All articles tagged with #amusement parks
A summer travel feature highlights five anticipated roller coasters debuting this season across major parks, including the 309-foot Tormenta Rampaging Run at Six Flags Over Texas, plus other high-speed, beyond-vertical experiences at Universal Studios and Legoland, alongside family‑friendly options for broader appeal.
Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, PA—free admission since 1926—took Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice top spot for America’s amusement parks, praised for affordability and a laid-back vibe, ahead of Disney and Universal; the top five are Knoebels, Dollywood, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Universal Islands of Adventure, with a top-10 that includes Epcot, LEGOLAND California, Universal Studios Florida, Disneyland Park, and Silver Dollar City.
A cable on a Steel Max bungee-style ride at Seville’s Feria de Abril snapped, sending a capsule about 300 feet into the air before it crashed into the ride’s structure and injuring four people, including two children; two other adults suffered minor injuries as authorities investigated the incident.
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. has agreed to sell seven of its amusement parks to real estate investor EPR Properties for $331 million as part of a portfolio simplification to reduce debt and reinvest in higher-growth parks like Carowinds; closing is expected by the end of Q1 or early Q2, with EPR partnering to run the US and Canadian parks. The move comes after a difficult 2025 with a $1.6 billion net loss and will allow continued investment in remaining parks while Carowinds continues to update facilities and experiences, including the Carolina Harbor Waterpark reopening May 23.
Six Flags America in Maryland, a beloved 51-year-old theme park, closed permanently after its 2025 season, with fans expressing nostalgia and hope for some rides to be relocated. The closure was part of the company's strategic shift, and the park's last day drew large crowds despite the sadness of the final farewell.
Travis Kelce, a lifelong Six Flags fan and Kansas City Chiefs star, has invested in the struggling amusement park company alongside JANA Partners, aiming to help revitalize the brand amid financial and operational challenges following a merger and declining attendance. The investment signals hope for industry recovery through potential management changes, technological upgrades, and possible park sales, with Kelce's involvement bringing positive attention and a nostalgic connection to the parks.
Jana Partners has invested in Six Flags Entertainment and partnered with NFL star Travis Kelce to help revitalize the struggling amusement park operator through strategic activism, branding, operational improvements, and potential sale options, aiming to boost shareholder value and modernize the company's image.
NFL star Travis Kelce is entering the amusement park industry by partnering with Jana Partners to acquire a 9% stake in Six Flags, aiming to enhance the guest experience and add to his entrepreneurial ventures, which include a podcast and a music festival.
Cleveland Heights native and NFL star Travis Kelce has invested in Six Flags, the parent company of Cedar Point, partnering with Jana Partners to help revitalize the struggling amusement park operator, which has seen significant declines in attendance and stock value since its merger with Cedar Fair in 2024.
NFL star Travis Kelce has partnered with activist investor Jana Partners and others to acquire a 9% stake in Six Flags, aiming to work with management to boost shareholder value and enhance the guest experience amid ongoing challenges in the amusement park industry.
Theme Park Crazy released a video showcasing the most anticipated roller coasters set to debut in 2024, while a tragic roller coaster accident in Sweden resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries. Additionally, a Disney World roller coaster is rumored to be re-themed to Muppets' Electric Mayhem, and the world's fastest roller coaster in Japan suspended operations after riders suffered serious injuries.
Cedar Fair and Six Flags, two major amusement park operators, are merging to create a powerhouse company with a combined worth of over $3.5 billion. The merger will result in a company with 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and nine resort properties across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The deal is expected to lower costs and increase efficiency in the face of ongoing challenges in the amusement park industry due to the pandemic. The combined company will have entertainment partnerships and a portfolio of intellectual property, including popular brands like Looney Tunes, DC Comics, and Peanuts. The merger is set to close in the first half of next year, pending approval from Six Flags shareholders.
Cedar Fair and Six Flags, two major amusement park operators, are merging to create a powerhouse company with 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and nine resort properties across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The merger, valued at over $3.5 billion, aims to lower costs and enhance park offerings. Despite an increase in revenue, amusement parks have struggled with attendance during the pandemic. The combined company expects $120 million in cost savings and plans to moderate seasonal volatility. The deal is set to close in the first half of next year, pending approval from Six Flags shareholders.
Cedar Fair, the parent company of Carowinds, and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation have announced a merger, creating a combined company with a portfolio of 42 parks and nine resort properties across North America. The merger aims to enhance park offerings and performance, with the company operating under the name Six Flags and headquartered in Charlotte. The merger is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024.
Amusement park corporation Six Flags is merging with rival Cedar Fair in an $8 billion deal, creating a combined entity that will operate 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and nine resort properties in North America. The merger is expected to generate over $3 billion in revenue. The move comes after years of financial challenges for Six Flags, including a plunge in share value in 2020 due to defaulted payments for planned projects in China.