Register or Login to Hide This Ad for Free!
The inherent problem with a theme park in the DC area is that tourists are not interested in adding a theme park onto their DC trip. There’s plenty of other stuff to do, and a theme park doesn’t fit the same type of vibe as other higher brow DC activities. SFA was as regional as regional parks get, and a ton of people in the region saw it as trashy and would rather go to Hershey or KD/BGW. Sad, but this place wasn’t really rehabilitate-able.

I stand by belief that new Six Flags will use the savings to improve the parks that survive. SFA was just too mismanaged
 
so, why is six flags doing this and instead of selling the park to someone else like the owners who bought kennywood or merlin entertainment (Six Flags America could easily been converted to Legoland Maryland)
Because the land the park sits on in the DC area is worth a lot of money (stupid lot) and they stand to make a profit from selling the land even after you factor in the expenses of shutting down the park.

Plus the Commanders down the street are going back to DC in 2030 so land value in that area may go down if they wait any longer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mwe BGW
I’ve been thinking about this for a little while now. Here’s my logic. Most everything in this park is going to get scrapped/become parts donors. Just going down the list of rides and what could be done:
Batwing—unless someone is willing to put up with the insanity that is a Flying Dutchman, this will likely end up being scrapped.
Superman—they just got new trains, and relocating this seems rather unlikely. I’d be willing to bet these trains go to Darien Lake for their Superman.
Starflyer, flying scooters, Harley Quinn, maybe riddler—relocated or parts (I find riddler more likely to be parts donor than relocation)
JJ—park not within the SF chain buys and relocates it. If not, parts donor for Poltergeist.
Penguin Blizzard is likely to be scrapped. Only one in the US if I remember correctly.
Wild One—ride unfortunately is likely dead. Maybe Knoebels steps in for this one? If not, trains probably get set to another ride in the chain, they’ve got quite a few that could utilize them.
Ragin Cajun—the most likely relocation coaster, given the portable nature. If not, definitely becoming a part donor.
Roar—this can die. No one really enjoyed it. But trains could be sent to Predator at Darien Lake.
Firebird— this is an interesting one since it’s the first B&M and somehow has outlived a couple others at this point. Most likely the ride is scrapped but trains become part donors. Maybe for Dominator by chance?
Skywinder—kind of a wild card. Could be relocated, or axed for parts donor. I know SFDK has been working on their SLC, maybe trains go to SFDK, the rest of the ride is parts donor? If relocated it’s more likely to be outside of the chain.
NebulaZ—I feel confident in saying this will be a relocation. The ride is practically brand new still. Various other flats I find likely to just be relocated or as parts donors, river rapids and shoot the chute are probably dead.
 
Two things about this announcement...

1. This isn't a recent development. The decision to permanently shutter SFA was made in the fall.

2. There are no plans to relocate any of the rides within the chain. At the most (as some have mentioned) parts from existing rides could be used for attractions at other SF parks.
 
I’ve been thinking about this for a little while now. Here’s my logic. Most everything in this park is going to get scrapped/become parts donors. Just going down the list of rides and what could be done:
Batwing—unless someone is willing to put up with the insanity that is a Flying Dutchman, this will likely end up being scrapped.
Superman—they just got new trains, and relocating this seems rather unlikely. I’d be willing to bet these trains go to Darien Lake for their Superman.
Starflyer, flying scooters, Harley Quinn, maybe riddler—relocated or parts (I find riddler more likely to be parts donor than relocation)
JJ—park not within the SF chain buys and relocates it. If not, parts donor for Poltergeist.
Penguin Blizzard is likely to be scrapped. Only one in the US if I remember correctly.
Wild One—ride unfortunately is likely dead. Maybe Knoebels steps in for this one? If not, trains probably get set to another ride in the chain, they’ve got quite a few that could utilize them.
Ragin Cajun—the most likely relocation coaster, given the portable nature. If not, definitely becoming a part donor.
Roar—this can die. No one really enjoyed it. But trains could be sent to Predator at Darien Lake.
Firebird— this is an interesting one since it’s the first B&M and somehow has outlived a couple others at this point. Most likely the ride is scrapped but trains become part donors. Maybe for Dominator by chance?
Skywinder—kind of a wild card. Could be relocated, or axed for parts donor. I know SFDK has been working on their SLC, maybe trains go to SFDK, the rest of the ride is parts donor? If relocated it’s more likely to be outside of the chain.
NebulaZ—I feel confident in saying this will be a relocation. The ride is practically brand new still. Various other flats I find likely to just be relocated or as parts donors, river rapids and shoot the chute are probably dead.
A relocation for Ripquirl would seem highly likely as it's only two years old i could see that as an attractive addition to KD
 
I don’t see why [Pantherian] wouldn’t [be immune to being scrapped]
If Kingda Ka can fall, Pantherian can fall too. Hard to think this could be its "Dragon Challenge" era (granted, Dragon Challenge lost the dueling).

The only silver lining is that losing Pantherian means the Lion County Safari land is free again and they could really rework the park layout. Unless they're just going to sell that land.

So the focus for SF has got to be KD now and making sure they don't leak DMV guests north to HP.
Or worse, have them drive past KD for BGW. I'm reminded of reading about ads for Six Flags Worlds of Adventure that had people saying they drove past Cedar Point for SFWoA.
 
  • Sad
Reactions: CoasterBroCam
If Kingda Ka can fall, Pantherian can fall too. Hard to think this could be its "Dragon Challenge" era (granted, Dragon Challenge lost the dueling).

The only silver lining is that losing Pantherian means the Lion County Safari land is free again and they could really rework the park layout. Unless they're just going to sell that land.
I mean, come on! I can’t be that crazy for thinking Pantherian could be on the chopping block right?
 
Its sad news but not surprising, I wonder if the local demographics are a factor in this decision? SFA is the only park that someone attempted to break into my car which happened on my last trip there 15 years ago. I wonder what will happen with the old farmhouse and grave site behind Wildone?
 
NebulaZ—I feel confident in saying this will be a relocation. The ride is practically brand new still.

They could relocate it however the amount of money the company will make from the sale of the land SFA sits on will be ridiculously absurd and would more than offset the price of a recently purchased new flat.
 
They could relocate it however the amount of money the company will make from the sale of the land SFA sits on will be ridiculously absurd and would more than offset the price of a recently purchased new flat.
Sure, but there wouldn't be any harm in relocating it, right? If the rides have to leave the premises either way, why not disassemble some things with the intent to sell/move them?
(Unless the land needs to get cleared ASAP?)
 
Consider Donating to Hide This Ad