Numbers

Six Flags Theme Parks

How It's Used

"As families hit the road for summer holidays, hotel chains across the USA are offering incentives to make their stays more fun. The chains listed below already let kids stay free in their parents' or grandparents' room. Among their other amenities:

"Best Western. 'Have a Super Hero Summer at Best Western,' through Sept. 7, caters to kids with freebies that include a single-use camera, a replica edition of DC Comics (including games and puzzles) and coupons for discounts at Six Flags theme parks, United Artists movie theaters and more."

"For those who thought the Viper had bite, Six Flags Great America in Gurnee has announced plans to build the park's tallest, fastest roller coaster, promising the new ride will 'drive you mad.' The unnamed coaster, expected to open for the 1999 season, will be able to go 72 m.p.h., said Connie Costello, the park's public relations manager. The all-steel structure will be 5,000 feet long and 202 feet high, with an initial drop of 170 feet."

In a humorous—and fake—State of the Union Address on Saturday Night Live, "President" Gore said, "In 2001, when I came into office, our national security was the most important issue. The threat of terrorism was real. Who knew that six years later, Afghanistan would be the most popular spring break destination, or that Six Flags Tehran is the fastest growing amusement park in the Mideast, and the scariest thing we Americas have to fear is … Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!"

"With the U.S. entertainment market largely flat, theme-park operators are looking to international ventures in the oil-rich Middle East to expand business. Dubai is offering deals U.S. companies can't resist.

"The emirate, which expects tourism numbers to rise from seven million in 2007, has signed huge deals with Six Flags Inc., the world's largest theme-park company; the Universal Studios unit of General Electric Co.; Anheuser-Busch Cos.'s Busch Entertainment Corp.; and Marvel Entertainment Inc. to develop amusement parks rivaling those elsewhere. In each case, Gulf-based developers are spending millions of dollars to build the parks, while the U.S. entertainment firms reap the rewards from licensing, royalty and management deals with minimal financial outlay...

"Six Flags Dubailand will be the first Six Flags project to be developed outside of North America."

“Six Flags, the theme park operator, filed for bankruptcy early Saturday in Delaware after failing to reach an agreement with lenders to reorganize its debt.”

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