Six Flags puts itself up for sale

Anyone in the Greater Los Angeles Area should check out the front page of the LA Times Business Section. Its a story all about how they think Cedar Fair may be interested in purchasing Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor. The Sub-Heading reads, "Magic Mountain's owner seeks a buyer. Knott's operator Cedar Fair may be interested." It does state that CF probably wouldn't buy the whole chain. But does mention that there is precedent for a limited acquisition of a SF property by CF (SF:WOA). I think it is an interesting article. Check it out.
*** This post was edited by coaster_freak00 8/26/2005 3:10:42 PM ***

I think that CF would give it sometime after the disappointment that Geauge Lake has been so far. Who in their right mind would buy that place(sfmm)?*** This post was edited by GIGAFORCE01 8/26/2005 4:08:44 PM ***

A company that might be interested in allieviating competition. Is there ANYBODY on CB that can see how CF benefits long term from not having a Six Flags in the backyard? Even if there are short term operational losses, OR, a complete failure of the acquisitions, they will be better in the end...

IMHO CF is not a player whatsoever in this deal unless they could buy a few parks individually, they don't have near the value or backing needed.

Were talking billions here, Not 160 million they got Geauga for who's value on land alone was more than that.

Dragonoffrost, the reason I think Snyder would consider selling SFA is because of the property values in the Washington/Baltimore area. Look what's all around the park now, housing developments. I can just see the real estate wolves licking their chops to get the land SFA sits on. I have always felt that SFA is a diamond in the rough and could be an awesome park for the chain if they worked at it. I agree that some of the smaller and/or under performing parks will have to go, I just hope SFA isn't one of them.

Dick Kinzel should buy the Six Flags company. It would give him something to do when he retires as CEO of Cedar Fair. Also it would make the Cedar Fair empire huge.

I'm sure Dick is rich, but I doubt he's $660 million rich, not even if he sold all of his Cedar Fair units (his share is worth $14.7 million as of today).

What is the chance of a major chain such as Cedar Fair or something purchasing hte company? I mean seriously what kind of chance do they stand...or will they split up parks ...if they can't sell?

Rescue:I highly doubt that if Snyder bought SF that SFA would be in danger of shutting down,now if CF were to buy some parks SFA might be a good potential asset for them as the only other park CF owns in the northeast/mid atlantic is Dorney park.

Some companies will probably use this as an opportunity to bargain for a few of the properties without buying the entire SF company outright. And I could see SF considering a few offers. It's clear at least to me, buyout or no buyout, Six Flags will not continue to run all 30 parks.

Let the speculation begin...

So by buying property...could save the company and help it sell at a better price..and help the debt situation...or if it sold all its property...the company could just fail...I don't know..what kind of things do you all see happening...I see companies purchasing parks...and then the company.
*** This post was edited by Dominator56 8/27/2005 1:01:52 AM ***

I just can't see anyone buying that many properties and taking on that much inherited debt in these uncertain times, including Snyder. However, if SF unloads several underperforming parks, and bring the number of total properties down to let's say, (21), it just makes a much more appealing picture, even if they somehow manage to hold on to the company in it's current form(which I personally don't see happenning).

"Technically you do work for Bill Gates already. He or one of his holdings companies is a minority owner in Six Flags"

I guess its a cold day in hell then. Excuse me! ;)

Maybe Bill Gates should just buy the whole company. He's got the money, And I'm sure he's got the smarts to know which parks would hurt the company and get rid of them. Someone better buy that company soon though...because if they don't, well let's just say it doesn't look pretty for Sic Flags.

It's not that easy. You can't just up and "get rid" of parks. It's not like selling a car you don't want anymore. Only a few companies would be potential buyers and who says they're interested? Think CF wants another park right now? I doubt it.*** This post was edited by Peabody 8/27/2005 5:27:07 PM ***

I could see Bill Gates buying them...its MicroFlags now...mu ha ha ha ha ah ;) Featuring the Blue screen of death! j/k...seriously..He should consider it. he already owns a high end company....he knows best. :)

Who said it was easy? Nothing worthwhile is "easy", but that doesn't mean it's not nessessary. I'm sure it wasn't "easy" to unload the overseas parks, combined with the Ohio property, but it happened didn't it? Why, because it was nessessary. Six Flags even sold them for much less than they shelled out for them, not to mention all the investments they put into each of those parks, because it had to be done.

And even still, I'm not so much making flat out predictions, as I am giving a personal assessment of this mess.

*** This post was edited by DWeaver 8/27/2005 11:20:53 PM ***

DON'T POST COPYRIGHTED ARTICLES! LINK TO THEM! -J
*** This post was edited by Jeff 8/28/2005 8:13:28 AM ***

According to The LA Times: " Magic Mountain and Neighboring Hurricane Harbor would be attractive to Cedar Fair." The reason given was Close proximity to other existing Cedar Fair properties would allow Cedar Fair to use "MEDIA BUYS" to lower advertising cost for all their parks in Southern California (Advertise Parks Simultaneously). From: The LA TIMES August 26, 2005 Link: latimes.com The article by David Colker and Jerry Hirsh is Titled: Six Flags Auction May Shake Up Southland's Theme Park Sector (Magic Mountain owner seeks buyer. Knott's operator Cedar Fair may be interested.) You can even e-mail the story to a friend once you register with the LA Times. You Must Register to read the article!

Bill Gates? You're kidding me right? There is no way in heck he'd want any part of Six Flags. And I doubt even he would be interested in assuming 2 Billion in debt. But you are correct Moosh... he *could* do it. :-)