Dollywood expanded its footprint into Southern California for the first time after acquiring Raging Waters, Castle Park and Boomers. Castle Park holds a special place in many students’ hearts on campus, often synonymous with family fun and unforgettable experiences.
Castle Park opened its doors in 1976 as an entertainment venue featuring a castle with an arcade and an outdoor miniature golf course. The park underwent significant expansion in 1985 with the addition of an area dedicated to amusement rides.
Bud Hurlbut created Castle Park. Before that, he collaborated with Walter Knott, founder of Knott’s Berry Farm, designing the park’s two signature attractions: the Calico Mine Ride and the Timber Mountain Log Ride. He also developed the Antique Car Ride, which debuted at Knott’s and was later relocated to Castle Park, where guests can still enjoy it today.
Dennis Speigel, CEO of International Theme Park Services, addressed the acquisition on behalf of the company.
“This merger may prompt other operators to reevaluate their strategies, potentially spurring liquidations and possible consolidations or partnerships within the industry,” Speigel said.
Herschend Family Entertainment, based in Atlanta and co-owner of Dollywood with Dolly Parton, officially agreed to buy all of Palace Entertainment’s U.S. locations from Parques Reunidos.
The deal includes 20 entertainment sites, with four located in California: Boomers Parks in Palm Springs and Vista, Castle Park in Riverside and Raging Waters Los Angeles in San Dimas. Dolly Parton still co-owns Dollywood with Herschend in a 50-50 split.
Sebastian Meleka, freshman mechanical engineering major, expressed disappointment over Castle Park’s change in ownership.
“I find it disappointing that my childhood is being brought up by big companies; I mean, I hope they can use their big corporation money to better the park. But I think it might turn into a generic theme park from this,” Meleka said.
When management changes occur, it’s not just about swapping names on a corporate roster—it reshapes the guest experience, operational efficiency and long-term vision. One of the first areas affected is employee morale.
Leadership changes often result in shifts to park policies, staffing and workplace atmosphere. Employees typically notice early signs of change, whether it’s an increased emphasis on guest services or more profit-driven strategies. Without clear communication from management, staff may feel disconnected, which can lead to disengagement, higher turnover and lower customer service quality.
Xander Shorts, freshman theatre major, questioned how the transition might impact student experiences during upcoming events.
“With the Lancer Takeover event supposed to be happening a week from now, will we, as students? I feel like we as consumers don’t really feel management changes,” Shorts said.
As Dollywood’s parent company takes control of Castle Park and other California amusement locations, the transition brings both anticipation and uncertainty. While Castle Park remains a beloved local attraction, students and visitors alike will be watching closely to see how the changes shape its future.
