SIX FLAGS, CEDAR FAIR TO MERGE: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CEDAR POINT AND ITS NEW OWNER

Regional theme park giants Six Flags and Cedar Fair are expected to close their merger on Monday.

“As our collective team pauses to recognize this important milestone, together we are eager to embark on the next chapter of our journey to offer millions of guests across North America unparalleled, family-focused entertainment full of fun, thrills, and lifetime memories,” Six Flags President and CEO Selim Bassoul said in a June 26 press release.

The proposed merger, expected to be finalized on Monday, will form one of the largest theme park businesses in North America. Together, Cedar Fair and Six Flags currently control dozens of theme parks, water parks, and resort properties across the U.S., as well as Canada and Mexico.

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Here’s what longtime Six Flags and Cedar Fair guests should know.

Will Cedar Fair be changing its name?

Yes. Once combined, the company will operate as Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.

What does the Six Flags, Cedar Fair merger mean for guests?

The company will be worth an estimated $8 billion after merging.

“Our enhanced financial flexibility will enable us to invest in new rides, attractions, food and beverage options, and state-of-the-art consumer technologies, ensuring continuous improvement and innovation, and that each park visit is more exciting and memorable than the last,” Cedar Fair President and CEO Richard Zimmerman said in the release.

Just last week, Six Flags announced its largest Fright Fest investment yet.

Who’s going to run the company?

Zimmerman will serve as president and CEO of the merged company while Bassoul moves into the role of executive chairman for its board of directors, according to last week's news release.

What happens to Cedar Fair's headquarters in Sandusky?

Some operations of the combined company − including finance and administrative functions − will remain in Sandusky.

The newly formed amusement park operator will be based in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Cedar Fair's Carowinds Park is located.

Six Flags will close its Texas headquarters.

Will Cedar Point and Kings Island change?

Time will tell whether things change dramatically at the Six Flags two Ohio parks.

For now Cedar Point officials say it is business as usual.

The park does not anticipate any immediate changes with the merger.

They say guests should not notice any different this season as the ride names will stay the same and Cedar Point will still be on all the cups and merchandise.

Cedar Point and Kings Island's mascots are the Peanuts gang while Six Flags ambassadors include Looney Tunes characters and superheroes from the DC universe.

As the rights to these so-called intellectual properties come due the combined company is expected to make a decision on which characters it wants to use in the future for its rides, costumed characters and shows at its various parks.

What states have Six Flags?

Currently, there are 11 states with Six Flags parks and resort properties. Six Flags also has parks in Montreal and Mexico City.

• Arizona Hurricane Harbor Phoenix
• California Six Flags Magic Mountain & Hurricane Harbor Los AngelesSix Flags Discovery Kingdom & Hurricane Harbor Concord
• Georgia Six Flags Over Georgia & Six Flags White Water
• Illinois Six Flags Great America & Hurricane Harbor ChicagoHurricane Harbor Rockford
• Maryland Six Flags America
• Massachusetts Six Flags New England
• Missouri Six Flags St. Louis
• New Jersey Six Flags Great Adventure & Hurricane Harbor New JerseyWild Safari Adventure & Six Flags Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa
• New York Six Flags Great EscapeSix Flags Darien Lake & LodgingSix Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark
• Oklahoma Frontier City & Hurricane Harbor OKC
• Texas Six Flags Over Texas & Hurricane Harbor ArlingtonSix Flags Fiesta TexasHurricane Harbor Splashtown
• Canada La Ronde 
• Mexico Six Flags México & Hurricane Harbor Oaxtepec

Where are the Cedar Fair locations?

There are currently nine states with Cedar Fair parks. There’s also a park in the Toronto area.

• California California’s Great AmericaKnott’s Berry Farm & Knott’s Soak City
• Michigan Michigan’s Adventure & Wildwater Adventure
• Minnesota Valleyfair & Soak City
• Missouri Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun
• North Carolina Carowinds
• Ohio Cedar Point & Cedar Point ShoresKings Island
• Pennsylvania Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
• Texas Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Schlitterbahn Galveston
• Virginia Kings Dominion & Soak City
• Canada Canada’s Wonderland

Cedar Fair also has 11 accommodation offerings around the U.S., ranging from RV sites to hotels.

Contributing: Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Six Flags, Cedar Fair to merge: What to know about Cedar Point and its new owner

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