Joyland Amusement Park

Amusement park in Lubbock, Texas, United States
the amusement park in Lubbock, Texas

Joyland Amusement Park was a small family owned traditional amusement park, located in Lubbock, Texas, United States within Lubbock's Mackenzie Park. It typically operated from March to September of each year, opening 6 days a week but only during the evening on weeknights.

The park was founded in the 1940s with the name "Mackenzie Park Playground." In 1973, it had 13 rides and was acquired by the Dean family, who renamed the park to its current name. Members of the Dean family still operate the park. Like many smaller parks it uses a mixture of individual ride admissions and pay one price admission, with patrons taking their choice. On September 12, 2022, The Dean Family announced that Joyland would not reopen and the park will be auctioned on October 27, 2022, if an interested party, with a viable offer, is not found by October 1, 2022. On October 21, 2022 it was announced that buyers Jim and Kai Evans along with Daryl and Stephanie Holland would reopen the park for the 2023 season. The park would not reopen in 2023 following an announcement on January 10, 2023, that buyers backed out of the purchase, and liquidation of the park would begin soon.

The park is laid out linearly with a midway. Much of the midway has water sprayers overhead to mist guests, which increases guest comfort in Lubbock's hot, dry climate. There are several water rides, roller coasters and family rides. There is a park train that runs from one end to the other, with a station near the kiddie rides as well as one at the far end of the park, done in ATSF colors, as well as a sky ride/chairlift system, with a single station, both of which allow patrons to view the entire park.

The park has about 30 rides, including 2 roller coasters. There is an old time carousel at the park entrance which features classic advertisements on the top, as well as a selection of typical rides such as a Trabant (ride), Scrambler (ride), and bumper cars.

Name Opened Manufacturer Description Galaxi 1990 S. D. C. A Galaxi roller coaster model. Dragon Wagon 2017 Wisdom A Dragon Wagon roller coaster. Sand Storm 2019 Cavazza Diego A small Blizzard roller coaster.

Name Opened Manufacturer Description The X Factor Extreme 2018 KMG A Freak Out pendulum ride. Grizzly 2005 Wisdom A Genesis ride. Dare Devil Drop 2009 Larson/ARM Rides A Drop Tower that stands 140 feet tall ride. Musik Express 1990 Mack Rides A Musik Express ride. Roll O Plane 1983 Eyerly A Roll O Plane ride. Rock O Plane 1973 Eyerly A Rock O Plane ride. Scrambler 1973 Eli Bridge Co. A classic Scrambler ride. Space Shuttle 1988 Morgan A Space Shuttle themed swinging ship ride. Spider 1980 Eyerly A Space Shuttle themed swinging ship ride. Tilt A Whirl 1988 Sellner Manufacturing A traditional Tilt A Whirl ride. Trabant 1968 Chance Manufacturing A Trabant ride.

Name Opened Manufacturer Description Dizzy Dragons 2002 SBF Visa Group A spinning dragon ride. Carousel 1960 C. W. Parker Co A classic Carousel ride. Originally built in 1902 Bumper Cars 1982 Pinfari A classic Bumper Cars ride. Skyride 1979 Hopkins Rides A chairlift ride. Train 1979 Crown Metal Products A Train ride.