Theme Parks, Visited for Over 20 Years, Shut Down — and They’re Not in Florida

The parent company of Dollywood is saying goodbye to two of their newly acquired theme parks in Georgia. 

On Sunday, Sept. 28, the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation ceased operations at Malibu Norcross, an arcade and go-kart amusement center in Gwinnett County, as well as Mountasia Marietta family entertainment center in Cobb County. 

“These centers have played an important role in their communities, and we’re incredibly grateful to the hosts who’ve created so many joyful memories for families,” Herschend CEO Andrew Wexler said in a recent statement to WSB-TV. 

“This decision is in no way a reflection on the hosts or the quality of the experiences offered, but rather a recognition that Family Entertainment Centers operate differently than the types of attractions we are best structured to support,” he continued.

The corporation bought the two entertainment destinations as part of an acquisition of Palace Entertainment in May alongside 22 other parks and attractions within the U.S. 

A statement was shared on the websites of Mountasia Marietta and Malibu Norcross following their closures after decades in business.

“Thank you to our incredible community, hosts, and guests” for making both destinations a place“to create timeless memories for more than 20 years!”

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Herschend Family Entertainment purchased Goldrush Junction, a small theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, back in 1976 before Dolly Parton became a co-owner and renamed the tourist attraction Dollywood a decade later. The corporation also co-owns Dolly Parton’s Stampede dinner show and Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Park. 

At the time of the Palace Entertainment acquisition, which brought the corporation’s number of owned properties up to 49, Wexler celebrated a new era of “listening, learning, and building relationships.”

“This is a landmark moment, not just for Herschend, but for every host, guest, and community we serve.” he said in a May 27 press release.

“To us, this is so much bigger than adding attractions to our portfolio of family brands, growth is about people,” Wexler added. “It’s about creating a great place to work so our hosts love what they do and can create memories worth repeating for our guests for generations to come.”