News Impacts of the EPR & Enchanted Parks Deal on Six Flags St. Louis

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wasteman

wasteman

May 21, 2025
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Lots of good stuff in this article
  • Six Flags St. Louis will be renamed to "Mid-America by Enchanted Parks"
  • James Harhi, the CEO of Enchanted Parks, says that St. Louis is the "crown jewel" of the deal
  • There's some conversation between Enchanted Parks and Warner Bros
  • James Harhi says that St. Louis "should be seeing new attractions on a consistent basis"
Here's the link (paywall unfortunately), New Six Flags operator promises new rides, new name, more value
 
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Wow, great article @wasteman! Moved your post out into a new SFStL-specific thread as the park-level effects of the larger deal will be a big story in the next couple years.

If similar articles emerge for other newly-sold parks, definitely make similar threads for them!

Also, "Mid-America by Enchanted Parks" is a very bad name and I hope the IP vanishes. I don't think it does anything for a park like SFStL.
 
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Zachary said:
I think most of the parks should keep their current names, but in the case of Six Flags St. Louis which has to be renamed, I really do like Gateway to Fun. Synergy with the icon of St. Louis and it's super clever to brand it with some relation to its regional sister park.
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I'm not so sure about that one, Zack. Worlds of Fun sounds like there are worlds to enjoy within. Gateway to Fun sounds more like a park slogan to me than the full name (i.e. "Six Flags St. Louis, your gateway to fun!). Referencing the Gateway Arch is all it would have going for it.

I do agree that Enchanted Parks is not branding that should be slapped onto the name of each of these properties like Six Flags. Sounds clunky.
 
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wasteman said:
Lots of good stuff in this article
  • Six Flags St. Louis will be renamed to "Mid-America by Enchanted Parks"
  • James Harhi, the CEO of Enchanted Parks, says that St. Louis is the "crown jewel" of the deal
  • There's some conversation between Enchanted Parks and Warner Bros
  • James Harhi says that St. Louis "should be seeing new attractions on a consistent basis"
Here's the link (paywall unfortunately), New Six Flags operator promises new rides, new name, more value
Click to expand...

Zachary said:
Wow, great article @wasteman! Moved your post out into a new SFStL-specific thread as the park-level effects of the larger deal will be a big story in the next couple years.

If similar articles emerge for other newly-sold parks, definitely make similar threads for them!

Also, "Mid-America by Enchanted Parks" is a very bad name and I hope the IP vanishes. I don't think it does anything for a park like SFStL.
Click to expand...

Zachary said:
I think most of the parks should keep their current names, but in the case of Six Flags St. Louis which has to be renamed, I really do like Gateway to Fun. Synergy with the icon of St. Louis and it's super clever to brand it with some relation to its regional sister park.
Click to expand...
michaellynn4 said:
“Several Banners Above St. Louis”
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I actually love them bringing back "Mid-America" to the branding of this park - it is its original name, after all. I do agree that "Mid-America by Enchanted Parks" is lame AF though.

And I know a certain disgruntled thoosie on another forum that will either be thrilled by the promise of more investment to this park, or immediately call bullshit, so I'm happy for them. @michaellynn4 you know how I'm talking about LOL
 
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wasteman said:
-James Harhi, the CEO of Enchanted Parks, says that St. Louis is the "crown jewel" of the deal
-There's some conversation between Enchanted Parks and Warner Bros
-James Harhi says that St. Louis "should be seeing new attractions on a consistent basis"
Click to expand...
Sorry to be skeptical, but I just don't know if I buy any of these points.

I'm not sure why WOF shouldn't be the crown jewel, as that park seems to be in all-around better shape (and not to mention, EPR is based in Kansas City). Not sure if St Louis can really deliver on growth without a ton of investment, which makes it seem more risky. I get not wanting to trash a park you just bought, and maybe they have a plan.... but this comes off as PR spin, to me.
 
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Glad I'm not alone. You can't convince me for a singular second that Six Flags had to be convicted to sell St. Louis, for instance. That and the crown jewel comment honestly read like straight-up lies to me.

I get that he's trying to butter up the local market and these claims won't throw red flags to normies, but as someone who follows this industry closely, stuff like this leaves a bad taste in my mouth. He could have just been honest—"St. Louis is one of the largest parks in our new chain and we are glad to have had the opportunity to buy it. We believe the property has been neglected under its previous ownership and we intend to make significant investments in the years ahead."
 
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Zachary said:
Glad I'm not alone. You can't convince me for a singular second that Six Flags had to be convicted to sell St. Louis, for instance. That and the crown jewel comment honestly read like straight-up lies to me.

I get that he's trying to butter up the local market and these claims won't throw red flags to normies, but as someone who follows this industry closely, stuff like this leaves a bad taste in my mouth. He could have just been honest—"St. Louis is one of the largest parks in our new chain and we are glad to have had the opportunity to buy it. We believe the property has been neglected under its previous ownership and we intend to make significant investments in the years ahead."
Click to expand...
So EPR does own the City Museum, although this is operated by Premier Parks. I could see them doing a partnership to make a combo pass or discount. Not that much to go on really.

Technically, St Louis is a larger metro than Kansas City, but this has been shifting for decades, where KC is growing (since the 1990's) and St Louis is shrinking (since the 1940's). KC also has a higher per capita income, and other favorable factors:

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Not saying they should totally abandon St Louis, but I don't see this park growing a larger audience or overtaking SDC or WOF in the same state, etc. Also maybe WOF gets some market crossover with Valleyfair and St Louis... that seems like the one with the most flagship potential, to me.

Also talking to DC seems like a waste... Maybe they should talk to WildBrain about Peanuts licensing, since they will have more of those attractions with buying MiA, Valleyfair, and WOF?
 
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@coasters_bgw said:
But of course everyone (thoosies and gp) are gonna refer to it as Six Flags for the rest of time. We know this.
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“For the rest of time” may be a stretch. It might take several years for the public to adapt to the new name, but I bet it will happen eventually. Think of the other Six Flags parks that had different names before the SF brand. Do that many people really call SFNE “Riverside Park” anymore? Or how many people still thought of SFA as “Wild World” or “Adventure World” by the time that park closed? Another example would be Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which people still called “MGM” for years after that park was renamed, but I’ve slowly seen fewer and fewer people using the MGM moniker. It just takes time.
 
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If Busch still owned the SeaWorld/Busch gardens chain would they be interested in buying the six flags st. Louis location since it's in their headquarters backyard
 
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