<p>[Ahead</a> of the Bell: Six Flags bankruptcy fears grow: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance](<a href=“Yahoo Finance - Stock Market Live, Quotes, Business & Finance News”>Yahoo Finance - Stock Market Live, Quotes, Business & Finance News)
I just find this sad. If I recall correctly (this is off the top of my head) they had debt issues when previous management bought up additional amusement parks (many of which have now been sold) and there have been some accidents and subsequent litigation at some of the parks, and surely from a business perspective this may be a necessary move, but… it just struck me as sadly symbolic that “fun and amusement” is going bankrupt… :(</p>
<p>Be prepared to see more of this on the adult side in Las Vegas, as some of the casinos there way over extended themselves.</p>
<p>Well, I guess U of Chicago will be happy to relinquish the “title” of the place where fun goes to die… 
:(</p>
<p>It strikes me as appropriate. I would expect businesses that provide luxuries such as expensive entertainment to be among those that suffer the most. But I wonder how the cheap entertainment businesses (e.g., Netflix) are doing. Are people giving up all entertainment that they have pay for or just choosing cheaper alternatives?</p>
<p>I read somewhere that McDonald’s is making money like crazy. People haven’t given up eating in restaurants; they’re just choosing cheaper restaurants, such as fast-food places, rather than sit-down restaurants. Does the same thinking apply to entertainment?</p>
<p>my kids have never gone to Disneyland or six flags.</p>
<p>too many other things to do
we did used to go to Wild Waves/enchanted village though</p>
<p>I think Six Flags was in trouble well before the economic downturn. Mismanaging and over-extending has always been an issue in business and the downfall of many.</p>
<p>EK4 - IMO Disneyland is worth going to. Disneyland has a number of ‘attractions’ rather than just a bunch of roller coasters and thrill rides like Six Flag tends ot be. Universal Studios is similar to Disneyland in having attractions.</p>
<p>
I was reading an article yesterday about how Walmart is doing much better in the current economy than Target (who previously were gaining on walmart). They said it is because a higher % of Walmart floorspace is dedicated to must haves, such as groceries, while Target has more % of space dedicated to clothes and ‘stuff’ that people do not have to have. (The stuff is my wording not the articles).</p>
<p>I went to Disneyland when I was 13, maybe I was too old.
I used to like the Fun Forest in Seattle though.
Mike McCready had the same favorite ride! [It’s also a rock band ;)](<a href=“http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003792500_flightmars.html”>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003792500_flightmars.html</a>)</p>
<p>Disney theme parks have some additional educational opportunities (learn how cartoon animation cells were made, etc). Six Flags has some of the entertainment ( e.g. music, brief shows, science stuff, etc) and also owns several water parks, and seem geared towards entertaining the younger crowds, whereas Disney seems to attract younger and older crowds. Perhaps this economy will get kids back into neighborhood kickball games and capture the flag. It seemed like fun when we did it… In fact, kickball leagues are popping up all over the place. My 22 y.o. s joined one and it is very active.</p>
<p>There’s more and more entertainment provided over the Internet these days. I noticed that ComCast has been losing subscribers for Television to DirectTV and has responded with price cuts. I haven’t seen ComCast do price cuts before - teaser rates, yes but not permanent price cuts.</p>