Discovery Zone (DZ) was an American chain of entertainment facilities featuring games and elaborate indoor mazes designed for young children, including roller slides, climbing play structures, and ball pits. It also featured arcade games. A talking robot character named Z-Bop served as mascot to the chain. Ronald Matsch, Jim Jorgensen and Dr. David Schoenstadt founded Discovery Zone in 1989, with the first location opening in Kansas City, Missouri, in October 1989. An early investor in and vocal supporter of the company was tennis player Billie Jean King.[1]
Discovery Zone became the first corporate sponsor of the PBS children's program Sesame Street in 1998, ending a 29-year long streak without on-air support.[2]
The company filed for bankruptcy in 1999 and ended operations in 2001.
History
Founded in 1989, Discovery Zone grew quickly, opening 15 stores in 18 months.[3]