Beloved Andretti Thrill Park in Florida Closes After Nearly 3 Decades

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The Andretti Thrill Park, a popular amusement park in Melbourne, Florida co-founded by NASCAR legend John Andretti, has closed after nearly 30 years of operation. The park's owner, Eddie Hamann, cited the facility's age and maintenance needs as the reasons for the closure, despite the park still being profitable. Fans of the park have taken to social media to share fond memories of the go-karts, thrill rides, and other attractions that made the Andretti Thrill Park a beloved community staple.

Why it matters

The closure of the Andretti Thrill Park marks the end of an era for the Melbourne community, as the park had become a cherished part of many families' shared history and childhood memories over the past three decades. Its shutdown also reflects the broader trend of amusement parks closing across the United States as aging facilities require significant upkeep.

The details

The Andretti Thrill Park opened in 1999 and stretched across nearly 17 acres in Melbourne, Florida. In addition to go-karts, the park featured a variety of thrill rides, an arcade, obstacle courses, laser tag, miniature golf, and bowling. Despite still being profitable, owner Eddie Hamann said the 27-year-old facility required extensive maintenance, leading to the decision to close the park and replace it with a new 300-unit apartment complex.

• The Andretti Thrill Park opened in 1999.
• The park officially closed in March 2026 after nearly 30 years of operation.

What’s next

An apartment complex featuring more than 300 units is going to be built on the site of the former Andretti Thrill Park.