Six Flags facts for kids
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| Public | |
| Traded as |
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| Industry | Theme parks |
| Predecessors |
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| Founded | July 2, 2024 |
| Headquarters | Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. |
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Number of locations
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50 |
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Area served
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Key people
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Selim Bassoul (executive chairman) John Reilly (president and CEO) |
| Revenue |  US$2.71 billion (2024) |
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Operating income
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US$311 million (2024) |
| US$207 million (2024) |
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| Total assets | US$9.13 billion (2024) |
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Number of employees
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5,000 full-time, 93,000 seasonal and part-time (2024) |
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is a big American company that owns and runs many fun places like amusement parks, water parks, and resorts. Its main office is in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It has 50 properties across North America, including 26 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and 9 resorts. This makes it the largest regional theme park operator in North America. In 2024, over 50 million people visited Six Flags parks, making it one of the most popular theme park companies worldwide.
This company started on July 2, 2024. It was created when two big rivals, Cedar Fair and the original Six Flags company, joined together. This big merger was worth about $8 billion. The new company kept the Six Flags name. It also uses Cedar Fair's stock symbol "FUN" on the New York Stock Exchange. Most of the ownership (51.2%) went to the former Cedar Fair owners.
Contents
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation: Your Guide to Thrilling Parks
How Six Flags Entertainment Began
The Original Six Flags Company
The first Six Flags park, Six Flags Over Texas, opened in August 1961. It was created by Angus G. Wynne and other investors. Over the years, the company built new parks and bought others. In 1984, Six Flags bought the Great America theme park. This deal also gave them the rights to use Warner Bros.' famous Looney Tunes characters in their parks.
Later, from 1993 to 1995, Time Warner owned Six Flags. Then, in 1998, a company called Premier Parks bought Six Flags. Premier Parks started changing the names of its own parks to Six Flags. By 2000, the company was fully known as Six Flags.
In the 2000s, the company faced financial challenges and became very large and complex. They sold some parks, including those in Europe. In 2005, some investors wanted changes in how the company was run. More parks were sold between 2006 and 2007.
Because of a big economic downturn in 2008, Six Flags had to reorganize its finances in 2009. However, the parks stayed open. In 2010, the company came out of this financial reorganization as Six Flags Entertainment Corp. Its main office moved to Grand Prairie, Texas.
Later, Six Flags tried to build parks in other countries, like Dubai and China. But these plans faced problems and were eventually canceled or sold. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many Six Flags parks to close for a while. In 2021, a new CEO, Selim Bassoul, tried a new plan. He wanted to improve guest experience by raising prices and having fewer people in the parks. However, this idea was not popular with everyone, and fewer people visited the parks. So, this plan was stopped in 2022.
Cedar Fair's Story
The Big Merger: Six Flags and Cedar Fair Unite
Before 2024, there were a few attempts for Cedar Fair to join with other companies, but these deals did not happen. For example, in 2019, Six Flags offered to buy Cedar Fair, but Cedar Fair said no. In 2022, another company, SeaWorld, also tried to buy Cedar Fair, but that offer was also turned down.
Then, on November 2, 2023, Six Flags and Cedar Fair announced they would merge. They called it a "merger of equals." This meant they were joining to create a new, bigger company. The new company kept the Six Flags name. This merger created a company worth $8 billion. It now owns 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and 9 resorts. This made it the largest amusement park operator in North America.
The owners of Cedar Fair became the majority owners of the new company, holding 51.2% of the shares. The merger was approved by the US government in July 2024. It was officially completed on July 1, 2024.
What Happened After the Merger
New Leadership and Park Changes
After the merger on July 1, 2024, Richard Zimmerman, who was the CEO of Cedar Fair, became the CEO of the new Six Flags company. Selim Bassoul, the former CEO of the old Six Flags, became the executive chairman. The new company's main office moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Important business operations are also handled at Cedar Fair's former headquarters in Sandusky, Ohio. Six Flags announced that the parks would keep their original names and that no big changes were planned at the park level.
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The stocks for the old Cedar Fair and Six Flags companies stopped trading. The new Six Flags Entertainment Corporation started trading on July 2, 2024. It kept the Six Flags name and Cedar Fair's stock symbol, "FUN."
Park Closures and Future Plans
In late 2024, Six Flags announced plans to improve its collection of parks. This might include closing or selling some locations. On May 1, 2025, Six Flags shared that the Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor Maryland park complex in Woodmore, Maryland, closed on November 2, 2025.
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On August 6, 2025, Richard Zimmerman stepped down as CEO and president. John Reilly was announced as his replacement on November 24, 2025. Mr. Reilly, who had worked at other park companies, became the new CEO on December 8, 2025.
Explore the Parks: Six Flags Entertainment Properties
Amazing Amusement Parks
Ex-Cedar Fair properties Ex–Six Flags (1961–2024) properties
| Name | Location | Year opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California's Great America | Santa Clara, California | 1976 | Became part of Cedar Fair in 2006. The park is expected to close by 2033. |
| Canada's Wonderland | Vaughan, Ontario | 1981 | Became part of Cedar Fair in 2006. |
| Carowinds | Charlotte, North Carolina | 1973 | Became part of Cedar Fair in 2006. |
| Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 1870 | This is the oldest park in the company. |
| Dorney Park | Allentown, Pennsylvania | 1884 | Cedar Fair acquired this park in 1992. |
| Frontier City | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | 1958 | The former Six Flags company began operating this park in 2018. |
| Kings Dominion | Doswell, Virginia | 1975 | Became part of Cedar Fair in 2006. |
| Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | 1972 | Became part of Cedar Fair in 2006. |
| Knott's Berry Farm | Buena Park, California | 1920 | Cedar Fair acquired this park in 1997. |
| La Ronde | Montréal, Quebec | 1967 | The former Six Flags company began operating this park in 2001. |
| Michigan's Adventure | Muskegon, Michigan | 1956 | Cedar Fair acquired this park in 2001. |
| Six Flags Darien Lake | Darien, New York | 1981 | The former Six Flags company began operating this park in 2018. |
| Six Flags Discovery Kingdom | Vallejo, California | 1968 | The former Six Flags company acquired this park in 2007. |
| Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 1992 | The former Six Flags company acquired this park in 1998. |
| Six Flags Great Adventure | Jackson, New Jersey | 1974 | This park is part of the Six Flags Great Adventure Resort. The former Six Flags company acquired it in 1977. |
| Six Flags Great America | Gurnee, Illinois | 1976 | The former Six Flags company acquired this park in 1984. |
| Six Flags Great Escape | Queensbury, New York | 1954 | The former Six Flags company acquired this park in 1996. |
| Six Flags Magic Mountain | Valencia, California | 1971 | The former Six Flags company acquired this park in 1979. |
| Six Flags México | Mexico City, Mexico | 1982 | The former Six Flags company acquired this park in 1999. |
| Six Flags New England | Agawam, Massachusetts | 1870 | This is one of the two oldest parks in the chain. The former Six Flags company acquired it in 1996. |
| Six Flags Over Georgia | Austell, Georgia | 1967 | Six Flags manages and operates this park. They will fully own it by January 2027. |
| Six Flags Over Texas | Arlington, Texas | 1961 | This was the first theme park built by the former Six Flags company. Six Flags manages and operates most of it. |
| Six Flags St. Louis | Eureka, Missouri | 1971 | This park was once known as Six Flags Over Mid-America. |
| Valleyfair | Shakopee, Minnesota | 1976 | Became part of Cedar Fair in 1978. |
| Worlds of Fun | Kansas City, Missouri | 1973 | Cedar Fair acquired this park in 1995. |
Fun Water Parks
Outdoor Water Parks
| Name | Location | Year opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Located in amusement parks | |||
| Carolina Harbor | Charlotte, North Carolina | 1982 | This water park is inside Carowinds. It became part of Cedar Fair in 2006. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor | Queensbury, New York | 1995 | This water park is inside Six Flags Great Escape. It was acquired by the former Six Flags company in 1996. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor | Austell, Georgia | 2014 | This water park is inside Six Flags Over Georgia. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor | Eureka, Missouri | 1999 | This water park is next to Six Flags St. Louis. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Darien Lake | Darien, New York | 1990 | This water park is inside Six Flags Darien Lake. The former Six Flags company began operating it in 2018. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor New England | Agawam, Massachusetts | 1997 | This water park is inside Six Flags New England. |
| Oceans of Fun | Kansas City, Missouri | 1982 | This water park is next to Worlds of Fun. Cedar Fair acquired it in 1995. |
| Soak City | Doswell, Virginia | 1992 | This water park is inside Kings Dominion. It became part of Cedar Fair in 2006. |
| Soak City | Mason, Ohio | 1989 | This water park is next to Kings Island. It became part of Cedar Fair in 2006. |
| Soak City | Shakopee, Minnesota | 1983 | This water park is inside Valleyfair. |
| South Bay Shores | Santa Clara, California | 2004 | This water park is inside California's Great America. It became part of Cedar Fair in 2006. |
| Splash Works | Vaughan, Ontario | 1992 | This water park is next to Canada's Wonderland. It became part of Cedar Fair in 2006. |
| WildWater Adventure | Muskegon, Michigan | 1991 | This water park is next to Michigan's Adventure. Cedar Fair acquired it in 2001. |
| Wildwater Kingdom | Allentown, Pennsylvania | 1985 | Cedar Fair acquired this water park in 1992. It is located at Dorney Park. |
| Wild West Water Works | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | 2017 | This water park is inside Frontier City. The former Six Flags company began operating it in 2018. |
| Separate admission or property | |||
| Cedar Point Shores | Sandusky, Ohio | 1988 | This water park is next to Cedar Point. |
| Knott's Soak City | Buena Park, California | 2000 | This water park is next to Knott's Berry Farm. |
| Schlitterbahn Galveston | Galveston, Texas | 2006 | Cedar Fair purchased this park in 2019. |
| Schlitterbahn New Braunfels | New Braunfels, Texas | 1979 | Cedar Fair purchased this park in 2019. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Arlington | Arlington, Texas | 1983 | This water park is across the highway from Six Flags Over Texas. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord | Concord, California | 1995 | The former Six Flags company began operating this park in 2017. It is about 15 miles from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago | Gurnee, Illinois | 2005 | This water park is next to Six Flags Great America. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles | Valencia, California | 1995 | This water park is next to Six Flags Magic Mountain. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor New Jersey | Jackson, New Jersey | 2000 | This water park is part of the Six Flags Great Adventure Resort. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oaxtepec | Oaxtepec, Mexico | 2017 | The former Six Flags company purchased this park in 2017. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | 1981 | This water park is about 15 miles from Frontier City. Six Flags operates it. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix | Phoenix, Arizona | 2009 | Six Flags operates this park. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford | Cherry Valley, Illinois | 1984 | Six Flags operates this park under a lease agreement since 2019. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor San Antonio | San Antonio, Texas | 1992 | This water park is next to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown | Spring, Texas | 1984 | The former Six Flags company began operating this park in 2017. |
| Six Flags White Water | Marietta, Georgia | 1983 | This water park is about 15 miles from Six Flags Over Georgia. Six Flags operates it and will fully own it in 2027. |
Indoor Water Parks
| Name | Location | Year opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castaway Bay | Sandusky, Ohio | 2004 | This water park is inside the resort of the same name. |
| White Water Bay | Queensbury, New York | 2006 | This water park is inside Six Flags Great Escape Lodge. |
Wild Safari Adventures
| Name | Location | Year opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Six Flags Wild Safari Adventure | Jackson, New Jersey | 1974 | This safari park is located in the Six Flags Great Adventure Resort. |
Places to Stay: Resorts
| Name | Location | Year opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castaway Bay | Sandusky, Ohio | 2004 | This resort is about a mile from Cedar Point. It has an indoor water park. |
| Six Flags Darien Lake Hotel & Campground | Darien, New York | 1954 | This resort is across from Six Flags Darien Lake. It includes a hotel, campground, and other facilities. |
| Six Flags Great Escape Lodge | Queensbury, New York | 2006 | This lodge is across from Six Flags Great Escape. It has the White Water Bay Waterpark inside. |
| Six Flags Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa | Jackson, New Jersey | 2024 | This resort is located within the Six Flags Great Adventure Resort. |
Exciting New Parks Coming Soon
Future Amusement Parks
| Name | Location | Year opening | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Six Flags Qiddiya City | Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia | 2025 (expected) | This will be the first Six Flags theme park in Saudi Arabia. It will also be the first Six Flags park outside North America since 2004. |
Parks That Are No Longer Part of Six Flags
| Name | Location | Year opened | Year closed/sold | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Six Flags America | Woodmore, Maryland | 1974 | 2025 | The former Six Flags company acquired this park in 1992. The park closed on November 2, 2025. |
| Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Maryland | Woodmore, Maryland | 1982 | 2025 | This water park was inside Six Flags America. The former Six Flags company acquired it in 1992. The park closed on September 6, 2025. |
Skip the Line: Fast Lane and The Flash Pass
Fast Lane: Your Express Pass
Fast Lane is a special system at Six Flags parks that lets you get on rides faster. It was first used at parks that were part of Cedar Fair. It started at Kings Island in 2011 as a test. If you pay extra, you get a wristband that lets you use a shorter line for most rides. At first, it was only available for part of the day, but now it's available all day. By 2012, all Cedar Fair parks offered Fast Lane. There is also Fright Lane, which is a Fast Lane for haunted attractions during Halloween events. By 2019, all Cedar Fair parks offered Fast Lane for the whole season.
All the parks that were originally Six Flags will start using Fast Lane in January 2026. This means the Flash Pass system will be retired.
The Flash Pass: A Virtual Queue System
The Flash Pass is an extra system that guests could pay for at Six Flags parks before the merger. It was named after the DC Comics character The Flash. This system let guests reserve their spot in line for certain rides. Guests used handheld devices to make reservations and get alerts when it was their turn. Later, guests could also scan a QR code on signs or use a mobile app to buy Flash Passes. This feature was added in 2021.
A water park version, called Q-band, was tested in 2011. Guests wore waterproof wristbands that they could scan at kiosks for water park rides.
The Flash Pass system is being replaced by the Fast Lane system. It is expected to be fully removed by the end of the 2025 season. All former Six Flags parks will switch to Fast Lane in 2026.
More Fun to Discover
- Holiday in the Park
- Incidents at Six Flags parks
- Six Flags Fright Fest
