originally posted on 8/25/2025
On Sunday, August 3, ACE South Central gathered at ZDT’s in Seguin, Texas, to bid farewell to our friends and celebrate the park’s legacy. After 18 years, owners Danny and Sarah Donhauser decided to close the park to focus on retirement and family. A total of 113 enthusiasts from nine states — many visiting ZDT’s for the first time — attended the event to honor everything the park has offered over the years.
One final ERT on Switchback was offered as part of the event.
Photo: Krista Keyes. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Attendees enjoyed a morning of complimentary classic arcade games, followed by the region’s final bittersweet ERT on the Switchback wooden shuttle coaster and the ThunderVolt Speedway Go-Karts.
After ERT, guests gathered for presentations and lunch. Danny and Sarah opened the session by expressing their gratitude for the years of support. They answered questions and shared their reasons for closing the park. Sarah remarked that the main building has already been leased, and the new tenant has agreed to preserve the amusement-themed artwork. She was not yet able to reveal the identity of the new occupant, however. Danny noted that the rides are currently for sale, with several already finding new homes. Interestingly, the rides sold so far have followed the same order in which Danny originally added them to the park — including the parachute tower, children’s play area and go-karts. He plans to share relocation details once the new owners are ready to announce them.
The main building’s new tenant has agreed to preserve its whimsical artwork that pays homage to local and amusement industry history.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
The big question on everyone’s mind was the fate of Switchback. Danny confirmed there has been interest in relocating the one-of-a-kind coaster, but no buyer has been secured yet. For now, the coaster will remain standing but not operating.
Guests from The Gravity Group joined ZDT’s owners, Danny and Sarah Donhauser, for the event.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Following Danny and Sarah’s remarks, surprise guests from The Gravity Group — Michael Graham, Brian Kosmac, Anthony Pennington and Hunter Lawrence — made a special presentation. Graham and Kosmac spoke briefly about the history of Switchback and their collaboration with ZDT’s. To commemorate the coaster’s significance since its debut in 2015, The Gravity Group gifted the Donhausers a custom-built miniature replica of the coaster’s spike, complete with train. The gesture visibly moved both Danny and Sarah.
Just before lunch, Sarah announced a silent auction featuring several key items: the original banner announcing Switchback’s construction; a banner used to welcome ACE at various events, including the farewell event; and two original signs from Playland Park in San Antonio — the original home of Rocket, now known as Phoenix at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Guests then enjoyed a lunch of grilled bun hotdogs, pizza and fried Oreos, with cake provided by the South Central region.
Posters were among items donated by the park as prizes for the farewell celebration.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
After lunch, Sarah generously offered two posters from the main building as door prizes. Silent auction winners were also announced. Notably, David Lipnicky purchased the Rocket sign with plans to donate it to Knoebels, while Amy Lynn and her family acquired the other Playland Park artwork with the intent of donating it to the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives.
In addition to laps on Switchback, attendees enjoyed the park’s expansive collection of arcade games.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
The entire ACE South Central regional representative team gathered to personally thank Danny and Sarah for their years of friendship and support. The region’s relationship with ZDT’s dates back many years, even before Switchback’s debut. As a token of appreciation, the region presented a framed photo from the 2018 Winterfest event at ZDT’s. Attendees at this year’s farewell event signed the frame, leaving heartfelt messages, well wishes and thanks for the memories created over the years.
A framed photo from the 2018 Winterfest event at the park was presented to Danny and Sarah Donhauser.
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
ACE South Central sincerely thanked Danny and Sarah Donhauser for their dedication to hosting the South Central region over the years. Their tireless efforts ensured ACE members had memorable experiences, including being a host park for Coaster Con XL in 2017, the 2018 South Central Winterfest and countless annual events. The region considers the entire Donhauser family — Danny, Sarah, Zac, Danielle and Tiffany — a cherished part of the ACE family. As inscribed on the photo presented:
“Life is full of Switchbacks, but yours has been the best ride. Your ACE family will miss you!”
— Jeff Braziel, ACE South Central Assistant Regional Representative
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