Six Flags and Cedar Fair Merge

[BeeastFarmer]

 

See text below.  For some reason, the URL would not paste into this post.

Not to sound like a harbinger of bad news, but I don't think this will be isolated to Cedar Point.  I think they will cut this bonus out at the legacy Cedar Fair parks that offered it.  IIRC, KI also did this.

The potential loss of seasoned employees will further erode the guest experience.  I shudder to think how cutting wages at the legacy Six Flags parks will shake out.

 

It's a fine line, and I don't want to violate KIC TOS, so @IndyGuy4KIplease moderate or edit the following as you see fit:

I am typically for free market driven initiatives.  This is that.  But they are driving so much to get the synergies promised to shareholders/unitholders.  How much further will they degrade the guest experience?  

 

Cedar Point cuts pay

By Justin Dietz
Special to the Register

Jan 15, 2025 3:00 PM

Editor’s note: Justin Dietz is a Register correspondent representing cpfoodblog.com and @funfoodblog on X.

SANDUSKY — Some Cedar Point employees will be experiencing a 25% drop in pay for the upcoming season.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Cedar Point struggled to find employees when the park began to reopen.

At that point, the park increased payroll by offering to hire new employees at $20 per hour, something it promoted substantially. Pay consisted of $15 per hour plus an added $5-per-hour bonus that later became known as legacy pay.

Some other seasonal employees who have worked at the park for years also received the pay increase.

While pay for new hires at Cedar Point continued to fall post-COVID, employees hired under the legacy pay structure have continued to receive the hourly bonus if they returned each year up through the 2024 season.

This month, however, returning employees hired under legacy pay have been notified that the $5-per-hour pay bump is going away.

The Register has received several messages from employees that Six Flags, the new parent company following the 2024 merger, has cut employees' pay effective immediately. Employees are now expected to return to work at their base hourly pay.

Since most of the 5,000 summer jobs at Cedar Point are considered seasonal, those employees do not earn overtime pay. Seasonal employees who chose to stay at Cedar Point dorms also pay roughly $300 to $500 per month for accommodations.

Due to already low local staffing levels, Cedar Point relies heavily on the J-1 Visa program to hire seasonal help to staff the park. Hiring international workers allows the park to avoid paying taxes on their wages. In addition, since foreign workers have to be sponsored, it is much harder for them to leave the job once they have arrived. J-1 workers also pay their sponsor a fee to work in the U.S.

 

[disco2000]

^I guess the register isn't gonna be invited to media day (but they already knew that) 

[DJSkyFoxx]

That was a tough read. Not surprising, but its really deplorable. Funny how it's always the boots on the ground that get hosed but of course the CEO and upper management never see a pay cut or feel the burn. These people never seem to realize that they wouldn't even have a job if every employee that actually works directly at these parks chose not to show up. If it were possible for them to unionize, I'd say fight for that. 

Lowering pay is just going to create more staff shortages and less incentive to do the job the way they are expected to. Who wants to run circles all day long being yelled at, assaulted and demeaned for less money than before? No benefits. No protections. Nah. Granted I realize most of these jobs are filled by high school/college and retirees, but that doesn't mean they deserve any less respect for what they do all day. Long hours in the heat, rain, cold just to make sure you are safe on a ride. To make sure you are safe in the park. To make sure you have food and drink. And less quality experience for the consumer. Sounds like a solid plan. But lets continue to line the pockets of those way above the ones that actually bust their tails to keep these places open.

[Outdoor Man]

It's a difficult conversation to have and one that will be tricky at best to play through (not just for SF) for companies. When the pandemic hit, people were content to sit at home and collect $$ from the government - some continued after the COVID threat had subsided.  This forced companies like SF, CF, Disney, Universal, etc... to bait potential employees with higher pay- almost a bidding war with the government- to entice people to come back to work. ie- scarcity drives up the price.  

This also caused that nasty term, "inflation."  I was in a conversation with someone back in 2021 when our family bill at Chipotle was $28.56 - and told them that you can't just increase the rate of pay from $9/hr to $15+/hr and it not affect prices.  They were CERTAIN it would not.  That same order at Chipotle today is $44.74.  

Bringing this back to the Kings Island's of the world, and their peers- this brings the rate of pay back down to where the market will bear it. Tracked out over a 50 week year, if it were full time, most of the jobs at the seasonal level are not $40,000/year jobs.   If they were to keep pay at those rates... be prepared for higher prices of everything at the parks, moreso. 

If other companies do this, a new term is entered: "Deflation."  Which could also bring along it's cousin "Stagflation."  THEN: welcome to the post-Carter 1980s.

[Tr0y]

1 hour ago, Outdoor Man said:

It's a difficult conversation to have and one that will be tricky at best to play through (not just for SF) for companies. When the pandemic hit, people were content to sit at home and collect $$ from the government - some continued after the COVID threat had subsided.  This forced companies like SF, CF, Disney, Universal, etc... to bait potential employees with higher pay- almost a bidding war with the government- to entice people to come back to work. ie- scarcity drives up the price.  

This also caused that nasty term, "inflation."  I was in a conversation with someone back in 2021 when our family bill at Chipotle was $28.56 - and told them that you can't just increase the rate of pay from $9/hr to $15+/hr and it not affect prices.  They were CERTAIN it would not.  That same order at Chipotle today is $44.74.  

Bringing this back to the Kings Island's of the world, and their peers- this brings the rate of pay back down to where the market will bear it. Tracked out over a 50 week year, if it were full time, most of the jobs at the seasonal level are not $40,000/year jobs.   If they were to keep pay at those rates... be prepared for higher prices of everything at the parks, moreso. 

If other companies do this, a new term is entered: "Deflation."  Which could also bring along it's cousin "Stagflation."  THEN: welcome to the post-Carter 1980s.

Yep, and Six Flags has kept the season pass prices incredibly cheap. 

[disco2000]

Just now, Tr0y said:

Yep, and Six Flags has kept the season pass prices incredibly cheap. 

It always amazes me the approach the chain makes - added WF and the passes didn't substantially increase.

Give away 2 seasons for the price of one during covid and significantly increased associate pay and the price of the pass didn't substantially increase.

Price of everything has gone up in recent years, except pass and add-on prices (certainly not to the extent of other goods and services).

They have found the model of quantity over quality works.  Sure there are some that don't renew because they say the quality went down, etc., but they always make up those that don't renew with new pass sales.

[DonHelbig]

9 hours ago, disco2000 said:

^I guess the register isn't gonna be invited to media day (but they already knew that) 

Fair reporting, the media just doing their job, it's just unacceptable by some of the people that make those decisions as to who is and who isn't invited to media day. 

[robintodd]

On 1/16/2025 at 9:05 AM, DJSkyFoxx said:

That was a tough read. Not surprising, but its really deplorable. Funny how it's always the boots on the ground that get hosed but of course the CEO and upper management never see a pay cut or feel the burn. These people never seem to realize that they wouldn't even have a job if every employee that actually works directly at these parks chose not to show up. If it were possible for them to unionize, I'd say fight for that. 

Lowering pay is just going to create more staff shortages and less incentive to do the job the way they are expected to. Who wants to run circles all day long being yelled at, assaulted and demeaned for less money than before? No benefits. No protections. Nah. Granted I realize most of these jobs are filled by high school/college and retirees, but that doesn't mean they deserve any less respect for what they do all day. Long hours in the heat, rain, cold just to make sure you are safe on a ride. To make sure you are safe in the park. To make sure you have food and drink. And less quality experience for the consumer. Sounds like a solid plan. But lets continue to line the pockets of those way above the ones that actually bust their tails to keep these places open.

I have no proof but for the last 3 years I've been wondering when internationals would be allowed to work at CP again.  I don't believe they were all back for last season as come countries still had travel bans.  During covid the number of internationals took a severe hit because of the pandemic and that's when they instituted the bonus.  It could be this is only at CP because they believe internationals will be back at pre-covid levels for the 2025 season and they make up a large portion of their seasonal employees.  

Just a guess.

[Gordon Bombay]

On 1/16/2025 at 10:57 AM, Outdoor Man said:

When the pandemic hit, people were content to sit at home and collect $$ from the government - some continued after the COVID threat had subsided. 

EDIT: Ignore me, @Outdoor Man, I totally misread what you were saying in the morning fog of no coffee. <3 

[DonHelbig]

2 hours ago, robintodd said:

I have no proof but for the last 3 years I've been wondering when internationals would be allowed to work at CP again.  I don't believe they were all back for last season as come countries still had travel bans.  During covid the number of internationals took a severe hit because of the pandemic and that's when they instituted the bonus.  It could be this is only at CP because they believe internationals will be back at pre-covid levels for the 2025 season and they make up a large portion of their seasonal employees.  

Just a guess.

The pay cuts are across the board at Six Flags parks. You will see less returners this year. 

[BeeastFarmer]

Fascinating things going on with Live E in Texas...

Fiesta Texas has flipped from Holiday in the Park to the Mardi Gras celebration.  In the past, they have had a parade,  This year, it is the Spectacle of Color Parade.  I saw video posted and it is the Grand Carnivale parade!

New! - Mardi Gras Parade: Spectacle of Color - Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Over Texas had the pre 2024 Park Lighting ceremony for their Holiday in the Park.  Weird seeing Bugs Bunny welcome the family of the night and Peanuts music with Bugs.

 

[BeeastFarmer]

https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/kings-dominion-layoffs-jan-23-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawH_avFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdrV5u5COt6ZLJpGy6Zm4dAukTufSQttkNPhG0SLp-0_mJFpvOM5s2skbg_aem_wybEC6P0z62hBKj9iK2HXA

Six Axes is rampaging again, this time with employees instead of rides. 

[DonHelbig]

42 minutes ago, BeeastFarmer said:

https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/kings-dominion-layoffs-jan-23-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawH_avFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdrV5u5COt6ZLJpGy6Zm4dAukTufSQttkNPhG0SLp-0_mJFpvOM5s2skbg_aem_wybEC6P0z62hBKj9iK2HXA

Six Axes is rampaging again, this time with employees instead of rides. 

It was mentioned on Tower Topics when news of the merger came out last year that things like this were going to happen, as they usually do when there are mergers and acquisitions. 

[BeeastFarmer]

1 hour ago, DonHelbig said:

It was mentioned on Tower Topics when news of the merger came out last year that things like this were going to happen, as they usually do when there are mergers and acquisitions. 

Further eroding the guest experience.  Not just with the reduced staff and the problems that will cause, but with the affect on morale of remaining staff.

[disco2000]

And for anyone that visited KD last year or looked at any socials comments, the park was busy and clearly understaffed - a lot more food/drink places closed than at KI.  Granted some of that lack of staff was a lot of seasonal associates that were not hired, but this will have a bigger impact.

There are many times that full-timers chip in at KI when staffing is low.  Same with KD and other parks.

There were times Greg Schied, then GM of KI, could be seen checking parking passes/taking parking tolls at make-shift parking tolls on the south exit during busy days, along with Don.  Wasn't uncommon to see Don checking restraints at The Beast.  And I am sure they helped out elsewhere also.  And many full-timers do similar things.

Losing that many full-timers will have an impact. Even more so in this instance as it wasn't like they combined two parks into one and reduced because of duplicate positions.

I expect to see more of this happen as the board attempts to make good on their promise of $200M in savings that they said would result because of the merger....more closures and reductions in staff is likely to continue.  One thing that won't happen is their bonuses won't be reduced....

And the morale of remaining employees has an impact as well...

[Gordon Bombay]

19 hours ago, disco2000 said:

There were times Greg Schied, then GM of KI, could be seen checking parking passes/taking parking tolls at make-shift parking tolls on the south exit during busy days,

What a hero he was to walk away from the air conditioned admin office, right past his SUV taking up two spaces, to toil among the lowly minimum wage workers. I bet the associates were in awe and truly inspired. Gives me chills just thinking about it. 

[PKI96]

I bought a lot of FUN stock during the pandemic and did very, very well.  I'm selling most off this month as I can see the obvious and inevitable deterioration of their product.

[MysticTimberwolf]

Sell? Well, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Plenty of exciting changes are on the way that will be sure to increase shareholder value!

[DonHelbig]

21 hours ago, disco2000 said:

There were times Greg Schied, then GM of KI, could be seen checking parking passes/taking parking tolls at make-shift parking tolls on the south exit during busy days, along with Don.  Wasn't uncommon to see Don checking restraints at The Beast.  And I am sure they helped out elsewhere also.  And many full-timers do similar things.

I always enjoyed helping out in other areas of the park during the years I worked in the Kings Island marketing department. I parked cars, checked restraints on The Beast, The Racer, Diamondback and Mystic Timbers, made hundreds of pizzas at LaRosa's on International Street, the Festhaus and in Rivertown (I always loaded them up with extra sauce and cheese!), worked games at the basketball by The Racer, Wac-A-Mole, Football Toss, Ring Toss, and 3-Point Challenge, took shifts fielding calls in the Call Center, helped out in the Picnic Grove and Festhaus cleaning tables, worked in the admissions booth selling tickets and season passes, and worked the front gate turnstiles scanning tickets and season passes. I absolutely loved doing these different jobs and always looked forward to getting the call to help out elsewhere. 

[DJSkyFoxx]

16 minutes ago, MysticTimberwolf said:

Sell? Well, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Plenty of exciting changes are on the way that will be sure to increase shareholder value!

Lookin' like the back of a beater 2003 Honda Civic with all those stickers 

[Tr0y]

2 hours ago, Gordon Bombay said:

What a hero he was to walk away from the air conditioned admin office, right past his SUV taking up two spaces, to toil among the lowly minimum wage workers. I bet the associates were in awe and truly inspired. Gives me chills just thinking about it. 

 

PayScale differences aside. I've always respected managers who were willing to "get into the trenches" as you could call it, with their subordinates. There are plenty of managers who find the work of their subordinates beneath them and do nothing to help out.

[BeeastFarmer]

43 minutes ago, MysticTimberwolf said:

Sell? Well, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Plenty of exciting changes are on the way that will be sure to increase shareholder value!

The way the company is going, might as well put a Spirit Halloween ad on too!

[Gordon Bombay]

1 hour ago, Tr0y said:

 

PayScale differences aside. I've always respected managers who were willing to "get into the trenches" as you could call it, with their subordinates. There are plenty of managers who find the work of their subordinates beneath them and do nothing to help out.

Sure, but there's a difference between actually "getting into the trenches" and the occasional performative gesture. Sincerity speaks volumes and a lack of it can leave a lasting impression. 

[BeeastFarmer]

3 hours ago, Gordon Bombay said:

Sure, but there's a difference between actually "getting into the trenches" and the occasional performative gesture. Sincerity speaks volumes and a lack of it can leave a lasting impression. 

You seem bitter. 

[BeeastFarmer]

Another laid-off employee who asked to remain anonymous said they believed the layoffs were company wide and impacted closer to 80 Kings Dominion workers.

"We were called to be in a meeting that would take place five minutes later. We were given a brief speech about how appreciated we were and then handed our papers. We were told to turn in our badges and collect our items," that worker shared. "As we collected our items and ourselves, mangers remained in the room reminding us we had to leave and could not take long. It was very emotional for everyone involved but the lack of empathy from management was the worst. They knew about this decision at least a week prior and still decided to blindside everyone."

 

Kings Dominion layoffs: 'This has caused panic'

 

 

 

 

 

[Vortex1987]

9 hours ago, MysticTimberwolf said:

Sell? Well, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Plenty of exciting changes are on the way that will be sure to increase shareholder value!

I hope that isn't real...........

 

I can't stand the way Six Flags plasters ad's all over their rides. It looks so tacky. 

[IBEW_Sparky]

12 hours ago, BeeastFarmer said:

Another laid-off employee who asked to remain anonymous said they believed the layoffs were company wide and impacted closer to 80 Kings Dominion workers.

"We were called to be in a meeting that would take place five minutes later. We were given a brief speech about how appreciated we were and then handed our papers. We were told to turn in our badges and collect our items," that worker shared. "As we collected our items and ourselves, mangers remained in the room reminding us we had to leave and could not take long. It was very emotional for everyone involved but the lack of empathy from management was the worst. They knew about this decision at least a week prior and still decided to blindside everyone."

 

Kings Dominion layoffs: 'This has caused panic'

 

 

 

 

 

Well, I can now Officially say this 'Lovely" company has been run by 2 Dicks I can't stomach the sight of.  The difference was I was still giving my money to them when the other Dick was Head of the show.

[Tr0y]

On 1/24/2025 at 10:38 PM, BeeastFarmer said:

Another laid-off employee who asked to remain anonymous said they believed the layoffs were company wide and impacted closer to 80 Kings Dominion workers.

"We were called to be in a meeting that would take place five minutes later. We were given a brief speech about how appreciated we were and then handed our papers. We were told to turn in our badges and collect our items," that worker shared. "As we collected our items and ourselves, mangers remained in the room reminding us we had to leave and could not take long. It was very emotional for everyone involved but the lack of empathy from management was the worst. They knew about this decision at least a week prior and still decided to blindside everyone."

 

Kings Dominion layoffs: 'This has caused panic'

 

 

 

 

 

It appears KD isn’t the only park issuing layoffs:

https://www.screamscape.com/html/legoland_florida.htm#general

[Tr0y]

On 1/24/2025 at 1:55 PM, BeeastFarmer said:

The way the company is going, might as well put a Spirit Halloween ad on too!

As of today, Diamondback is prepped and ready for some ads. 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02Gv7CqVWsuAkdkEzLfKiJZaF9kGD7HGvh3qQyAhmDwKzX***BVVmieAzZeuGkmovTl&id=100064730913995