Latest news with #HurricaneHarbor
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Vallejo's Six Flags Discovery Kingdom hit by company's statewide layoffs
(KRON) — Employees at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo are facing layoffs as the amusement park's parent company plans to cut roughly 140 full-time jobs at its California parks by July 21. Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced in May that it planned to cut its workforce by 10%. The company owns 42 amusement and water parks across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom – Vallejo Six Flags Hurricane Harbor – Concord California's Great America – Santa Clara Six Flags Magic Mountain – Valencia Six Flags Hurricane Harbor – Valencia Knott's Berry Farm – Buena Park Knott's Soak City – Buena Park Gas prices could soar with refineries closing in California According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification report filed with the State of California, Six Flags plans to cut 56 full-time jobs at Magic Mountain, 65 jobs at Knott's Berry Farm and 19 jobs at Discovery Kingdom. A spokesperson with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation told KRON4 that the company plans to 'complete the majority of the restructuring' by the end of June. 'Six Flags is in the process of reducing its full-time headcount across the company by just over 10%,' the company spokesperson said. 'This includes a restructuring of some roles. This decision was made after careful consideration and a thorough review of our evolving business needs.' The cuts come as the company's Bay Area parks open for the summer season. Date for special election to recall Supervisor Joel Engardio announced 'We are committed to supporting our associates through this transition,' the Six Flags spokesperson said. 'All eligible associates will be presented with either an opportunity to continue in a part-time role or will be provided with a separation package and other benefits.' On July 1, 2024, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation emerged with Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, becoming the largest amusement park operator in North America. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
23-05-2025
- CBS News
Shooter sentenced to 40 years for killing teen in 2021 Hurricane Harbor melee
A man who opened fire as Hurricane Harbor was closing four years ago has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for fatally shooting a teenager, prosecutors said Friday. Cameron Stephens, now 22, was found guilty of the June 23, 2021, murder of 16-year-old Dai'Trell Teal before receiving his sentence. Cameron Stephens Tarrant County Jail Authorities say Stephens approached a group leaving Hurricane Harbor and asked about a gang member. When they said they didn't know him, a fight broke out. Stephens retrieved his gun and opened fire. As people fled, Teal, a student at Arlington Martin High School, was struck in the back and collapsed in the waterpark's parking lot. At the time, then-Deputy Chief Chris Cook – now chief of the White Settlement Police Department – said an off-duty officer near the park's exit heard honking from the parking lot and saw six to eight people engaged in a fistfight. As the officer approached to break it up, Cook said he heard what sounded like a gunshot before realizing Teal had been hit near the entrance. Teal was rushed to a local hospital but later died from his injuries. Members of the Fugitive Unit found Stephens at a convenience store in North Dallas near the Dallas North Tollway. He was arrested without incident and taken to the Arlington Jail.
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16-05-2025
- Business
Six Flags to Shut Down Theme Park This November—What Travelers Should Know
Thrill seekers and roller coaster lovers in Maryland will have to get their kicks somewhere else after this upcoming winter. Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced in May that it will shut down Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor in Bowie, Maryland, on Nov. 2 after 25 years. It will sell off the 500-acre property for redevelopment. Six Flags is the largest amusement park operator in the U.S., with 42 amusement parks across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, featuring roller coasters, water parks, and close-up animal encounters. Six Flags America in Bowie has rides specifically for families or young kids. The change is part of Six Flags' ongoing portfolio optimization program. According to the company, Six Flags America currently employs 70 full-time associates, who will be eligible for severance and other benefits. 'This was a difficult decision, and we recognize the impact it will have on our Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor park associates and guests,' Richard A. Zimmerman, Six Flags president & CEO, said in a release obtained by Travel + Leisure . 'We are grateful to our park associates who work hard to create lifelong memories for our guests, and Six Flags is committed to supporting all impacted associates through the closure process at the end of this year. Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor have been an important part of the local community, and this final season will be an opportunity to celebrate the decades of fun that guests have enjoyed at the property.' As for what will happen to the rides and attractions, the company told PEOPLE nothing is finalized and relocating or selling to other operators are options. All 2025 season passes and tickets for Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor will be honored through the 2025 amusement park season. More information about the park and its schedule this season can be found at
Chicago Tribune
09-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Gurnee's Six Flags likely safe despite company issues, experts say; ‘Untouchable'
Despite the closing of a Six Flags park in Maryland, Midwest amusement park fans shouldn't be worried about the future of Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, experts say. In fact, the closure of the other park is a good sign for the local facility, they said. Six Flags Entertainment Corp. recently announced that Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor in Bowie, Maryland, will close on Nov. 2, and the 500-acre property will be marketed for redevelopment. According to a statement from a Six Flags representative, while it is still to be determined what will happen to each ride or attraction after the park closes, relocation to other Six Flags parks or selling to other park operators are both possibilities. Six Flags operates 26 amusement parks across North America. An analysis of the future of Six Flags parks by Brady MacDonald — a theme park reporter for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group who has covered the theme park industry for more than 25 years — put Illinois' Six Flags Great America firmly in the 'untouchable' category, arguing it is one of the company's top-performing locations and a 'core' property in the company's portfolio. Harry Kramer, professor of leadership at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, and a former chairman and CEO of Baxter International, viewed the Maryland closure as a good sign for the company, despite the downsides for that area's parkgoers. Companies are constantly shifting, he said, selling or spinning off different parts while continuing to analyze where they should invest to grow, and where they should cut. 'You've only got a certain amount of resources, and so you've got to decide, 'Where am I going to invest, and where am I not going to invest?'' Kramer said. In Kramer's view, it was an 'old asset' that was dropped in favor of more valuable redevelopment opportunities. As parks move forward from the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting populations, the closure will free up resources to invest elsewhere. Dennis Speigel, the founder of International Theme Park Services, a consulting company for the leisure and attractions industry, had a similar assessment. The Maryland location sat at the 'bottom of the performing ladder in their portfolio,' and had been plagued with various issues. 'It's a great piece of land,' he said. 'It was not a great location for a theme park. It would have been number one on my list to move.' Speigel said he expects another two park closings in the future, but he feels the company is moving in the right direction after years of bad signs. He attributed that in part to the merger with the Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. last year. That was the 'wind beneath the wings' that saved Six Flags from going bankrupt. 'Today in May 2025, it's far better than it has been in the last 10 years,' he said. 'It was mismanaged for the last two regimes. They have made amazing strides in improving consumer satisfaction.' That ranges from improving pricing and season-pass programs, and moving towards building new attractions that, 'they're going to need over the next five years.' While amusement parks in general face challenges — including uncertainty about the economy and how tariffs might prompt potential parkgoers to tighten their purse strings — Speigel said Six Flags is 'back on the right track.' As far as Six Flags Great America is concerned, a representative said the park will debut a new ride this summer, the Wrath of Rakshasa. The new coaster boasts the steepest drop ever on a dive coaster at 96 degrees, as well as the most inversions on a dive coaster at five, Six Flags officials say.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Six Flags America, Hurricane Harbor in Prince George's County closing
BOWIE, Md. (DC News Now) — Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced Thursday that this will be the last season for Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor in Bowie, with officials saying the sites are no longer a 'strategic fit.' The 500-acre property will be marketed for redevelopment as part of Six Flags' ongoing portfolio optimization program, President & CEO Richard A. Zimmerman noted in a press release. 'As part of our comprehensive review of our park portfolio, we have determined that Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor are not a strategic fit with the company's long-term growth plan,' Zimmerman stated. 'After reviewing a number of options, we believe that marketing the property for redevelopment will generate the highest value and return on investment. We anticipate strong interest in the property and will continue to strategically pursue portfolio optimization opportunities as we work to unlock the full value of our portfolio.' Thousands march in May Day rally in DC The park employs about 70 full-time associates, with severance and other benefits being offered to eligible employees. 'This was a difficult decision, and we recognize the impact it will have on our Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor park associates and guests,' Zimmerman stated, in part. 'We are grateful to our park associates who work hard to create lifelong memories for our guests, and Six Flags is committed to supporting all impacted associates through the closure process at the end of this year.' All 2025 season passes and tickets will be honored, officials noted, as the park will close after the upcoming season. The final operating day will be Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. Acting Prince George's County Executive Tara H. Jackson said she was saddened by the announcement. She said, in part: For decades, Six Flags has been more than just a theme park—it is a cherished part of our county's identity, a source of joy for families, and a hub of economic activity. The park employs approximately 70 full-time associates and provides other valuable job opportunities, supporting our local economy. Council Member Wala Blegay called the announcement 'disappointing.' 'The closure represents a significant loss, especially for our District 6 families who have built generational ties to the park. While this news is difficult, it is also a pivotal moment for us to reimagine what comes next,' Blegay stated, in part.
