The theme park world is reeling this week as a series of bombshell trademark filings suggests that Six Flags Entertainment Corp may have already moved to sell off a significant portion of its portfolio. While the company recently completed an $8 billion merger with Cedar Fair, the financial “honeymoon” appears to be over, replaced by a ruthless strategy of asset liquidation.
On January 8 and 9, 2026, a mystery entity called “Enchanted Parks Holdings, LLC” filed trademark applications for five specific properties that currently sit under the Six Flags umbrella. This “digital paper trail” has fans and industry analysts asking: Are we witnessing the birth of a new rival chain—or the fire sale of the decade?
The “Enchanted Five”: Which Parks Are on the Block?
The trademark filings weren’t vague. They specifically renamed five established properties, swapping the “Six Flags” or regional branding for the new “Enchanted Parks” moniker.
The Five Properties Caught in the Filing:
- Six Flags St. Louis (Missouri): Rumored to become Enchanted Parks St. Louis.
- Michigan’s Adventure (Michigan): Rumored to become Enchanted Parks Michigan Adventure.
- Worlds of Fun / Oceans of Fun (Kansas City): Filings specifically highlight Enchanted Parks’ Oceans of Fun.
- The Great Escape & Lodge (New York): Filings point to Enchanted Parks’ Great Escape Lodge.
- Schlitterbahn Galveston (Texas): The smaller of the two water park icons, rumored as Enchanted Parks Galveston.
Who is Enchanted Parks? Follow the Orlando Money
The most intriguing part of this speculation is the entity behind the filings. “Enchanted Parks Holdings” shares a mailing address with Innovative Attraction Management (IAM), an Orlando-based firm led by former Disney executives.
IAM recently made headlines by acquiring Enchanted Forest Water Safari in New York. The fact that they are now filing for trademarks that mirror existing Six Flags properties suggests they are either in the final stages of a massive acquisition or have already signed the paperwork to take over these “non-core” regional gates.+1
Why Six Flags is Clearing the Shelves
To the average season Passholder, selling off a park like Six Flags St. Louis seems unthinkable. But for the corporate office in Charlotte, the math is simple.
1. The Billion-Dollar Debt Load
Just this week, Six Flags announced the pricing of $1 billion in senior notes at a high 8.625% interest rate. The company is desperate for cash to pay down the massive debt incurred during the merger. Selling five regional parks could provide a massive infusion of liquidity, allowing the company to stabilize its balance sheet.
2. The “Strategic” vs. “Underperforming” Filter
During a recent earnings call, Six Flags CFO Brian Witherow admitted the company is looking at “low-hanging fruit” for selling off parks. By offloading smaller or mid-tier regional parks, Six Flags can focus its remaining capital on its “Crown Jewels”—high-revenue parks like Cedar Point, Magic Mountain, and Knott’s Berry Farm.
What This Means for 2026 Season Pass Holders
If these five parks have indeed been sold, the impact on guests will be immediate:
- The “Six Flags” Name Era Ends: Expect a complete rebrand. The DC Comics characters (Batman, Wonder Woman) and Looney Tunes branding are explicitly licensed to Six Flags; a new owner like IAM would likely have to strip those themes and replace them with generic or original “Enchanted” branding.
- Pass Reciprocity: The biggest question is whether a Six Flags “Gold” or “Prestige” pass will still work at these five locations. If they are no longer part of the Six Flags chain, fans may need to buy a separate pass for their local park for the first time in years.
Conclusion: A Leaner Giant
The “Enchanted Parks” leak isn’t just a rumor—it’s a window into the future of the theme park industry. Six Flags is no longer interested in being the “biggest” chain by park count; they want to be the most profitable. By selling off these five regional staples, they are signaling that the era of the “all-access” national pass may be coming to a close.
Which of the “Enchanted Five” would you be most disappointed to see leave the Six Flags family?
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