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Herschend Family Entertainment has announced that they have signed a terms sheet to acquire Silverwood and Boulder Beach. Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (“Herschend”), the world’s largest family-held themed attractions company, and Silverwood, Inc., owner of Silverwood Theme Park (“Silverwood”), have signed an exclusive term sheet for Herschend to acquire Silverwood. Silverwood, a beloved family-owned theme and water park in Athol, ID, has been operated by the Norton family for more than 35 years. This partnership marks a new chapter for Silverwood, as it joins Herschend’s portfolio of family brands, while continuing its tradition of delivering memorable experiences to guests of all ages. Founded in 1988 by Gary Norton and operated by his family for three generations, Silverwood has grown into one of the most successful independently owned parks in the U.S., attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to its 400-acre site. The park is home to more than 70 rides and attractions, including Boulder Beach Water Park. “Silverwood has been our family’s life’s work for more than three decades,” said Paul Norton, Silverwood’s Chief Operating Officer. “When the time came to pass the torch, Herschend was the only choice. They share our values, our long-term approach, and our belief that parks like this are built by people with heart.” Herschend operates more than 40 family entertainment brands across North America, iconic destinations such as Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City Parks & Resorts, the Harlem Globetrotters and recently acquired properties such as Kennywood, Adventureland, and Lake Compounce, continuing its mission to bring families closer together by creating memories worth repeating. “This is more than a business transaction—it’s the continuation of a legacy,” said Andrew Wexler, CEO of Herschend. “We are honored that the Norton family has trusted us to carry their vision forward and excited to welcome the Silverwood hosts and guests to Herschend.” The parties have begun the due diligence process and are working toward finalizing the transaction.

These pics are credited to Jonathan McNair and Jeffrey Siebert. They show Tormenta construction progress from the parking lot and tower.

According to their calendar, they only celebrate Holidays at Legoland on the every Saturday in December as well as Dec 24-31st. I imagine the park will still be decorated. I would suggest calling them: For questions related to the LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park, Water Park, or SEA LIFE Florida, please call: 877-350-5346

Lotte World have added 3 new rides to the park: A children only mini-viking, a mini drop tower (Looks like a frog hopper, but the park already has one of those) and a spinning ride from Sunkid. The park has also added a single-rider line to the park but sadly it's only for the children's coaster and not the big Mack rides.

It's the Jeffrey Siebert effect.

We will be near the Tampa area between 12/01 and 12/04. Does anyone know if Legoland will be decorated for Christmas and what we could expect if we'd go to Legoland? It looks like they have special days for Christmas on a few Saturdays, but what is there for Christmas during the week?

Dang in non-typical Six Flags fashion they aren't messing around! This thing is going up quick!

I drove by on 360 over the weekend and you can see the track from there as well.

These pics are credited to Rain Marie, Savage Mister, Jeffrey Siebert, Cliff Knight and Six Flags Over Texas. Tormenta is now visable from I-30 as you drive by. Last pic shows Funicular track being installed on Tormentas lift hill. Tormentas lift hill can now be seen from I-30 as you drive by Here you can see Tormentas lift hill off to the left. Funicular track being installed on Tormentas lift.

SPICY HOT TAKE INCOMING Georgia Scorcher needs a floorless conversion, because that layout absolutely RIPS and it would become a headliner if it were just more comfortable.

The park is almost ready to be open for Six Flags to finally bring a park to the Middle East after nearly 25 years in the making and after two failed previous attempts (Dubai/Dubailand, UAE and Lusail, Qatar).

The opening dates hasn't been revealed yet. But is it expected to be by December 31st, 2025 (New Year's Eve).

Unfortunately no, I heard possibly not until December. One of the trains is taken apart right outside the work area under the brake run. I also forgot to mention that they are temporarily having everyone go through the Quick Queue entrance and then there is someone there directing people back to the main line if they don't have Quick Queue with the first part of the main queue closed off to have more lockers installed.

Has Gwazi returned to two train ops?

That is what I have always been told by those in the know (and what my son was always led to believe when he was a ride op there) That it is a small but profitable regional park. I think a lot of people discount the role that the water park plays in attendance. Shortage of staff there got a lot more yakking on FB than anything about the dry park. Also, I would hope the fact that it is one of the original 3 ground up parks in the chain, and I believe the only one designed in house by Six Flags, would give it SOME sort of priority. Or maybe I am just assuming historical significance means something to people other than me.

They would if they invested in the Park properly. Ask any long-term resident of the STL area about Six Flags, chances are you won't get any rave reviews. I don't think people dislike the Park but it is just so-so. The Park, generally, hasn't changed since the 90's. Same old rides, same old experience, same this, same that, same everything. The Additions we have gotten (since 2000s) have kept things alive, but they are not the kind which create long term excitement and make people want to revisit the 50 year old Park. This is all due to Upper Mgmt and their stingy ways for the last 20 years. I wish it was owned locally, it would be a much better Park for sure.

I stopped in for another short visit yesterday. Cheetah Hunt has been closed for over a week. The Sky Ride has reopened and the carousel's walls are down so it looks like that will be reopening soon as well. Iron Gwazi had 4 people checking restraints which really helped dispatches but unfortunately when I was about to ride, the train had a sensor issue with a restraint in another car and that shut down the ride for the rest of the day. Hopefully they keep 4 people checking restraints since it would have been less than a 15 minute wait if the ride had not broken down. Sheikra was also running 2 trains that was not expected. Not counting the time spent at Iron Gwazi without riding, in the last 70 minutes the park was open I was able to ride Sheikra twice, Kumba, Phoenix Rising, Sky Ride and Cobra's Curse. The tree is up ahead of Christmas Town starting next week. I'm looking forward to later closing times and Iron Gwazi night rides. The relocated kids rides were testing.

I agree with us being number 3. Ppl in St. Louis do not support the park. For most of the spring and summer I never waited more than 5-10 mins in any line on Sundays and I visit the park often.

Unless we've been wrong or lied to all along it's been said STL is a profitable park. That should plant it in #2. Obviously if it actually doesn't print money it's in group 3.

Apparently not.

Honestly, I see category 3 being the most likely, but 2 is possible as well. SFStL didn't get a new attraction survey, right?

And just where does Six Flags St. Louis fit in all that. My guess would be number 2.

Having read through the transcript of the call, and reviewed the slides, it sounds like there's more than just "good" and "bad" parks in their eyes The "core," high-performing parks that have been seeing investment and will continue to do so. The "core," low-performing parks that they're going to try investing in, and if it doesn't make it into a high-performing park, the category will change. The "non-core," low-performing parks that may be salvageable into profitable parks. The "non-core", low-performing parks that are on the immediate chopping block if they can't get their act together. The "non-core" parks that are already officially slated for closure (SFA, CGA). Based on what Zimmerman and the other guy said, it sounds like there's a bit of fluidity and movement possible between types 2, 3, and 4.