Six Flags

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Public
Traded as
Industry Amusement park operator
Founded August 5, 1961 (1961-08-05)
Headquarters Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.
Number of locations
 25
Area served
 United States, Mexico, Canada
Key people
 Jim Reid-Anderson
(Chairman, president, & CEO)
Revenue Increase US$1.359 billion (2017)[1]
Increase US$329.05 million (2017)[2]
Increase US$273.81 million (2017)[3]
Number of employees
 1,900 full-time; 27,000 seasonal
Website sixflags.com

Six Flags, officially Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, is an amusement park corporation based in the United States, with properties in the US, Canada, and Mexico. It is the largest amusement park company in the world, based on the number of properties owned, and is ranked seventh in terms of attendance.[4] The company maintains twenty five properties throughout North America including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks, and family entertainment centers. In 2017, Six Flags properties hosted 30.4 million guests.[4]

Six Flags was founded in Texas and derived its name from its first property, Six Flags Over Texas. The company maintains a corporate office in Midtown Manhattan and its headquarters are in Grand Prairie, Texas. On June 13, 2009, the corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which it successfully exited after restructuring on May 3, 2010.[5][6][7]

History

Origin

Original Six Flags train still in operation (2007)

The name "Six Flags" refers to the flags of the six different nations that have governed Texas: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States, and the Confederate States of America.[8] The original park was (and still is) split into separate regions, such as the Spain and Mexico section which featured Spanish-themed rides, attractions, and buildings.

The Six Flags chain originated in 1957 with the creation of The Great Southwest Corporation by Angus G. Wynne and other investors. Construction of "Six Flags Over Texas" started in 1960, and the park was opened the next year for a short (45-day) season. The first park initially featured a Native American village, a gondola ride, a railroad, some Wild West shows, a stagecoach ride, and "Skull Island", a pirate-themed adventure attraction. There was also an excursion, inspired by the historical La Salle Expeditions in the late 1600s, called "LaSalle's River Adventure", aboard French riverboats through a wilderness full of animated puppets.[9][10] Over time, all of those attractions, except for the railroad, would be replaced by others, such as roller coasters, swing rides, log flumes, and shoot-the-chute rides, as well as an observation tower.

Growth and acquisitions

The original park, Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington (between Dallas and Fort Worth) was sold in 1966 to a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which was actively pursuing non-railroad investments in an effort to diversify its sources of income. (In 1968, the Pennsylvania Railroad merged with the New York Central Railroad to form Penn Central Corp.) With the new owners came a more abundant supply of capital for geographic expansion and park additions. Six Flags opened Six Flags Over Georgia in 1967 and Six Flags Over Mid-America in 1971, which would, along with Six Flags Over Texas, be the only three parks that would be constructed by the company.

The company continued to grow by acquiring independent parks. Six Flags purchased AstroWorld in Houston, Texas in 1975, Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey in 1977 and Magic Mountain in Valencia, California in 1979. These purchases were followed by Penn Central selling assets to Bally Manufacturing in 1982.

In 1984, the Great America theme park in Gurnee, Illinois was acquired from the Marriott hotel chain.

Also in 1984, as a result of its acquisition of Great America, Six Flags acquired the rights to Time Warner/Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes animated characters for use in Six Flags properties. Bally surrendered control of the chain to Wesray Capital Corporation in a 1987 leveraged buyout. Time Warner quickly began to gain more leverage in the company, gaining a 19.5% stake in Six Flags in 1990 and then 50% in 1991, with the remaining shares of the company being split by Blackstone Group and Wertheim Schroder & Company. Time Warner purchased the remaining stake in Six Flags in 1993, changing the company's name from Six Flags Corp. to Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc.

In 1996, Six Flags began to manage Fiesta Texas theme park in San Antonio, Texas and purchased the park from USAA in 1998.

History of Premier Parks

Premier Parks originally operated as the Tierco Group, Inc., an Oklahoma-based real estate company. The company purchased the Frontier City theme park in Oklahoma City in 1982 for $1.2 million, although Tierco had no intention of entering the amusement park business. Company officials described Frontier City as "beat up" and "run down"; they planned to demolish it, subdivide the land, and build a shopping center. However, given an oil bust in Oklahoma, developers lost interest in converting the park into a shopping center. In 1984 Tierco hired Gary Story as general manager of Frontier City and sunk about $13 million into improving the park. As the new head of Frontier City, he quadrupled the park's attendance and revenues. Under his leadership, two rides, a ticket booth, sales office, and a petting zoo were added to the park. Food service improved.

In 1988, Tierco shifted its strategic direction to amusement parks. It sold much of its property in the late 1980s, generating capital to reinvest in Frontier City. As this reinvestment paid off, more capital became available, creating further growth. By 1991, Tierco opened White Water waterpark in Oklahoma City (the name later became White Water Bay). The company realized the key to boosting a park's attendance was to add new and exciting rides, and make it family-friendly.

Tierco acquired the financially troubled Wild World in Largo, Maryland, in 1992 and later changed that park's name to Adventure World. With a $500,000 investment, Tierco expanded Wild World's kiddie section and remodeled its buildings to give the park a tropical look and feel. Story was promoted to executive vice president after the purchase of Wild World. In 1994, he was promoted again to president and chief operating officer (COO). More flat rides and two roller coasters were added to that park.

Since Tierco was on its way to becoming a "premier" regional theme park operator, in 1994 it changed its name to Premier Parks, Inc. Kieran E. Burke, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), noted that the new name signified the beginning of a new era for the company.

In the second half of the 1990s, Premier picked up speed. In 1995, the company acquired these Funtime, Inc. properties: Geauga Lake near Cleveland, Ohio, Wyandot Lake in Powell, Ohio, Darien Lake near Buffalo, New York, and Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut. In 1996, Premier added to its portfolio, buying Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colorado, the Waterworld USA waterparks in Sacramento and Concord, California, Riverside Park in Agawam, Massachusetts, and Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom in Lake George, New York. Premier immediately sold the Lake Compounce park to Kennywood in Pennsylvania.

Geauga Lake, Wyandot Lake, and Adventure World included water parks, while Frontier City was 14.8 miles away from White Water Bay that required separate admission. Riverside added one just before being sold. Premier Parks, in 1995 and 1996, added water parks to Darien Lake, Lake Compounce (immediately before the Kennywood sale), Elitch Gardens, and Great Escape.

Premier went public in 1996 and raised nearly $70 million through an initial offering at $18 per share. The company planned to use the money to expand its ten parks and acquire others. In 1997, Premier purchased Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, and Marine World near San Francisco. A second public offering, at $29 per share, raised an additional $2 million.

Nearly 8.8 million people visited Premier's parks in 1996.

Premier added amusement park rides and roller coasters to Marine World in 1998.

Acquisition of Six Flags by Premier Parks

Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. was purchased in whole on April 1, 1998 from Time Warner by Premier Parks for $1.86 billion.[11] Premier began to apply the Six Flags name to several smaller parks that the company had already owned: Darien Lake, Elitch Gardens, Kentucky Kingdom, and Adventure World.

In 1999, Premier Parks purchased Warner Bros. Movie World Germany and the yet-to-be-built Warner Bros. Movie World Madrid from Warner Bros.. As part of the acquisition Premier Parks had the opportunity to open more European theme parks with Warner Bros. Movie World branding. Warner Bros. Movie World on the Gold Coast, Australia was not part of the deal. The same transaction saw Premier Parks obtain exclusive rights for Warner Bros. licensing in Europe and Latin America, in addition to their existing rights for the United States and Canada.[12]

In 2000, Premier Parks assumed the Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. name and continued re-branding its parks, including the Geauga Lake park into Six Flags Ohio and Riverside Park to Six Flags New England. Six Flags began a vigorous expansion, attempting to branch out internationally, acquiring numerous properties across the USA, plus the Walibi chain, and the historic Belgian park Bellewaerde in Europe, La Ronde in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and Reino Aventura in Mexico. Three of those parks were re-branded as Six Flags parks: Walibi Flevo became Six Flags Holland, Walibi Wavre became Six Flags Belgium, and Reino Aventura became Six Flags Mexico.

In 2001, Six Flags acquired the former SeaWorld Ohio from Anheuser-Busch, merged it with the adjacent Six Flags Ohio and re-branded the combined park as Six Flags Worlds of Adventure.[13] The park was positioned to compete against northern Ohio's Cedar Point.

Asset sales and shareholder revolt

On August 29, 2005, Six Flags New Orleans was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina

In 2004, Six Flags began to close and sell properties in an effort to help alleviate the company's growing debt. On March 10, Six Flags sold its European parks, with the exception of the Movie World park in Madrid, Spain, to Star Parks, a division of Palamon Capital Partners.[14] The Madrid park was sold back to Time Warner and renamed "Parque Warner Madrid".[15] In April, Six Flags determined that the investment required to keep Worlds of Adventure competitive with Cedar Point would be too great, leading to that park being sold to Cedar Fair.[16] These sales raised $345 million in an effort to relieve Six Flags' massive debt.[17]

In 2005, Six Flags endured even more turmoil. Some of the company's largest investors, notably Bill Gates's Cascade Investments (which then owned about 11% of Six Flags) and Daniel Snyder's Red Zone, LLC (which owned 12%), demanded change. On August 17, 2005, Red Zone began a proxy battle to gain control of Six Flags' board of directors. On August 29, Six Flags New Orleans was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

On September 12, Six Flags Chief Executive Officer Kieran Burke announced that Six Flags AstroWorld would be closed and demolished at the end of the 2005 season. The company cited issues such as the park's performance, and parking issues involving the Houston Texans football team, Reliant Stadium, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, leveraged with the estimated value of the property which included the park. Company executives were expecting to receive upwards of $150 million for the real estate, but ended up receiving $77 million when the bare property (which cost $20 million to clear) was sold to a development corporation in 2006.[18]

On November 22, Red Zone announced it had gained control of the board. Kieran Burke was removed on December 14 and replaced by Mark Shapiro, former executive vice president of programming at ESPN. Six Flags then named former Representative Jack Kemp, entertainment mogul Harvey Weinstein, and Michael Kassan, the former president of the Interpublic Group of Companies Incorporated, to their newly revamped board of directors.

Even with the new management team, the sell-off would continue into 2006. On January 27, Six Flags announced the sale of Frontier City and White Water Bay after the 2006 operating season. At the same time, Six Flags announced it would close corporate offices in Oklahoma City, moving its headquarters to New York City. Six Flags CEO Mark Shapiro said he expected the parks to continue operation after the sale, a lesson the company learned after its public relations debacle with the closure of AstroWorld. In June, Six Flags announced it was considering closing or selling up to six of its parks, including Elitch Gardens, Darien Lake, WaterWorld in (Concord, California), Wild Waves and Enchanted Village in Federal Way, Washington, Splashtown in Houston, Texas and, most notably, Six Flags Magic Mountain.[19] In addition, Six Flags announced the sale of Wyandot Lake in Powell, Ohio to the neighboring Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.[20] Ultimately, Six Flags Magic Mountain was spared, with the remaining six parks sold on January 11, 2007 to CNL Lifestyle Properties for $312 million: $275 million cash and a note for $37 million.[21]

Bankruptcy

The company's cash flow had decreased by over $120 million annually during the Shapiro years. In October 2008, Six Flags was warned its stock value had fallen below the required minimums to remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange.[22] With the financial crisis of 2007–2008 weighing both on consumer spending and the ability to access credit facilities, Six Flags was believed to be unable to make a payment to preferred stockholders due in August 2009.[23] Management saw the business as a sound one, noting that attendance across the company's parks increased slightly in 2008 compared to 2007.[22] Six Flags CEO Mark Shapiro said that the company's problem was the declining attendance and cash flow created by his new management initiatives.[22] If not resolved, the company warned in its 2008 annual report[24] that the situation might require a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, with Six Flags already retaining counsel should that occur.[23] The company stated at the time that it expected business to continue as normal in the event of such a filing,[22] although one analyst believed attendance at the company's parks would decrease by six percent, suggesting parents would be leery of letting their children ride a roller coaster operated by a bankrupt company.[23] In April 2009, the New York Stock Exchange announced it would delist Six Flags' stock on April 20, a decision that the company did not intend to appeal.[25] On June 1, 2009, Six Flags announced they would delay their $15 million debt payment further using a 30-day grace period. Less than two weeks later, on June 13, the firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection,[6][26] but issued a statement that the parks would continue to operate normally while the company restructured.[27] On August 21, 2009, Six Flags' Chapter 11 restructuring plan was announced in which lenders would control 92% of the company in exchange for cancelling $1.13 billion in debt.[28]

One component of the restructuring was negotiating a new lease agreement with the Kentucky State Fair Board, which owned much of the land and attractions for Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.[29] Six Flags had asked to forgo rent payments for the remaining nine years of its current lease agreement in exchange for profit-sharing from the park's operations.[30] When it appeared that the offer had been rejected, Six Flags announced in February 2010 that it would not re-open the park.[29] However, the Kentucky State Fair Board stated at the time that they were still open to negotiating a revised lease agreement.[31]

On April 28, 2010, the company's bondholders reached an agreement on a reorganization plan.[32] Junior note holders, including hedge funds Stark Investments and Pentwater Capital Management,[7] assumed control of the company, while senior note holders were paid in cash.[32] Despite objections from some parties who stood to gain nothing,[32] the bankruptcy judge approved the plan on April 30, 2010.[33] As part of the settlement, chairman of the board Dan Snyder was removed, while chief executive officer Mark Shapiro briefly remained in his post.[33]

Emergence from bankruptcy

Six Flags officially emerged from bankruptcy protection as Six Flags Entertainment Corp. on May 3, 2010, and announced plans to issue new stock on the New York Stock Exchange.[7] Amid suspected disagreements regarding the future of the company with the board, Shapiro left the company and Al Weber, Jr. was brought in as interim president and CEO.[34] The company announced their corporate headquarters would move from New York City to Grand Prairie, Texas.[35]

2010–present

Six Flags announced that Jim Reid-Anderson would replace Weber and become chairman, president and chief executive officer (CEO) on August 13, 2010.[36] John Duffey also joined the company in 2010,[37] taking the role of chief financial officer (CFO).[38] As of October 1, 2012, Al Weber, Jr. had retired as chief operating officer (COO) with no immediate successor.

On February 18, 2016, Six Flags announced that Jim Reid-Anderson had been promoted as executive chairman and John M. Duffey succeeded him as president and CEO.[37][38]

On January 11, 2016, Six Flags announced Six Flags Zhejiang, then named Six Flags Haiyan, in China. On the same day, a website was created along with concept art for the property.[39] A month later on February 2, 2016. Six Flags announced Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oaxtepec.[40] The water park, originally named Parque Acuatico Oaxtepec, is a 76-acre park located in Morelos that went bankrupt in 2011.[41]

On March 21, 2016, Six Flags announced a partnership with NaVi Entertainment to build a Six Flags-branded theme park and a Six Flags Hurricane Harbor-branded water park in Vietnam.[42]

On March 29, 2016, Six Flags announced the revival of its previously cancelled Six Flags Dubai. As part of the second phase of the Dubai Parks and Resorts project in Jebel Ali, the park is expected to open in 2019.[43]

On July 20, 2016, Six Flags announced an agreement with Riverside Investment Group Co. Ltd. for the development of a second Six Flags-branded theme park in China together with a water park. The two parks will be located in Bishan District, a district of Chongqing.[44]

On April 27, 2017, the company announced it would take over operations of Waterworld California in Concord, California making it Six Flags' 20th property.

On July 18, 2017, Six Flags announced that president and CEO John M. Duffey had retired from the company and Jim Reid-Anderson had re-assumed the roles of chairman, president, and CEO.[37][45]

On March 22, 2018, Six Flags and Riverside Group announced a partnership with Turner Asia Pacific to bring Tuzki and other Turner-owned IPs to its theme parks in China.[46]

On May 22, 2018, Six Flags announced the purchase of operating leases for five parks owned by EPR Properties. The parks are Darien Lake, Frontier City, Wet'n'Wild Phoenix, Wet'n'Wild SplashTown, and White Water Bay.[47]

On October 9, 2018, Six Flags and Rockford Park District announced a lease agreement allowing Six Flags to operate Magic Waters Waterpark beginning Spring 2019.[48]

Marketing efforts

TV commercials

In 2004, although DC Comics and Looney Tunes as well as Scooby-Doo still had a major presence at the parks, Six Flags began a new series of commercials for the parks. The commercials introduced a new mascot: "Mr. Six", a seemingly feeble old man in a tuxedo and red bow tie. In many of the commercials, Mr. Six would slowly exit a multi-colored bus, only to start frenetically dancing to the Vengaboys' "We Like to Party". The commercials were an immediate hit and Mr. Six almost instantly became the de facto mascot, and his presence was felt for years after the character was retired. These ads have become widely parodied on the Internet, with faces from other Internet memes being superimposed over Mr. Six's face.

From 2008 to 2010, Six Flags' TV ads consisted of a "Fun-O-Meter" in which the beginning of the ad showed something boring or embarrassing and a man's face judges it "One Flag!" or sometimes " Oh! Two Flags!" Then roller coasters and attractions of Six Flags are shown and says "Six Flags! More Flags, More Fun!" for Six Flags parks. However, the thick accent of the Asian man in the original commercials had drawn criticism for being an offensive caricature.[49] In 2009, the Mr. Six character came back from retirement and replaced the Asian man in Six Flags' ads, still using the Fun-O-Meter. In 2011, Six Flags' TV ads got a brand-new slogan "Go Big! Go Six Flags!" for its theme parks.

Licensing with other brands and companies

Six Flags has licensed its name and its theme park creations to other companies, who have used these assets to create licensed products. One notable such example is the theme park simulation game Roller Coaster Tycoon 2, which featured recreations of Six Flags parks and rides that could be expanded and operated at the player's discretion.

Six Flags has approximately 18 known partners. These partners include Dole, Armitron, Mike and Ike, Barcel, Good Humor, Nathans, Coca-Cola, Icee, Ortega, Cold Stone, J&J Snack Foods, Red Gold, Coppertone, Johnny Rockets, Samsung, Dasani, Mars chocolate and Tyson. These businesses help the park generate more income. Most importantly it provides more jobs for prospective employees. For example, Barcel USA has just expanded their partnership. This helps to import food and beverages to increase sponsorships within the U.S.

In 2008, Six Flags partnered with Brash Entertainment to create a video game based on the Six Flags parks named Six Flags Fun Park. The game was first released on the Nintendo DS and PC in October 2008. The Wii version was delayed after Brash Entertainment went out of business and so the rights were taken over by Ubisoft and released the game on the Wii in March 2009. The game allows players to explore the themed areas and mini-games representative of a visit to a Six Flags park. In the game, players are tasked with quests that encourage them to explore the park's universe. After creating a unique custom character, Six Flags Fun Park patrons can win prizes, and compete with other players in 40 mini-games. Although the video game is called Six Flags Fun Park, it lacks any major reference of Six Flags outside of the names of the different areas. This caused some to speculate that the video game was created separately, then the rights to the name of the game were sold as a way to pay for the game's development. When the game was released, it eventually ended up getting abysmal ratings across the board. IGN gave the Wii version a 4.5 out of 10, saying "The quests are uninteresting and the game's '40 Thrilling Games' (as touted by the box) are far from entertaining."

In recent years, Six Flags has created strategic partnerships with other companies who would feature their products inside the parks. On March 30, 2006, Six Flags announced that it will sell no other pizza besides Papa John's at its parks. In turn, Six Flags will receive an annual sponsorship and promotional opportunities from Papa John's, though financial details of the deal have not been disclosed. However, in the 2011 season, it was replaced by another pizza brand. Other recent partners have included Cold Stone Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Tyson Foods (chicken), Chrysler, and Nintendo, which added testing stations in several parks to show off its Wii console.[50]

In late 2010, Six Flags began the process of removing Non-WB licensed theming from attractions. They terminated licenses with Thomas the Tank Engine, The Wiggles, Tony Hawk, Evel Knievel, and Terminator.[51][52] However, since then there has been an expansion of licensing agreements with Warner Bros., with whom the company park has had a long-standing relationship with. The expansion lies specifically with Warner Bros. DC Comics brand, where the two teamed up to create the innovative Justice League: Battle for Metropolis as well as many other roller coasters and other rides.

On May 18, 2017, Six Flags and Riverside Group signed an agreement with Paws, Inc. to use Garfield in children's areas in Six Flags-branded theme parks in China.[53]

Other assets

On June 19, 2007, Six Flags announced it had purchased 40% of Dick Clark Productions, which owns rights to American Bandstand and other shows and productions.[54]

In 2012, Jim Reid-Anderson stated that the company would sell its stake in Dick Clark Productions.

Current properties

Amusement parks

Name Location Year Opened Year Acquired Notes
Frontier City Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 1958 2018 Originally owned by Six Flags during Premier Parks era. Owned by EPR Properties; operated by Six Flags since 2018.
Great Escape Queensbury, New York 1954 1996 Acquired in Premier Parks deal.
La Ronde Montreal, Quebec, Canada 1967 2001 Built for Expo 67
Emphyteutic lease from the City of Montreal through 2065.
Six Flags America Largo, Maryland 1973 1999 Acquired in Premier Parks deal. Formerly known as Adventure World, and before that Wild World.
Six Flags Darien Lake Darien, New York 1981 2018 Originally owned by Six Flags from 1999 to 2007. Owned by EPR Properties; operated by Six Flags since 2018.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Vallejo, California 1968 1997 Acquired in Premier Parks deal. Initially re-branded as Six Flags Marine World, it received its current name in 2007.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio, Texas 1992 1998 Originally owned by USAA and managed by Gaylord Entertainment from 1992–1995. Six Flags took over park management in 1996 and the park was purchased mid-season 1998.
Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, New Jersey 1974 1977 Six Flags Wild Safari now attached to the park, making Great Adventure the world's largest theme park.
Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Illinois 1976 1984 Acquired from Marriott Corporation.
Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, California 1971 1979 Acquired from Newhall Land and Farming Company.
Six Flags México Mexico City, Mexico 1982 1999 Acquired from Reino Aventura.
Six Flags New England Agawam, Massachusetts 1870 1997 Acquired in Premier Parks deal, formerly Riverside Park.
Six Flags Over Georgia Austell, Georgia 1967 Built by
Six Flags		 Like Six Flags Over Texas, the park is owned by a limited partnership and is managed and operated by Six Flags.
Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 1961 Built by
Six Flags		 The first Six Flags park. The park is owned by a limited partnership and is managed and operated by Six Flags.
Six Flags St. Louis Eureka, Missouri 1971 Built by
Six Flags		 Last park built by Six Flags. Originally opened as Six Flags Over Mid-America (name changed in 1996). The only original park totally owned by Six Flags.

Water parks

Outdoor

Included with admission
Name Location Year Opened Year Acquired Notes
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Largo, Maryland 1982 1992 Located within Six Flags America.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Gurnee, Illinois 2005 N/A Located within Six Flags Great America. Guests without a season pass are required to pay an additional fee to enter.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Agawam, Massachusetts 1997 1998 Located within Six Flags New England.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Austell, Georgia 2014 N/A Located within Six Flags Over Georgia.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Eureka, Missouri 1999 N/A Located within Six Flags St. Louis.
Splashwater Kingdom Queensbury, New York 1995 1996 Located within Great Escape.
White Water Bay San Antonio, Texas 1992 1998 Located within Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
Splashtown at Darien Lake Darien, NY 2010 2018 Located within Darien Lake.
Separate admission/property
Name Location Year Opened Year Acquired Notes
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Valencia, California 1995 N/A Located adjacent to Six Flags Magic Mountain.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Arlington, Texas 1983 1995 Acquired from Wet 'n Wild. Located across Interstate 30 from Six Flags Over Texas.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Jackson, New Jersey 2000 N/A Located adjacent to Six Flags Great Adventure.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oaxtepec, Mexico 2017 2016 Reopened in the former Parque Acuatico Oaxtepec location.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord Concord, California 1995 2017 This water park was built by Premier Parks prior to its purchase of Six Flags. It was sold to PARC Management in the 2007 property sell-off. On April 27, 2017, Six Flags announced it had entered into an agreement with EPR Properties to manage the park. Six Flags announced on February 22, 2018 that the park would be renamed Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord.[55]
Six Flags White Water Marietta, Georgia 1983 1999 Located about 15 miles from Six Flags Over Georgia.
Wet'n'Wild Phoenix Phoenix, Arizona 2009 2018 Owned by EPR Properties; operated by Six Flags.
Wet'n'Wild SplashTown Spring, Texas 1984 2018 Owned by EPR Properties; operated by Six Flags.
White Water Bay Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 1981 2018 Located a short 15 miles from Frontier City, the park is owned by EPR properties and is operated by Six Flags.
Magic Waters Cherry Valley, Illinois 1984 2019 Owned by Rockford Park District Board, and operated by Six Flags under a 10yr lease agreement ($425,000/yr) beginning Spring 2019.

Indoor

Name Location Year Opened Year Acquired Notes
Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark Queensbury, New York 2006 N/A Located across from Great Escape. It includes a resort.

Upcoming properties

Amusement parks

Name Location Year Opening Year Acquired Notes Source
Six Flags Dubai Dubai, U.A.E. 2019 N/A Located in the second phase of Dubai Parks and Resorts, it is expected to include 27 rides and attractions [56][57]
Six Flags Zhejiang Haiyan, China 2019 N/A First Six Flags theme park in China in partnership with Riverside Group
Six Flags Kids World Zhejiang Haiyan, China 2020 N/A Six Flags theme park designed especially for families with young children. Located adjacent to Six Flags Zhejiang [58]
Six Flags Kids World Chongqing Bishan, China 2020 N/A Six Flags theme park designed especially for families with young children. Located adjacent to Six Flags Chongqing [58]
Six Flags Adventure Park Bishan, China 2020 N/A Adjoining the Six Flags Chongqing complex [58]
Six Flags Chongqing Bishan, China 2020 N/A This will be the second Six Flags-branded theme park in China. [59]
Six Flags Nanjing Nanjing, China 2021 N/A This will be the third Six Flags theme park in China. [60]
Six Flags Adventure Park Nanjing, China 2021 N/A Adjoining the Six Flags Nanjing complex [60]
Six Flags Kids World Nanjing Nanjing, China 2021 N/A Six Flags theme park designed especially for families with young children. 4th park announced in Six Flags Nanjing complex. Eleventh Six Flags theme park in China. [61]
Six Flags Riyadh Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2022 N/A This will be the first Six Flags-branded theme park in Saudi Arabia and the second in the Gulf Cooperation Council. [62]

Water parks

Name Location Year Opening Year Acquired Notes Source
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Zhejiang Haiyan, China 2019 N/A Located within Six Flags Zhejiang [63]
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Nanjing Nanjing, China 2021 N/A Part of four park Six Flags Nanjing complex [60][60]

Former properties

These properties are listed in alphabetical order by the final name of the park while under Six Flags control.

Park Location Year opened Year closed/Sold Notes
American Adventures Marietta, Georgia 1990 2008 This park was located adjacent to Six Flags White Water, and was marketed to families with young children. It was acquired by Zuma Holdings in 2008 and permanently closed in 2010.
Bellewaerde Ypres, Belgium 1954 2004 This park was acquired in 1998. The property was sold and remains in operation under another company.
Movieland Wax Museum Buena Park, California 1962 1985 Purchased in 1970, this wax museum sold all of its holdings and moved many of the sets and wax figures to California, but sold the original clothing and props to the American Musical Academy of Arts Association. It was eventually closed in 2005.
Six Flags AstroWorld Houston, Texas 1968 2005 AstroWorld was acquired in 1974. The park closed on October 30, 2005 and was demolished between late 2005 and 2006 for other development.
Six Flags Atlantis Hollywood, Florida 1982 1989 This water park was acquired in 1984. Property was sold, but was eventually demolished in 1994.
Six Flags AutoWorld Flint, Michigan 1984 1985 This indoor entertainment venue was eventually closed and the facility demolished.
Six Flags Belgium Wavre, Belgium 1975 2004 The Walibi properties were purchased in 1998. Renamed Six Flags Belgium in 2000. Sold to CDA Parks in 2004. The park remains open today under the name Walibi Belgium.
Six Flags Elitch Gardens Denver, Colorado 1890 2007 This park was owned by Premier Parks when it purchased the Six Flags chain. It was sold to PARC Management in the 2007 property sell-off.
Six Flags Holland Biddinghuizen, Netherlands 1971 2004 Like the other Walibi properties, the former Walibi Flevo was purchased in 1998. Renamed Six Flags Holland in 2000. Sold to CDA Parks in 2004. It remains open today under the name Walibi Holland.
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Louisville, Kentucky 1987 2010 Initially built by local investors.

This park includes Six Flags Splashwater Kingdom water park, which opened in 1992. In February 2010, Six Flags announced it would close the park due to a dispute with the Kentucky State Fair Board, from which Six Flags leased much of the park's land area and attractions.[30] In 2014, Kentucky Kingdom reopened under new management.

Six Flags New Orleans New Orleans 2000 2005 Originally opened as Jazzland, this park was bought in 2002 and re-branded as Six Flags New Orleans in 2003.

It was closed after severe damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The city of New Orleans sued Six Flags in 2009 for not making progress to re-open and for not making required lease payments;[64] ultimately, the site was turned over to the city along with a cash payment.[65] In 2011, the city made plans to auction the site and all remaining rides and equipment.[66]

Six Flags Power Plant Baltimore 1985 1989 Located in the Inner Harbor district of Baltimore, the site of this indoor amusement park has been redeveloped with Hard Rock Cafe, Barnes & Noble, Gold's Gym (closed 2010), and the world's first ESPN Zone location (closed 2010). This was Six Flags' second attempt at an indoor amusement park after AutoWorld. It was a little more successful, but it too closed down eventually.
Six Flags Stars Hall of Fame Orlando, Florida 1975 1984 This wax museum was located near SeaWorld Orlando. Like SeaWorld, it was acquired by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, but it was closed almost immediately after the sale.
Six Flags Waterworld Houston, Texas 1983 2005 This water park was adjacent to Six Flags AstroWorld. Park was sold and demolished for other development.
Six Flags Worlds of Adventure Aurora, Ohio 1887 2004 Geauga Lake park was purchased by Premier Parks in 1995 prior to its purchase of the entire Six Flags chain. Re-branded as Six Flags Ohio for its opening season in 2000. It was then renamed Six Flags Worlds of Adventure when Six Flags annexed the adjacent SeaWorld Ohio marine park in 2001. In 2004, the entire property was sold to competing amusement park operator Cedar Fair. The park was closed after the 2007 season, but the attached water park remained open until the end of the 2016 season.
Warner Bros. Movie World Germany Bottrop, Germany 1967 2004 This park was purchased in 1998. It was sold, with most of the other European parks, in the same transaction in 2004, and being renamed as Movie Park Germany.
Warner Bros. Movie World Madrid Madrid, Spain 2002 2004 This park was built in a joint venture, to be managed by Six Flags. Unlike the other European Six Flags parks, this one was sold back to Time Warner, and currently operates under the name Parque Warner Madrid.
Walibi Aquitaine Bordeaux, France 1992 2004 The Walibi properties were purchased in 1998. The park remains open today under new management, and under the name Walibi Sud-Ouest.
Walibi Lorraine Metz, France 1989 2004 The Walibi properties were purchased in 1998. The park remains open today under the name Walygator Parc.
Walibi Rhône-Alpes Lyon, France 1979 2004 The Walibi properties were purchased in 1998. The park remains open today under new management.
Wild Waves and Enchanted Village Federal Way, Washington 1977 2007 This combination water park and amusement park was sold in 2007, and remains open to this day.
Wyandot Lake Columbus, Ohio 1896 2006 The property was sold to the adjacent Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2006. The park reopened under zoo management on May 26, 2008 as Zoombezi Bay.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Annual Report". Six Flags. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  2. ↑ (PDF). Six Flags http://investors.sixflags.com/~/media/Files/S/SixFlags-IR/documents/annual-reports/2017-annual-report.pdf. Retrieved August 3, 2018. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ↑ (PDF). Six Flags http://investors.sixflags.com/~/media/Files/S/SixFlags-IR/documents/annual-reports/2017-annual-report.pdf. Retrieved August 3, 2018. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. 1 2 "Eighth Consecutive Record Year for Six Flags". Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. February 20, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Six Flags Chapter 11 Petition" (PDF). PacerMonitor. PacerMonitor. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Six Flags Enters Final Phase of Financial Restructuring". businesswire.com. June 13, 2009. Retrieved 2011-04-15.
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  8. ↑ Victoria W. Wolcott (16 August 2012). Race, Riots, and Roller Coasters: The Struggle Over Segregated Recreation in America. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 158. ISBN 0-8122-0759-9.
  9. ↑ Shaw, Gregory B. C. "Six Flags Timeline The Lands of Screams and Dreams". California State University, Sacramento. Self. Archived from the original on December 29, 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013. , California.
  10. ↑ "La Salle's River Adventure 1961 – 1982", ParkTimes.com, August 15, 2010
  11. ↑ "Time Warner Completes Sale of Stake in Six Flags for $440 Million in Cash | Time Warner Inc". Time Warner.
  12. ↑ O'Brien, Tim (October 18, 1999). "Premier Purchases WB's European Parks Division". Amusement Business. 111 (42): 1, 32.
  13. ↑ Inc., Six Flags,. "Six Flags, Inc. Purchases SeaWorld in Ohio". www.prnewswire.com.
  14. ↑ "investment Detail StarParks". Palamon Capital Partners, LP. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  15. ↑ Meza, Ed (15 March 2004). "Six Flags sells parks in Europe". Variety.
  16. ↑ L.P., Cedar Fair,. "Cedar Fair, L.P. to Acquire Six Flags Worlds of Adventure". www.prnewswire.com.
  17. ↑ "Six Flags sells numerous parks". CoasterGallery.com. March 10, 2004. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
  18. ↑ Houston Business Journal – by Jennifer Dawson (May 11, 2006). "Local developer to acquire former AstroWorld site – Houston Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
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  21. ↑ "Six Flags owner to sell 7 parks for $312M". St. Louis Business Journal. January 11, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
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  30. 1 2 "What's next for Six Flags? No signs of reversal in closing decision". WHAS-TV. Tegna Inc. February 7, 2010. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
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  33. 1 2 "Chairman off Six Flags board". Worcester Telegram. Associated Press. May 2, 2010. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
  34. ↑ Six Flags abruptly names interim CEO; Shapiro out, Reuters, May 12, 2010.
  35. ↑ "Six Flags moving executives from New York to Grand Prairie | News for Dallas, Texas". Dallasnews.com. July 2, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
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  40. ↑ "Hurricane Harbor Oaxtepec". content.sixflags.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
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  48. ↑ "Six Flags strikes deal to operate Magic Waters in Rockford". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2018-10-10.
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  52. ↑ MacDonald, Brady (December 3, 2010). "Six Flags Magic Mountain renaming Terminator wooden coaster". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  53. ↑ http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170518005768/en/Garfield-Signature-Character-Children’s-Areas-Flags-Branded-Theme
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  55. ↑ https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180222005405/en/Concord-Water-Park-Flags-Hurricane-Harbor-Concord
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  57. ↑ "Six Flags Attractions in Dubai". CBS News. CBS Interactive.
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