other The Theme Park Thread

[Dead2009]

Decided to start a thread about theme parks and everything about certain rides. We're starting this out with a sad note from the other day

Six Flags America

screamscape.com

(5/1/2025) Six Flags dropped a huge bomb of an announcement on Thursday afternoon… you can follow this link to the official announcement, but the gist is this:

2025 is the LAST SEASON for Six Flags America and the attached Hurricane Harbor waterpark. The 2025 season will come to an end, with the final operating day being Nov. 2, 2025.

The property that Six Flags America sits on is about 500 acres in size (far more than the park as developed today) “will be marketed for redevelopment as part of Six Flags’ ongoing portfolio optimization program. The company has engaged CBRE, a global leader in commercial real estate service and investments, to market the property for sale.”

Now pay attention, because this next statement is MINE ONLY… and not part of the Six Flags announcement. Screamscape sources tell us that this will not be the only surprise announcement of this magnitude made by Six Flags. I’m told that a few more big announcements will be made and soon. Possibly Friday… possibly on Monday… maybe the following week, but more big changes are coming, and it sounds like they will be from both sides of the fence… Six Flags and Cedar Fair.

These other announcements may not all be closure announcements however, some may involve a deal to sell a particular park or two. There is also a good chance we may see Six Flags change the status of some of those management contracts they have at the moment with parks like Darien Lake or Frontier City.

As far as predicting the future, if you go back to a November 2023 article I wrote for Blooloop about the merger, when discussing the idea of “potential closures” post-merge, the first park I mentioned was indeed Six Flags America. I also had some concerns over the long-term survival of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and some of those stand-alone waterparks, owner or operated by Six Flags, especially Splashtown near Houston.

As for Six Flags America itself… post-closure… I don’t see alot of items to be saved from the park in terms of rides. Sure, the new RipQurl Blaster watercoaster will find a new home as well as Harley Quinn Spinsanity, but the rest? Maybe Superman: Ride of Steel can be saved, but they may opt to just scrap it and sent the trains to Darien Lake… assuming it is kept open. Firebird has some nice Floorless trains that could be sent to another ride, or perhaps they could convert Georgia Scorcher from a Stand-Up into a Floorless with that hardware. The Joker’s Jinx is probably history, and they can source out the trains and LIMs for parts to the two Mr. Freeze coasters or Poltergeist at Fiesta Texas.

I feel bad that the park just opened SteamTown last season too… there are new comfy trains on the former Mind Eraser (now Prof. Screamore’s SkyWinder) that will likely end up at La Ronde, Six Flags Mexico or Discovery Kingdom. There is a 1-year old Zamperla NebulaZ with a Steampunk that will be in need of a new home somewhere (I suggest Magic Mountain, somewhere near Twisted Colossus). Then all those dinosaur animatronics added to the QuantumCanyon Rapids will need to find a new home somewhere…

Otherwise, I’m thinking most of the rest of the park attractions could be scrapped or sold outside of the chain on the used ride market to smaller parks.

 

[Dead2009]

Disney has announced a new theme park resort. It'll be located in... Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Specifically on Yas Island.

Disney and Walt Disney Imagineering will lead the creative design for the park, as well as operational oversight. It'll be built by Miral, Abu Dhabi’s “leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences.” It'll bring “signature Disney entertainment, themed accommodations, unique dining and retail experiences, and storytelling in a way that celebrates both the heritage of Disney and the futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi.”

Neither the park's name nor opening year have been announced.

Disney Announces Plans for New Theme Park and Resort with Miral in Abu Dhabi - The Walt Disney Company

Disney and Miral announced an agreement to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

thewaltdisneycompany.com