Saying goodbye is never easy, but people like San Antonian Kristan Muniz say it's something they have to do.
“It's sad,” Muniz said. “All the memories that all of this will be gone forever.”
For years, Malibu Castle was the place to be.
“We used to come as a teenager and come and ride the go-karts, get on the bumper boats outside on the water, play mini golf. My friends used to hang out and have fun,” Muniz said.
The 37-year-old park’s final day will be Sept. 7. Fewer visitors, more competition and changes in the way children play forced the decision to close.
“Video games are everywhere now,” Vanessa Garza, Malibu Castle’s assistant general manager, said. “You can find most of these arcade games on a home console instead of coming out to the arcade.”
Garza has worked at Malibu Castle for 10 years. To her, it’s more than just a workplace.
“I started in high school. I started off as a cashier,” Garza said. “I've been here for so long. I've grown up here.”
San Antonians like Timothy LeRoy are hoping for a miracle.
“I guess more need to come here and get it to stay open,” LeRoy said. “That would be nice.”
But for now, he's enjoying every minute that he can.
“This has been a part of San Antonio,” he said. “I'm sad to see it go.”
Until it closes, the park is offering an unlimited game pass for $19.78 to commemorate the year Malibu Castle opened its doors.