Major Amusement Park Chains Cedar Fair and Six Flags to Merge

Cedar Fair, the company that operates Dorney Park in Allentown, PA, and Six Flags, the company that operates Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ, announced on November 2, 2023, that the two will be merging. 

The announcement stated that the chains have agreed to a merger of equals, creating an $8 billion amusement giant. As stated on both company’s websites, the chains expect to benefit from the expansion of their portfolios and an increase in cash flow as a result of the deal.

The resultant company will own and operate 51 properties spanning seventeen states, Canada, and Mexico. It will also hold the intellectual property rights to the Peanuts characters, Looney Tunes, and DC Comics. 

Many employees from Dorney Park were initially worried about the merger and how it may affect their jobs as well as the park’s atmosphere. 

Fleetwood Area High School sophomore Victoria McClain works in the admissions department at Dorney Park. 

“My immediate thoughts were confusion and trying to process how and why,” McClain said.

“I’m still very weary about it, but if there are no direct changes to my job or my park, I’m fine with it,” FAHS alumna Abigail Kasperowicz said.

Since the initial shock of the news, employees such as McClain and Kasperowicz have opted to look at the positives. Benefits of the merger could include larger access to the new company’s expanded selection of parks as well as an increase in attendance and cash flow for Dorney Park.  

“My thoughts are that this will strengthen the park, as many people love Six Flags. I hope this will bring up the attendance rates,” McClain said.

“A larger budget overall, and being able to get in all parks, Cedar Fair and Six Flags, would be amazing,” Kasperowicz said.

The overall effects of the merger are still unknown, but employees and theme park enthusiasts remain hopeful. The deal is set to close in the first quarter of 2024.