Six Flags is exploring a regional park pass to boost attendance, with Charlotte, North Carolina, as a key test market. The pass would grant access to multiple amusement parks in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia, including Carowinds in Charlotte, Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta, and Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, at a more affordable price than the national All Park Passport.
The initiative was unveiled during Six Flags’ 2025 Investor Day, where executives identified Charlotte as a prime location for this strategy. Carowinds, a 400-acre park straddling the North Carolina-South Carolina border, serves as the regional anchor. The proposed pass could also include Six Flags Over Georgia, approximately 245 miles from Charlotte, and Kings Dominion, about 310 miles away, creating a regional cluster accessible to families in the Southeast.
“We think that this regional pass model gives us a lot more pricing flexibility than we might have on the national pass,” said Christian Diekman, chief commercial officer. “And we think we can get a much higher capture rate out of our guests with this product.”
The regional pass builds on the success of the All Park Passport, an $89 add-on to season passes at legacy Cedar Fair parks like Carowinds, which grants access to all Six Flags and Cedar Fair parks with free parking and entry. The regional pass, however, targets families who prefer to travel within a few hours of home, offering a cost-effective alternative for regional exploration.
Carowinds is central to this vision, with significant investments planned for 2025, including two new Camp Snoopy attractions—Snoopy’s Racing Railway and Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast—along with splash zones and a Peanuts-themed meet-and-greet experience. These additions aim to enhance the park’s appeal to families and drive season pass sales, which Six Flags sees as the primary engine for attendance growth. The company aims to recover 10 million visits lost during the pandemic, with 80% of that growth expected from season pass volume.
“If Atlanta does the same penetration as Charlotte, it’s 2 million people,” said CEO Richard Zimmerman, highlighting Carowinds as a benchmark for regional growth.
For residents of Southern Maryland, Kings Dominion is particularly relevant due to its proximity. Located in Doswell, Virginia, approximately 100-120 miles from Southern Maryland, the park is accessible via Interstate 95, making it a feasible destination for a day trip or weekend getaway. Kings Dominion, which opened on May 3, 1975, spans 280 acres and offers over 60 rides, shows, and attractions, including 13 roller coasters and a 20-acre water park, Soak City. Notable attractions include Intimidator 305, a steel roller coaster reaching 305 feet and speeds of 90 mph, and family-friendly areas like Planet Snoopy, featuring Peanuts-themed rides.
The park’s history began with its sister park, Kings Island in Ohio, and its name reflects Virginia’s nickname, “Old Dominion.” Since its opening, Kings Dominion has grown to include iconic rides like the Hurler and Shockwave, a stand-up coaster, alongside family-oriented attractions. Its accessibility and diverse offerings make it a compelling option for Southern Maryland residents, who could benefit from a regional pass to visit multiple parks at a reduced cost.
Six Flags’ focus on Charlotte and its regional pass strategy reflects a broader effort to revitalize attendance in key markets. The company’s leadership has not announced an official launch date for the regional pass but emphasized its strategic importance. By leveraging Carowinds’ established presence and the appeal of nearby parks like Kings Dominion, Six Flags aims to create a compelling value proposition for families across the Southeast.
