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Six Flags history
Six Flags company history timeline
Six Flags Over Texas used the pay-one-price entry policy (pioneered for theme parks by Pacific Ocean Park). Adults entered for $2.75, and children for $2.25 in 1961.
1962 - A second freeway is added to the popular Happy Motoring Freeway in the USA section, and as a consequence, Sidewinder is moved to the Mexico section.
1963 - Boomtown, a section inspired by the oil boomtowns of Texas, opens this year with an antique carousel.
1963: Six Flags Over Texas unveils the world's first log flume ride.
1965 - Pennsylvania Railroad Corporation begins buying stock of Great Southwest Corporation, owners of Six Flags.
1966: Operation of the first-ever steel roller coaster begins at Six Flags Over Texas; Wynne sells his amusement park to Penn Central Corp.
Located near downtown Montreal on the 146-acre site of the 1967 World's Fair, La Ronde was the largest theme park in Quebec.
1967 - SFOT attendance is two million for this year.
1967: Six Flags expands by opening a new park in Atlanta, Six Flags Over Georgia.
1969 - Six Flags Theme Parks, a new company, is formed to operate the two parks, which are each owned separately by Six Flags Over Texas, LP and Six Flags Over Georgia, LP. The odd Sky Hook ride is moved to SFOG to become the landmark of the park.
Angus Wynne sold Six Flags in 1969 and in the coming years, the company expanded and was resold.
The Penn Central Corporation began managing the park in the 1971 season.
1971 - Pennsylvania Central Railroad (a merger between Pennsylvania Railroad Corporation and other railroads) begins management of Six Flags.
1971: Tierco Group, Inc., an Oklahoma-based real estate company, is incorporated; Six Flags opens a new park in Eureka, Missouri, called Six Flags Over Mid-America (later renamed Six Flags St Louis).
On August 1, 1972, future President George Walker Bush, son of former president George Herbert Walker Bush, is suspended from flying with the Texas Air National Guard for missing an annual medical examination.
Bill Crandall, manager of the AstroWorld park, discovered the idea for the ride that would later become commonplace in theme parks across the country while watching the kayak competition in the Munich Summer Olympic Games in 1972.
1973 - PennRec Company, The Penn Orlando Company and The Penn Arlington Company (subsidiaries of Pennsylvania Central Railroad) are created to run Great Adventure (not yet owned by Six Flags) and Six Flags Over Texas theme parks, and Stars Hall of Fame in Orlando.
At this point in history, steel roller coasters were still considered mild, family attractions, so the Great American Scream Machine is a wooden ride. (Steel coasters wouldn't shake that image until Arrow Development's Corkscrew at Knott's Berry Farm in 1975, which managed to go upside-down.)
1975 - Goodtime Hollow kiddie area is added to SFOMA. Six Flags purchases the struggling Astroworld (SFAW) in Houston.
1976 - SFOT introduces a remake of the old Coney Island parachute tower, which was initially used to train US paratroopers.
In 1978, the company made its first entrance into the East Coast market, opening Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey.
1978 - Six Flags asks Schwarzkopf to outdo his Revolution and build them two large coasters for the Texas and Georgia parks.
Magic Mountain, in Valencia, California, purchased in 1979, brought the company to the other coast.
1979 - Angus Wynne, Six Flags founder, dies.
The product of their efforts, Thunder River, opened for business in Houston in 1980 and has since been emulated in amusement parks throughout the world.
1981 - Conquistador swinging ship opens at SFOT. Tales of the Okefenokee at SFOG is remodeled and re-opens at The Monster Plantation.
The first major change came in 1982 when Penn Central sold the company to Bally Manufacturing Corporation.
The company purchased the Frontier City theme park in Oklahoma City in 1982 for $1.2 million, although Tierco had no intention of entering the amusement park business.
1983 - Roaring Rapids raft ride is added to SFOT in place of La Salle's Riverboat Adventure.
Under the direction of the new owners, Six Flags added its seventh park, opening Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, in 1984.
Also in 1984, as a result of its acquisition of Great America, Six Flags acquired the rights to Time Warner/Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes animated characters for use in Six Flags properties.
Interest charges stemming from the 1987 bond issue, however, resulted in a net loss of $25.4 million for the year.
In 1988, Tierco shifted its strategic direction to amusement parks.
1989: Kieran E. Burke is hired as president and CEO of Tierco and leads shift from real estate to amusement parks.
1990-97: Growth Spurt Under Time Warner
1990 - The Georgia Cyclone by Summers/Dinn (and modeled after the famous Cyclone at Coney Island), opens at SFOG. One side of the Log Jamboree log flume (SFOG) is removed this season.
1990: Time Warner Inc. acquires 19.5 percent stake in Six Flags Corporation.
The outstanding shares are held by Wertheim Schroder & Company and the Blackstone Group, which created Six Flags Entertainment with Time Warner as part of the 1991 acquisition of the Six Flags Corporation, the nation's second-largest theme park operator.
By 1991, Tierco opened White Water waterpark in Oklahoma City (the name later became Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oklahoma City). The company realized the key to boosting a park's attendance was to add new and exciting rides and make it family-friendly.
Six Flags Atlantis is sold, and is eventually destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992 - Atlantis back into the water, quite appropriate.
1992 - Yosemite Sam opens at SFOT as the new cave ride.
1992: Tierco acquires Wild World amusement park, located in Largo, Maryland (later renamed Adventure World).
Time Warner purchased the remaining stake in Six Flags in 1993, changing the company's name from Six Flags Corp. to Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc.
In 1994, he was promoted again to president and chief operating officer (COO). More flat rides and two roller coasters were added to that park.
Time Warner, the media and entertainment giant, also reported that it had narrowed its losses and increased its operating cash flow in the first quarter, as its five core businesses reported operating gains.By Geraldine FabrikantApril 18, 1995
Larry D. Bouts, former president of Toys 'R' Us International, was named chairman and CEO of Six Flags Theme Parks in September 1995.
In 1995, for instance, Six Flags opened a new waterpark called Six Flags Hurricane Harbor located adjacent to Six Flags Magic Mountain, and the company also purchased the Wet 'n Wild waterpark in Arlington, which was sited near Six Flags Over Texas.
In 1995, the company acquired these Funtime, Inc. properties: Geauga Lake near Cleveland, Ohio, Wyandot Lake in Powell, Ohio and Darien Lake near Buffalo, New York.
On August 1, 1996, “A Game of Thrones,” an epic fantasy novel by George R.R. Martin, is released.
On August 1, 1996, sprinter Michael Johnson breaks the world record in the 200 meters to win gold at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
In early 1996 the company entered into an agreement to manage Fiesta Texas, a San Antonio amusement park majority owned by USAA, an insurance and financial services firm based in that city.
Movie World in 1996 and was developing a second such park in Madrid, Spain.
1996 - Runaway Mountain, enclosed roller coaster by Premier Rides (no relation to Premier Parks), opens at SFOT. To avoid confusion, the Run Away Mine Train's name is changed to Mine Train.
In 1996, Premier added to its portfolio, buying Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colorado, the Waterworld USA waterparks in Sacramento and Concord, California, Riverside Park in Agawam, Massachusetts, and Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom in Lake George, New York.
Premier went public in 1996 and raised nearly $70 million through an initial offering at $18 per share.
In December 1997 the company reached a similar agreement with the partnership that owned Six Flags Over Texas.
In 1997, almost 11 million people visited parks owned by Premier.
Premier Parks purchased Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. from Time Warner on April 1, 1998, for $1.86 billion.
Any park without Six Flags as part of its name was designated "Six Flags Properties." The company hoped to convert more parks to Six Flags in the future. "It has been proven that the addition of the Six Flags name helps grow business," Story told Amusement Business in November 1998.
Premier added amusement park rides and roller coasters to Marine World in 1998.
1999 - Hurricane Harbor waterpark opens at SFSL. Many of the Six Flags parks will have accompanying waterparks.
1999: Adventure World is rebranded Six Flags America; Premier acquires its first Mexican theme park, Reino Adventura, which is renamed Six Flags Mexico, as well as Warner Bros.
In December 2000 the company expanded into the Pacific Northwest for the first time through the acquisition of the Wild Waves and Enchanted Village park in Federal Way, Washington, near Seattle.
The company spent $170 million on the four parks in 2000 to add 13 roller coasters and more than 60 rides.
Attendance at a number of United States parks was depressed by abnormally cool and wet weather in the summer of 2000, while revenues from the European parks were impacted by the decline in the value of the Euro versus the dollar.
In 2000, Premier Parks assumed the Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc. name and continued re-branding its parks, including Geauga Lake park into Six Flags Ohio and Riverside Park to Six Flags New England.
In May 2001, Six Flags entered the Canadian market by buying La Ronde from the city of Montreal for $20 million.
2001 - A coaster fan rides The Boss at SFSL for 100 consecutive days, setting a new world's record for coaster riding endurance.
In 2001, Six Flags acquired the former SeaWorld Ohio from Anheuser-Busch, merged it with the adjacent Six Flags Ohio and re-branded the combined park as Six Flags Worlds of Adventure.
Movie World Madrid opened in April 2002.
The test was a resounding success, and Six Flags introduced the system into eight more United States parks for the 2002 season.
In 2002, Six Flags acquired New Orleans' Jazzland amusement park from Alfa Smartparks for $22 million.
2003 - Superman: Tower of Power opens at SFOT. It's a 315ft tall drop tower by S&S Sports of USA. The Screamin' Eagle at SFSL gets some much-need attention, and the first drop is re-tracked for this year.
2004 - Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins, begins to place an interest in Six Flags, Inc.
In 2004, Six Flags began to close and sell properties in an effort to help alleviate the company's growing debt.
On August 17, 2005, Red Zone began a proxy battle to gain control of Six Flags' board of directors.
On September 12, Six Flags Chief Executive Officer Kieran Burke announced that Six Flags AstroWorld would be closed and demolished at the end of the 2005 season.
2005 - Dan Snyder gains control of Six Flags (out with John Odum). He brings in Mark Shapiro, formerly of the Disney-owned ESPN, to be second in command.
On January 27, Six Flags announced the sale of Frontier City and White Water Bay after the 2006 operating season.
Hurricane Katrina damages Six Flags New Orleans, which does not open for 2006.
Company executives were expecting to receive upwards of $150 million for the real estate but ended up receiving $77 million when the bare property (which cost $20 million to clear) was sold to a development corporation in 2006.
Even with the new management team, the sell-off would continue into 2006.
Ultimately, Six Flags Magic Mountain was spared, with the remaining six parks sold on January 11, 2007, to CNL Lifestyle Properties for $312 million: $275 million cash and a note for $37 million.
2007 - Six Flags Marine World once again gets a name change to become Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
In October 2008, Six Flags was warned its stock value had fallen below the required minimums to remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
If not resolved, the company warned in its 2008 annual report that the situation might require a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, with Six Flags already retaining counsel should that occur.
In April 2009, the New York Stock Exchange announced it would delist Six Flags' stock on April 20, a decision that the company did not intend to appeal.
On June 1, 2009, Six Flags announced they would delay their $15 million debt payment further using a 30-day grace period.
On August 21, 2009, Six Flags' Chapter 11 restructuring plan was announced in which lenders would control 92% of the company in exchange for cancelling $1.13 billion in debt.
When it appeared that the offer had been rejected, Six Flags announced in February 2010 that it would not re-open the park.
On April 28, 2010, the company's bondholders reached an agreement on a reorganization plan.
Six Flags officially emerged from bankruptcy protection as Six Flags Entertainment Corp. on May 3, 2010, and announced plans to issue new stock on the New York Stock Exchange.
Six Flags announced that Jim Reid-Anderson would replace Weber and become chairman, president and chief executive officer (CEO) on August 13, 2010.
The water park, originally named Parque Acuatico Oaxtepec, is a 76-acre park located in Morelos that went bankrupt in 2011.
On June 23, 2014, Six Flags also announced a strategic partnership with Riverside Investment Group to build multiple Six Flags-branded theme parks in China over the decade.
The final price tag of the 205-acre park was $10 millionAbout $80 million in 2015 dollars.
On January 11, 2016, Six Flags announced Six Flags Zhejiang, then named Six Flags Haiyan, in China.
On February 18, 2016, Six Flags announced that Jim Reid-Anderson had been promoted as executive chairman and John M. Duffey succeeded him as president and CEO.
On March 21, 2016, Six Flags announced a partnership with NaVi Entertainment to build a Six Flags-branded theme park and a Six Flags Hurricane Harbor-branded water park in Vietnam.
On March 29, 2016, Six Flags announced the revival of its previously canceled Six Flags Dubai.
On July 20, 2016, Six Flags announced an agreement with Riverside Investment Group Co.
On April 27, 2017, the company announced it would take over operations of Waterworld California in Concord, California making it Six Flags' 20th property.
On July 18, 2017, Six Flags announced that president and CEO John M. Duffey had retired from the company and Jim Reid-Anderson had re-assumed the roles of chairman, president and CEO.
On March 22, 2018, Six Flags and Riverside Group announced a partnership with Turner Asia Pacific to bring Tuzki and other Turner-owned IPs to its theme parks in China.
On May 22, 2018, Six Flags announced the purchase of operating leases for five parks owned by EPR Properties.
On April 24, 2019, DXB Entertainments canceled Six Flags Dubai, stating that the development and establishment of a Six Flags theme park was not in the best interest of the company or its shareholders.
On October 2, 2019, Reuters reported that Six Flags Entertainment Corporation had approached competitor Cedar Fair with an acquisition offer.
On October 4, 2019, Cedar Fair rejected Six Flags’ offer to purchase.
On October 24, 2019, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced that Jim Reid-Anderson would retire and Mike Spanos would be president and CEO of the company on November 18, 2019.
As part of the second phase of the Dubai Parks and Resorts project in Jebel Ali, the park was expected to open in 2019.
On January 10, 2020, Six Flags indicated that its projects in China have not progressed as expected and could be canceled due to debt problems with its partner Riverside Investment Group.
In January 2020, Six Flags finalized plans to move its corporate headquarters to the Centerfield Office Building at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.
On March 13, 2020, with only a few parks already opened for the 2020 season, Six Flags announced that all its properties will suspend operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 22, 2021, Six Flags announced the 27th park in the Six Flags chain would be Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago in Gurnee, Illinois, which was attached to Six Flags Great America.
On November 15, 2021, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced that Mike Spanos had stepped down and Selim Bassoul, the former chairman of the board, would become president and CEO of the company effective immediately.
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Six Flags competitors
| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan's Adventure | - | $17.0M | 3,000 | 3 |
| Cedar Fair | 1983 | $1.8B | 2,200 | 148 |
| Kennywood | 1898 | $75.0M | 3,000 | - |
| Playland Park | - | $1.4M | 35 | - |
| Hershey Jobs | 1927 | $502.0M | 1,790 | 68 |
| Luna Park Sydney | 2004 | $33.2M | 750 | - |
| Cliff's Amusement Park | - | $2.4M | 40 | 2 |
| NASCAR Speedpark Smoky Mountains | 1999 | $2.3M | 50 | 14 |
| Circus Circus | 1968 | $160.0M | 1,500 | - |
| Chuck E. Cheese | 1977 | $912.9M | 10,001 | 1,332 |
Six Flags history FAQs
Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of Six Flags, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about Six Flags. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at Six Flags. The data on this page is also based on data sources collected from public and open data sources on the Internet and other locations, as well as proprietary data we licensed from other companies. Sources of data may include, but are not limited to, the BLS, company filings, estimates based on those filings, H1B filings, and other public and private datasets. While we have made attempts to ensure that the information displayed are correct, Zippia is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. None of the information on this page has been provided or approved by Six Flags. The data presented on this page does not represent the view of Six Flags and its employees or that of Zippia.
Six Flags may also be known as or be related to Six Flags, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Six Flags Entertainment Corp, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Six Flags, Inc. (2000–2010), six flags over georgia, six flags america, six flags great america, six flags great escape theme park, six flags over texas, six flags fiesta texas and six flags st. louis.