Six Flags and Cedar Fair complete merger

[bcla]

Haven't really paid too much attention but saw something about it.

https://investors.sixflags.com/overview/default.aspx​

We are thrilled to announce that Cedar Fair Entertainment Company and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation completed their merger on July 1, 2024, creating the largest and most diverse amusement park operator in North America. Our combined company now operates under the Six Flags name and trades under the ticker symbol FUN on the NYSE.​

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2024/07/01/six-flags-cedar-fair-merger/74264036007/

Their map is kind of weird though. I can confidently say that they have no parks in San Francisco or Los Angeles.

 

[HopperFan]

Their map is kind of weird though. I can confidently say that they have no parks in San Francisco or Los Angeles.

Years ago I went to the Six Flags in San Francisco. I was even able to use my Six Flags Annual Pass to get in for free. It was north of the city. Was not highly impressed with it but it did have coasters we had not been on. AND my DS has always wanted to go to the one in LA because of all their coasters.

 

[Mommb]

It is true that the parks are not in the city limits of Los Angeles and San Francisco, but if the map said Valencia and Vallejo, many people would not recognize that the parks were near those cities.

 

[Smugpugmug]

It isn't even just the parks in Calfornia. Six Flags America is technically neither in Baltimore or Washington DC. It's closer to DC so the Baltimore labeling makes less sense.

Doesn't matter anyway since that park is probably the worst amusement park I've ever been to. Insanely bad operations to where I'm surprised it's still open. I would rather go to Hershey Park in Pennsylvania (which isn't part of this merger but is a way better park).

 

[HopperFan]

It is true that the parks are not in the city limits of Los Angeles and San Francisco, but if the map said Valencia and Vallejo, many people would not recognize that the parks were near those cities.

OH so OP wasn't saying those parks don't exist just that they are not technically in the city limits of the big cities they are close to .................

Our Six Flags is not in Atlanta but it is outside of Atlanta so that would make sense to reference that. I imagine it is the same for many of the parks ... not like the space needed for an amusement park is within a big city limits.

 

[bcla]

It is true that the parks are not in the city limits of Los Angeles and San Francisco, but if the map said Valencia and Vallejo, many people would not recognize that the parks were near those cities.

Magic Mountain is maybe 35 miles north of LA. I don't even think that part of Valencia (that didn't become part of Santa Clarita) is a city per se. That map does refer to "Hurricane Harbor Concord" so at least there's some accuracy.

But it looks like the map of the former Cedar Fair parks all have accurate location names.

 

[bcla]

I find it ironic now that the two original Marriott's Great America theme parks (was suppose to be three at one time) are now back under the same management. But the one in California is going to close after being sold to eventually be turned into another office park.

 

[Skippy918]

I didn’t know Schlitterbahn was part of the 6 flags mega corp.

 

[DodgerGirl]

What I think this will mean for Six Flags parks is that they will improve themselves and become the second biggest theme park chain next to Disney Parks. Because when you get the general picture Six Flags has always been in competition with Disney Parks and in Southern California Six Flags Magic Mountain is the competitor to Disneyland and even when Knotts Berry Farm opened Magic Mountain and Disneyland were #1 and #2 of top amusement parks in Southern California. But I think due to this merger now that it's official Santa Clara will not close California's Great America and will focus on improving it to make it better but Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo will close. Because California's Great America has already advertised new commercials for prices on tickets for fall and summer and they want to get people in for a cheaper price. When it comes to amusement parks people have always viewed Six Flags as a cheaper alternative to Disney Parks and that's what keeps Six Flags successful and strong but if they decide to go into the hotel/resort business someday they'll most likely have competition with Disney. Cedar Fair has always been a smart company and with this merger will most likely lead to more Six Flags parks being developed and opened in the near future

 

[_19disnA]

These mergers always promise all sorts of great thing will happen. Whether or not that is true will have to wait and see. If they siphon off the profits from some of the parks to support others, then the money won't necessarily be reinvested in that same park. They may also decide to close some of the smaller places where there is lower attendance. The reality is still that for amusement parks in the norther half of the country, the effective season is only between Memorial Day & Labor Day due to the weather. Many of these parks are more like 'local' amusement parks when people within a short driving distance might go for a day or weekend visit. I don't think any of this merger changes how people view such parks compared to a Disney trip.

The fact that one large company now owns several of these smaller/regional amusement parks isn't going to impact who decides to go where. I doubt someone is going to travel across the country and is still more likely to go to one within a reasonable driving distance.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I usually get the highest level, all-park passes for both chains every year. I love any amusement park and I'm within driving distance of a lot of these parks. My hope is that sometime in the next few years I'll only need to get one pass. Though it will likely cost more, which is fine.

 

[barkley]

But I think due to this merger now that it's official Santa Clara will not close California's Great America and will focus on improving it to make it better but Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo will close

i suspect that even if there was a desire to throw money into trying to improve the vallejo location the restrictions that were put on the property back when it was originaly developed are prohibative. on the flip side they used to get MASSIVE tax breaks because of the animal and marine life aspect. not sure if that's still the case but those breaks might make continuing operations a financial benefit. the city of vallejo is going to be hurting big time if it goes out, last i heard it was the second biggest employer in the city and the city makes a significant chunk of change from their 50% share of the parking revenue.

 

[bcla]

I didn’t know Schlitterbahn was part of the 6 flags mega corp.

I think those two parks were bought by Cedar Fair. They apparently had the option to buy the shuttered park in KC to try and reopen it, but declined the option.

 

[bcla]

But I think due to this merger now that it's official Santa Clara will not close California's Great America and will focus on improving it to make it better but Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo will close. Because California's Great America has already advertised new commercials for prices on tickets for fall and summer and they want to get people in for a cheaper price.

Not a chance. The land was sold to a developer and there's a requirement to wind down the theme park by 2033, but it can be as early as 2028.

https://sfist.com/2022/06/28/great-...it-will-close-in-six-years-or-up-to-11-years/

 

[RedAngie]

Haven't really paid too much attention but saw something about it.

https://investors.sixflags.com/overview/default.aspx​

We are thrilled to announce that Cedar Fair Entertainment Company and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation completed their merger on July 1, 2024, creating the largest and most diverse amusement park operator in North America. Our combined company now operates under the Six Flags name and trades under the ticker symbol FUN on the NYSE.​

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2024/07/01/six-flags-cedar-fair-merger/74264036007/

Their map is kind of weird though. I can confidently say that they have no parks in San Francisco or Los Angeles.

There aren’t parks in Chicago, St.Louis, Atlanta, DC, or Baltimore either. They’re really playing loose with geography.

 

[bcla]

i suspect that even if there was a desire to throw money into trying to improve the vallejo location the restrictions that were put on the property back when it was originaly developed are prohibative. on the flip side they used to get MASSIVE tax breaks because of the animal and marine life aspect. not sure if that's still the case but those breaks might make continuing operations a financial benefit. the city of vallejo is going to be hurting big time if it goes out, last i heard it was the second biggest employer in the city and the city makes a significant chunk of change from their 50% share of the parking revenue.

The City of Vallejo certainly isn't trying to restrict the one business they have that clearly brings in revenue. Losing the park would completely destroy their city budget. They have absolutely worked hard over the years to keep the park going. When they moved, they were operated by a nonprofit foundation that was supposed to be about education. The city took ownership when the foundation couldn't pay back their loans. It was under city ownership when they started installing thrill rides. I remember there was a ton of controversy over it, with claims that the noise would create a negative impact on the animals.

However, I think they are still very concerned about noise levels affecting nearby residents. But most of the homes in the area are on the other side of a berm, except for a few homes at the top of the bem overlooking the lake.

I had a membership (no longer though) at the time of COVID, and they had what they called "The Marine World Experience" where they justified keeping it open for the animal exhibits as a "zoo and/or acquarium". We went there regularly, especially since our meal plan was still in effect. They also gave an extra month membership for each month still paid that would kick in when formally cancelling the membership.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

There aren’t parks in Chicago, St.Louis, Atlanta, DC, or Baltimore either. They’re really playing loose with geography.

Six Flags St. Louis is in the St. Louis metro and St. Louis county but not the city of St. Louis.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Because we have a Cedar Fair Entertainment park in my area it's been pretty well covered here regarding the merger and our parks (includes the water one) quickly updated months ago their FAQs for general questions about the merger as well as effects to the 2024 season.

 

[irlandaise]

It is true that the parks are not in the city limits of Los Angeles and San Francisco, but if the map said Valencia and Vallejo, many people would not recognize that the parks were near those cities.

Yet somehow they managed to correctly attribute Great America to Santa Clara, instead of to San Francisco or even San Jose. Vallejo is almost as far from San Francisco as Santa Clara is, so it's weird that they labeled one of the parks correctly but the other as being in SF.

 

[irlandaise]

Not a chance. The land was sold to a developer and there's a requirement to wind down the theme park by 2033, but it can be as early as 2028.

https://sfist.com/2022/06/28/great-...it-will-close-in-six-years-or-up-to-11-years/

And even now, the park has to close when there are 49ers home games because the GA parking lot is needed for game attendees. Although, the park isn't open every day anyway, so by the time football season starts they're kind of winding down the summer schedule.

Anyway, the City of Santa Clara (whose actions regarding the building of Levi's Stadium are the subject of much dispute among residents) is desperate for the higher revenues it will get from higher-density development on that land.