First Six Flags shut down AstroWorld, and now it's talking about closing Splashtown, too. It makes us wonder: Why doesn't Six Flags want Houstonians to have fun?
The Oklahoma City-based Six Flags announced overnight that it's struggling financially and may be forced to sell or close six of its 30 properties, including the 20-year-old Splashtown. The company cites falling atendance and rising operation costs as reasons for the trouble; Six Flags President and CEO Mark Shapiro said the drop in attendance was expeced because Six Flags no longer offers cut-rate season passes (it's been trying to lure whole families, rather than teens, to its parks). Though officials said they don't know whether the sales or closures will actually occur, we imagine that singling out a short list of properties means something's likely to happen.
In addition to Splashtown, the Six Flags parks potentially on the chopping block are Darien Lake near Buffalo, N.Y., Waterworld Concord in Concord, Calif., Elitch Gardens in Denver, Enchanted Village/Wild Waves near Seattle and Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor near L.A.
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When I was a kid (in the 80's) the site where Spashtown is now was Hanna Barbara Land - with Yogi Bear and everything. Was Spashtown somewhere else at the time?
It really is sad to see the dirt plot that was once Astroworld. I sure don't want Splashtown to become a similar plot. To me it seems that the misfortunes of these parks have more to do with Six Flags business decisions than demand for their services. I mean, my family stopped going to Astroworld when the tickets went north of $20, much faster than the rate of inflation or other pressures.
No, you're right, it used to be Hanna-Barbera Land, which opened in the early '80s and didn't last too long. I mistyped — meant to type that the park was 20 years and came up with 45 instead.
Hi
I would like to know if anybody know if they are going to build another park on the south side of town. We need one on this side of town. I heard they going to build a Disney somewhere. Let me know.
Thank you
Robert