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California’s Great America to remain closed through 2020

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california's great america

Cedar Fair has announced that California’s Great America will remain closed for the rest of the year, making it the first theme park to cancel reopening plans for 2020 in California.

Manny Gonzalez, vice president of California’s Great America, said that although the park has developed “a comprehensive safety plan in accordance with industry and public health standards”, it will not reopen in 2020.

This is due to the “continued uncertainty in our region surrounding COVID-19 as well as the diminishing number of calendar days left in the 2020 operating season”.

California’s Great America 2020 season passes will be valid through 2021. In addition, Carowinds (North Carolina), Kings Dominion (Virginia) and Valleyfair (Minnesota) will not be opening in 2020.

Cedar Point and Kings Island have reopened in Ohio, while Dorney Park and Worlds of Fun have reopened in Pennsylvania.

“Continued uncertainty” in California over COVID-19

Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto and Knott’s Berry Farm in California are ready to reopen, according to a press release from Cedar Fair.

In a statement, Gonzalez said the team “is already hard at work getting ready for a thrilling 2021”, also teasing new enhancements for the next season.

These include a new water park, South Bay Shores, which features seven water attractions, food and shopping locations, premium cabanas and a lagoon play area.

Cedar Fair has also announced results for Q2 ended June 28, 2020, reporting net revenues of $7 million, compared to $436 million for the second quarter of 2019.

Carowinds, Kings Dominion, Valleyfair shut through 2020

The decrease in net revenues is attributed to a fall in attendance during park closures and a $44 million drop in out-of-park revenues, both due to COVID-19.

The company reported a net loss of $133 million in Q2 2020, compared to a net income of $63 million in Q2 2019.

“Health concerns in the marketplace around the pandemic could present a headwind for attendance until consumer confidence improves,” said Cedar Fair CEO Richard A Zimmerman.

“Until such time, we are staying engaged with our customers while offering guests the best possible entertainment experience within the required safety protocols.”

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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