Kings Dominion has named Jennifer Schofield its new leader, after its parent company, Six Flags Entertainment Corp., laid off a number of employees last week.
Among those Six Flags let go was Bridgette Bywater, Kings Dominion’s vice president and general manager. She had been the Hanover County amusement park’s chief since 2021.
Six Flags has reduced its workforce twice since it merged with Cedar Fair LP, Kings Dominion’s previous parent company, last summer. The most recent layoff affected more than 10% of the company’s full-time workforce, Six Flags said. It’s unclear how many local employees were affected.
The amusement park chain, which owns 42 locations, expects visitors to be more cautious this year because of economic uncertainty, Richard Zimmerman, CEO of Six Flags, said in a statement.
In response, parks have reduced operating days and looked to cut costs. Earlier this year, Kings Dominion said it would cancel its December season, called WinterFest. Zimmerman was previously general manager of Kings Dominion.
Another cost-cutting move was to centralize some jobs at the corporate level and change the responsibilities of park leaders. The adjustments will sharpen the parks’ focus on execution, guest experience and employees, said Kristin Fitzgerald, Six Flags’ corporate director for public relations.
General managers and park presidents across the company were affected. Some moved into different roles, while others left the company or retired, Fitzgerald said.
Kings Dominion also laid off a portion of its workforce in January but declined to say how many employees were affected at the time. During the summer, the park employs about 2,500 workers, most of whom are seasonal. The park declined to reveal the number of year-round employees.
Schofield, who will have the title of park manager, has 34 years’ experience in the theme park industry. She was Kings Dominion’s director of merchandise and games from 2016 to 2021 before becoming vice president for retail at Ohio park Cedar Point, according to her LinkedIn profile. Kings Dominion is planning a formal announcement later, Fitzgerald said.
Kings Dominion, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has added a laser show and magic show and has brought back its long-time clown band. In March, it opened its newest roller coaster, Rapterra.
Kings Dominion cancels WinterFest as it launches its 50th anniversary season
The Kings Dominion Eiffel tower
Kings Dominion is canceling its annual WinterFest pop-up series this year, one of many changes happening at the theme park which merged with Six Flags last year.
Why it matters: The park, a destination for generations of Richmonders, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Driving the news: Kings Dominion dropped its “Golden Anniversary” schedule this week and Winterfest was noticeably absent from the list.
“Unfortunately, yes. Winterfest will not be part of the 2025 schedule of events,” park spokesperson Geoff Zindren confirmed to Axios. He said the park instead will focus on its “core operating seasons.”
Kings Dominion launched its December-long Winterfest in 2018 to compete with a similar holiday series at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
In 2023, the park briefly experimented with a year-round schedule before canceling it the following year.
Of note: Some KD fans noted on social media that they bought season passes before they learned Winterfest would be canceled.
The park is “addressing this change directly with those passholders who are impacted,” Zindren said.
Zoom in: The Winterfest cancelation comes after news last week that the park laid off an unspecified number of employees, per media reports. A source told WTVR that more than 30 jobs were cut across departments.
KD is also demolishing two of its longtime roller coasters, the Anaconda and Berserker, per the Times-Dispatch.
Yes, but: The park is adding a new ride, Rapterra, which will be the world’s tallest and longest-launched wing coaster.
And it’ll open on March 29, KD’s 2025 opening day and the launch of its 50th year in operation.
The park will close for the year on Nov. 2, after Oktoberfest ends.
