(Seguin) — As one family entertainment legacy closes in Seguin, a new chapter is about to begin at that same location.
ZDT’s Amusement Park officially closed its doors on Sunday, and on Monday an announcement was made that the original indoor play area at ZDT’s will soon reopen as a new space called Jungle Jam Xtreme Indoor Family Entertainment.
The new operation is starting thanks to Ben and Misti Guenther. The Seguin couple already operates Jungle Jam Party & Play in New Braunfels. Misti Guenther says they are excited to bring this new form of fun and play to Seguin.
“We are going to be opening up Jungle Jam Xtreme at ZDT’s, which some people will wonder why are we saying at ZDT’s? ZDT’s is a legacy. (ZDT’s owners) Danny and Sarah (Donhauser) have created such a legacy for Seguin and the kids and the families and the surrounding areas. We are getting to use the ZDT’s building, and so much of what they’ve built — creating our own (space), but we are truly keeping a legacy of Seguin going for the kids and the families of Seguin,” said Guenther.
Guenther says much of what’s inside of ZDT’s works well with their theme, but she says they have big plans to make some changes to enhance the overall experience inside the building.
“We are revamping and reconfiguring some things. A lot of it is going to look the same. I don’t know if you ever paid attention to that wonderful artwork in ZDT’s, but it is made for the Jungle Jam family to be able to combine with ZDT’s. So, the artwork is going to be a lot of the same, but a lot of what you see is going to be changed. We’re working on changing out some of the arcade games. We’re looking to get some more interactive games and also have a Redemption Center for the games so that there’s a driving force behind winning something when you’re playing all those games. There’s going to be a bouncy house obstacle course. There’s going to be massage chairs. There’s going to be seating changes. It’s going to look different, but a lot of things will be the same. We did purchase the content on the inside of the original building, and I think that we can make it still a wonderful family fun center without all of the things from outdoors,” said Guenther.
The Guenthers are familiar with how to make this kind of operation a success. She says they’ve learned a great deal through their operation of the facility in New Braunfels.
“We bought Jungle Jam in New Braunfels back in February of 2020. (Those were) hard times guys. We are survivors, and through that, we’ve been looking for the past five years for a location in Seguin. With always the hesitation that we didn’t want to compete against ZDT’s and that original building and that wonderful climbing structure that we’ll be adding some things to and whatnot. They had some of the same things, but we serviced a little bit younger of an age group in New Braunfels and I felt like ZDT’s did a little bit older. So now, we’re going to combine both. I get to be back. Ben and I get to be back in our hometown, which really drives me. If anybody knows me, you know how much I love Seguin and how much I just want to be able to give back to Seguin.
So, when I went to Danny and had the conversation, the original conversation, I said — ‘Danny, I’ve wanted to come to Seguin for five years, but I didn’t want to compete against you, because we wanted’ them to succeed. So, this has been something that did happen very fast and furious, but it’s not something that has not been in our hearts for a long time,” said Guenther.
Guenther says they want to add some features that make the space more accessible for everyone. They want little kids, big kids and all families to have a space that they can enjoy themselves and make lasting memories right here in Seguin.
“We will be adding a toddler area for those moms who maybe stay at home during the week or work from home moms, that will have some comfortable seating for them to be able to work and be able to see the toddlers maybe play in one area. But then of course, we want to be able to go from there. I’ve been asked, ‘well, what’s the age range?’ Well, the play structure, the obstacle course, (and) the arcades — all that’s for the whole family. There isn’t an age limit there. I visited ZDT’s this past weekend. I’ve been there quite a bit, you know, trying to enjoy it, and I realized there were some people that definitely were in their golden years that were riding on rides and we’re going to miss that place. So, if I can bring that kind of excitement for a whole family and for the grandparents to bring the grandkids and everybody to have something to do, that’s my goal. I just want a good, controlled environment for people to feel safe, have birthday parties and just be able to enjoy Seguin and know that you don’t have to go far to do everything,” said Guenther.
This is a big opportunity for the ZDT’s legacy to continue. Guenther says they will be taking over the original indoor space, but she says there may be other businesses also coming to that complex. She says regardless of what else happens, she hopes that the community will come out and support these small businesses, who work hard to give back to the community in so many ways.
“The big thing for people to remember, and I think that it’s very important for Seguin to remember, is how important it is to support small businesses. Small business is the mom and pops stores and the people with lots of heart that are very connected to business – not that we don’t need and thrive off other organizations and franchises. Those are also very important, but the ability to keep places open and have things like this it’s just so important to support them –even if that’s just sharing or liking (posts, offering) prayers or, you know, being inside the business,” said Guenther.
Guenther says they plan to open the Jungle Jam Xtreme Indoor Family Entertainment doors in October. Meanwhile, they’re encouraging people to follow their Facebook page to learn more about their exciting plans.