SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom now is part of one of the largest theme park companies in the world.
As of 4:05 p.m. July 1, Dorney Park’s parent company, Cedar Fair Entertainment, officially merged with Six Flags, according to Dorney Park spokesman Ryan Eldredge.
The combined company will retain Six Flags as its corporate name and trade under Cedar Fair’s ticker, FUN.
Eldredge said the park’s name will not change, and there will be no major changes to the park’s operations in 2024.
“The new Six Flags can deliver a superior level of joy and excitement that has yet to be experienced by regional park guests."Selim Bassoul, former Six Flags President and CEO
He said the season pass system likely will change starting in 2025, but details of how still are being worked out.
A July 1 news release from the combined company said the merger will “enhanc[e] park offerings and performance through the complementary portfolio of attractive assets and intellectual property,” such as Looney Tunes, DC Comics and Peanuts.
“We believe that by combining the best ideas and most successful entertainment practices of both Six Flags and Cedar Fair, the new Six Flags can deliver a superior level of joy and excitement that has yet to be experienced by regional park guests,” former Six Flags President Selim Bassoul said in the release.
Bassoul now will serve as executive chairman of the combined company’s board of directors.
Merger details
The combined company now operates 42 parks and nine resort properties across 17 states, Canada and Mexico. The merger was valued at $8 billion.
Cedar Fair stockholders received one share of common stock in Six Flags Entertainment Corporation for each unit owned.
Former Six Flags shareholders received 0.5800 shares of common stock in the new corporation for each share owned.
The leadership team at the combined company looks a lot like Cedar Fair’s, according to a June 18 news release.
Cedar Fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Zimmerman will serve in the same role for the combined company.
Cedar Fair’s chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief legal & compliance officer and chief strategy officer all also will transition to the same positions in the combined company.
Gary Mick, who was the executive vice president and chief financial officer at Six Flags, will serve as the combined company’s chief integration officer.
In a June 26 news release, Bassoul said the company had “successfully concluded a very fair and constructive review process with the Department of Justice,” which conducted an antitrust investigation into the merger.
