This was a sister location to Wright's Barnyard, opened by the Wright family in 1981. The Wright family founded multiple family entertainment centers, including the original location in Lansing, this location in Valparaiso, Indiana and Crestwood (Wright's Hollywood Park). In 1994 the Wright family sold the business, including all three centers, to Discovery Zone. Discovery Zone renamed them all to Discovery Zone's (DZ's) Hollywood Park. They became part of the Family Entertainment Centers Division of Discovery Zone, and signaled Discovery Zone's entrance into the arena of family and adult entertainment centers. However, this ownership was to be short-lived as in 1995, Blockbuster took over the management of Discovery Zone and decided to concentrate on its children's concept. It put all of its family entertainment centers, including the three Hollywood Parks, on the market. Shortly after, Blockbuster filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late March.
Chris Paliga, the grandson of Burt Wright and longtime manager of Wright's Barnyard, purchased the parks from Blockbuster and re-introduced the Wright brand into the location names.
In 2001, Paliga sold the Valparaiso park back to Don Wright, who renamed it Zao Island and introduced an island theme to the park.
The park continues to operate to this day, considered by many to be a foundational (and fun!) institution of Valparaiso.
Reference:
A short biopic on Don Wright
