It’s been a roller coaster ride for the economy: The reason why these amusement parks are closing
A number of US amusement parks are set to close. Here’s why.
Amusement parks across the United States are facing significant challenges as they navigate economic pressures and changing consumer behaviours in an increasingly more expensive world. As such, both closures and reduced operations are becoming inevitable at several beloved attractions.
One notable example is Six Flags America in Maryland, which has announced that it will be permanently closed as of the first week of November, after which it will be put up for sale.
Six Flags President & CEO Richard A. Zimmerman said, “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. 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.”
“I’m fighting back tears... I’m afraid it’s going to get knocked down with a bulldozer”
The closure marks the end of an era for the site, which has been a community hub for decades. NBC reports that the company will also "likely shutter" its park in Santa Clara, California, at the end of 2027.
Dennis Speigel, a former theme park executive-turned-industry consultant, told the outlet that “the company has been a ship at sea without a captain”, adding that the debt “is not going to go away by putting in another roller coaster.”
“I’m fighting back tears thinking about how much fun I’ve had on this ride and what it’s been through,” Huster, who traveled from his home in Orlando, Florida, to Six Flags America in Maryland for one last visit, told NBC: “I’m just afraid that someone’s not going to come along and save the park. That this is just going to get knocked down with a bulldozer.”
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Some theme parks have reduced their seasonal schedules, while others, like Maryland’s Six Flags, are closing for good. The closures and operational adjustments are not only affecting the parks themselves but also the communities that rely on them for tourism and employment. Local economies are feeling the impact as visitor numbers decline and seasonal jobs become less abundant in a market that is feeling the pinch.
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