Wonderland, the longtime amusement park in Amarillo, has been listed for sale, raising new questions about its future. The announcement has sparked comparisons to Joyland, the Lubbock park that ultimately closed after being listed for sale. While no outcomes are certain, the sale has reignited discussion about the challenges and changes facing amusement parks across the region.

Read More: Without Joyland, Lubbock Families Must Travel For Fun

Why Wonderland’s Sale Is So Much Like Joyland

Wonderland‘s story is quite similar to that of Joyland. Opened in 1951, this park has been family-owned for generations. Now facing a sale, it could meet the same fate as Joyland, which saw its rides sold off individually and the park shuttered forever.

Like Joyland, Wonderland is situated on city park grounds, meaning any new owner would have to adhere to any extra regulations that come with it. Local Lubbock families attempted to buy Joyland; however, faced with high insurance costs and other setbacks (flooding/ vandalism), it simply wasn’t a good, or even decent, investment.

Read More: Relive Lubbock’s Joyland Amusement Park With This Cute Video

Why Wonderland May Make It

Although the announcement of a sale could be cause for alarm, Wonderland has some things going for it that Joyland did not. Amarillo sees a lot more through traffic thanks to Route 66 (which is why they have a Bucc-ee’s and we do not). Wonderland is visible right from the highway, whereas you had to know where Joyland was.

Additionally, I could not find anything about Wonderland facing flooding or vandalism problems. You can also tell that Wonderland has done a better job at updating the park over the years, even offering more “big city” thrill rides that are available at an extra cost for patrons who want to ride them.

As Wonderland moves into a new chapter, the sale leaves more questions than answers about what comes next. For many, the situation naturally brings Joyland’s story to mind, even though the outcomes may ultimately differ. What’s clear is that amusement parks hold a unique place in the region’s identity, and any change to Wonderland’s future will be watched closely by Amarillo and beyond.

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Gallery Credit: Chrissy

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