CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The parent company of Dorney Park has been busy in the new year as it attempts to conjure up a rosier financial future.

Earlier this week, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced it would not buy out the other owners of its very first amusement park, Six Flags Over Texas, located in Arlington, Texas.

Six Flags had until December 31, 2025, to make up its mind about acquiring the remaining non‑controlling partner interests in the park; Six Flags has a majority stake in Texas Flags, Ltd., which owns the park. Had Six Flags opted to become the park’s sole owner, payment would have been due in January 2028, the company noted.

“After careful consideration of the terms of the partnership agreement and the strategic objectives of the Company, we have determined not to exercise the call option with respect to Six Flags Over Texas,” said John Reilly, president and CEO of Six Flags, in a news release. “This was a difficult and deliberate decision. Six Flags Over Texas is a foundational park in our system and a prized asset within our portfolio. While the contractual terms do not currently align with our capital allocation priorities, we remain deeply committed to the long‑term success of the park and believe it has a bright future as part of the Six Flags portfolio.”

Moving forward, Six Flags will continue to operate and manage Six Flags Over Texas.

Also this week, Six Flags announced a $1 billion bond sale to refinance its debt. 

Six Flags has struggled financially since its $8 billion merger in 2024 with the Ohio-based Cedar Fair, which brought sites including Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in Lehigh County under its umbrella.

Reilly got the top job in December after Richard Zimmerman stepped down as President and CEO amid major financial losses for the company.

Still, Six Flags tried to focus on the positive. Late last year, the company announced that an investment group that includes NFL superstar Travis Kelce had acquired a significant stake in Six Flags. 

Six Flags also said season pass sales for 2026 were off to a strong start.

Will any of this make a difference in the near future? The company will most likely discuss its latest earnings report in February.

Shares of Six Flags (NYSE: FUN) were trading at $15.29 late Thursday. That’s near the bottom of their 52-week range. The company has a market capitalization of $1.53 billion.