Six Flags announces Fright Fest Extreme with some incredible IPs

[BoddaH1994]

https://www.stocktitan.net/news/SIX/six-flags-unmasks-fright-fest-extreme-with-the-saw-franchise-the-26cdv601nfp9.html

I hope something like this is adopted at KI, otherwise… enjoy the same six houses you’ve had for a few decades 

[CoastersRZ]

Interesting that they are starting this on September 7th.  Seems way early.  But if there is the demand for it, and they can generate revenue off of it, why now.  As mentioned in the Tower Topics podcast, Six Flags charges for entry into the haunted houses.  Admission to the park is included with several tiers of the parks.  

Post merger, could we see one of these enhanced haunted houses make its way to KI, for an additional charge?  Remember, when FearFest debuted at KI, it was a separate charge event in 2000, 2001 and 2002.  It wasn`t until 2003 when your season pass granted you admission to the haunt activities.

[Leland Wykoff]

Cedar Fair could have put the breaks on this IP expansion had they so desired.  This is a clue the combined company will not run away from expanded IP as Cedar Fair historically has.  Reports suggest additional Six Flags parks expect to announce additions of the stable of participating parks in adoption of the haunted house IP. 

As major streaming services expand efforts to monetize IP revenues watch for CF/SF to expand these branded experiences.  Paramount and Warner Bro. Discovery are both desperately seeking to turn around losses in streaming.  Neither of these entities have substantial theme park presence.  Thus partnership opportunities exist which could be beneficial and profitable to both studios and the new Six Flags.

Keep in mind these are rather low cost additions and enhancements to offerings already budgeted and planned for park operations.  Large parts of each additional penny of revenue falls directly to the bottom line of operating profitability.  Such deployment of capital investment has the potential of significant returns at low risks and low costs.  Such enhanced haunted product will also be characterized by high mobility--haunt features and themes can be switched out and rotated among parks to provide constant annual refreshment of the product in various local markets. 

The potential exists for expanding relationships and partnerships with streaming services eager to expand product lines, awareness, merchandising opportunities, and unlock values from their vaults (note Saw is promoted as a 20th Anniversary product).  The combined Cedar Fair/Six Flags provides a platform for showcasing exciting seasonal offerings and launching stages for a variety of IP products.  These can potentially drive admissions, merchandise, and other on-park revenues.  All at relatively low costs. 

The combined Six Flags Entertainment will be stretched thin as it deploys capital expenditures to upgrade both parks and park/company reputations.  This will require an agile deployment of invested capital spends.  FUN will be looking to maximize impacts and create bragging rights over competitors.  FUN will not have adequate capital spend to simply add signature ride after ride to parks in the near future.  Wow Factors must arrive at lower costs and risks.  Seasonal and shoulder season revenue expansions are prime areas of exploitation to produce year round excitement and highly desirable new guest offerings.