The Failed Fantasy of Atlanta’s Sid and Marty Krofft Theme Park

Plans to Reopen

The property owners of the Omni megacomplex weren’t ready to fully write off the theme park as a source of revenue. They recognized the park’s glimpses of success and thought it could thrive under a “substantially” different format, according to The Atlanta Journal.

“We don’t intend to leave that space vacant.”
Maurice Alpert, The Atlanta Constitution, 1976

The Omni aspired to reopen the former Krofft theme park within a month. Although, the park needed significant revisions.

As the park lay dormant, plans were in motion to build more rides, possibly revamp areas with a Journey to the Center of the Earth theme, reduce ticket prices to as low as 50 cents, and find new investors as well as—the biggest change—new management.

Sid and Marty were no longer involved, and the Omni planned to strip away any Krofft branding and characters.

Omni executives no longer trusted Krofft Productions, Inc. to operate the park.

Lawsuits

In late 1976, the situation escalated. Omni International and its Atlanta-based developer, International City Corp., opened a $20 million lawsuit against Krofft Productions, Inc. Omni executives alleged the Kroffts failed to uphold their contract agreements and falsely claimed to be “qualified and capable” of managing the park.

According to the lawsuit, the Kroffts allegedly underestimated the park’s cost, which exceeded the original financial agreement. Furthermore, the Kroffts were allegedly unwilling to pay for expenses caused by poor quality, design, and workmanship around the theme park.

In response, the Kroffts alleged Omni executives wrongfully took control of the theme park venue.

Reopening the theme park without the Kroffts was a violation of the agreement, so the brothers were given an opportunity to present a reopening proposal.

One Final Chance

Sid and Marty did not give up. They were in talks with three potential investors to revitalize their theme park. In a proposal to Omni officials, the reimagined World of Sid and Marty Krofft would have new attractions along with refreshed live entertainment. With the new attractions, the Kroffts proposed an updated pay-per-ride ticket system to lower prices.

The new World of Sid and Marty Krofft would take some time to reopen, but the updates would be worth the wait.

“I’ve got three and a half years of my life and my company’s life tied to this thing. We believed in this from day one, and we believed in the betterment of downtown Atlanta.”
Marty Krofft, The Atlanta Journal, 1977

To persuade Omni officials, Marty insisted using the Krofft brand would be the park’s best shot at success. However, Omni officials were ready to move on. The Kroffts’ elaborate plan did not align with the Omni’s timeline and financial goals.

The Omni hoped to improve attendance by appealing to the average visitor as they sought new management. The Omni’s idea for the park was to reduce expensive live entertainment and increase the park’s ride lineup with a more affordable and flexible pay-per-ride system. Additions like mechanical games and regularly updated attractions could encourage repeat visitors. They were planning a phased reopening to make the best use of the space right away.

The two sides disagreed. In a meeting, the Kroffts and Omni officials debated for four hours with little compromise.

Ultimately, the Omni told the Kroffts “no.”

With that, the Omni moved forward reopening a portion of the park without its original creators. Omni officials believed opening sooner rather than later under a new direction was the best decision for the attraction.

With each passing day the park was closed, the Omni was missing out on potential revenue. Reopening was urgent. The 1970s was a tough decade for developers; Atlanta’s megacomplex was facing financial constraints and a possible foreclosure.

“[They] are trying to pull a fast one.”
Marty Krofft, The Atlanta Journal, 1977

The Kroffts intended to stop the park from reopening without them, but the Omni had the right to seek new park management. Krofft Productions, Inc. was under a management contract; they did not own the theme park.

The Kroffts were bothered by the decision and sued the Omni’s developers for $20 million. The brothers alleged the situation damaged their reputation and restricted their commitment to other gigs. The lawsuit blocked the Omni from reopening the park, but a judge allowed it anyway.

The Kroffts were out of the picture. The World of Sid and Marty Krofft was a thing of the past.

“The park was the eighth wonder of the world, but we were at the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people.”
Marty Krofft, Television Academy, 2000

Omni Fair

On Friday, Feb. 4, 1977, the theme park formerly known as The World of Sid and Marty Krofft reopened as Omni Fair.

As a part of the rebranded park’s phased reopening, only the top floor was open for business. This was the former Fantasy Fair area of the Krofft theme park. It did not have any rides, but it did have new pinball machines.

Omni Fair was set to open all its floors in summer 1977, but that was delayed until at least September. Its eventual full reopening would feature the carousel and pinball rides from the previous Krofft park. Omni Fair had plans to remodel as well, making additions such as an event space for school fairs and international exhibits, a wax museum, a craft section, and some live entertainment. Omni Fair’s full debut was once again delayed another few months until December at the earliest.

Unfortunately, the park never reopened entirely. Omni Fair ran into financial issues and shuttered soon after.

Abandonment

The venue was left abandoned despite the Omni’s attempts to monetize the space. Briefly, a musical theater group used the park’s refurbished Krofft puppet theater. Other than that, the theme park sat mostly abandoned.

“The difference between doing a park that doesn’t work and a movie that doesn’t work is that the movie goes away.”
Sid Krofft, The Atlanta Constitution, 1980

What was once a wonderland for kids and families was now a “ghost town” several years after its closure. In 1980, photographer Jerry Burns was allowed to tour the defunct theme park. Its neglected midways, decorations, and sets were mostly covered up by tarps, but Burns took home a souvenir from his theme park trip: a 300-pound clown head from the first floor’s big top.

After some time, the courts allowed investors to salvage the park’s remaining assets. Decorations and attractions were disassembled and removed—either to be scrapped or sold. The World of Sid and Marty Krofft was almost entirely stripped away.