AURORA, OH

Most people who grew up in Northeast Ohio have special memories at Geauga Lake.
The theme park closed in 2007. Its water park, Wildwater Kingdom, continued to operate until 2016. The park first opened in 1887.
In the years since it has been closed, life around the property has continued to grow. Jeff Holbury of Drone Ohio shared new photos with FOX 8.

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ANAHEIM, CA

​Disneyland’s fan-favorite Matterhorn attraction will be closed for refurbishment on weekdays over the next couple of weeks.
The announcement of a refurbishment comes just a couple of months after the mountainside of the Matterhorn attraction broke loose back in August and prompted the attraction to close. A large portion (reportedly the size of a bedroom door) of the Matterhorn mountain reportedly broke loose and forced the attraction to close one of its two tracks. The Matterhorn Bobsleds typically operates with two tracks running simultaneously (one facing Tomorrowland and the other facing Fantasyland), but since a portion of the rockwork needed repair, Disneyland had to close one side of the attraction, although the repairs are more cosmetic than mechanical.
“During overnight maintenance, a portion of decorative rockwork was found to be in need of repair, which we are working quickly to make,” Disneyland officials stated back in August shortly after the accident occurred.

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ

The American Dream mall is debuting in East Rutherford Friday, with the Nickelodeon Universe theme park and an NHL-sized ice skating rink beginning the 3 million square foot development’s chaptered opening. The mall was issued a temporary certificate of occupancy from the state Thursday night after a day of mounting concerns over whether or not it would be allowed to open.

With many questions swirling in the days leading up to the opening, like what parking will cost at the mall, which rides will be open at Nickelodeon Universe (there are 35 total), and what it will cost to go skating at the ice rink, visitors Friday will get a first look at the long-awaited complex.
Construction crews were throughout the mall working, as most of the property is continuing to be built out.
Handfuls of people stopped by to get a peek at the mall as hectic workers prepared for opening day. Without clear signage, it was not immediately easy for guests to figure out where to park or through which entrance to get into the mall. Security guards told reporters conflicting information about when the public could enter.

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ORLANDO, FL

​Universal Orlando Resort's highly anticipated 4th theme park 'Epic Universe' will open in 2023.
The news was announced during a Q3 Comcast conference call Thursday.

Universal says Epic Universe will offer an entirely new level of experience that will forever change theme park entertainment.
They say guests will venture beyond their wildest imagination, traveling into beloved stories and through vibrant lands on adventures where the journey is as astounding as the ultimate destination.
The new park will include an entertainment center, hotels, shopping and restaurants in addition to the new theme park.

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October 24, 2019
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX), the world’s largest regional theme park company and the largest operator of waterparks in North America, today announced that it has appointed Mike Spanos as President and Chief Executive Officer effective November 18, 2019, and as a member of the Board of Directors effective immediately. Mr. Spanos will be relocating to the Dallas-Fort Worth area with his family.
The company’s announcement follows a thorough search process led by a special committee of the Board of Directors. Jim Reid-Anderson, Chairman, President and CEO, will resign as a director and an officer of the company effective November 18, 2019. As of that date, Richard Roedel, who has served on the Board of Directors since December, 2010, will be appointed Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Spanos, 55, most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo, Asia, Middle East and North Africa (AMENA). AMENA is a sector with $6.0 billion in revenue that spans more than 43 countries with 20,000 direct and 115,000 indirect employees across food and franchise beverage operations, contributing $1.2 billion in operating profit. Under his leadership, the company set a new strategic direction that accelerated both top line and operating profit growth over multiple years through a transformational agenda, first in the Greater China region and then across the AMENA sector, generating significant shareholder value in relation to accelerated revenue, profit, and market share growth.
“Mike is a proven value creator and results-oriented leader, with a strong track-record in operationally intensive businesses both in North America and internationally,” said Jon Luther, Six Flags Independent Lead Director. “His strong strategic ability, marketplace intuition and people leadership skills make him ideal to lead Six Flags.”
Mr. Reid-Anderson added, “As a major investor in Six Flags, I have the utmost confidence in Mike’s ability to further supercharge our growth initiatives, continue to drive innovation, and deliver significant short, medium and long-term value for our stakeholders.”
“I am thrilled to join the dedicated and talented employees of Six Flags,” said Mr. Spanos. “Jim has built an amazing legacy, and I look forward to the next horizon of growth. It is a privilege to be able to lead such a superb organization.”
Mr. Spanos previously held commercial general management roles of increasing responsibility at PepsiCo since 1993, first starting as a frontline territory manager in North America. He has served across multiple international markets for more than seven of his 25 years with PepsiCo, including assignments in Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Before joining PepsiCo, Mr. Spanos served in the United States Marine Corps from 1987 to 1993. He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy with a B.S. degree in History, and received his M.S. degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania.
About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company and the largest operator of waterparks in North America, with $1.5 billion in revenue and 26 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 58 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling waterparks and unique attractions. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191024005924/en/
Stephen Purtell

Senior Vice President

Investor Relations and Treasurer

+1-972-595-5180

investors@sftp.com
Source: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

ATLANTA, GA

Once in a blue moon, a development is proposed that befuddles nearly all who see it.
In 2017, it was the RitaWorld Pearl Kingdom, a bizarre plan to turn the stadium formerly known as Turner Field and its environs into the world’s largest lagoon.
And today, another seemingly outlandish project comes in the form of a casino resort complex proposed by the president of Atlanta Motor Speedway, Ed Clark.
Or could it actually work?
Recently unveiled renderings of a casino-anchored, mixed-use development bordering the speedway might just be louder than a phalanx of twin-turbo engines screaming around a racetrack.
The colorful conceptual drawings of the proposal, sketched by Foxwoods, showcase, among other things, a hotel, condos and possibly timeshare apartments, retail space and restaurants galore, go-karts, a music venue, waterpark, and a theme park that would put Ponce City Market’s rooftop attraction to shame, according to Clayton News Daily.

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KISSIMMEE, FL

The Fun Spot location in Kissimmee is adding another steel roller coaster and is asking the public to help name it.
The thrill ride is said to be five stories tall with a rail that’s 1,300 feet long. Its trains hold six people apiece. It features a triple out-and-back design made by E&F Miler Inc. and will be located in rear of the Old Town shopping complex with other Fun Spot rides.
The coaster is being relocated from the Wild Adventures attraction in Valdosta, Ga., where it was known as Viking Voyage. Previous to that, it was called the Jack Rabbit and operated at Celebration City in Branson, Mo., according to the Roller Coaster Database.

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BRANSON, MO

Court filings indicate Silver Dollar City is in a legal battle over naming rights with a man who once turned part of his suburban California home into a seasonal haunted house attraction.
Back in August, Silver Dollar City announced it is building a $23 million expansion that includes a water ride called "Mystic River Falls."
Documents filed last week in federal court say that a man named Scott D'Avanzo is trying to block the Branson-area theme park from using the Mystic River Falls name, claiming it is too similar to the name D'Avanzo gave to the haunted house attraction he created out of his Orange County, California, home in 2013 called Mystic Motel.

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ORLANDO, FL

​Riders of the Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster at Universal Studios were stuck Wednesday, officials with the Orlando Fire Department said.
Officials said 12 guests were stuck on two different ride cars.

Universal employees helped the guests off the track.
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October 22, 2019
Active Pass Base up Two Percent at End of September
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX), the world’s largest regional theme park company and the largest operator of waterparks in North America, today announced revenue was $621 million for the third quarter of 2019, a $1 million increase over the same period in 2018. The increase in revenue was attributable to attendance growth of 3 percent, or 440,000, to 14.0 million guests in the third quarter of 2019, which was partially offset by a 1 percent decrease in guest spending per capita and an expected 26 percent decrease in sponsorship, international agreements and accommodations revenue.
Net income1 for the third quarter of 2019 decreased $5 million, or 2 percent, compared to the prior year period, and diluted earnings per share decreased 2 percent to $2.11. These decreases were primarily driven by a change in a state tax law that provided a benefit in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA2 increased $547,000 to a record $307 million compared to the prior year period. Cash operating and selling, general and administrative costs decreased 1 percent in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the prior year period.
“We were pleased to achieve record attendance and revenue for the first nine months of 2019, with solid growth across both our legacy and newly acquired parks,” said Jim Reid-Anderson, Chairman, President and CEO. “As a team, we are laser focused on achieving our tenth consecutive record year by driving our strategic growth areas, including growing penetration of our membership programs to benefit from the enhanced loyalty and lifetime value of members.”
Total guest spending per capita for the third quarter of 2019 was $42.44, a reduction of $0.58 compared to the third quarter of 2018. Admissions per capita decreased 3 percent to $25.17 and in-park spending per capita increased $0.11 to $17.27 compared to the same period in 2018. Several factors contributed to the reduction in admissions per capita. First, there was a higher proportion of attendance from the company’s Active Pass Base, representing the total number of guests who are enrolled in the company’s membership program or who have a season pass, which puts downward pressure on admissions per capita spending. Second, the company engaged in strategically targeted promotions to drive membership penetration. Third, there were attendance gains at the company’s new parks, which have significantly lower admissions per capita than the existing parks. Finally, a portion of new membership revenue is deferred into the following year due to the 12-month commitment period spanning the calendar year-end. These impacts were partially offset by ticket price increases and sales of higher-priced membership tiers.
For the first nine months of 2019, revenue was $1.2 billion, a 3 percent increase compared to the prior year period. This increase was primarily driven by a 4 percent increase in attendance, partially offset by a 1 percent decrease in guest spending per capita and a 3 percent decrease in sponsorship, international agreements and accommodations revenue. Net income decreased $6 million, or 3 percent, and diluted earnings per share decreased 3 percent to $2.24. These decreases were primarily driven by the same change in a state tax law discussed above that provided a benefit in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA was $455 million for the first nine months of 2019, a decrease of less than 1 percent compared to the prior year period due to incremental costs to lease, rebrand, and fund the additional off-season carry costs for the five parks acquired in June of last year. These costs were almost entirely offset by the attendance increase mentioned above, and to a lesser extent, the company’s new park in Rockford, Illinois, which the company began operating on April 1, 2019.
Attendance at the company’s parks for the first nine months of 2019 grew to 26.7 million guests, an increase of 989,000 guests compared to the first nine months of 2018. The increase in attendance was primarily driven by the higher Active Pass Base, growth in the parks the company began operating on June 1, 2018, and the new park in Rockford, Illinois. Guest spending per capita decreased less than 1 percent to $42.86 for the first nine months of 2019, compared to the prior year period, with admissions per capita decreasing 2 percent to $25.15 and in-park spending per capita increasing 1 percent to $17.71.
The Active Pass Base increased 2 percent year-over-year as a result of the company’s continued success in upselling guests from single day tickets to memberships and season passes. The mix of memberships in the Active Pass Base increased significantly as a result of the company’s efforts to increase penetration. Members are the company’s most loyal and valuable guests, with higher revenue, retention rates and lifetime value compared to traditional season passes. Deferred revenue of $198 million, a record high for the third quarter, increased by $5 million, or 2 percent, compared to September 30, 2018.
In the first nine months of 2019, the company invested $122 million in new capital projects, net of insurance recoveries, and paid $209 million in dividends, or $0.82 per common share per quarter. The authorized amount available for share repurchases as of September 30, 2019, was $232 million. Net Debt as of September 30, 2019, calculated as total reported debt of $2,277 million less cash and cash equivalents of $212 million, was $2,065 million, representing a 3.7 times Adjusted EBITDA net leverage ratio.
Conference Call
At 8:00 a.m. Central Time tomorrow, October 23, 2019, the company will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2019 financial performance. The call is accessible through either the Six Flags Investor Relations website at investors.sixflags.com or by dialing 1-855-889-1976 in the United States or +1-937-641-0558 outside the United States and requesting the Six Flags earnings call. A replay of the call will be available through October 30, 2019 by dialing 1-855-859-2056 or +1-404-537-3406 and requesting conference ID 7837469.
About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company and the largest operator of waterparks in North America, with $1.5 billion in revenue and 26 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 58 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling waterparks and unique attractions. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information contained in this release, other than historical information, consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, (i) the adequacy of cash flows from operations, available cash and available amounts under our credit facilities to meet our future liquidity needs, (ii) our plans and ability to roll out our capital enhancements and planned initiatives in a timely and cost effective manner, (iii) our ability to improve operating results by implementing strategic cost reductions and organizational and personnel changes without adversely affecting our business, (iv) our dividend policy and ability to pay dividends on our common stock, (v) the effect of and cost and timing of compliance with newly enacted laws, regulations and accounting policies, (vi) our ability to realize future growth and execute and deliver on our strategic initiatives, (vii) our expectations regarding uncertain tax positions, (viii) our expectations regarding our deferred revenue growth, (ix) our operations and results of operations, and (x) the risk factors or uncertainties listed from time to time in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). In addition, important factors, including factors impacting attendance, such as local conditions, natural disasters, contagious diseases, events, disturbances and terrorist activities; recall of food, toys and other retail products sold at our parks; accidents occurring at our parks or other parks in the industry and adverse publicity concerning our parks or other parks in the industry; inability to achieve desired improvements and our aspirational financial performance goals; adverse weather conditions such as excess heat or cold, rain and storms; general financial and credit market conditions; economic conditions (including customer spending patterns); changes in public and consumer tastes; construction delays in capital improvements and ride downtime; competition with other theme parks, waterparks and entertainment alternatives; dependence on a seasonal workforce; unionization activities and labor disputes; laws and regulations affecting labor and employee benefit costs, including increases in state and federally mandated minimum wages, and healthcare reform; pending, threatened or future legal proceedings and the significant expenses associated with litigation; cybersecurity risks and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the company’s expectations. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will be realized and actual results could vary materially. Reference is made to a more complete discussion of forward-looking statements and applicable risks contained under the captions "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the company’s Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, and its other filings and submissions with the SEC, each of which are available free of charge on the company’s investor relations website at investors.sixflags.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

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