Credit: Inside The MagicA theme park giant, Cedar Point, has been forced to close its doors due to the remnants of a category 5 superstorm, leaving no options for the guests but to vacate as solid winds, heavy rain, and more strike the area.
Cedar Point, Six Flags theme park Giant, Forced to Close down Water theme park as Remnants of Category 5 Superstorm Strikes the Area
Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, warned its guests that the remnants of Hurricane Beryl are striking the area, leading to the closure of the water theme park earlier than usual.
The water park is located in the back of the park, closer to Lake Erie, so Cedar Point asked guests to vacate the area as strong winds, high tide, heavy rain, and more hit the region. It has not been the best week for theme parks nationwide.
Due to weather conditions, Cedar Point Shores Waterpark will be closing early today, 7/10/24.
Waterpark tickets dated for today may be used any other operating day in 2024.
— Cedar Point (@cedarpoint) July 10, 2024
Due to weather conditions, Cedar Point Shores Waterpark will be closing early today, 7/10/24. Waterpark tickets dated for today may be used any other operating day in 2024
Hurricane Beryl made landfall at the start of the week, striking the Gulf Coast and making landfall in Texas, cutting power to millions and causing widespread damage to the state.
However, the hurricane has been felt throughout the country as a rise in gasoline prices due to the deadly storm, which has impacted and will continue to impact the state of Florida, causing thousands of Disney guests to rethink their upcoming summer and early fall vacations. Over in Califonia, a dangerous heat index and record-shattering temperatures have also led to regional deaths.
Disneyland California sees millions of visitors per year. Still, with the recent uptick in dangerous weather, many folks are reconsidering visiting the theme parks for an extended period.
The National Hurricane Center recently broke the news that an ever more explosive hurricane season is coming as 25 storms instead of 10 will be named by the end of the season in November. In the Atlantic Ocean, right off the coast of Florida, a potential system is developing that will bring stormy weather again to Central Florida.
The Merger Heard Around the World
Cedar Point is seeing only the remnants of this deadly storm, but hopefully, things will calm down soon enough for the water park, Cedar Point Shores Waterpark, to reopen and let the public in again.
The theme park industry has witnessed a monumental shift after completing the $8 billion merger between Six Flags Entertainment Corporation and Cedar Fair, LP. This landmark deal creates a formidable entertainment giant, boasting a combined portfolio of 27 theme parks, 15 water parks, and 9 hotels and resorts.
The new entity extends its reach across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, further solidifying its position as a major player in the live entertainment sector. “This momentous occasion unlocks significant value and presents unparalleled opportunities to deliver captivating entertainment experiences for our shareholders, guests, and associates,” declared Richard Zimmerman, the incoming President and CEO of the newly formed Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.
Previously independent entities, Six Flags and Cedar Fair brought together iconic destinations. Cedar Fair’s impressive portfolio includes Knott’s Berry Farm in Anaheim and the legendary Cedar Point in Ohio. Six Flags contributed to renowned parks such as Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, and Six Flags Magic Mountain in California.
The initial merger proposal surfaced in 2023 and has finally come to fruition after a successful negotiation process. The new Six Flags Entertainment Corporation will be led primarily by former Cedar Fair executives and trade under the ticker symbol “FUN” on the New York Stock Exchange. Richard Zimmerman, previously Cedar Fair’s President and CEO, will assume the helm of the merged company.
Selim Bassoul, the former CEO of Six Flags, will transition to Executive Chairman. Theme parks have witnessed a significant resurgence in popularity post-pandemic, with industry leaders like The Walt Disney Company and NBCUniversal spearheading major expansion initiatives. Disney has embarked on ambitious projects in both California and Florida, alongside the addition of new cruise ships.
Meanwhile, Universal Studios is poised to open a sprawling new park in Orlando next year, with an additional, more family-oriented park planned for Texas. This would put Universal Studios in direct competition with Six Flags’ existing footprint. Epic Universe will open its doors in 2025, posing a significant threat to Walt Disney World Resort.