| |
| Founded | 1950 |
| Headquarters |  |
| Full-Time Employees | |
| Official Website | http://www.hfecorp.com/ |
| Parks Owned | 3 (2 Managed) |
Herschend Family Entertainment is a company based in Branson, Missouri, USA.
History
The company can be traced back to 1950 when founders Hugo and Mary Herschend acquired a lease on Marvel Cave near Branson, MO. A decade later, as the popularity of the cave grew, so did the lines. In order to entertain cave guests during their wait, the widowed Mary, along with a staff of 17, opened a small 1880s-themed village on the cave's grounds. Silver Dollar City became a huge success - forming the foundation of Herschend Family Entertainment.
The company purchased Wild Adventures from the bankrupt Adventure Parks Group for $34.5 million at auction on September 25, 2007.[1]
Herschend bought out Palace Entertainment in March 2025, giving them ownership of the former's properties.[2]
Amusement parks
Current
- Dollywood - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- Kentucky Kingdom - Louiseville, Kentucky
- Silver Dollar City - Branson, Missouri
- Wild Adventures - Valdosta, Georgia
Former
- American Adventures - Marietta, Georgia (Sold to the management of Six Flags Over Georgia in 1999)
- Celebration City - Branson, Missouri
- Darien Lake, owned by CNL Lifestyle Properties and operated by Herschend from January 25, 2011 to the end of the 2014 season[3][4]
- Elitch Gardens, owned by CNL Lifestyle Properties and operated by Herschend from January 25, 2011 to 2013[3]
Water Parks
Current
- Dollywood's Splash Country - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- Hurricane Bay - Louiseville, Kentucky (included with admission)
- Splash Island - Valdosta, Georgia (included with admission)
- White Water Branson - Branson, Missouri
Former
- White Water Atlanta - Marietta, Georgia (Sold to the management of Six Flags Over Georgia in 1999)
- White Water - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Sold to the Tierco Group in 1991)
References
- ↑ "Herschend buys Wild Adventures". Park World Online.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|archive=ignored (help) - ↑ Kealey, Kate. "Adventureland, parent company Palace Entertainment, sold to company behind Dollywood". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Herschend Family Entertainment To Manage DARIEN LAKE THEME PARK RESORT and ELITCH GARDENS" (PDF). CNL Lifestyle Properties and Herschend Family Entertainment.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|archive=ignored (help) - ↑ "Darien Lake's new owner: 'Business as usual' at theme park". NYup.com.