Nov. 5, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Six Flags, owner of Dorney Park, may sell or close parks as it seeks to improve financial results, Chief Executive John Reilly said today.
“We do believe there is opportunity for further portfolio optimization,” Reilly said during a conference call. “We’re not going to quantify that in terms of the number of parks.”
Six Flags has sold seven parks and closed one in the last year.
Reilly was upbeat during the call despite the financial challenges.
“I am more convinced now than ever of this company’s potential,” Reilly said. He took over as CEO in December 2025.
Shares of the company rose in early trading after third-quarter earnings were reported.
Reilly said the amusement-park operator seeks to expand its passholder network, and noted guests are increasingly visiting parks beyond their home market.
The death of Hassan Kariem, who fell from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia in October, was noted.
“Safety is the most fundamental commitment we make,” Reilly said. “We have launched a comprehensive review of ride safety across our entire portfolio.”
Earlier today, Six Flags reported third-quarter revenue of $1.17 billion. That is down 11% from the year-ago quarter, but excluding the results of parks that were sold or closed, revenue was up 1.4% on a “same-park” basis.
Six Flags lost $366.1 million, or $3.50 per share in the quarter, as it took a $687.7 million write-off.
Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter — a measure of profitability that excludes interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization — was $493.2 million. Adjusted EBITDA was up 1.1% on a same-park basis.
Shares of the amusement-park operator have plunged this year. The 2024 merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair, then owner of Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in South Whitehall, has not met investors’ expectations. The company carries a heavy debt burden. Total debt as of Sept. 27 was $4.9 billion, according to Six Flags’ balance sheet.
The statement noted that “October was softer than planned driven by unfavorable weather on several of the biggest weekends early in the month and by the impact of the tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia and related proactive ride closures.”
Six Flags expects fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA on a same-park basis to be lower than last year. Today, it forecast $140 million to $150 million compared with fourth quarter 2025 same-park Adjusted EBITDA of $167 million.
Shares of Six Flags (NYSE:FUN) traded at $9.45, up $1.50, at 8:48 a.m. today. Early trading can be volatile.
Here’s a link to the third-quarter report and a link to the conference call is in this press release.
