Does Warner Bros. Own the Six Flags Theme Parks?

No, Warner Bros. does not own the Six Flags theme parks. Despite a history of Warner Communications owning parts of Six Flags, the current ownership is clear: Six Flags theme parks are independently owned and operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corp., an independent and publicly traded company based in Texas.

History of Warner Bros. and Six Flags: From Partnership to Separation

During the 1980s and 1990s, Warner Communications was part of a vast entertainment empire that included many different entertainment assets, including amusement parks, arcades, and miniature race tracks. At one point, Six Flags was acquired piecemeal, becoming fully owned by Warner Communications in 1993. However, this ownership was not a permanent state of affairs. Five years later, in 1998, Six Flags was sold in its entirety to Premier Parks, thereby finally separating it from Warner Communications.

Firsthand Experience: Warner Bros. Park Tour

One employee from the era recalls a time when Warner Bros. executives were frequent visitors to Six Flags parks. They were known to ride every single ride, escorting them around the park was often the responsibility of young employees like myself. The executives, despite frequent visits, were not familiar with the park’s layout, which underscored the complexity of such a vast facility.

Current Ownership and Operations

Today, Six Flags is an independent company, publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SIX. It operates 25 theme parks and water parks across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The company is notably owned by its numerous stockholders, making it a significant player in the theme park industry.

No Characters Licensing Agreement

It's important to note that Six Flags has never licensed Warner Bros. characters for use in their parks, despite the historical connection between the two companies. The theme parks run under their own brand, with attractions and characters that are tailored to their brand identity.

In conclusion, while there was a brief period when Six Flags was owned by Warner Communications, the current reality is that Six Flags is an independent entity with its own ownership and operation structure. This independence ensures that the theme parks continue to provide unique and memorable experiences for visitors from around the world.