Tears as historic theme park with world's third-oldest coaster prepares to shut down
Six Flags is shutting down a popular theme park after 25 years as the company battles money problems.
The park in Bowie, Maryland, will close for good on November 2, the final day of its annual Fright Fest.
The park is best known as the home of Wild One, a 108-year-old wooden roller coaster and the third-oldest in the world.
Standing 96 feet tall, it sends riders speeding at 45 miles per hour and remains one of the park's most iconic attractions.
The park also features eight other roller coasters and the Hurricane Harbor waterpark.
The closure will leave 70 full-time employees without jobs, though the company says eligible workers will receive severance and other benefits.
Originally founded as a wildlife preserve, Six Flags America attracts about 850,000 visitors a year.
Daily tickets to the Maryland park cost between $19.99 and $29.99 and fans can purchase season passes for up to $150 each.
The closure comes months after the company announced it would invest more than $1 billion over the next two years to enhance guest experience at all of its parks.
The investment will go toward new rides, attractions, themed areas, dining upgrades, and technology advancements.
More than $80 million alone will be used for food and beverage upgrades, including new restaurant concepts.
Parts of its recent and upcoming changes include seven new roller coasters at other attractions and its All Park Passport Add-Ons.
Although the new rides will be placed in various parks, the company believes the soon-to-be-former Maryland attraction is only worthy of benefiting Six Flags through redevelopment to generate high value and investment return.
Six Flags spokesperson Gary Rhodes revealed that Global Commercial Real Estate Services is leading the current sales process.
'Based on its assessment and experience, we anticipate strong interest from potential real estate developers,' Rhodes told DailyMail.com.
'There are no plans to close other parks at this time,' he added.
With the closure of Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor, 42 amusement and 14 water parks will remain open worldwide.
The company is weighing its options regarding the Maryland attraction's rides and whether they could be placed in other parks.
'We have not yet determined what will happen to each ride or attraction after the park is closed, but relocation to other Six Flags parks or selling to other amusement park operators are options that may be considered,' Rhodes told DailyMail.com.
Six Flags finished 2024 with $2.71 billion in revenue after completing a merger with Cedar Fair last July.
With this investment and its Maryland park's impending shutdown, the company is working to complete its 2025 upgrades and get going on all 2026 projects.
Among next year's changes include new roller coasters, water park enhancements, and the debut of Six Flags Great America's new kids' area.
The company has not announced whether it plans to open any new amusement or water parks over the next few years.
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