Six Flags on Friday said it plans to sell two Oklahoma City parks and close its corporate offices in the city.

Investor Dan Snyder said he plans to turn the company around.

Six Flags said the sale of Frontier City and White Water Bay may take effect after the 2006 season, which ends in October. Staubach Co. will handle the parks.

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Since last summer when Daniel Snyder launched his bid to take control of Six Flags, the stock market value of the company has inflated by more than $360 million. The company’s stock value has also risen 37 percent since the first day of the new year. Last Friday, January 23, the stock rose 15 cents a share to close at $10.57 – the highest it has been in over three years. (more…)

Disney announced today that it is buying Pixar Animation Studios for $7.4 billion. Disney had agreed to distribute Pixar’s first seven computer animation films, but re-negotiation deals had broken down under former Disney C.E.O. Michael Eisner. In addition to the huge impact the purchase will have on the animation industry, there will also be changes to Disney’s theme parks. (more…)

Paramount Parks has announced that it is looking for a freelance writer/editor to assist with writing and editorial services for its network of theme park websites.

Parties interested in the position must be already be incorporated or be willing to incorporate. Responsibilities include researching and writing articles, working with other writers, writing ad copy and entering content into Paramount’s proprietary content management system. Each of the individual parks will provide information and guidance.

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A giant, $168 million water park is one step closer to becoming a reality. 

New York City’s Franchise and Concession Review Committee approved the proposal for the water park on Wednesday which allows the Parks Department to begin negotiations.  The park would be paid for by a private developer under a 35-year lease with the city, but some critics are worried the park may be too large and could possibly lead to traffic problems.

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Six Flags
announced today a new company policy under which its theme parks across
the country will become smoke-free environments. This measure is the
newest element in the company’s commitment to improving the family
entertainment experience throughout the Six Flags system. (more…)

As part of an effort to make the park more family friendly, Six Flags Fiesta Texas is adding three new water rides and a children’s play area for the 2006 season.

The park will construct a 50-foot-high waterslide called Big Bender, a six-lane speed slide named Hill Country Racer, and a ride called Whirlpool that will swish riders around a 40-foot-diameter bowl before dropping them into a corkscrew chute. The new play area will be called Splashwater Springs and will feature a pirate ship, squirting palm trees, and a slide. (more…)