Six Flags’ first changes following Cedar Fair merger
A few Six Flags parks will introduce a chaperone policy and all will remove a surcharge fee on purchases, marking the first significant changes since merging with Cedar Fair.
Following the merge of Cedar Fair and Six Flags into the company now collectively known as Six Flags, the corporation will implement several changes to guest experience policies at “legacy” Six Flags parks (parks that were owned by Six Flags prior to the merger). These procedures include a chaperone policy for minors and eliminating a surcharge fee on purchases (details below).
Though the newly combined company comprised of the former Cedar Fair and Six Flags portfolios retained the name of the latter, its first policy changes reflect that of the former. These chaperone and no-surcharge procedures are already in place at several parks formerly under the Cedar Fair banner.
Six Flags chaperone policy
Three Six Flags parks will implement a chaperone policy effective July 26, 2024:
- Six Flags America (near Baltimore, Md.)
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (near San Francisco, Calif.)
- Six Flags Over Georgia (near Atlanta, Ga.).
At these parks, starting at 4 p.m., guests ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years old. That adult must bring their I.D. and stay in the park for the length of the minors’ visit. For large groups, the parks require one chaperone per 10 minors. Guests ages 16 and up do not need a chaperone. However, guests ages 16-20 may not be a chaperone for guests under age 16. Guests ages 16 and up should also bring their I.D. to confirm their age.
As of this writing, other legacy Six Flags parks have not introduced a chaperone policy. (We double-checked all their “Park Policies” website pages to be sure.)
Many (but not all) former Cedar Fair parks introduced chaperone policies of similar or identical verbiage in 2022 and 2023 — California’s Great America, Carowinds, Dorney Park, Kings Dominion, Kings Island, Knott’s Berry Farm, Valleyfair, and Worlds of Fun, according to Theme Park Insider — which remain in place today.
Though not under the Six Flags/Cedar Fair ownership, Fun Spot America parks in Kissimmee and Orlando, Fla. recently implemented a chaperone policy for guests ages 20 and under (via WKMG).
No more surcharge fee at Six Flags parks
Earlier in 2024, Six Flags added a surcharge to food, beverage, and retail purchases at most of its parks “due to increased labor and supply costs,” according to the company. These parks no longer charge the extra fee on such purchases, seemingly effective immediately.
“We always welcome feedback from our guests on how we can improve their park experience, and the surcharge fee at the legacy Six Flags parks was a frequent target for criticism,” said Tim Fisher, chief operating officer of the newly combined Six Flags company (who was formerly in the same role at Cedar Fair). “This decision shows we are listening to our guests and that we value their input. It also reinforces our focus on enhancing guest satisfaction, improving the value proposition, and ensuring that families can enjoy a memorable day filled with fun and entertainment.”
Elsewhere in the industry, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks — both belonging to the recently renamed United Parks & Resorts — began imposing a 5% surcharge on select purchases as early as 2022 and still do so today.
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