During post-closing interviews with local media, Cedar Fair officials have made quite clear that the closing decision was not made until after the end of the season. That being the case, they could not have told the employees or the public before the decision was made, right?

The Interpreter, attempting to speak utterly without irony

I kinda think that the decision had pretty much been made before the end of the season. However, the final vote by the board to make it official was after the season. Just my opinion.