A New Study Suggests That Houston Could Be the Next Theme Park Oasis

While Florida and California largely have a monopoly on the United States theme park industry (no offense, Dollywood), a new University of Houston study shows that Texas may be prime real estate for new ventures.

Since the loss of Astroworld, which closed in 2005, Houston has largely been bereft of themed entertainment.

Photo: PaperCity

“Back when I was younger, we had Astroworld,” Miguel Garcia told ABC 13. “Now that my kids are growing, I would like to see the same thing.”

Houston Has the Population and Demand Necessary to Support a Theme Park

According to the University of Houston’s Hobby School, 57% of Houstonians want an NHL team, and 60% would like a WNBA team. The most popular entertainment option, however, was a theme park.

“A large proportion, more than half, say they would go once a year,” Rice University Baker Institute Fellow in Political Science, Mark Jones explained. “If you go down to parents with children under the age of 18, 40% said they would go twice a year, if not more.”

Photo: Extra Storage Space

The new University of Houston study confirms what theme park experts have long believed: that there is significant demand in Texas for a new theme park.

Developers May Be Circling

International Theme Park Services founder Dennis Speigel revealed that multiple entities may already be eyeing Houston for a new theme park.

Photo: Greater Houston Partnership

“The next step would be to hire an organization to do a feasibility study that would develop the economics and metrics for what size of a park,” Speigel explained to ABC17.

“If you’re going to build one, you want to put it in the market that can facilitate and serve it, and Houston is one of those remaining markets.”

Cinderella Castle

Located far enough away from Florida or California to avoid competition, Texas could be the country’s next theme park hub.