Multiple Six Flags Theme Parks Cease Operations as Dangerous Heat Wave Turns Life-Threatening

in Theme Parks

Tidal Wave Bay at Knott's Soak City

Credit: Knott's Berry Farm

Many Six Flags theme parks just had their final moment of operations for 2024 yesterday, and today marks the official shuttering of their gates.

A family walking in front of the Knott's Marketplace
Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm, one of California’s most popular theme parks, has attracted over five million visitors annually. As America’s first theme park and a source of inspiration for Walt Disney, its popularity is not surprising.

Originally a roadside berry stand and chicken dinner restaurant in the 1920s, Knott’s Berry Farm has grown into a major tourist destination. Visitors can still enjoy the famous boysenberry jam and desserts, as well as Mrs. Knott’s original fried chicken dinner.

The park’s “Ghost Town” predates Disneyland by 15 years and remains a popular attraction.

Following the merger between Cedar Fair and Six Flags, Knott’s Berry Farm is now officially part of the Six Flags empire. While operational changes have been minimal, some Cedar Fair parks have started playing Six Flags music and have switched theme park signage. However, Knott’s Berry Farm has retained its original branding.

Despite the onset of fall, California is experiencing record-breaking temperatures.

An aerial view of a theme park with various roller coasters and attractions, partially obscured by a large red and white "no entry" road sign in the foreground. The surrounding area includes trees and buildings.
Credit: Inside The Magic

As the Orange County Register notes, Southern California residents endured scorching temperatures and power outages on Sunday, September 8th, as the ongoing heat wave continued to impact the region.

As of 5 p.m., Southern California Edison reported over 66 outages affecting nearly 9,000 customers across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported over 6,600 customers remained without power on Sunday afternoon, down from a peak of over 7,000 on Saturday.

The launch part of the Montezooma's Revenge roller coaster
Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

Both utility companies emphasized that crews are working around the clock to restore power safely and as quickly as possible. However, the LADWP warned that it could take 12-24 hours from the start of an outage for full restoration due to the extreme heat impacting equipment.

Residents were urged to conserve power during peak heat hours (afternoon and early evening) to avoid further blackouts. Simple steps like adjusting thermostats to 78 degrees and turning off AC units when away from home can help reduce strain on the power grid. Running major appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m. is also recommended.

Residents were urged to stay cool and hydrated during this heat wave.

Because of these high temperatures, even the happiest place on earth, Disneyland Resort, has been struggling to maintain guests. One style of theme park that would be perfect in these conditions, however, is a water park.

A large crowd of guests in line outside the gates waiting to enter Disneyland Park in Southern California with the Main Street station of the Disneyland Railroad in the background
Credit: Ed Aguila, Inside the Magic

Knott’s Soak City is a sprawling second theme park next to Knott’s Berry Farm where guests used to be able to cool off, but now, as of September 9th, the gates to the park have been locked shut. 

As of early September 2024, many Six Flags (and Cedar Fair, if you still recognize them separately even though they are all under the Six Flags branding now) water parks have begun closing for the season.

Typically, water parks at Six Flags and Cedar Fair locations operate through Labor Day weekend, with some extending their schedules into mid-September for select weekends, depending on weather and local demand.

Specific water parks like Six Flags Hurricane Harbor parks across various locations (including California), as well as the previously dubbed Cedar Fair water parks like Cedar Point Shore at Cedar Point and, of course, Knott’s Soak City, have concluded their daily operations. Be sure to check individual park websites for the most current closure schedules.

Tidal Wave Bay at Knott's Soak City
Credit: Knott’s Berry Farm

This is something that is quite normal when it comes to regional water parks since cooler weather will often prevent the water parks from being desirable as the fall and winter months pass by. Closing down for the season is actually more financially viable than keeping the water parks up and running.

Are you sad to know that so many Six Flags water parks have shut down for 2024? 

in Theme Parks

Be the first to comment!