70 Years Cut Short: California’s Iconic Theme Park to Close Its Gates Forever
California’s theme park scene is about to get a little smaller.
Playland, a beloved amusement park in Fresno, is officially closing its gates on March 30, ending a nearly 70-year run. While Disneyland gears up for a milestone anniversary, Playland is quietly bowing out, leaving behind memories for generations of visitors who grew up riding its classic attractions.
California Theme Park Playland Announces Permanent Closure
California has long been a playground for thrill-seekers. From Disneyland’s fairy tale beginnings in 1955 to the high-speed coasters of Six Flags Magic Mountain (which has faced its own issues this week), the state has no shortage of legendary theme parks.
Playland, which opened in Fresno’s Roeding Park just six weeks before Disneyland, was once part of that legacy. But time hasn’t been as kind to this smaller, community-focused park.
The park’s struggles have been no secret. “Hanging on is a good way to describe it,” said Susan Anderson, a board member for Playland and its neighboring attraction, Storyland, in an interview with SF Gate.
Playland has faced multiple closures over the years, from a 2015 shutdown for modernization efforts to an extended pandemic closure. In early 2024, Playland announced its closure, only to be temporarily saved by a last-minute deal with Storyland.
But now, with Helm and Sons—Playland’s former ride operator—ending its contract in February, there’s no lifeline in sight. Many Playland rides were axed when California tightened its amusement park safety regulations in 2000.
The park’s closure means Disneyland will be the only California theme park celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
Disneyland Prepares for 70th Anniversary
While Playland prepares to shut down, Disneyland is ramping up for a year-long celebration of its 70th anniversary. Opened in July 1955 under Walt Disney’s watchful eye, the park has become the pinnacle of theme park entertainment, setting the standard for immersive experiences worldwide.
Disneyland’s festivities will kick off in May, with a mix of nostalgia and fresh entertainment. Two fan-favorite nighttime entertainment offerings, Paint the Night and Wondrous Journeys, will return, alongside a brand-new character cavalcade, The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade. Duffy and ShellieMay—rarely seen Disney characters in the U.S.—will also make special appearances.
Perhaps the most intriguing addition is Walt Disney – A Magical Life, a new show that will introduce an animatronic Walt Disney himself. The production will take place in the Opera House, where The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is typically performed.
Originally slated to debut in May, the show is now premiering in July. It will later rotate with Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, offering guests a chance to see the man behind the magic in a way they never have before.
As Disneyland prepares to mark seven decades of magic, Playland’s closure serves as a reminder of how much the theme park industry has evolved. For those who grew up with Playland, its absence will be felt—but its legacy, like Disneyland’s, will live on in the memories of those who once walked through its gates.
Did you ever get a chance to visit Playland?
