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Strategy Episodes

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Files for Bankruptcy: What It Means for the Industry
Feb. 15, 2026

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Files for Bankruptcy: What It Means f…

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 9 after a $116 million wrongful death judgment - this episode is about what it means for the industry.

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The State of the Attractions Industry in 2026
Jan. 4, 2026

The State of the Attractions Industry in 2026

This episode is structured as an environmental SWOT analysis of the attractions industry, intended to support 2026 strategic planning.

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Netflix, Warner Bros., and what it means for Theme Parks
Dec. 15, 2025

Netflix, Warner Bros., and what it means for Theme Parks

Netflix announced plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in a $72 billion deal - a deal that will shake the very foundations of the theme park industry.

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The 2026 Guest Is Chasing Childhood Memories
Dec. 7, 2025

The 2026 Guest Is Chasing Childhood Memories

A new report reveals how Gen Z and Millennials plan to travel in 2026.

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Six Flags Questions, IAAPA Europe, & Lego's Acquisition
Sept. 28, 2025

Six Flags Questions, IAAPA Europe, & Lego's Acquisition

This week, we respond to your comments from last week's show regarding Six Flags. Scott recaps his visit to IAAPA Expo Europe; Lego invests £200 million in the acquisition of Lego Discovery Centers from Merlin; and a New imme...

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Halloween Trends 2025: What Guests Really Want (and What That Means for Your Attraction)
Sept. 17, 2025

Halloween Trends 2025: What Guests Really Want (and What That Means f…

Only 19% of U.S. adults say they want “scary vibes” this Halloween—while 30% plan to wear multiple costumes and 70% say organized events are steady or increasing. Philip and Scott unpack the annual HalloweenCostumes.com surve...

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Six Flags Adds Haunted House Fees—Will Guests Pay for What They Once Got Free?
Aug. 17, 2025

Six Flags Adds Haunted House Fees—Will Guests Pay for What They Once …

Legacy Cedar Fair parks are moving to the Six Flags model this Halloween, requiring a new $10–$20 Haunted Attractions Pass for mazes—and an extra $15 for The Conjuring house.

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Six Flags’ $100M Loss, CEO Exit & the Season Pass Gamble
Aug. 10, 2025

Six Flags’ $100M Loss, CEO Exit & the Season Pass Gamble

Six Flags posted a nearly $100 million loss in Q2—down from a $55 million profit a year ago—on 1.4 million fewer visitors, a smaller base of season passholders, and what it calls “adverse weather.”

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Five TRENDS You Can’t Ignore: Mergers, Velvet Ropes, and the Rise of Festival-First Parks
June 8, 2025

Five TRENDS You Can’t Ignore: Mergers, Velvet Ropes, and the Rise of …

In this special, we examine the last 18 months of news to surface the largest trends in the theme park world.

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Family Culture or Central Control? Herschend’s Acquisition & Six Flags’ Silo Smash
June 2, 2025

Family Culture or Central Control? Herschend’s Acquisition & Six Flag…

Herschend finalized its acquisition of Palace Entertainment’s 24 U.S. attractions with a $1.1 billion leveraged loan—and vows 2025 will be a “listening year.”

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Six Flags Presses “Reset”
May 26, 2025

Six Flags Presses “Reset”

"The Great Reset," Six Flags' new strategic plan, aims to reach 58 million in annual attendance and $3.8 billion in revenue by 2028.

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