Six Flags Conference Call: CEO Reilly Comments on Halloween Attractions, Dining Plans, and Says No Park Sales Are Planned `Right Now’

Aug. 6, 2026

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

Six Flags reported a big second-quarter loss earlier today, but Chief Executive John Reilly was upbeat during a conference call.

Wall Street was less optimistic, with shares in Six Flags (NYSE:FUN) down $1.32 to $17.45 at 9:08 a.m. Early trading can be volatile.

The amusement-park operator, owner of Dorney Park, has been working on improved dining plans, Reilly said during a conference call about second-quarter results today. He also said there is no current plan to sell any properties.

“We don’t expect any changes in our portfolio parks this year,” he said, reiterating, “We don’t have any changes planned right now.”

At the same time, “Of course we’ll always look to do what is best as far as creating value in the business and creating value for our shareholders,” he said.

Six Flags is known for amusement parks, but it’s in the real estate business too and everything is evaluated for highest return.

As posted earlier, Six Flags lost $203 million in the second quarter on revenue of $865 million. In the year-ago quarter, it lost $100 million on revenue of $930 million. That includes results from seven parks that were sold and one that was closed after the second quarter of 2025.

Reilly took over in December and has made several personnel changes at Six Flags, which was created by the 2024 combination of the former Six Flags and Cedar Fair, then owner of Dorney Park in South Whitehall Township. Stock in the company has stumbled and Six Flags carries $5 billion in debt.

One point that came up multiple times was “improving the guest experience.”

“We’re working very hard to improve the experiences in the parks and we see consumers respond,” Reilly said. He mentioned the Fast Pass line program and new refresher beverages, which can boost how much people spend once they’re in a park.

Second-quarter per capita spending at Six Flags was $62.89.

Reilly said passes that allow visits to other regional parks have been popular.

“We’re seeing people within regions visiting at very healthy rates across parks,” Reilly said.

A huge part of the guest experience comes down to food.

“We’ve made some changes to our dining programs,” Reilly said. He said Six Flags has “new dining program options that give guests more flexibility for both limited plans and all-season plans.”

He added, “On the all-season plans, we did feel we were underpriced.”

Reilly said the company expects to boost its EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and Adjusted EBITDA (which excludes some one-items) through the rest of the year. EBITDA is a measure of profitability that excludes the effects of some financing and accounting decisions. It is favored by some analysts for providing a clear view of operations.

“We’re seeing demand come back,” Reilly said. “We have more folks in our membership programs.”

Six Flags also has the liquidity to manage payments on its $5 billion of debt, the CEO said, and invest in new attractions.

The company plans more fall events.

“We’re really excited about Halloween,” Reilly said.

The CEO also noted: “We will not compromise on safety.”

Here’s a link to the earnings statement.

Disclosure: I own shares in Six Flags, which has not been FUN at all.