DonHelbig

I’ll happily leave the forum. This clearly isn’t the place for the insights and perspective I’m able to share. I’ve enjoyed being part of the community. I’ll see some of you on the midways.

Six Flags Entertainment made three major announcements this week aimed at generating excitement among guests and coaster fans. Wall Street’s reaction, however, went in the opposite direction. On Monday, Six Flags introduced Flex Pay by Upgrade, a new financing option allowing eligible guests to purchase Season Passes and other qualifying products of $49 or more and spread the cost over fixed monthly payments. Approved passholders can begin using their benefits immediately while continuing to make payments. Then came Tuesday’s announcement — one Six Flags had teased as something that would “turn heads across the amusement industry.” The company revealed it had acquired ArieForce One, the acclaimed Rocky Mountain Construction coaster from the former Fun Spot America Atlanta. Six Flags plans to relocate and enhance the coaster before reopening it at an undisclosed park in 2028 or 2029. On Thursday, Six Flags Magic Mountain unveiled Thrill Glider, a first-of-its-kind Vekoma coaster coming in 2027 with multiple launches, five inversions and a top speed of 50 mph. But investors haven’t shared the enthusiasm. Six Flags Entertainment (NYSE: FUN) closed Friday at $13.12 per share, down $1.92 — or 12.77% — over the past five days, according to the accompanying stock chart. Six Flags wanted to turn heads this week. Its stock price certainly did — just not in the direction the company probably had in mind.

No need for a $2000 All Season Fast Lane today at Cedar Point.

It was easy to tell based on what the park looked like over Labor Day weekend that if they weren’t behind they’ve scaled back on decor. I don’t think they need as much decor around the park if they’re putting that time into making the scare zones and mazes the best they can be.

You weren’t a DispatchMaster. Fact, not opinion. 🤣

A lot of incredibly talented, passionate and hardworking people have been shown the door. The result is in the results.

@DispatchMaster The Super Bowl favorite Los Angeles Rams opened the season with a 27-7 loss against the San Francisco 49ers. That’s fact, not opinion. ESPN? NFL Network? Yahoo Sports? Associated Press? NFL.com. Since you’re an expert on all things, who should I attribute knowing the final score to?

Michigan’s Adventure closed out its 70th anniversary season with a promising sign for the park’s future: record season pass sales. The Muskegon, Michigan, amusement park wrapped up its 2026 season on Labor Day, completing its first year under Enchanted Parks. The company operates Michigan’s Adventure under a long-term lease with EPR Properties, which acquired the park and six others from Six Flags Entertainment earlier this year. Despite having only a short window before the May 22 opening, the new operators made their presence felt. Rides received fresh paint, decorative elements were restored and live entertainment returned for the first time in several years, including local performers and the Nerveless Nocks Flying Water Circus over the park’s central lake. Guests also found new food choices, including Detroit-style pizza, cheese curds and walking tacos, along with lower prices on several meals. Record season pass sales suggest guests liked what they saw in Year 1. With Michigan’s Adventure now closed for the season, park leadership says there’s more in store for 2027. After a season focused largely on restoring and refreshing what was already there, the question now is: What will Enchanted Parks do for an encore? @DispatchMaster Record season pass sales is fact, not opinion.

Six Flags created QuantumPulse Propulsion Systems, a mysterious energy source called PSR B417 and a story about harvesting energy from distant pulsars. Then it named the roller coaster … Thrill Glider. Was creativity one of the budget cuts? Full Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/six-flags-magic-mountain-thrill-glider-2027/

Dollywood’s Harvest Festival returns to Pigeon Forge with thousands of glowing pumpkins, more than 700 live performances, seasonal food and several new experiences—including the park’s first separately ticketed after-hours event. Full Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-harvest-festival-2026-pumpkins-food-boo-bash/

They created more problems than they were trying to solve with the 2027 dining plan. @DispatchMaster For clarity, this is opinion, not fact.

You can always tell you. but you cannot tell you much. 🤣

They didn’t buy something at a yard sale without having a plan for what they were going to do with it, not knowing what extra costs they might incur, not knowing if they could even install it in a park. They want the chatter it’s generating. It takes the focus off the negative news cycle they’ve been in.

Math.

The former Fun Spot America Atlanta is heading to the auction block. After permanently closing to guests on Aug. 2, the Fayetteville, Georgia, amusement park will have its equipment and assets offered through an online auction Oct. 14. The sale is expected to include rides, games, food and beverage equipment, maintenance tools, furnishings and other items from the park. Prospective buyers will also be able to schedule appointments to inspect equipment at the former park before bidding. An official auction catalog with available items, registration details and removal terms will be released ahead of the sale.