It’s been a rough ride lately for Six Flags. The company that once prided itself on being “the thrill capital of the world” has hit another sharp drop — this time financially. Following a jaw-dropping $1.2 billion loss over three months, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is hinting that more of its parks could soon face closure.
This comes just days after the permanent shutdown of Hurricane Harbor Bowie, Maryland’s only Six Flags-branded water park, which officially closed on November 2. The news has sent shockwaves through the theme park community, and fans are bracing for what might come next.
A CEO’s Tough Admission
During a November 7 earnings call, Six Flags president and CEO Richard Zimmerman admitted that the company’s recent efforts to create demand simply didn’t work.
“Our efforts to stimulate demand did not achieve the desired returns,” Zimmerman said, adding that shifting more advertising spend earlier in the year only worsened third-quarter results — especially at underperforming parks.
CFO Brian Witherow echoed that message, saying that Six Flags is now looking to “get the portfolio smaller and more nimble”, focusing only on parks with the greatest potential for growth and profitability.
“We’re going to look at the parks where our returns are the greatest,” Witherow stated. “And the other parks we’ll look to monetize and use those proceeds to reduce debt.”
That word — monetize — is corporate speak for selling or closing, and fans know what that usually means: more closures could be coming.
Fans React to the Growing List of Closures
The closing of Hurricane Harbor Bowie didn’t just disappoint visitors — it infuriated local leaders. Prince George’s County Council Chair Edward Burroughs III called the decision “devastating,” saying it stripped the community of one of its last family recreation spaces.
Fans also took to social media to share their frustration and nostalgia.
“I grew up going to that water park,” said Jerry Huster from Orlando, Florida. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was a huge part of my childhood summers. Seeing it gone just hurts.”
This sentiment isn’t rare. Six Flags, for many families, isn’t just a park chain — it’s part of American suburban culture. Losing one park feels like losing a neighborhood tradition.
What Could Be Next on the Chopping Block?
While Six Flags hasn’t officially named which parks could close next, fans and industry watchers have begun speculating based on attendance, performance, and local market conditions. Some possible candidates being discussed include:
- Six Flags Darien Lake (New York) – Long criticized for inconsistent operations and aging attractions.
- Six Flags America (Maryland) – With the water park already gone, fans fear the main park could follow.
- Six Flags St. Louis (Missouri) – One of the company’s smaller, lower-attended parks with limited expansion potential.
- Frontier City (Oklahoma City) – A historic park, but often cited as underperforming compared to Six Flags’ larger properties.
Of course, these are only fan speculations, but given the company’s new “streamlined” direction, it wouldn’t be surprising if at least one of these parks faces an uncertain future.
The Bigger Picture
Six Flags’ troubles aren’t happening in a vacuum. The entire amusement industry has been navigating a post-pandemic hangover — rising labor costs, supply shortages, and an evolving guest demographic. But Six Flags’ attempt to pivot toward higher-income guests in 2022 backfired spectacularly.
Former theme park executive Dennis Speigel told NBC that Six Flags’ shift away from its traditional middle-class audience was a major misstep.
“That may work for Disney,” Speigel said, “but that’s not what you want in a regional theme park. You want everybody.”
He’s right. Six Flags built its brand on accessibility — thrill rides for everyone at a reasonable price. When the company began charging premium rates and reducing perks, many loyal guests simply stopped coming.
A Fan’s Perspective
As a theme park fan, watching Six Flags go through this identity crisis is painful. This is a brand that once dominated the regional amusement scene with record-breaking coasters and summer memories for millions. Yet somewhere along the way, it lost its connection with its guests.
While Disney and Universal chase immersion and IP-driven storytelling, Six Flags has always been about pure thrill — and that’s something worth preserving. If management can find a way to reconnect with that core purpose instead of cutting away piece by piece, maybe there’s still hope for a comeback.
But for now, the outlook feels uncertain. Each closure chips away at Six Flags’ legacy, and fans across the country are left wondering: which park will be next?
Tags: Six Flags, Theme Park News, Amusement Industry, Park Closures, Hurricane Harbor, Six Flags America, Six Flags St. Louis, Frontier City, Darien Lake, Theme Park Fans
