SANTA CLARA — As uncertainty looms over how long it will keep its doors open, California’s Great America theme park has decided to cut 184 jobs, according to a WARN notice filed with the state Employment Development Department.
The staffing reductions would take effect around Nov. 2, park operator Six Flags Entertainment Corp. stated in the WARN letter. The job cuts would coincide with the time when the park, at 4701 Great America Parkway in Santa Clara, would suspend operations for the 2025 season.
Depending on decisions made by the theme park and the real estate firm that owns the land beneath it, the theme park might cease operations as soon as June 2028.
In 2022, an affiliate of real estate firm Prologis paid $310 million for 112.6 acres at 1 Great America Parkway, documents filed in Santa Clara County show. The theme park has operated at the site for decades.
As part of the deal, Prologis agreed to lease back to Cedar Fair, the amusement park’s operator and owner, the land the Prologis unit had just bought.
In July 2024, Cedar Fair and Six Flags Entertainment completed a “merger of equals.” The new company retained the Six Flags name. Former Cedar Fair management staff, including the chief executive officer, became the new company’s principal leaders.
Prologis and Cedar Fair completed the updated lease agreement on Dec. 31, 2024, county documents show.
At the point the initial term of the lease expires in mid-2028, the amusement park operator could exercise an option to extend the lease for one five-year period. Six Flags Entertainment Corp. has yet to disclose its intentions regarding the ending of the lease.
The employees affected by the recent job cuts at Great America include supervisors and rank-and-file workers such as ride operators, the WARN letter shows.
“These position eliminations are expected to be permanent,” Joanne Hagner, human resources manager with California’s Great America, stated in the WARN letter.
It’s possible workers could regain their jobs during 2026.
“Affected employees may apply for positions for the next operating season,” Hagner stated.
This news organization requested that Hagner provide a comment or context regarding the cuts.