September 27, 2007
September 27, 2007
SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA ANNOUNCES NEW CAPITAL FOR
2008 SEASON
Six Flags Over Georgia announced today its new capital plans for 2008. And the big news is that Thomas the Tank EngineTM, that cheeky, fussy, true blue engine who proudly wears the "#1" on his side, will be rolling into the Southeast's largest theme park for the start of the '08 season.
At Six Flags Over Georgia, the Thomas the Tank Engine attraction is a replica of Thomas with two passenger cars, Annie and Clarabel, which welcomes as many as 30 passengers at a time to see all the Thomas TownSM sights. All Aboard! At a cost of $2.5 million, this exciting play area is designed to entertain children of all ages, offering kids a train ride through Thomas' mythical home on the Island of Sodor. Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway, will also be on hand to pose for photos and greet visitors. A Thomas & FriendsTM store located within the play area will feature an assortment of merchandise, including the popular Thomas & Friends die cast trains; adult and children's apparel; storybooks; and other specialty items.
"Thomas the Tank Engine is part of the exciting season we have planned for 2008, when we continue our mission of making the Six Flags brand synonymous with an entertainment experience that delivers for the entire family," said Melinda Ashcraft, Park President of Six Flags Over Georgia. "Parents and children alike will revel in the chance to spend time on Thomas the Tank Engine, and find everything from the ride to favorite characters to photos and merchandise, a unique opportunity that's only available at Six Flags."
Marc Schneider, Senior Vice President & General Manager for HIT Entertainment, commented, "Six Flags theme parks have been providing families with quality entertainment for more than 40 years and we're excited to work with them to debut all-new Thomas the Tank Engine play areas. This beloved character has engaged and inspired preschoolers' imaginations for more than six decades, and will certainly offer a rich, exciting world for children and their parents to enjoy as families look for more ways to spend quality time together."
The Thomas the Tank EngineTM is slated to debut for the start of the 2008 season. Guests can receive up-to-the-minute park news and now purchase a 2008 season pass online at www.sixflags.com
About Six Flags, Inc:
Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company. Founded in 1961, Six Flags celebrated its 45th Anniversary in 2006. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly traded corporation (NYSE: SIX) headquartered in New York City.
About Thomas & Friends
Thomas & Friends invites children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. Thomas the Tank Engine was created by a father for his son more than 60 years ago. Today, families in more than 145 countries enjoy fun and adventure with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation. Thomas & Friends is making tracks to great destinations on PBS KIDS® and PBS KIDS SproutSM. For more information about the world of Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, please visit www.thomasandfriends.com.
About HIT Entertainment
HIT Entertainment, owned by private equity investment group Apax Partners, is one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes properties, such as Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Thomas & Friends™, Pingu™, Fireman Sam™, Angelina Ballerina™ and Rainbow Magic™. HIT represents Fifi and the Flowertots™ in North America and Japan and acts as a worldwide representative for The Jim Henson Company's library of classic family brands and as representative for The Wiggles® in the UK. HIT also owns the Guinness World Records™ publishing and television property. Launched in 1989, HIT's lines of business span television and video production (including studios in the US and the UK), publishing, consumer products licensing and live events. With a catalogue of more than 1,000 hours of young children's programming, HIT sells its shows to more than 240 countries worldwide, in more than 40 different languages and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. In 2005, the Company joined Comcast Corporation, PBS and Sesame Workshop to launch PBS KIDS SproutSM, a 24-hour digital cable channel and VOD service for preschoolers. For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com.
SIX FLAGS and all related indicia are trademarks of Six Flags Theme Parks Inc. ®, TM and © 2007.
Thomas & FriendsTM © 2007 Gullane (Thomas) Limited.
