Doobie Doo
Veteran
It was just fine when it was Wild World with Big John Stud and Adventure World with Cal Ripken now it wanna be a Six Flags and shut down. My childhood
Six Flags America in Prince George's County to permanently shut down later this year
by Winston Rogers
Thu, May 1st 2025 at 6:04 PM
Updated Thu, May 1st 2025 at 6:56 PM
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An aerial view of Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, Maryland on August 1, 2024. (SkyTrak7)
WASHINGTON (7News) — The owners of Six Flags America in Bowie, Maryland, announced plans to permanently close the park and put the 500-acre property up for sale after the 2025 season, according to a statement released Thursday.
Six Flags Entertainment, in a statement about the shutdown to investors, said the D.C. area's biggest amusement park and the attached Hurricane Harbor park were "not a strategic fit with the company’s long-term growth plan." The park will permanently shut down on Nov. 2.
Six Flags President and CEO Richard Zimmerman said they believe the property should be redeveloped to reach the highest value and have signed on commercial real-estate firm CBRE to manage its sale.
The park opened for the season on April 12, with its water park set to reopen on May 24. The amusement park group did not announce whether any other steps will be taken for the park's 70 full-time associates outside of severance and benefits for eligible workers.
“This was a difficult decision, and we recognize the impact it will have on our Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor park associates and guests,” a statement from Zimmerman read. “We are grateful to our park associates who work hard to create lifelong memories for our guests, and Six Flags is committed to supporting all impacted associates through the closure process at the end of this year. Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor have been an important part of the local community, and this final season will be an opportunity to celebrate the decades of fun that guests have enjoyed at the property.”
The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company in 2024 completed an $8 billion merger with Cedar Fair Entertainment, making it responsible for 27 amusement parks, including Virginia's Kings Dominion, 15 water parks, and nine resorts.
Wala Blegay, the Prince George's County Councilmember who represents the region covering Bowie and Upper Marlboro, said she was deeply disappointed in the decision.
"Like many of you, I am deeply disappointed by this decision. Six Flags has been more than just an amusement park—it has been a vital community partner that employed many of our youth and local residents, while also contributing to the vibrancy of Prince George’s County," Blegay said in a statement on Thursday. "While this closure marks the end of an era, it also presents a critical opportunity for us to shape what comes next. As your Councilmember, I am committed to ensuring that residents have a strong voice in determining the future of this site. I will be working with the incoming County Executive, my colleagues on the County Council, and any potential developers to advocate for high-quality development that meets the needs of our community, creates jobs, and enhances our local economy."
The company has not yet released its financial report for Quarter 1 of Fiscal Year 2025, but officials said the shutdown would not impact its finances.
Those with season passes and tickets will still get to use them, officials said.
During the 2024 season, the park unveiled a new area called "SteamTown."
Six Flags America in Prince George's County to permanently shut down later this year
The owners Six Flags America in Bowie, Maryland, announced plans to permanently close the park and put the property up for sale after the 2025 season, according
wjla.com
