The festive spirit in South Florida has dimmed considerably with the permanent closure of a beloved seasonal institution. Santa's Enchanted Forest, a Christmas-themed amusement park famous for its spectacular neon displays and thrilling rides, has officially shut down for good after operating for nearly 40 years.
The End of a Festive Era
The park's final chapter has been a turbulent one. It failed to open for its anticipated 40th-anniversary season last year, though its owners had initially expressed hope that they might eventually restart the attractions. That optimism has now evaporated, leaving dedicated fans and long-serving employees heartbroken.
'This is my life,' Buddy Cormican, an employee with three decades of service, told the Miami Herald. 'All of the children of South Florida were able to see a beautiful moment in time here.' His sentiment captures the profound sense of loss felt by the community.
A Troubled Final Decade and Industry-Wide Crisis
The park's history took a decisive turn during the pandemic. From its opening in 1984 until 2020, it was a mainstay at Tropical Park, just a short drive from downtown Miami. However, when Covid-19 devastated attendance, the county terminated the company's lease.
This sparked a period of instability. The park relocated several times, opening at Hialeah Park in 2021 and then moving to a vacant lot in Doral for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Its final location was notably situated down the street from a landfill and suffered from insufficient public parking.
Compounding its troubles, a local production company, Loud and Live, opened a new festive attraction named Christmas Wonderland at the park's original Tropical Park home. The owners of Santa's Enchanted Forest launched a lawsuit against the county and Loud and Live in 2023 in a bid to reclaim their spot, but the legal fight fizzled out as the company collapsed.
Part of a Larger Amusement Park Decline
The story of Santa's Enchanted Forest is not an isolated incident. It reflects a wider crisis impacting amusement parks across the United States. A combination of falling ticket sales, reduced consumer spending, persistent staffing challenges, and a perceived decline in public interest for roller coasters has forced several other major parks to close their gates this year.
In March, Playland in Fresno shut down its child-friendly park. Even industry giants are feeling the pressure. Executives at Six Flags announced in July that they are likely to close California's Great America after the 2027 season. Furthermore, the company, which recently merged with Cedar Fair in an $8 billion deal, also closed one of its parks in Maryland in November after years of declining attendance.
The closure of Santa's Enchanted Forest marks the end of a vibrant chapter for South Florida, leaving behind memories of neon lights, dizzying rides, and generations of families who experienced the magic of Christmas within its grounds.
