Six Flags and Cedar Fair have Merged. What's Next?

[@SkateClipsAndTips]

Let's just hope they improve all the Six Flags parks, especially SFMM. SFMM needs major improvements to maintenance and landscaping. Too much concrete, not enough shade

[@CoasterStudios]

Couldn’t agree more. I’d much rather see improvements in that department than another new coaster

[@Danrarbc]

@@CoasterStudios Well a coaster is happened no matter what 😛

[@joecandish3923]

I think there is a misconception the top tier Cedar Fair and Six Flags Parks are on par with each other those being Cedar Point, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Kings Island, Six Flags Great America, Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Canada's Wonderland, Six Flags Great Adventure. Are close in terms of quality whereas the lower you go down the wider the gap gets World's of Fun, Valleyfair, Dorney Park, Six Flags America, La Ronde, Six Flags Darien Lake, Six Flags St Louis it does get much wider in terms of quality between the two

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

@@joecandish3923 Cedar Fair legacy parks are better at all levels.

[@TheCoasterDude]

Couldn’t agree more, I also want Twisted Colossus dueling and Enter Sandman back on X2 lol

[@Crunchbite_Daimyo]

Six Flags always felt cheap to me and I think that has to do largely with the lack of landscaping and theming. That's especially true of the parks that Six Flags has owned since the 70s where new additions are put in parking lots, covered in blacktop, or literally on top of a dying field next to maintenance yards. When you look at a Cedar Fair park they always put effort into beautifying everything the guests see and it pays off a lot in the overall atmosphere of the park. I hope this merger fixes these issues.

[@dullbox6642]

Hopefully the new company will put time into making the six flags parks look as good as the cedar fair parks

[@seanlewis1148]

One can only hope. I just watched Dylan of Theme Park Obsession video earlier while he was at Magic Mountain and he mentioned that some execs from Cedar Fair were on site doing a walk around....so hey....who knows.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

Six Flags defer maintenance more than Cedar Fair.

[@Westkid3057]

It's crazy that the merger actually happened... the og Cedar Fair parks will be like Kings Island-A Six Flags Park. Also, Happy Independence Day!

[@FryGuy909]

I think the new six flags logo is meant to bridge the gap so the old cedar fair parks can now be recognized as six flags parks without the name change.

[@Westkid3057]

@FryGuy909 yeah. Thats what it looks like. I meant to put that mayhe the og cedar fair parks would do that

[@FryGuy909]

@@Westkid3057 I imagine eventually some of the park names will change, but i think for now, the new logo acts as enough of a bridge

[@namevone]

They said they're not doing any name changes to parks thankfully

[@Westkid3057]

@@namevone Even thinking about the parks being renamed like Six Flags Kings Island, Six Flags Carowinds(that one doesn't sound as bad), or Six Flags Dorney Park kinda sound gross

[@DSCRAPRE]

Mergers are basically never good for anybody other than shareholders.

[@CoasterLabs]

True

[@francescov.3610]

I dont know because Cedar Fair was always the superior company and the Six Flags we all know and hate has essentially ceased to exist in this merger. It's CF using the SF name. Its less that Cedar Point is now a Six Flags park, its more so Six Flags Magic Mountain is now a Cedar Fair park.

[@coastingalong]

not true at all

[@theheardtheorem]

One Season Pass instead of Two Season Passes is good for me.

[@DSCRAPRE]

@@coastingalong I hope that you’re right. Only time will tell

[@andred.4664]

As a guy that invest on stocks and read some 10Ks, I can say with some confidence the expression "financial flexibility" usually means cost cutting.

[@CoasterStudios]

Oof

[@Danrarbc]

It means two things here. They can cut an entire HQ and they are. Arlington is going away. It also expands their availability to credit.

[@crystaljewel1073]

@@Danrarbcyep I work at call Center at six flags I believe so

[@MARMTL2212]

For senior management and mid-tier I can see it. They can improve productivity. I don’t see any cost cutting in the parks. It would then decrease their attendance and revenues.

[@maxhagenauer24]

As long as it has a positive effect on Six Flags parks and not a negative effect on Cedar Fair parks.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

It would be a big treat but imagine parks like Great Adventure or Magic Mountain receives a B&M Giga

[@riparianlife97701]

I worry Knott's will lose the rest of Ghost Town.

[@geoinventor3]

That would be amazing

[@Danrarbc]

@@riparianlife97701 Why? Leadership did not change.

[@Goat_Girl_Gwen]

@@riparianlife97701wdym the rest of ghost town? What did they lose before?

[@theearthlord2209]

Honestly it makes more sense for knotts to get the giga since it could use it more, it's in direct competition with disneyland and advertising a 300 foot coaster would be great for the park. Regardless, Knotts already laid out plains for a giga coaster in the first place anyway.

[@Mygary]

0:44 The “Six” has the Cedar Fairs flag on it, looks like it is the combo logo after all!

[@GoudLoodje]

The original Six Flags logo already had that though

[@Mygary]

@@GoudLoodje true, but hey it’s fitting I guess just make the flag red in the logos and Bing bada boom

[@omarcat5868]

0:57

[@just-dashin]

But most of Cedar Fair’s parks had flags in their logos, so you could interpret the flag as both the Six Flags and Cedar Fair flag.

[@jaystudios3878]

if y’all do another parody you gotta have a bit where cedar point fanboy and MM fanboy become friends or something lol

[@Jetstreme]

As long as they throw ValleyFair or Michigan's Adventure a treat here and there, now...

[@gus24seven]

They're gonna get new benches and trash cans...... again.

[@theearthlord2209]

They don't have any incentive to give them investments when they aren't going to get a large return on investments.

[@r.t.c.no.1529]

Possibly a few fountain 😗

[@CorbincordelL]

Michigan’s adventure just give them stuff that makes people wanna come back

[@scaryhobbit211]

Valleyfair has hope now that Dorney and WOF got new coasters.

[@benkizer9509]

I can see why the merger happened. Unless your park is located in California or Florida (maybe Texas as well), you basically have about 4 months to make your money. That's a pretty risky business model. Having more locations helps alleviate that risk. I lived in Texas for four years and just visited some friends and went to Six Flags Over Texas. I was struck by how run down that park looks. And it's not just the park, but the area around it. Roach motels, pawn shops, payday loan stores, bad neighborhoods near by. It just didn't feel all that good, and that's with brand new NFL and MLB stadiums right next door. You'd think they'd pump some investment into that area, and they really haven't.

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

That's not why the merger happened. On the Cedar Fair parks they have said that some of their most profitable days are actually in the fall, not in the May to end of August, 4 month traditional season. This is especially the case for parks like Cedar Point and even more for Knotts, as Knotts Scary Farm is not included in your pass. It requires everyone to buy a day ticket or Scary Farm season pass. SF parks really have not recovered from the pandemic. They as a company were having a lack of organic growth problem pre pandemic. Post pandemic they faltered even more under even worse leadership..ie Selim. The price increases in 2022 eviscerated their pass base, attendance dropped 7M and they fell to 2016 financial levels. They are as of FY2023 just at 2017 levels in revenue and lower net income. In the same period post pandemic Cedar Fair and Sea World Ent have been producing record profits. There is a reason in the merger Cedar Fair has 10 of 11 executive spots, The SF management was subpar and both Boards agreed on that, hence Cedar Fair people retained their roles in the merger.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

It is getting worse. It's turning into a ghetto.

[@FryGuy909]

i think this merger is the biggest bombshell to the industry since the old cedar fair bought the paramount parks.

[@mitchellries256]

Look at the bright side. More flags, more fun.

[@LChineze]

More Fairs, More Flags, More Fun

[@gus24seven]

I see what you did there. Well played.

[@joyoustye2326]

​@@LChineze"Write that down write that down!"

[@OneAdam12Adam]

Naive

[@jjgillmen]

As a legacy Six Flags member, it is crazy to think that this merger is happening now. We'll just have to wait and see how things go from here.

[@MrKsanders1985]

Mergers are never good. I've been through 3 of them. On the conference call it sounded like their main focus will be on the improvement of Six Flags parks. The Cedar Fair parks will not receive the investments they received earlier. Right now, they are basically lying to everyone . Several parks are going to be closed or sold. Also their won't be any competition between the two companies. There is no need to add record breaking coasters, especially parks like Cedar Point. I hope Hershend makes and offer on Cedar Point or Kings Island to keep their history and legacy.

[@Themeparkfan630]

This sounds like cap.

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

Lol..trying reading the S4, they laid out planned Capex of the Cedar Fair parks and Sf parks...Hint, Cedar Fair legacy parks Capex will increase and they will continue doing what made them successful. The entire executive leadership team is Cedar Fair people, save 1, that has a made up title of chief integration officer. Six Flags parks will be attempted to brought up to Cedar Fair level. They are going to try to do what they did at CF parks the last decade under the Seasons of Fun plan....improved foods/beverage, restaurants, aesthetics, theming, more and better special events during the season, etc,,, SF legacy parks are going to be run like CF, which means they will be getting less rides, not every year, but will get big ones every few years and all the other stuff mentioned before will get invested in that SF has neglected traditionally. The question is will SF core patrons used to cheap prices, shabby looking parks, poor food, etc... be willing to pay up long term once the improvements are made. CF parks typically cost more and people are willing to pay more for those other things. Cedar Fair and Six Flags only competed in a few markets. 90% of regional theme parks attendance comes within a 2hr drive. The notion that they will not invest b/c of lack of competition is false. Cedar fair has always stated their biggest competition is other things people can do with their time and money. Cf management is in control and this mindset will continue. They invest to keep people coming and not spending their money on other entertainment options. The focus has really been the last 5 to 7 years to keep people coming all season and many times, via special events essentially each month of the season at the parks . You topped off the post with the ridiculous fantasy of Hershned would offer on CP or KI... lol X 100000

[@Shinyarc]

Agreed. This is giving Penn Central vibes. I think Herschend needs to expand into new areas, not buying a CF park; if Herschend built a new park in the SF area where CGA will be gone, or in a city with not enough parks like Santa Fe or Arizona, then they can emerge as the new 2nd party in this era.

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

@@Shinyarc Certain areas don't have parks for a reason. FYI, the reason regional parks don't build new parks is it's costs 500M minimum to build a moderate sized park and it will take more than a decade(s), to just get your initial investment back money. You have astronomical development costs and then you have to build a following, massive spend on ads. while you still have to ramp up Capex yearly. There is a reason the only successful new parks in decades are by the mega corporations of Disney, Universal, Legoland, etc.. The few indy small parks that have opened recently are all struggling on the verge of going out of business...ie... Lost Island.

[@brianfoss571]

The new logo reminds me of the United / Continental Airlines merger announcement, where the "United" name was jammed into the Continental logo and font. Looked like a blundering self-own out of the Onion. Luckily, public reaction was embarrassing enough for them to change it. Hopefully this logo is specifically for the corporate HQ in Charlotte, not the individual parks.

[@kevinmerila3848]

Should they have a plan about adding dark rides to the cedar fair parks who don’t have it and indoor water park resorts that the parks should want during cold weather?

[@Danrarbc]

Cedar Point needs a dark ride.

[@kay_sou]

As someone whose home park is Michigan's Adventure, I'm cautiously optimistic. The park is out in the middle of nowhere, so there aren't going to be a lot of prospective buyers to redevelop it, so I think Six Flags is probably stuck with the property whether they like it or not. If they do sell it off, it would likely be to someone who would keep the park open. With that said, if they do decide to close other parks, MA is a prime location for some relocations, with a lot of room for expansion. Maybe it's a pipe dream to think that something might change after all this time, but I have some hope for the first time in a while.

[@johnpaulstrobel2547]

as a MA regular myself, I doubt they'd sell MA as (according to a lot of people, though I actually haven't seen the source myself) MA has one of, if not the best profit ratios of the entire chain. That being said, if you do close a location or two, yes please send one of their good coasters over here, we'd love a new thrill coaster lol. I think 1 (or 2, I wouldn't complain) new thrill coaster(s), and replacing our wild mouse with a Wild Moose as it'd work better for a family coaster that would also attach older audiences, would do so much to put MA as a major destination point again.

[@kay_sou]

@@johnpaulstrobel2547 MA just has so much land in the woods where the train runs now that they could easily put a coaster in. Something like Railblazer would go great there. Mad Mouse would be a shame to lose because it's one of the best mice out there, but the capacity is just so terrible. What MA really needs is some new flat rides to replace the carnival rides between Mouse and Timbers.

[@johnpaulstrobel2547]

@@kay_sou yeah, mad mause definitely isn't something I want to replace, but I feel like the ride logistics are just so bad it's typically the second longest wait time in the park. One could dream about the possibilities of actually using that untapped land, either removing the train entirely or adjusting it, and adding an entirely new wing to the park in that area

[@Chessingtondragonfury]

Happy forth of July everyone!

[@trdidion]

“Six Flags, Busch Gardens, Disney World, Disney Land, ITS STILL CEDAR POINT TO ME.”

[@zacg_]

This was a merger and not an acquisition and from their profit reports since 2020 we know they're both struggling financially. That means they're desperate. Generally, a merger of two struggling companies means they both need to shed assets to bring in revenue but they're afraid that they aren't big enough to survive large scale sell offs on their own but they might have a more stable base if they combine. This has me worried. Park sell offs seem like the purpose not just a possible side effect. And if that's the case, the focus would likely be on selling parks whose property would result in the highest price. A lot of people are thinking about places like Frontier City and Michigan's Adventure. But those wouldn't bring in the revenue the new company needs. But parks in the Bay Area, southern California, the Toronto metro area may bring in the most even if they are popular parks. And it's not like the company would refuse an offer from a housing developer in order to sell a park for less to another park chain. I'm not saying this is guaranteed. But people seem to think that two chains with massive debt will somehow have more money to invest in more parks if they combine. That's just not how it works and from a business point of view the opposite is far more likely.

[@yankeeman311]

I can't see any other California park getting the axe. SFMM and Knotts are both iconic and SFDK would be the only game left in town on cheaper land than CGA. Same with CW. It's the biggest amusement park in Canada. Where land really becomes an issue is SFA and Dorney imo, particularly the former. These already don't measure up to big competition and are in more expensive areas...

[@zacg_]

@@yankeeman311 you're thinking from an enthusiast perspective. A park being "iconic" or the biggest in Canada has zero to do with what a company will do with it. If a chain is desperate for an influx of cash they aren't going to be making decisions based on regional fan opinions. If a real estate developer offered $500 million because they thought the land was worth it the chain won't lose any sleep if the theme park fan base sheds a tear. It's not like fans of the others parks will abandon those parks in solidarity of Magic Mountain closing. Knotts is probably safe specifically because it's so small. Then again, property in Orange County is so expensive that I wouldn't say it's 100% safe. Again, in not saying what is guaranteed to happen. I just think enthusiasts are looking at this merger as if it was some kind of strategic plan to please the fans. It was a business decision made by two desperate park chains. That's all. This merger was unthinkable to most enthusiasts. Why would it be unthinkable for a new chain that is loaded with debt to try and sell off assets that would bring the biggest revenue?

[@wereallyrollin6680]

@@zacg_ because then they have way lower income for the future yeah they can get a influx of cash from selling parks but then what they are gonna be in only places that are low property value like makes not sense that’s basically what you’re saying I don’t think they’ll do that they get way more In the long run unless seaworld steps up or universal goes full coaster park they always have a segment of the market it’s smarter to make it the best and have repeat business even when ups or downs in Economy and people would cut Disney or universal if they have financial issues if you can provide a local or closer cheaper good alternative that’s the goal

[@yankeeman311]

@zacg_ Maybe iconic is the wrong word. You're right in that they won't make decisions based on our feelings. But I don't think it makes much sense to sell CW. That park has the best attendance of the old CF parks and it's arguably the most popular park in Canada. Knotts like you said has small land plus it's open almost daily to feed off the Disney crowd. SFMM would probably warrant the biggest discussion. Big land that's certainly valuable. I guess I just see the park as being such a roller coaster capital and "face of the franchise" that it would make the chain really hesitant to get rid of it

[@Danrarbc]

@@zacg_ Chill out dude they aren’t selling Crown Jewels. Canada’s Wonderland is a top 3 Cedar Fair park.

[@zachsteiner]

I don’t necessarily love the lack of competition now but I am hoping this means Six Flags Over Texas will actually get a new, big coaster finally.

[@cody_t]

Giga, am I right!

[@JoeyH-sb3fq]

This will only drag down Cedar fair parks. I said what I said.

[@tondog54]

I was just thinking this is going to either be really good for 6 flags parks, or really bad for cedar fair parks...

[@JoeyH-sb3fq]

@@tondog54 Yuuup. Especially when just a couple months before talks of this merger, Six Flags had been talking about them losing so much money and needed to ”Reform" their parks... 🙄

[@Aerolandaircraft]

I know this is random, but maybe operations at Magic Mountain will improve so possibly duels on Twisted Colossus?

[@LChineze]

Twisted Colossus would have a better chance of dueling as long as there are three trains running and people not taking valuable time during dispatch.

[@Smbizmd]

Queue line shades at Cedar Point is all I'm asking for out of this merger. Too much probably... But high hopes

[@GavHern]

it recently came out that CGA didn’t actually have existing plans to close the park, so i wouldn’t be so sure about them being on the chopping block. the land was sold with intent to lease it back so the cedar fair could avoid laying anyone off from pandemic losses.

[@AggroCEC]

Out of curiosity, not doubting you, where did you find this info

[@GavHern]

@@AggroCEC the main place the public can hear about it was at the acenorcal event, “AdvParker” on twt wrote about what they said there. i also just knew about this through speaking to higher ups when i worked there but i don’t want to reveal any info that isn’t currently public out of respect

[@nathanlopez5667]

California's Great America is not going anywhere I would bet the tables would turn and Discovery Kingdom will take the fall instead

[@zacharyyamashita8554]

Hope you're right, because I haven't heard much since it was announced in 2022, and Great America looks so much nicer than Discovery Kingdom. Discovery Kingdom looks way more like a park on the decline than CGA.

[@billofwrights7695]

As we all anxiously await the resurrection of Top Thrill 2…in the iconic words of Hannah Montana, we got the best of both worlds!

[@JWViper]

Hannah Montana??☹Van Halen!!🙂

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

Touchless security for bags is just really laxed security, for convenience. I see people having so many things that are not allowed in parks now, than ever before.

[@xxbobsetsfirexx4269]

I'm a 45 year old Clevelander. Your thumbnail broke my soul.

[@CoasterStudios]

Lol

[@ReuvenGoldstein1]

I've only been to Knotts Berry Farm with any regularity, pre-and-post acquisition. This is mainly due to the fact I am never near any other park of theirs. (especially when it was Cedar Fair only) I am hoping Knotts gets the investment it so desperately needs, and not just Snoopy land lol.

[@drdewott9154]

Honestly, I'm pretty pessimistic about this. These kinds of massive corporate mergers usually never turn out well for the consumers, and the press release makes me think the same for this. They mention increasing profitability and per capita spending, and attendance, but those very actions counteract eachother. The parks in both chains are already very expensive for value, both in entry and other charges like food, parking, etc. They're hardly good value. And yet they think of trying to squeeze even more cash out of customes! Thats anti-consumer practise, and is not a good thing to see with a chain that has such a stronghold over the entire North American theme park industry. Like in LA and the Northeast, sure they have a little bit of competition, but its not much at all! They still hold practical monopolies through most of the continent! Like most people if theyre gonna visit a theme park, the only options in their entire region, or even within several states radius, is gonna be a Six flags now! They could screw over customers as much as they want and still not care cause said customers have no alternative options unless travelling far across the nation. Honestly its a big problem with these kinds of stockmarket corporations in general! Everything has to be about eternal growth to pay back to shareholders! It takes value from the parks and customers and dont give it back to neither, but to people who havent done anything except be rich enough to own a share of the company. Having a stable, and suitable economy where profits dont grow eternally, is straight up unacceptable under those terms. I know we a lot of the time talk about European parks being much more customer friendly, but thats also in large part due to majority of the European theme parks being run by Families, or by non-profit organisations. Corporate chains do exist, but they have more fierce competition from the many smaller players in the field, and as such have to lower their own profit margins to be competitive. Thankfully that does happen in Europe, but in the US, that more often than not leads to corporate buyouts and or complete shutdowns! Just think of what happened to Geauga Lake, or what originally happened to Kentucky Kingdom. And the few independent parks that do exist outside of the Northeast are usually always too small to be any actual competition to a corporate park. I hope Im wrong but I fear July 1st 2024 is gonna be looked back at in the past as a really bad day for the North American theme park industry as a whole thanks to this merger.

[@geoinventor3]

Hopefully Six Flags Great Adventure can get some improvements too! I know that six flags magic mountain is in need of improvements as well but great adventure has 300 acres of unused land as the safari is closed so maybe we could see something happen to that as well as the area around Kingda ka for instance as you can see the original parking lot under such a legendary coaster feels kind of criminal. Would love to hear other peoples thoughts on this though.

[@TylerCoolGuy88]

I will def see how this will work long-term. I do have concerns about selling lesser-known parks (hopefully to someone to keep it as independent or smaller chain parks). But I hope we see manufacturers work on good projects and upgrade the food, theming, experience, to improve the experience. In terms of copyrights, I could see the DC characters stay at the legacy Six Flags parks but retire the Looney Tunes brand in favor of Snoopy/Peanut characters. I think the new logo might apply to all park, but only used at the legacy Six Flags parks.

[@christainmarks106]

Good thing about this is…. cedar fair mite be Forced to bury the hatchet with INTAMIN & RMC. Their blacklisting of the manufacturers that put Cedar point on the map was stupid anyways

[@devdevthrills]

This is the best thing for the industry and both chains. Goal is to reduce expenses through volume and optimization. Stoked to see what improvements look like from a business perspective in the coming years.

[@tahjo7]

The big wonder for me is about the two #1 parks in both companies portfolios of parks, Southern California's Knotts Berry Farm & Magic Mountain. Both parks are in desperate need of attention. Knott's modern tech infrastructure in their foods dept (mobile ordering), parking, needs at least 1 more high capacity reliable thrill ride (B&M Giga-Coaster). Magic Mtn needs to reclaim it's identity, it's lineup is aging as majority of it is rollercoaster tech is from the 90's during the big spending spree of 1988-2006. Both parks haven't had a major or modern addition since 2004 (silver Bullet) & 2006 (Tatsu). They are the cash cows for both companies, if they don't get the investments they've deserved, earned, and needed, if not now, when? Los Angeles is hosting the 2028 Olympics.... I'm just saying...

[@sweetstarrider3214]

Six Flags has mobile ordering for food. Both in the app and on kiosks at each dining location. Six Flags also has Speedy Parking. If you have a pass or Membership you can just go right through and park without any problems.

[@gus24seven]

I like the "Cedar Fair" font. They could keep the exclamation point with the six flags in it. The three "original" Six Flags parks don't have actual names...over Texas, over Georgia, St. Louis. All other parks had prior names when they joined the Six Flags family and just got Six Flags tagged on at the front. It has been fun watching people freaking out for the past several months. Kings Island isn't getting renamed Six Flags Cincinnati. TBH, I 've called KI by the name SFC multiple times recently just because it is funny to watch people's heads explode. Cedar Fair was a corporate name that most people didn't even know, so it makes sense to use the very well-known; sometimes hated, company name of Six Flags. I think a cafeteria style season pass offering would be amazing. For A dollars you get your local park. For B dollars you get your choice of 2 parks. C dollars gets your choice of 3 parks. And so on. Yes. Us coaster freaks and theme park weirdos are chimping at the bit for 1 pass that will get us into every park on Earth....we are not like 99 percent of the human population. Most people do not travel beyond their local park. The fun debate is what price will an all parks pass for new Six Flags tag in at?????? I think we can see live shows gat better as well. Pay one team of people to develop a series of shows and roll them out to all the parks where each particular show would fit in. Combine the prior show budgets from both companies and then cut it by a third...we still need to reduce expenses...gives the new company a spending limit which exceeds what each prior company was spending on their own. Let's talk about the 45 dollars fee to park the car.

[@brandoncole5533]

I really am waiting for enthusiasts to realize that six flags is only hated or seen in a negative light largely by enthusiasts. This freakout they're having is purely them foaming at the mouth at the the fact that their precious cedar fair is TAINTED by the horrible, disastrous, and low down six flags chain. It doesn't matter that the 90% of the board is made up of the old cedar fair execs. And they hold the majority share . Feel however you want about six flags but they were in competition FOR A REASON. OG Six flags wasn't some place that didn't make any money in the range of cedar fair and was a wasteland of a place. They were popular and they made lots of money and have the much stronger brand of the two. Six flags is the name for a reason and people getting their panties in a knot over this need to get over themselves.

[@Aaron.Rants.Reviews]

I'm currently grandfathered into a Six Flags Gold Plus pass that includes unlimited visits to any park or water park, parking included. If they screw that up or jack up the price significantly, I'm out.

[@Shinyarc]

45 dollar parking is ridiculous, I hated that it was the case at both CF and Six Flags. Likely only going to get worse though, but friendly reminder that a basic season pass includes parking and is literally the same price as a normal ticket + parking fee

[@adriang9342]

I really hope we get a two-in-one pass for both parks. Here in California Six Flags Magic Mountain in Knott's Berry Farm are within driving distance of each other

[@michael7054]

Great video! Maybe the old Cedar Fair parks will stay more like the old Cedar Fair Parks. And the old Six Flags Parks will stay more like the old Six Flags Parks.

[@memesrct_official]

Speaking of new IPs, I could see Six Flags to start working with Crunchyroll to bring in some new IPs such as Spy X Family, Ochi no Ko, The Rising of the Shield Hero, etc. to bring in some of the anime fans to visit their nearby Six Flags park.

[@Intellectuallychallenged]

I hope to see snoopy dancing like the old man to the venga boys

[@gus24seven]

That would be epic.

[@dullbox6642]

It’s a little bizarre to me that there is no Six Flags or Cedar Fair park in Florida

[@DrewBoezeman]

I mean Disney, universal, sea world, Busch gardens, and fun spot all have locations there so I think florida is a little full

[@ricandmcgaming4880]

Six Flags.... more like... Cedar Fair

[@strongarm_11]

Na, it’s Cedar Flags.

[@wereallyrollin6680]

Nah cope harder cry more cedar fair is no moreeee 😂😂😂

[@MrPizza_0919]

@@wereallyrollin6680well the ceo of cedar fair is the new ceo of six flags, so basically it's cedar fair just with the six flags name

[@JD-rox]

@@wereallyrollin6680other than the name, Six Flags in no more 😂😂

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

@@MrPizza_0919 It's 10 of the 11 people in the Corporate Executive team are Cedar Fair. This was a take over by CF, though the PR is merger of equals. You don't see an equal merger with one complete C-suite essentially wiped out.

[@halesej]

Blew my mind with the last question, “What’s your favorite Six Flags park? Cedar Point?” 😳😂🥵🤯

[@thecoasterman682]

The cedar fair and six flags have to turn into like six cedar fair flags. Maybe that would be a good name for the merge.

[@Jasonn5k]

So does this mean that cedar fair parks are gonna be called for example six flags cardowinfs, six flags cedar point and six flags king s island now? Amazing video !

[@DoomPlague]

They have come out and said there are no plans for that. It also just doesn't make sense to brand parks that do well without it.

[@davidnevolo4402]

@2:00 definitely not a monopoly. They obviously have tons of parks but in terms of profitability they are so low on the totem pole. Disney parks make 14 billion a year or something crazy when six flags parks made on average 6 million dollars profit per park recently, cedar fair somewhere around 20? Dont come for me if these numbers are off but essentially disney is making 100 to 1000 times as much money. I for one am so excited to see how parks like great america, fiesta, and magic mountain that are already solid become nicer in a cedar fair way. Nobody has mentioned this but my biggest fear and inevitably will happen is putting those plugin seatbelts on all the b and m hypers in the six flags chain

[@CoasterStudios]

The seatbelt part actually brings up a good point that within the cedar fair parks they all use IROC and six flags has their own safety program I wonder if they’ll get converted to one. My guess is they will.

[@stephencourtney7356]

King’s island and cedar point more popular than six flags parks and I am afraid of them upping the prices now

[@teddym2808]

Wow it's not an April's Fool, this is really surprising indeed.

[@juanortiz8288]

This merge will be a total success if they focus on improving the flaws of each corporation and give customers the option of a season pass/membership for all parks, improved landscaping and better food options on six flags parks. They will be able to get better deals from ride manufacturers, getting more rides with less investment. I really hope their decision go towards the customer experience

[@VlogsWitLamyiahAndLyric]

Taylor are you gonna do a on ride reaction to the Titan ride at six flags over Texas!?

[@CoasterStudios]

Maybe one day!

[@shortydancer]

RIP Cedar Fair. I was a big fan of would have preferred the Cedar Fair name.

[@j.johnson7891]

There's potentially a lot of positives that can come from this. Obviously combining capital is a huge boost for the company. Perhaps they also gain the ability to hire from a bigger hiring pooling, gaining flexibility to move workers around parks that are willing to travel/move. Parks that aren't by major cities tend to have trouble staffing especially before school lets out It opens up key accounts to both companies. We should no longer see manufacturer restrictions at all the parks. (Hello Intamin 🤝 Old Cedar Fair Parks) I wouldn't be surprised if they sell 1 or 2 of the small old Six Flags parks that don't make much money - which it would be great to see new money come in to those parks anyways. I personally don't think much will change at the old cedar fair parks themselves. If the best to come out of it is that we see DC merch at the old CF parks, that's good enough for me

[@dindog22]

I wish they would have gone with Cedar Flags

[@GoudLoodje]

Same, that'd be a perfect name

[@jvoges]

Six fair

[@GoudLoodje]

@@jvoges Nah

[@Vytirix_RBX]

Cedar Fair.

[@I_am_Addicted_2_RollerCoasters]

disagree

[@andori_AB]

Now I want to see a ranking of all Cedar Flags parks from you two.

[@alexatl89]

Hopefully this means the underserved parks in both chains can get some new rides.

[@bakerfx4968]

If they want to increase guest attendance they need to work better on guest flow and management. If the paths AND queues are already full… increasing attendance won’t help anyone. I know so many people that grew up going to places like Disney world but now won’t even consider it because of the amount of people

[@HeatherC1212]

I'm taking a 'wait and see' attitude towards this merger for now but I will say this: a friend of mine and I decided several years ago that we wanted to visit all of the CF parks someday and have been steadily working our way through them (crossing off Worlds/Oceans of Fun during our upcoming MO/IA theme park trip) but I've never had that same desire to visit all of the SF parks. I've actually never even BEEN to a SF park (we are going to SF: St. Louis during our MO trip so there's my first one) because I haven't really heard too many good things about them over the years. Also, when your home park is KI and you also live within shorter driving distances of KK, CP, Holiday World, and half a dozen awesome parks in western PA, driving out of my comfort zone to visit 'nearby' SF parks isn't too high on my must do list. We'll see what happens I guess. *shrugs* =\

[@I_am_Addicted_2_RollerCoasters]

i think after a few years, and we get used to it, it will be the new norm and all parks will benefit

[@frontiercitythrills586]

OKANA Indoor Water Park and Resort over 140 acres (built fully by the Chickasaw Nation at $400 million) and is one of the largest in the nation opening in the spring of 2025, Legends Tower complex should be completed on or before 2028, a billion dollar arena for the Thunder in 2028, American Heartland Theme Park and RV Resort is fixing to restart the construction process later this summer and is still planned to open up in the latter part of 2026, then, LA 2028 Olympics with 2-3 events being held here in OKC. Hope to see you guys here!

[@nilbong4208]

my theory is everything is going to get worse as it usually goes when huge companies become even larger. cedar fair parks will become a bit worse, some small to medium sized parks will get sold off to companies not interested or experienced in running amusement parks. larger six flags parks will probably stay the same

[@AirtimeAxolotl]

I think hershend or seaworld could but some of the smaller parks

[@DoomPlague]

Not to be that guy but we actually are not in a recession right now. One has been predicted for a couple years but hasn't happened yet. Most of the things that factor into a recession aren't there, with unemployment being low and the stock market doing well. Inflation is a separate issue than a recession and the two problems are very often inverse of one another.

[@Danrarbc]

Strong economies tend to create inflation. Weak ones don’t and may even cause deflation.

[@Harrys.Truman-fanpage]

@@Danrarbcstill depends on corruption and all

[@IAmMiami]

Whatever the new pass is, they better keep the paper cup drink option!

[@owenlynch5561]

100% will use that as the new logo for all of the parks, having one brand is way more important than nostalgia

[@Shinyarc]

I can’t believe there were no lawsuits over creating a monopoly. There are 7 major railroads in America, and 2 of those merging spurred thousands of lawsuits over monopoly concerns. But there are only 3 major park chains (Herschend is the 3rd) and 2 merging is fine??

[@rosslovesdisney3829]

I think this is a win for Cedar Fair and they have he upper hand. It seems they just took the “Six Flags” name and that’s it. It really is just Six Flags in name only. You can also tell the new “Six Flags” website displayed on the video was the former CF corporate site, *NOT* the former SF corporate website.

[@RakoonCD]

I hope they don't mess with Knott's Berry Farm as a theme park. Maybe put some some elaborate themeing into magic mountain.

[@dirtthunder1638]

Our little family are CF Gold plus pass holders and visit 2 to 3 parks beside our home park. A all park pass would be awesome but we are only close to on SF park.

[@connormccleary587]

so does this mean if I buy a season pass I have access to all six flags and cedar fair parks?

[@jtbowman132]

I’m really curious about Six Flags America’s future. It really isn’t that easily accessible from D.C. when it comes to public transport. I think it’s like a 35-45ish minute drive depending on what part of D.C. you’re in. I really wish they’d extend the silver line more toward Baltimore. The bus route is absurd from the end of silver line to SFA 😅 Editing to add that anyone who’s familiar with the area knows how treacherous it is to drive in that area as well. I’ve never feared more for my life than I have while going in between D.C. and Baltimore lmao

[@patrickdixey]

You guys got me into roller coasters, I love your reviews. (I love seeing your Six Flags Great Adventure vlogs, it’s my home park) . You guys are amazing and without you I would not like roller coasters like I do now. Thank you!

[@danielgudinojuarez6729]

I mostly see a lot of the more smaller parks being destroyed sooner

[@mattflickinger8151]

“We renin an economic recession right now?” What?

[@TehEpicDev]

Im curious to see what they're going to do with their operation system. Are they going to keep the operations the same or switch to one?

[@CoasterStudios]

I personally am anticipating them all switching to IROC- but we will have to see

[@Noah-ey5zf]

I haven’t been in the amusement industry lately but my Homepark is Canada’s Wonderland or I’m guessing it’s now called Six Flags Canada’s Wonderland and it sounds like Six Flags won the bigger part of the deal (0:22 that logo really locks it in)

[@chrisenglert3958]

This is the beginning of the end. Six Flags just as Disney are notorious for gouging people with prices, overwhelming us with stupid rules all designed to force us to spend more money. I was considering purchasing a season pass for my local park but now I think I will hold off until we know how bad things are going to get. You said it yourself "Enhance Profitability".

[@CorbincordelL]

I believe now all the parks will get some type of investment in the coming years let’s just wait and see what happens

[@BestDiddyDisciple]

I went to kings island like a week ago and was so suprised that when i got off mystic timbers they said have a great rest of your day at six flags

[@mdf3530]

For the season passes, I can see them keeping the Cedar Fair passes and the Six Flags Plus because that’s a good budget friendly option. The legacy Diamond Elite passes will be riding off intu the sunset.

[@20jennifer85]

I can't wait to see the changes at Six Flags Magic Mountain with this merger. Pretty soon, they're going to restore the observation tower and have two-train operation. It's all coming soon within the next two years. I feel like Six Flags Magic Mountain will finally get the much-needed love. I believe they are going to try to turn it into the West Coast Cedar Point, and I think a Giga coaster will finally be coming.

[@piggypig1092]

Can you make a video about how valley fair is flooding

[@CoasterStudios]

I heard the parking lot has reopened!

[@TheCoasterDude]

I’m also wondering how different it’s gonna feel entering these parks. Anytime I’ve visited a Cedar Fair park, it always felt well organized and professional whereas Six Flags had advertisements slapped everywhere and just seemed like some took minimal effort in general.

[@jonny-b4954]

We will likely see little in the way of good things for the consumer. Can you recall a corporate merger that directly improved your experience? I can't.... It was only done to ensure long term, quarterly profit growth. Not to improve guest experience, necessarily. If they think they can make more profit even at an acceptable expense of the consumer's experience, they will do it. Like, say, food prices in parks. Parking fees. Etc. Those are all in place because it's extra profit, that negatively affects the consumer, but not quite enough to make a difference in attendance. I don't think we will see that many negatives. Heck, maybe we will even see a couple good things for the consumer. But I'd wager it'll be nothing of note and in the end is just more corporate consolidation. Which I'm absolutely against. We really need to reign in consolidation to keep the free market competitive. 2 or 3 major corps controlling entire industries ISN'T a good thing. To be fair, it may be inevitable, regardless of what we do. But, corporate conglomerates are the modern day monopoly. Though, this is one industry that is still fairly regional/local, so it won't make much difference in that respect. I still don't like it. I'll always take 2 companies over 1.

[@levisimp3860]

What worries me is la Ronde, I know that park is a laughing stock for many enthusiasts but as an atlantic Canadian, it feels like one of the few big parks that is actually accessible, and would be heartbreaking to see it go

[@Shinyarc]

If Herschend broke into Canada, they could easily create a competing park for the Maritimes area. Imagine a park for Halifax or Quebec City with authentic local food and theming a la Silver Dollar City.

[@levisimp3860]

@@Shinyarc I would adore that

[@PolyRocketMatt]

The one question I have: Will Intamin get another shot?

[@joshuaheiny7764]

can't believe i have to celebrate the 4th knowing everything is now six flags☹️

[@PunyChicken]

thats why i hate this

[@Danrarbc]

Everything is now Cedar Fair. With a Six Flags mask on.

[@turnsout5061]

As a long time Cedar Fair Season Pass holder, and someone that has been going to Cedar Point at least a couple times a year for ages, I’m very concerned. Six Flags is not as well run of a company in my opinion, and in my experience, their parks are not on par with CF’s. Usually when mergers occur, the worse culture takes over. I’ve seen it happen and experienced it myself for companies I’ve worked for. Just look at what happened to Boeing when they acquired McDonnell-Douglas.

[@warrenguy76]

My membership price went up 60% this month. I hope that it allows membership holders access to all properties going forward.

[@brianfoss571]

Calling it now: Six Flags America closes their dry park. Batwing goes to Valleyfair! Joker's Jinx goes to Worlds of Fun Harley Quinn Spinsanity goes to Dorney Superman goes to Michigan's Adventure EDIT: Superman would actually be a shockingly good fit in Kings Dominion's lineup, now that I think about it. Would balance out the park well tucked behind Twisted Timbers!

[@Cayden_scherbarth1]

Did u guys address the recent Superman efk situation 😅

[@abdhashmi]

Will this mean more or less clones?!

[@davidgreene6607]

Fast Lane vs Flash Pass?

[@MCQ-fq6bv]

Wouldn't expect to see an all park pass till 2026. Also, even then it might be ideal to go with a passport like system. They could offer regional passports(Midwest, South, Atlantic Coast, etc,,) and then a mega passport for all parks. Offering a California or Texas pass, like United Parks does with Florida pass for Busch Gardens Tampa and Sea World Orlando, might also make sense. CA pass would work for Knotts, SFMM, SFDK, CGA and the Concord water park. The CA people are somewhat isolated as the next closest park outside of CA is minimum 1500 miles

[@PiplupJames]

Brand new ballgame now!! I really hope it’ll go well. I stated in my personal video that I’m kinda glad that the Simon Malls didn’t buy its competitor (GGP, who was bankrupt during the ‘09 economic collapse). But this is theme parks. Let’s just see y’all 🐧

[@GCNMMA]

Honestly this could end up being very good. I think Cedar Fair’s C-Suite are much more likely to add innovative rides to six flags parks than Six Flags’ Corporate

[@Danrarbc]

Actually Six Flags historically has always been more likely to take risks on prototypes. I would think this REDUCES the chances of innovation.

[@GCNMMA]

@@Danrarbc I gotta disagree. If you take Great Adventure, Magic Mountain, and Texas out the mix, we got multiple parks with very similar to near identical rides

[@somsizzle9104]

Well I’ve been to two six flags parks : Valley fair & Knotts berry farm so not many but they are both great

[@brandoncole5533]

🤣

[@christianortiz-v1l]

That new logo tbh looks not good, the old SF logo was alot better.

[@archimetropolis]

One flag

[@PunyChicken]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@christianortiz-v1l]

@@archimetropolis Six Flags! More flags, MORE FUN!

[@porcelainthunder2213]

Now Cedar Fair parks will get Six Flags hand-me-down rides. The quality of the Cedar Fair parks will start deteriorating, and parks will likely close.

[@Themeparkfan630]

Cedar fair is in charge.

[@Frankenberry]

Heartbroken... I was so praying this would fall apart somehow. It makes me really uneasy. I guess the next 5 or 6 years will tell the tale. But I fear that it's gonna be a downhill slide. Regardless of what the say about "enhanced profitability"... I see more of a financial drain. Not to mention the lack of competition which will lead to a lack of a need to build exciting attractions. I think back on when cedar fair bought the Paramount parks... Before that... Both cedar point and kings island got a big new attraction nearly every year... Sometimes two... AFTER the buy out.. that slowed dramatically. I get the feeling that this is gonna do the same thing on an even larger scale. I pray I'm wrong... But I don't think I am. And I disagree completely about the six flags name... It's recognizable yes... But for all the wrong reasons. It's long been known as the discount chain... The parks (aside from a handful) are not that nice... And their operations aren't that great. They left a bad taste in my mouth after what they did to my home park... Kentucky Kingdom. Not a six flags fan at all.

[@jolietpinball7439]

Kentucky Kingdom was an oddball situation, in that the Kentucky State Fair/fairgrounds owns he land, and when Six Flags wanted to renegotiate the lease after bankruptcy, they declined, and SF pulled out. So, the state government essentially decided it was better to have no park for 4 years...and a few attempts by others to revive the park failed. It seems to me the KY State Fair was more at fault than SF for the park closing. The parking situation for those with season parking was really messed up back then, and that continued at least up until a few years ago. This red tape and bureaucracy is/was the fault of the KY State Fair.

[@Frankenberry]

@@jolietpinball7439 There's a lot more to the story than that... what you said about the Fairgrounds is true... but that's not the complete problem, and my problem with Six flags started long before that. Not long after they took over the park, they almost immediately started ripping out coasters and sending them to other parks... Including our best coaster, a B&M Stand up named Chang... that's now known as Green Lantern at Six Flags Great Adventure, where it still runs to this day. When it was announced they were taking over the park, I actually got really excited.. because I thought "awesome, a major chain owns the park now, it's probably gonna grow and we're gonna get more and bigger coasters, etc." But the EXACT opposite happened. Since then, I've just really not had a very good opinion of six flags, and I've never went to another six flags park since the day they walked away from Ky. Kingdom. Sadly, Now they're gonna be involved with my two favorite parks... So.. yeah, I'm not real happy about it.

[@stormchaser419]

I wonder if they will charge $99 for an all parks pass. Maybe $145 for roughly 34 parks?

[@Danrarbc]

It’s going to cost as least as much as the Cedar Fair all parks pass.

[@jarrodholbrook6176]

Honestly I hope they get Jeffrey Siebert to teach all the park mgmt a matter class on how to run a park and clean up all the parks for the first year. And they need to take a year off rides from the big parks and put something great into the parks that haven’t had a major addition in a while cause if they don’t it’s less likely for travelers to go out of their way to that park and hurting attendance growth. SFA, Darien, Mi Adventure, SFSTl, and Valleyfair all need a new massive stand out coaster. SFA, how about a multi launch coaster like Maverick. Darien- get them a S&S axis. Mi Adventure a gerstlauer infinity or a small surf coaster. St Louis needs a hyper. And Valleyfair needs an invert, how about a massive Vekoma stc and throw in a family boomerang as well.