Credit: KennywoodFresh off the merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair, another theme park group is reportedly looking to sell its U.S. locations.
When it comes to theme parks, Disney and Universal are often up there in terms of attendance and profits. Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park is the most visited theme park in the world, while Universal has slowly been winning over diehard parkgoers with recent additions such as Jurassic World VelociCoaster and the upcoming park Epic Universe.
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Despite the widespread reputations of both theme park companies, there’s one area in which neither can compete. Disney currently boasts six theme parks in the United States, while Universal has three (soon to be four). Meanwhile, the newly formed Six Flags Entertainment Corporation possesses an incredible 27 theme parks, making it the biggest theme park company in North America.
As of 2024, parks such as Knott’s Berry Farm, Cedar Point, and Carowinds all fall under the Six Flags banner. In July, the company confirmed that it would sell an annual pass covering all of its locations, with the option provided as an add-on starting with its 2025 season pass.
“It’s clear that our guests see tremendous value in the season-pass programs and we are excited to offer them expanded access to our parks,” Six Flags spokesman Gary Rhodes told USA TODAY.
The add-on (known as the “All Park” add-on) isn’t available at all parks yet but will do as soon as each location’s 2025 pass goes on sale. Guests can start visiting the parks from January 6, 2025.
If you don’t live near a Six Flags location, odds are you do live near a park from another major theme park group.
Parques Reunidos is a Spanish theme park operator that owns 15 locations across the U.S., including Kennywood, Dutch Wonderland, Lake Compounce, and Iowa’s Adventureland. It also owns multiple water parks and zoos (a lineup that previously included the controversial Florida marine park Miami Seaquarium until its sale to its current owner, The Dolphin Company).
However, it seems like Parques Reunidos (also known as Palace Entertainment) has been inspired by the big Six Flags sale as it’s reportedly looking at offloading its American theme park properties.
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According to Reuters, a private equity firm involved with the theme park group has enlisted JP Morgan to conduct a review that could ultimately lead to the sale of its US assets, currently valued at around €1 billion ($1.09 billion USD).
For now, there’s no official confirmation on the sale. However, big change is already afoot at Palace Entertainment, which also named former SeaWorld executive John Reilly as its new CEO in June.
One of Parques Reunidos’ U.S. locations made headlines in July after its 97-year-old roller coaster, Racer, appeared to be propped up by haphazardly placed cement blocks. Kennywood’s wooden roller coaster was subsequently closed for one day for what it described as “a non-structural enhancement.”
What’s your favorite regional theme park in the U.S.?