Six Flags Entertainment Corporation , often referred to simply as Six Flags , is an American amusement park corporation headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina , United States. It was formed on July 2, 2024, following a merger between longtime rivals Cedar Fair and the former Six Flags company . The combined company owns and operates 51 properties throughout North America , including amusement parks, water parks , and resorts.
69-533: Six Flags Theme Parks originated in with the creation of The Great Southwest Corporation by Angus G. Wynne and other investors, who would go on to open the chain's original park, Six Flags Over Texas , in August 1961. After the Pennsylvania Railroad gained a controlling stake in the company's shares, a handful of new parks were constructed, and multiple independently-owned parks were purchased over
138-505: A proxy battle . New management continued to sell off various American amusement park locations throughout 2006-2007, although their cash flow continued to decrease, falling $ 120 million annually under Red Zone's board. Weighed down by the financial crisis of 2007–2008 and the New York Stock Exchange 's decision to delist their stock, Six Flags filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2009 but continued to operate
207-423: A "cash incentive program." According to the suit, the contract establishing the incentive program wasn't valid. Wynne, Jr. was also accused of being too aggressive and expansionistic at a time when the company was suffering from liquidity problems. Wynne, Jr. and the other officers countersued the company alleging they were rightfully owed the money they were given, and won. In 1975, Great Southwest Corp completed
276-582: A $ 154 million debt restructuring to prevent filing for bankruptcy following the bankruptcy of its parent company Penn Central Transportation. In September 1974, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged David C. Bevan, William R. Gerstnecker, and three others with fraud. Bevan and Gerstnecker were charged with misappropriating and illegally diverting part of a $ 100 million from July 1969 to November 1, 1970, as well as committing mail-fraud in an attempt to cover up their actions. Both men were acquitted in 1977, when judge John William Ditter Jr. dismissed
345-471: A bathing beach resort in the 1870s, and its growing popularity as a recreational destination led to the formation of Cedar Point Pleasure Resort Company in 1887. The company was founded with the purpose of expanding the resort commercially. An economic depression in the 1890s threatened the resort's future, however. A newly formed business, Cedar Point Pleasure Resort Company of Indiana led by George Arthur Boeckling , purchased Cedar Point for $ 256,000 in 1897. It
414-487: A cash transaction valued at US$ 1.24 billion. Shortly following the transfer of ownership, Cedar Fair began the process of integrating the two companies. With the purchase of the Paramount Parks, Cedar Fair LP announced that it would do business under the name Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. Cedar Fair LP remains the legal company name. The individual parks continued to operate under their Paramount names during
483-412: A cash-and-stock acquisition offer, although the proposal was quickly rebuffed. In February 2022, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (now United Parks & Resorts) made an unsolicited all-cash bid to buy Cedar Fair for $ 3.4 billion; the offer was rejected two weeks later. Six Flags and Cedar Fair eventually merged in 2024 after announcing the pending agreement in 2023. Described as a "merger of equals",
552-569: A letter of intent to purchase Six Flags for roughly $ 140 million. The purchase resulted in the name reverting back to the Six Flags alone, and Great Southwest Corp continued selling off the properties in Arlington's industrial district. When the last available parcel of land was sold in January 1986, GSC was closed. On July 20, 1977, the company established GSC/Six Flags Productions with
621-636: A new company and retaining the Six Flags name. Announced in November 2023 as a merger of equals , former Cedar Fair leadership remained in control of the new company, along with two former Six Flags executives. The company's headquarters will reside in Charlotte, North Carolina , a site once occupied by Paramount Parks before its acquisition by Cedar Fair in 2006, while the company will continue to use its Sandusky office location for financial and administrative operations. Cedar Point Amusement Park began as
690-467: A real estate development company, for $ 310 million. Cedar Fair signed an 11-year lease from the buyer and intends to close the park at the conclusion of the lease. On November 2, 2023, Cedar Fair announced plans to merge with Six Flags , forming a new company and retaining the Six Flags name. Described as a "merger of equals", former Cedar Fair management will remain in control of the new company, which will be headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina ,
759-552: A site once occupied by Paramount Parks before being acquired by Cedar Fair in 2006. Some financial and administrative operations will continue to reside in Sandusky, Ohio. The combined company was projected to have 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and 9 resort properties in its portfolio and would operate under the Six Flags name with plans to use Cedar Fair's stock exchange ticker symbol , FUN. President and CEO of Cedar Fair, Richard Zimmerman, will serve as President and CEO of
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#1732798347639828-413: A ten-year licensing deal for Paramount names and icons, such as Star Trek , Cedar Fair opted to terminate the agreement and not pay an annual licensing fee. All references to Paramount/CBS-licensed properties were removed before the beginning of the 2008 season. This deal also included a four-year licensing deal for Nickelodeon names and icons, such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Rugrats , this agreement
897-645: A theme park dubbed "Southwestland." During the planning stages of the expansion, Arlington mayor Tom Vandergriff advised that Wynne and his family should visit the recently opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California . This visit inspired Wynne to change his plans, realizing he should build a park that celebrated Texas history . Under the leadership of Wynne, the Great Southwest Corporation hired former Disneyland vice-president Cornelius Vanderbilt Wood 's firm Marco Engineering to help design
966-590: Is their turn to ride. Another iteration is where guests can scan a QR code on in-park signs or through the mobile app, and guests can buy individual Flash Passes per ride or use their season pass or membership Flash Pass. This feature was adopted in 2021. A water park version of the virtual system called Q-band was first tested at Six Flags White Water in 2011. Guests wear waterproof RFID wristbands that can be scanned at kiosks near participating water park attractions. Great Southwest Corporation The Great Southwest Corporation , officially abbreviated as GSC
1035-517: The Board of directors . A new board was established with Wynne, Jr., Palmieri, among others. Wynne, Jr. along with three other executives were deposed from their positions with Great Southwest Corp. In November 1970 the company filed a suit in the Orange County, California Superior Court alleging the employees were overcompensated. It was claimed Wynne had been over paid by $ 3 million as part of
1104-754: The Disneyland Resort . He officially became CEO on January 3. Cedar Fair launched new websites for their parks in 2012 as well as a new marketing campaign, Thrills Connect . On November 20, 2012, Cedar Fair announced it had sold its Knott's Soak City: San Diego location to SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment . About nine months later, Cedar Fair announced it had sold its Knott's Soak City: Palm Springs location to CNL Lifestyle Properties . Cedar Fair's portfolio, according to an SEC report filed in 2013, contained eleven amusement parks, four outdoor water parks, one indoor water park, and five hotels. On September 5, 2016, Cedar Fair closed Wildwater Kingdom,
1173-735: The Interstate Commerce Commission gave Wynne and the Great Southwest Corp permission to build its railroad. Great Southwest Corporation established Great Southwest Railroad, Inc., for its construction. The new line was built between the Industrial District connected to the Texas and Pacific Railway and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad . Despite the addition of the new railroad,
1242-579: The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota . In 2005, Cedar Fair withdrew from the lease arrangement leaving Mall of America to manage the park on its own. Mall of America formed a partnership with the Nickelodeon franchise in 2007 and continues to operate under the name Nickelodeon Universe . Several new water park properties named Knott's Soak City opened around the southern California area since
1311-555: The Waggoner Ranch for $ 6 million to the newly created Great Southwest Corporation. The land was purchased for the rumored industrial park, and it was confirmed Zackendorf's firm Webb and Knapp and the Wynnes' American Home Realty Company would be associated with running the new corporation, with Angus G. Wynne Jr being named as the president. The first payment of $ 500,000 was presented to Waggoner with Angus Wynne's signature on
1380-538: The cashier's check . The industrial park was expected to employ 100,000 people. On January 11, Milton L. Stern of Toronto, Canada, filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order against the development. Stern claimed to have to have come up with the initial idea of the industrial park, and was forced out by Barr and Zeckendorf. When asked for a comment by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram , Zeckendorf Jr said, "we have no moral or legal obligation to
1449-490: The $ 300 Million lawsuit, though held that Texas Industrial Ventures was entitled to repurchase within 60-days from Webb & Knapp six tracks of land involved for $ 18,000. Construction on the first warehouse to make up the Great Southwest Industrial District commenced in 1956. In July, it was announced Nelson , Laurance , David , Winthrop , and John D. Rockefeller III would join
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#17327983476391518-538: The 2006 season, however Cedar Fair began removing the Paramount name and logo from the parks in January 2007. The names of the parks were changed back to their original pre-Paramount names (the Paramount's prefix was removed) with the Cedar Fair corporate logo added. Bonfante Gardens was changed to Gilroy Gardens. Cedar Fair began removing references to Paramount Pictures . Although the acquisition granted Cedar Fair
1587-537: The Atlanta area for a new theme park location, which would go on to be Six Flags Over Georgia . Wynne subsequently expanded Six Flags in 1967 with a second original park, Six Flags Over Georgia, which is located just outside Atlanta, Georgia In July 1970, Angus G. Wynne, Jr. was promoted to president and chief executive officer, from the role of a chairman. Later that month Great Southwest Corp.'s parent company Penn Central Transportation Company applied to reorganize
1656-596: The Barr Construction Company, and Toddie Lee Wynne , president of the American Liberty Oil Company. Before the group could board their a private plane to take them to Matagorda Island , they were pushed for answers from the press. Zeckendorf declared any official comment would come from either Angus or Toddie Lee Wynne . On Tuesday, January 10, 1956, it was announced Paul Waggoner was selling 2,500-acres of his portion of
1725-491: The Industrial Park struggled to succeed in selling retail and warehouse space to prospective businesses. In response Wynne conceived the idea of a nearby sports complex to draw in customers. In April 1958, Great Southwest Corporation, Rockefeller Center, Inc. , and Webb & Knapp presented to the public a large expansion that would feature a sports complex with a rifle range , driving range , bowling alley , and
1794-602: The Six Flags name to several of their existing properties in North America and Europe, eventually fully assuming the brand name in 2000. Throughout the 2000's, Six Flags began to suffer from growing debt and organizational bloat, eventually resorting to selling off assets like its European parks and Worlds of Adventure in 2004. Some of the company's largest investors grew frustrated with Six Flags and demanded change; Daniel Snyder 's Red Zone, LLC successfully gained control of Six Flags' board of directors in 2005 by means of
1863-465: The Wynnes, and Webb & Knapp in developing the industrial park. In November 1956, Wynne was pushing for a Private railway to be constructed for the new development. He said, "We felt that multiple rail service is so desirable for our tenants that, should it become necessary, we should provide it through a privately operated truck line railroad." Construction continued through 1957, and in June 1958
1932-536: The acquisition which included Buena Park in 1999, Chula Vista in 2000 and Palm Springs in 2001. Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon, Michigan was purchased for $ 27.6 million in 2001. Cedar Fair opened its first indoor water park in November 2004, Castaway Bay . It was added to the former Radisson Hotel which was then renamed. The indoor waterpark resort is open year-round. Larger acquisitions followed in 2004 with Six Flags Worlds of Adventure . Cedar Fair purchased
2001-666: The animals. The amusement park remained in Cedar Fair's portfolio through 2007, and the water park continued to operate as Wildwater Kingdom through 2016. On May 22, 2006, Cedar Fair announced it had outbid competitors and intended to purchase all five parks in the Paramount Parks chain, including Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton and the management agreement of Bonfante Gardens . On June 30, 2006, Cedar Fair announced that it had completed its acquisition of Paramount Parks from CBS Corporation in
2070-606: The board with Stuart T. Saunders, as Chairman of the Board, David C. Bevan, as chairman of its finance committee, W. R. Gerstnecker, as treasurer. Following the sale, O.P. Corley, and George Thompson Jr both resigned from the Board of Directors. In 1965, Wynne revealed the Great Southwest Corporation created a new wholly owned subsidiary the Great Southwest Atlanta Corporation. The new company had bought 3,000 acres of land for more than $ 3 million in
2139-518: The case. In January 1979, Penn Central consolidated and restructured, merging Six Flags into Great Southwest Corp, instead of the former reporting to the latter. The new entity was named GSC/Six Flags Corp , headquartered out of Los Angeles the new company oversaw the theme parks, wax museums, and real estate properties. Bruce C. Juell who was president of Great Southwest Corp. was elected chairman and chief executive officer. Ned DeWitt II, vice president of Great Southwest, and president of Six Flags,
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2208-479: The combined company retained the Six Flags name, formed a net worth of $ 8 billion, and created a portfolio of 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and 9 resort properties. The transition resulted in Cedar Fair stakeholders becoming majority owners, with "unitholders" owning a 51% stake in the new company. President and CEO of Cedar Fair, Richard Zimmerman, became President and CEO of the new combined company, while Selim Bassoul, former President and CEO of Six Flags, became
2277-504: The company under bankruptcy laws. This resulted in Great Southwest having money difficulties because certain credit facilities have been terminated or suspended, and because other cash-producing operations were forced to cease temporarily. In October 1970 Penn Central selected Victor Palmieri as Wynne's successor as president and chief executive officer. At the same time, Angus G. Wynne, Sr. and five other directors resigned from
2346-419: The contract. On February 1, 2022, news broke that SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment made an unsolicited all-cash bid to buy Cedar Fair for $ 3.4 billion. Exactly two weeks later, on February 15, 2022, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment issued a statement that the offer had been rejected. In June 2022, the company announced that it was selling the land occupied by California's Great America to Prologis ,
2415-436: The current company's two predecessors. Fast Lane is an expedited queue system in use at parks formerly associated with Cedar Fair. It was first announced for Kings Island on July 18, 2011. The park served as the testing park for the system. For an increased cost, visitors get a wrist band which gives them the ability to wait in a shorter queue for most attractions. Originally, it could only be used from noon to 7:00 PM, but it
2484-493: The executive chairman of the company's board of directors. The combined company's new headquarters is scheduled for relocation to Charlotte, North Carolina , with significant administrative and financial operations being located at Cedar Fair's former headquarters in Sandusky, Ohio . The merger was completed on July 1, 2024. Year acquired lists the year the property was acquired by the property's previous respective owner among
2553-518: The following two decades. Following the acquisition of Marriott Corporation 's Great America theme park in 1984, Six Flags acquired the rights to feature Warner Bros. ' Looney Tunes animated characters at their properties; Time Warner subsequently purchased much of the company and was its sole owner from 1993 to 1995. Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. was later bought out by Premier Parks – an Oklahoma-based real estate firm and theme park chain – on April 1, 1998, for $ 1.86 billion. Premier began to apply
2622-486: The former director of State Fair of Texas , and Joe Lambert who was experienced in Landscape lighting . All of the men were hired to ensure the park met Wynne's expectations. When Six Flags Over Texas opened on August 5, 1961, it was a massive success bringing in 8,374 visitors opening day. In 1962 Great Southwest posted its first profit since its inception in 1956, proving Wynne's gamble paid off. In June 1964, it
2691-508: The intention of producing films. In 1978, the company co-created two films, The Kid From Not-So-Big which starred Veronica Cartwright and Barnaby and Me . The Kid From Not-So-Big was filmed in Los Angeles, California . Cedar Fair Cedar Fair Entertainment Company , or simply Cedar Fair , was an American company headquartered at its flagship Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio , United States. The company
2760-467: The last operating part of the former Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom. A portion of the land that once contained both properties has since been redeveloped. On October 4, 2017, Cedar Fair announced that Ouimet would step down as CEO and be succeeded by COO Richard Zimmerman on January 1, 2018. Ouimet would remain with the company, taking the newly created position of executive chairman of the board of directors. On March 27, 2019, Cedar Fair announced it
2829-402: The man whatsoever." In his petition, Stern stated he obtained options on some of the land within the limits of the proposed development back on September 15, 1955. The petition stated he received a letter of intention from Zeckendorf Sr. on October 5, 1955. Though they never had a written contract, he considered the letter of intent binding. After 12 days of arguments Judge Paul Peurifoy rejected
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2898-467: The merger. The system, named after DC Comics character The Flash , allows guests to reserve places in line at participating attractions, and access must be purchased for a nominal fee in addition to the general park admission price. The first iteration, called Q-bot, was designed by Lo-Q and was first implemented at Six Flags Over Georgia in 2001. Guests are given handheld devices, which are then used to make reservations and receive notifications when it
2967-538: The new Cedar Fair company came in 1992 when Cedar Fair bought Dorney Park from Harris Weinstein. Cedar Fair also bought Worlds of Fun from Hunt-Midwest in 1995. One of the biggest acquisitions came in 1997 when Cedar Fair bought Knott's Berry Farm from the Knott family. This marked the first time Cedar Fair operated a year-round amusement park. The acquisition included operations of the Camp Snoopy indoor park at
3036-402: The new combined company, while Selim Bassoul, President and CEO of Six Flags, would become the executive chairman of the company's board of directors. On July 1, 2024, the merger was successfully completed. Fast Lane is an expedited queue system in use at parks formerly associated with Cedar Fair. It was first announced for Kings Island on July 18, 2011. The park served as the testing park for
3105-539: The offer was turned down. On July 29, 2021, Cedar Fair announced the submission of plans to the City of Sandusky to build a $ 28 million esports arena expansion of the Cedar Fair Sports Center. Targeted opening in the first half of 2023 On December 31, 2021, the contract to manage Gilroy Gardens expired. Both Gilroy Gardens Inc., the nonprofit that owns the park, and Cedar Fair agreed not to renew
3174-439: The park for $ 145 million, reverting its name to Geauga Lake, as it was before its Six Flags branding in 2000. Subsequently, Cedar Fair stripped the park of all references to Looney Tunes and DC Comics characters which were licensed properties owned by Six Flags. The zoological and marine life portion of the complex ( SeaWorld Ohio ), which was annexed to the theme park in 2001, was also shuttered. Six Flags retained ownership of
3243-399: The park. In January 1960, Great Southwest announced its intention to issue $ 11,500,000 in stocks and debentures to finance the construction. By April, the new complex was under a news and advertising blackout after it was advised the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules stated, "a publicity silence must be observed on ventures offering stock to the public." At the same time it
3312-495: The parks as normal. Six Flags re-emerged as Six Flags Entertainment Corp. on May 3, 2010, moving head offices from New York City to Grand Prairie, Texas and allowing lenders to control 92% of the company in exchange for canceling $ 1.13 billion in debt. Jim Reid-Anderson was instated as chairman , president and chief executive officer (CEO) on August 13, 2010 and succeeded by Mike Spanos in late 2019. New initiatives were launched to build Six Flags theme parks in global markets;
3381-486: The previously cancelled Six Flags Dubai was revived in 2014 before being called off again in 2018. Six Flags Zhejiang and Six Flags Chongqing both began construction in China before a declining real estate and the collapse of its local investment firm in 2020 forced both projects to be sold on to other developers. The COVID-19 pandemic also hindered Six Flags' operations during 2020, forcing many parks to remain closed for
3450-502: The proposed transaction. Cedar Fair also adopted a unitholder rights plan as a preventative measure to help protect unitholders in the event of any future hostile takeover . On September 16, 2011, JMA Ventures, LLC entered into an agreement to purchase California's Great America from Cedar Fair and take ownership of the Gilroy Gardens management contract. The agreement required approval of Santa Clara's city council which
3519-564: The resort's future, however. A newly formed business, Cedar Point Pleasure Resort Company of Indiana led by George Arthur Boeckling , purchased Cedar Point for $ 256,000 in 1897. It was later reorganized as the G.A. Boeckling Company. Previous unsuccessful attempts had been made to assimilate Cedar Fair in the decade leading up to the merger. One such deal with Apollo Global Management fell apart in April 2010. On October 2, 2019, Reuters reported that Six Flags had first approached Cedar Fair with
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#17327983476393588-567: The six countries that have governed Texas: France, Spain, Mexico, The Republic of Texas , The Confederate States of America , and the United States of America. In February 1961, Wynne traveled to Mexico City to invite Mexican participation in the park. Wynne brought in Randall Duell , who had worked at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for 23-years designing and building film sets, Charlie Thompson another Disneyland alumnus, Charlie Meeker
3657-401: The system. For an increased cost, visitors get a wrist band which gives them the ability to wait in a shorter queue for most attractions. Originally, it could only be used from noon to 7:00 PM, but it was soon expanded to be available all day. Fast Lane would be rolled out to all Cedar Fair parks for the 2012 season. There is also Fright Lane, which is Fast Lane for the haunted attractions during
3726-411: The total value of the transaction close to US$ 2.4 billion. Cedar Fair planned to hold a shareholder meeting on March 16, 2010, to vote on the transaction but postponed the meeting to April 8, 2010, implying that two-thirds of the shareholder vote needed for approval wasn't yet secured. On April 6, 2010, the deal was terminated, and Cedar Fair paid $ 6.5 million to reimburse Apollo for expenses incurred from
3795-428: The year. Mike Spanos stepped down in 2021, allowing chairman Selim Bassoul to assume the role of CEO. Seeking reinvention, Bassoul announced a new strategy favoring guest experience over capital investments; this meant raising prices in order to lower daily park crowds, thus improving the park experience for higher-paying guests. The initiative and various comments made by Bassoul proved controversial with shareholders, and
3864-459: Was a real estate development company established in January 1956 for the specific creation of the Great Southwest Industrial District . While developing a side project for the industrial district, a theme park originally to be named Great Southwestland, it opened in 1961 as Six Flags Over Texas . The park was a massive success, and caused the course of the company to shift, focusing on recreational real estate rather than industrial properties. It
3933-558: Was a publicly traded master limited partnership that originally formed in 1983 following Cedar Point's acquisition of Valleyfair , in which the name of both parks were combined to form the name Cedar Fair . By 2006, the company's portfolio had grown to eleven amusement parks, eleven outdoor water parks, and one indoor water park in the US and Canada. The acquisition of Schlitterbahn added two more outdoor water parks in 2019. Cedar Fair and longtime rival Six Flags merged on July 1, 2024, forming
4002-399: Was abandoned in November 2022 after park attendance plummeted by 33%. Cedar Point Amusement Park began as a bathing beach resort in the 1870s, and its growing popularity as a recreational destination led to the formation of Cedar Point Pleasure Resort Company in 1887. The company was founded with the purpose of expanding the resort commercially. An economic depression in the 1890s threatened
4071-480: Was announced Toddie Lee Wynne intended on selling his stake of the Great Southwest Corporation, rumors reported the Pennsylvania Railroad was interested. On June 25, 1964, Stuart Saunders a board member of the Pennsylvania Railroad, announced they had acquired the controlling stake in the company for an estimated $ 11-$ 12 million. PRR replaced Toddie Lee Wynne, Sr., and Toddie Lee Wynne, Jr., on
4140-694: Was announced that Cedar Fair had signed a $ 261 million deal with Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts to buy their Galveston and New Braunfels locations, with the option to buy Schlitterbahn Kansas City for an additional $ 6 million, and the rights to the Schlitterbahn name. On July 2, 2019, it was announced that Cedar Fair had acquired the Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio. The property cost $ 13.5 million. In October 2019, Six Flags offered to buy Cedar Fair for $ 4 billion, however
4209-678: Was elected president of the new company. With the future uncertain, in 1980 the Great Southwest Association was formed by those inhabiting the Great Southwest Industrial District in Arlington, to maintain and upkeep the business park. The goal was to make improvements independently, without GSC/Six Flags. Penn Central began talks of merging with Colt Industries, subsequently began looking to sell off subsidiaries including its recreation units. In September 1981, Bally Manufacturing signed
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#17327983476394278-538: Was first reported on Friday, January 6, 1956, New York real estate developer William Zeckendorf and his son William Zeckendorf Jr. were in talks to purchase large pieces of land in the Arlington, Texas area. The Zeckendorfs arrived in Texas on the day of the reports, but were refused to confirm the rumors swirling of a large land purchase for an industrial complex. They were greeted at the airport by Jack Barr, Jr., of
4347-418: Was formed in 1983. Its name was derived from both parks – "Cedar" representing Cedar Point and "Fair" representing Valleyfair. The company went public on April 29, 1987. Under Cedar Fair's leadership, Cedar Point grew to become one of the largest amusement parks in the world, and the company increased its portfolio by acquiring other amusement properties throughout the United States. The first acquisition of
4416-588: Was later reorganized as the G.A. Boeckling Company. The resort thrived under Boeckling's leadership, which lasted through 1931. G.A. Boeckling Company continued to control operations at the amusement park for much of the 20th century. A proposal in 1974 to build an amusement park in Cambridge Township, Michigan , was contemplated and later abandoned the following year. Then in 1978, Cedar Point acquired Valleyfair amusement park. Parent company Cedar Fair Limited Partnership, commonly known as Cedar Fair,
4485-479: Was purchasing the land occupied by California's Great America from the City of Santa Clara. The 112 acres beneath the park cost $ 150 million. Cedar Fair had been previously leasing the land from the County of Santa Clara for 6 to 7 million per year. In April 2019, Cedar Fair announced a partnership with Feld Entertainment to bring a Monster Jam Thunder Alley Area to select Cedar Fair parks. On June 13, 2019, it
4554-413: Was retained until it expired prior to the 2010 season. In December 2009, it was announced that Apollo Global Management would offer Cedar Fair $ 11.50 per share, a 28 percent premium over the market price, as part of a takeover plan which would also make Cedar Fair a private company. The deal included a cash payment of $ 635 million in addition to assuming Cedar Fair's debt of over US$ 1.7 billion putting
4623-534: Was revealed very little progress had been made at the site aside from construction of the 32-lane bowling alley which was announced to be the first planned structure to be built. Construction on the park, and the rest of the Great Southwest Sports Complex, began in August 1960. Wynne first intended to name the park "Texas Under Six Flags" until his wife notified him that "Texas ain't under nothing." The 'six flags ' originally represented
4692-515: Was scheduled to vote on the matter on December 6, 2011. However, JMA canceled its plans to purchase Great America and bowed out of the agreement. On June 20, 2011, Cedar Fair announced that long term CEO Dick Kinzel would retire on January 3, 2012, and that Matt Ouimet would take his spot as the CEO of Cedar Fair. Ouimet had been employed by The Walt Disney Company for 17 years, including serving as president of Disney Cruise Line and president of
4761-562: Was soon expanded to be available all day. Fast Lane would be rolled out to all Cedar Fair parks for the 2012 season. There is also Fright Lane, which is Fast Lane for the haunted attractions during the Halloween events. For the 2016 season, Cedar Fair began testing all season Fast Lane at Valleyfair and Dorney Park. By the 2019 season, all parks offered all season Fast Lane. The Flash Pass is an optional, pay-per-person virtual queue system offered at amusement parks operated by Six Flags before
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