (lately confirmed to be staying open, regardless of closure rumors in March 2026).
- Winston-Salem, NC: Recognized for its three uniquely themed 18-hole mini-golf programs.
- Gastonia, NC: Options mini-golf, an arcade, and batting cages.
Supply: Journey Touchdown
Journey Touchdown’s closed parks:
- St. Augustine, FL: Closing completely on April 12, 2026.
- Jacksonville Seaside, FL: Closed on Oct. 15, 2025, after 30 years of operation. The positioning is being transformed right into a 427-unit condo advanced, in accordance with The Florida Occasions-Union – Jacksonville.
- Jacksonville (Blanding Blvd.), FL: Closed in Summer season 2021 to make means for an Amazon supply heart car parking zone, reported Kiddle.
- Charlotte (Pineville), NC: Closed in 2020 (beforehand rebranded as Funtasticks in 2018), in accordance with Kiddle.
- Daytona Seaside, FL: Closed in 2002 (the location was rebranded and is now referred to as Daytona Lagoon), writes Kiddle.
- Greece, NY: Closed and faraway from the model portfolio within the early 2010s, rebranded as Clubhouse Enjoyable Middle, in accordance with Children Out and About.
- Wheatfield, NY: Closed and faraway from the model portfolio within the early 2010s, in accordance with Kiddle.
- Mason, OH (The Seaside at Journey Touchdown): Closed in 2019 following monetary restructuring.
Why is Journey Touchdown St. Augustine location closing?
Within the social media publish confirming the newest closure, Journey Touchdown mentioned its lease was not being renewed and inspired all guests to redeem any tickets, vouchers, tokens, or reward certificates earlier than April 12.
The property was bought for $3.6 million on Feb. 25 by Marietta, Ga.-based M&D Property Ventures LLC, in accordance with St. Johns County property data and as reported by The Florida Occasions-Union – Jacksonville.
The closure of the St. Augustine park follows the sample of Jacksonville Seaside and Blanding Boulevard places, suggesting an trade development towards the best and greatest use of actual property.
Typically, even when a park stays standard in a neighborhood, the rising worth of the land for residential or business improvement exceeds the revenue margin of working a standard amusement park on that very same land.
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