Seguin couple announces big plans for ZDT property

Dalondo Moultrie | The Seguin Gazette

When owners of ZDT’s announced last month that they were closing Seguin’s amusement park, word traveled fast about the pending loss to the community.

A day after ZDT’s last ride, Misti and Ben Guenther revealed Monday their plans to bring an indoor playground to a portion of the property where ZDT formerly operated. Jungle Jam Xtreme at ZDT’s, the couple’s second such endeavor, is on pace for an Oct. 1 grand opening, Misti said.

“We’ve been trying to bring Jungle Jam to Seguin for five years since we had one in New Braunfels. We couldn’t find the right location and, honestly, didn’t want to compete against ZDT’s,” she said. “We get to continue their family legacy and bring our family back to Seguin.”

The Guenthers — both born and raised in Seguin — opened Jungle Jam in 2020 in New Braunfels a month before the world became intimately aware of COVID-19. The coronavirus pandemic led to a six-month pause on Jungle Jam’s operations, Misti said.

After restrictions lifted, the business prospered for the Guenthers, who both also work full-time jobs, she said.

“We were able to continue to grow Jungle Jam and all of the fruits of its labor allowed us to open Jungle Jam Xtreme at ZDT’s,” Misti said.

Jungle Jam in New Braunfels is an indoor playground geared toward smaller children, she said. It has a bounce house and different learning and interactive play options, Misti said.

She said the new place will be a little more, well, extreme.

“Jungle Jam Xtreme has the rock wall. It will have an indoor bouncy obstacle course,” Misti said. “Our playground in New Braunfels is three levels and the Xtreme is five levels with air cannons, blasting cannons. They shoot out these little foam balls rapidly.”

Xtreme will have arcade games just like ZDT’s and will cater to the entire family like the amusement park, she said.

Low attendance and rising costs contributed to Sarah and Danny Donhauser’s decision to close ZDT’s, they announced in July. The Donhausers had looked to take a step back and enjoy more time with their children and grandchildren, said Sarah, who served as the manager of human relations for ZDT’s.

ZDT’s opened in 2007 in the former C.W. Traeger grocery warehouse at the corner of Kingsbury and North Camp streets. The Donhausers spent five years rehabilitating the site of an old agricultural and grocery center before its opening.

Over the years, the couple added more rides, attractions and arcade games, including the Switchback, at the time the world’s only wooden shuttle coaster.

The park was named after the Donhausers’ children — Zach, Danielle and Tiffany.

“Family-owned and operated, ZDT’s is honored to have provided smiles and thrills to many visitors from all over,” Sarah said. “Starting in one building with five attractions, ZDT’s expanded to 13 attractions over the years to include go-karts, family thrill rides, water rides and even a one-of-a-kind roller coaster.”

The Guenthers plan to continue the family vibe, Misti said. Being from Seguin themselves, they know what ZDT’s meant and what family fun around the corner means for the city’s residents, she said.

Jungle Jam Xtreme will try to live up to the standards and expectations city dwellers have for amusement on Kingsbury Street, Misti said. They have a great opportunity and plan to make the most of it, she said.

“It’s one family continuing the legacy of another,” Misti said. “I’m very glad to be able to keep it family driven and be able to support each other. For me it is a great fit.”

Watch the Jungle Jam Xtreme Facebook page for updates, sneak peaks and additional information, she said.

View on SeguinGazette.com