10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 28, 2021

or

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             .

Commission File Number: 1-9444

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	34-1560655
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870-5259

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(419) 626-0830

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Depositary Units (Representing Limited Partner Interests)	FUN	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  x Yes  ☐ No   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  x Yes  ☐ No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  ☐ Yes  x No  

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Title of Class	Units Outstanding as of April 30, 2021
Depositary Units (Representing Limited Partner Interests)	56,829,250

Page 1 of 28 pages

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

FORM 10-Q CONTENTS

Part I - Financial Information
Item 1.	Financial Statements	3
	Index for Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	17
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	25
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	26
Part II - Other Information
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	26
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	26
Item 6.	Exhibits	27
Signatures		28

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

	March 28, 2021		December 31, 2020		March 29, 2020
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	271,730	$	376,736	$	26,295
Receivables	33,402		34,445		25,652
Inventories	48,004		47,479		7,394
Prepaid advertising	6,926		2,838		17,435
Current income tax receivable	93,496		69,104		—
Other current assets	25,847		23,909		16,183
	479,405		554,511		92,959
Property and Equipment:
Land	443,579		442,708		435,677
Land improvements	467,390		467,176		457,922
Buildings	845,838		849,404		811,048
Rides and equipment	1,963,551		1,962,324		1,893,596
Construction in progress	83,658		75,507		114,740
	3,804,016		3,797,119		3,712,983
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,993,568)		(1,995,138)		(1,836,870)
	1,810,448		1,801,981		1,876,113
Goodwill	267,718		266,961		274,659
Other Intangibles, net	50,513		50,288		51,658
Right-of-Use Asset	13,741		13,527		13,688
Other Assets	5,836		6,144		80,406
	$	2,627,661	$	2,693,412	$	2,389,483
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—	$	—	$	7,500
Accounts payable	22,613		14,272		39,000
Deferred revenue	189,652		183,354		30,381
Accrued interest	58,977		33,718		28,617
Accrued taxes	9,878		10,775		6,656
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	17,809		24,975		16,866
Self-insurance reserves	22,071		22,322		25,127
Other accrued liabilities	12,011		10,565		23,692
	333,011		299,981		177,839
Deferred Tax Liability	49,972		39,595		59,021
Derivative Liability	35,524		39,086		34,298
Lease Liability	10,749		10,483		10,310
Non-Current Deferred Revenue	15,877		10,508		164,137
Other Liabilities	5,657		5,952		806
Long-Term Debt:
Revolving credit loans	—		—		70,000
Term debt	255,866		255,025		714,685
Notes	2,701,615		2,699,219		1,432,601
	2,957,481		2,954,244		2,217,286
Partners’ Deficit
Special L.P. interests	5,290		5,290		5,290
General partner	(8)		(7)		(3)
Limited partners, 56,828, 56,706 and 56,703 units outstanding as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020 and March 29, 2020, respectively	(785,400)		(674,319)		(305,152)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(492)		2,599		25,651
	(780,610)		(666,437)		(274,214)
	$	2,627,661	$	2,693,412	$	2,389,483

The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

3

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands, except per unit amounts)

	Three months ended
	March 28, 2021		March 29, 2020
Net revenues:
Admissions	$	—	$	26,649
Food, merchandise and games	7,246		19,947
Accommodations, extra-charge products and other	2,496		7,039
	9,742		53,635
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	2,306		6,385
Operating expenses	66,154		106,368
Selling, general and administrative	30,350		24,809
Depreciation and amortization	1,453		5,088
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	1,539		6,767
Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles	—		88,181
Gain on sale of investment	(2)		—
	101,800		237,598
Operating loss	(92,058)		(183,963)
Interest expense	44,096		27,219
Net effect of swaps	(3,562)		19,779
Loss on early debt extinguishment	4		—
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	(5,805)		34,202
Other income	(78)		(179)
Loss before taxes	(126,713)		(264,984)
Benefit for taxes	(16,297)		(49,007)
Net loss	(110,416)		(215,977)
Net loss allocated to general partner	(1)		(2)
Net loss allocated to limited partners	$	(110,415)	$	(215,975)
Net loss	$	(110,416)	$	(215,977)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(3,091)		15,905
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax)	(3,091)		15,905
Total comprehensive loss	$	(113,507)	$	(200,072)
Basic loss per limited partner unit:
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding	56,552		56,414
Net loss per limited partner unit	$	(1.95)	$	(3.83)
Diluted loss per limited partner unit:
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding	56,552		56,414
Net loss per limited partner unit	$	(1.95)	$	(3.83)

The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

4

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ DEFICIT

(In thousands)

For the three months ended	Limited Partnership Units Outstanding	Limited Partners’ Deficit		General Partner’s Deficit		Special L.P. Interests		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Total Partners’ Deficit
Balance as of December 31, 2019	56,666	$	(25,001)	$	(1)	$	5,290	$	9,746	$	(9,966)
Net loss	—	(215,975)		(2)		—		—		(215,977)
Partnership distribution declared ($0.935 per unit)	—	(53,022)		—		—		—		(53,022)
Limited partnership units related to equity-based compensation	37	(9,413)		—		—		—		(9,413)
Tax effect of units involved in treasury unit transactions	—	(1,741)		—		—		—		(1,741)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax $2,851	—	—		—		—		15,905		15,905
Balance as of March 29, 2020	56,703	$	(305,152)	$	(3)	$	5,290	$	25,651	$	(274,214)
Balance as of December 31, 2020	56,706	$	(674,319)	$	(7)	$	5,290	$	2,599	$	(666,437)
Net loss	—	(110,415)		(1)		—		—		(110,416)
Limited partnership units related to equity-based compensation	122	882		—		—		—		882
Tax effect of units involved in treasury unit transactions	—	(1,548)		—		—		—		(1,548)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax $(427)	—	—		—		—		(3,091)		(3,091)
Balance as of March 28, 2021	56,828	$	(785,400)	$	(8)	$	5,290	$	(492)	$	(780,610)

The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

5

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

	Three months ended
	March 28, 2021		March 29, 2020
CASH FLOWS FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss	$	(110,416)	$	(215,977)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash for operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,453		5,088
Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles	—		88,181
Non-cash foreign currency (gain) loss on debt	(5,435)		35,332
Non-cash equity based compensation expense (benefit)	5,369		(4,794)
Non-cash deferred income tax benefit	9,896		(27,727)
Net effect of swaps	(3,562)		19,779
Other non-cash expenses	3,493		5,995
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables	1,077		13,233
(Increase) decrease in inventories	(464)		(14,098)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid advertising	(4,084)		(18,575)
(Increase) decrease in tax receivable	(25,130)		(25,093)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(1,450)		(4,477)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	8,505		8,640
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue	11,522		34,602
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	25,200		7,580
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	(6,353)		(12,828)
Net cash for operating activities	(90,379)		(105,139)
CASH FLOWS FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(8,361)		(58,032)
Net cash for investing activities	(8,361)		(58,032)
CASH FLOWS (FOR) FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net borrowings on revolving credit loans	—		70,000
Distributions paid to partners	—		(53,022)
Payments related to tax withholding for equity compensation	(4,489)		(4,618)
Other	(1,596)		(1,741)
Net cash (for) from financing activities	(6,085)		10,619
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(181)		(3,405)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Net decrease for the period	(105,006)		(155,957)
Balance, beginning of period	376,736		182,252
Balance, end of period	$	271,730	$	26,295
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Cash payments for interest expense	$	16,085	$	19,342
Interest capitalized	559		465
Net cash (refunds) payments for income taxes	(330)		4,000
Capital expenditures in accounts payable	3,401		11,365

The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

6

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

INDEX FOR NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1	Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies	8
Note 2	Interim Reporting	9
Note 3	Revenue Recognition	9
Note 4	Long-Lived Assets	11
Note 5	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	11
Note 6	Long-Term Debt	12
Note 7	Derivative Financial Instruments	14
Note 8	Fair Value Measurements	15
Note 9	Loss per Unit	16
Note 10	Income and Partnership Taxes	16

7

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the financial records of Cedar Fair, L.P. (the "Partnership," "we," "us," or "our") without audit and reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the results of the interim periods covered in this report. Due to the seasonal nature of our amusement and water park operations, the results for any interim period may not be indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year.

(1) Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies:

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had a material impact on our business in 2020 and is expected to have a continuing negative impact in 2021. We continue to actively work with state and local officials and anticipate opening all of our parks in May 2021 except for Canada's Wonderland. Upon opening, our parks will continue to operate in accordance with capacity and other operating limitations. Our 2021 operating calendars have been aligned with anticipated capacity restrictions, guest demand and labor availability in a challenging labor market. Due to unfavorable COVID-19 trends in Ontario, Canada's Wonderland is not expected to open in May 2021, but we anticipate opening the park as soon as conditions and the local jurisdiction allow. While full park operations at Knott's Berry Farm, our only year-round park, remained suspended during the first four months of 2021, the park hosted a culinary festival from March 5, 2021 through May 2, 2021. Our future operations are dependent on factors outside of our knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its public health effects.

In 2020, we closed our properties for several months beginning in March 2020. We ultimately resumed partial operations at 10 of our 13 properties in 2020, operating in accordance with local and state guidelines. Due to soft demand trends upon reopening in 2020, park operating calendars were adjusted for the remainder of 2020, including reduced operating days per week and operating hours within each operating day.

Management has made significant estimates and assumptions to determine our liquidity requirements and estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, including financial results in the near and long-term. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates depending on the ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the prior year quarterly period ended March 29, 2020, we estimated that some or all of our parks would remain closed throughout 2020 due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we estimated the following working capital amounts would be realized greater than 12 months from the balance sheet date, and these amounts were classified as non-current within the prior year quarterly period unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet:

(In thousands)
Working Capital Account	Balance Sheet Location	March 29, 2020
Receivables	Other Assets	$	23,968
Inventories	Other Assets	39,364
Prepaid advertising and other current assets	Other Assets	5,177
		$	68,509
Deferred revenue	Non-Current Deferred Revenue	$	154,946

In the current year quarterly period ended March 28, 2021, our parks are expected to open in 2021. Therefore, we expect outstanding working capital amounts to be realized within 12 months from the balance sheet date with the exception of $5.4 million of deferred revenue expected to be realized greater than 12 months from the balance sheet date due to the validity extension for Knott's Berry Farm season passes (see Note 3).

Significant Accounting Policies

Except for the changes described below, our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q report have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, which were included in the Form 10-K filed on February 19, 2021. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes included in the Form 10-K referred to above.

8

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"). ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing specific exceptions and clarifying and amending existing guidance under Topic 740, Income Taxes. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, but all amendments must be adopted in the same period. The allowable adoption methods differ under the various amendments. We adopted ASU 2019-12 as of January 1, 2021. The standard did not have an effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We are in the process of evaluating the effect this standard will have on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

(2) Interim Reporting:

We are one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world with 13 properties in our portfolio consisting of amusement parks, water parks and complementary resort facilities. Our parks operate seasonally except for Knott's Berry Farm, which is typically open daily on a year-round basis. Our seasonal parks are generally open during weekends beginning in April or May, and then daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day. After Labor Day, our seasonal parks are open during select weekends in September and, in most cases, in the fourth quarter for Halloween and winter events. As a result, a substantial portion of our revenues from these seasonal parks typically are generated during an approximate 130- to 140-day operating season with the major portion concentrated in the third quarter during the peak vacation months of July and August. COVID-19 impacted our parks' operating calendars in 2020 and 2021 as described within Note 1.

To assure that these highly seasonal operations will not result in misleading comparisons of current and subsequent interim periods, we have adopted the following accounting procedures: (a) revenues from multi-use products are recognized over the estimated number of uses expected for each type of product; and the estimated number of uses is reviewed and may be updated periodically during the operating season prior to the ticket or product expiration, which generally occurs no later than the close of the operating season; (b) depreciation, certain advertising and certain seasonal operating costs are expensed over each park’s operating season, including some costs incurred prior to the season, which are deferred and amortized over the season; and (c) all other costs are expensed as incurred or ratably over the entire year. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our parks' 2020 operating calendars, we recognized depreciation and certain other operating costs, which were still incurred and which are typically expensed over each park's operating season, over pre-COVID-19 budgeted operating days for 2020. This change in accounting procedure more accurately reflected incurred expense and resulted in greater consistency between parks and with historical results. In 2021, we will recognize these types of expenses over each park's 2021 operating season.

(3) Revenue Recognition:

As disclosed within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, revenues are generated from sales of (1) admission to our amusement parks and water parks, (2) food, merchandise and games both inside and outside the parks, and (3) accommodations, extra-charge products, and other revenue sources. Admission revenues include amounts paid to gain admission into our parks, including parking fees. Revenues related to extra-charge products, including premium benefit offerings such as front-of-line products, and online transaction fees charged to customers are included in "Accommodations, extra-charge products and other".

The following table presents net revenues disaggregated by revenues generated within the parks and revenues generated from out-of-park operations less amounts remitted to outside parties under concessionaire arrangements for the periods presented. The amounts are not comparable due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

	Three months ended
(In thousands)	March 28, 2021		March 29, 2020
In-park revenues	$	—	$	43,027
Out-of-park revenues	10,147		12,091
Concessionaire remittance	(405)		(1,483)
Net revenues	$	9,742	$	53,635

9

Due to our highly seasonal operations, a substantial portion of our revenues typically are generated during an approximate 130- to 140-day operating season. Most revenues are recognized on a daily basis based on actual guest spend at our properties. Revenues from multi-use products, including season-long products for admission, dining, beverage and other products, are recognized over the estimated number of uses expected for each type of product. The estimated number of uses is reviewed and may be updated periodically during the operating season prior to the ticket or product expiration, which generally occurs no later than the close of the operating season. The number of uses is estimated based on historical usage adjusted for current period trends. For any bundled products that include multiple performance obligations, revenue is allocated using the retail price of each distinct performance obligation and any inherent discounts are allocated based on the gross margin and expected redemption of each performance obligation. We do not typically provide for refunds or returns.

Many products, including season-long products, are sold to customers in advance, resulting in a contract liability ("deferred revenue"). Deferred revenue is typically at its highest immediately prior to the peak summer season, and at its lowest at the beginning of the calendar year following the close of our parks' operating seasons. Season-long products represent most of the deferred revenue balance in any given period.

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we extended the validity of our 2020 season-long products through the 2021 operating season in order to ensure our season pass holders receive a full season of access to our parks. In addition, four of our parks provided their season pass holders a loyalty reward to be used on purchases within the park during the 2021 operating season. We have identified the loyalty reward as a separate performance obligation and have allocated revenue to the season pass and loyalty reward in a manner consistent with other bundled products. The extended validity of the 2020 season-long products, and to a much lesser extent the loyalty reward offering, resulted in a significant amount of revenue being deferred into 2021. Due to the extension of the validity of the 2020 season-long products into 2021, we classified $154.9 million of deferred revenue as non-current as of March 29, 2020 within "Non-Current Deferred Revenue" in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. In order to calculate revenue recognized in 2020 on 2020 season-long products, management made significant estimates regarding the estimated number of uses expected for these season-long products for admission, dining, beverage and other products for the 2021 operating season. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates depending on the ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the extended validity through 2021, Knott's Berry Farm is also offering a day-for-day extension into calendar year 2022 for 2020 and 2021 season passes for every day the park is closed in 2021. Due to the Knott's Berry Farm extension, we classified $5.4 million of deferred revenue as non-current as of March 28, 2021. No other parks are offering similar plans.

Of the $183.4 million of current deferred revenue recorded as of January 1, 2021, 90% was related to season-long products. The remainder was related to deferred online transaction fees charged to customers, advanced ticket sales, marina deposits, advanced resort reservations, and other deferred revenue. During the three months ended March 28, 2021, a minimal amount of the deferred revenue balance as of January 1, 2021 was recognized as only limited out-of-park attractions were open during the first quarter of 2021. We also recorded $10.5 million of non-current deferred revenue as of January 1, 2021 which largely represents prepaid lease payments for a portion of the California's Great America parking lot. The prepaid lease payments are being recognized through 2039.

Payment is due immediately on the transaction date for most products. Our receivable balance includes outstanding amounts on installment purchase plans which are offered for season-long products (and other select products for specific time periods), and includes sales to retailers, group sales and catering activities which are billed. Installment purchase plans vary in length from three monthly installments to 12 monthly installments. Payment terms for billings are typically net 30 days. Receivables are typically highest in the peak summer months and lowest in the winter months. We are not exposed to a significant concentration of customer credit risk. As of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020 and March 29, 2020, we recorded an $8.7 million, $8.7 million and $6.0 million allowance for doubtful accounts, respectively, representing estimated defaults on installment purchase plans. The default estimate is calculated using historical default rates adjusted for current period trends, including an adjustment for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our customers' ability to pay based on collection rates since March 2020. The allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded as a reduction of deferred revenue to the extent revenue has not been recognized on the corresponding season-long products. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and given the uncertainty around the timing of the reopening of our parks, we paused collections on our installment purchase plans in April 2020. For those parks which opened during the summer of 2020, we resumed collections of guest payments on installment purchase products as each of these parks opened for the 2020 operating season. For those parks which did not open during the summer of 2020, we resumed collections of guest payments in April 2021, except for Canada's Wonderland. We will resume collections at Canada's Wonderland when the park is able to open for the 2021 operating season.

10

(4) Long-Lived Assets:

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. In order to determine if an asset has been impaired, assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable, independent cash flows are available. A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include, among others: a significant decline in expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in equity price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate; unanticipated competition; and slower growth rates. Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of these assets and could have a material impact on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

We concluded indicators of impairment did not exist during the first quarter of 2021. We based our conclusion on our financial performance projections, as well as an updated analysis of macroeconomic and industry-specific conditions. During the first quarter of 2020 and due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our expected future operating results, we tested our long-lived assets for impairment. We concluded the estimated fair values of the long-lived assets at Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort New Braunfels and Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston (collectively "the Schlitterbahn parks") no longer exceeded the related carrying values. Therefore, we recorded a $2.7 million impairment charge equal to the difference between the fair value and the carrying amounts of the assets in "Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets" within the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss during the first quarter of 2020. The fair value of the long-lived assets was determined using a real and personal property appraisal which was performed in accordance with ASC 820 - Fair Value Measurement. Management made significant estimates in performing the impairment test, including the anticipated time frame to re-open our parks and the related anticipated demand upon re-opening our parks. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates depending on the ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Remaining acreage from the former WildWater Kingdom, a separately gated outdoor water park near Cleveland in Aurora, Ohio, was recorded within "Other Assets" in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets ($2.1 million as of March 28, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and $9.0 million as of March 29, 2020). All remaining acreage from this property was sold in April 2021.

(5) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, including trade names, are reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. During the first quarter of 2021, we concluded indicators of impairment did not exist. We based our conclusion on our financial performance projections, as well as an updated analysis of macroeconomic and industry-specific conditions. During the first quarter of 2020 and due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our expected future operating results, we tested our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. We concluded the estimated fair value of goodwill at the Schlitterbahn parks and Dorney Park reporting units, and the estimated fair value of the Schlitterbahn trade name no longer exceeded their carrying values. Therefore, we recorded a $73.6 million, $6.8 million and $7.9 million impairment of goodwill at the Schlitterbahn parks, goodwill at Dorney Park, and the Schlitterbahn trade name, respectively, during the first quarter of 2020. The impairment charges were equal to the amount by which the carrying amounts exceeded the assets' fair value and were recorded in "Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles" within the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

The fair value of our reporting units was established using a combination of an income (discounted cash flow) approach and market approach. The income approach used each reporting unit's projection of estimated operating results and discounted cash flows using a weighted-average cost of capital that reflected current market conditions. Estimated operating results were established using our best estimates of economic and market conditions over the projected period including growth rates in revenues and costs, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures, the anticipated time frame to re-open our parks, and the related anticipated demand upon re-opening our parks. Other significant estimates and assumptions included terminal value growth rates, future estimates of capital expenditures and changes in future working capital requirements. The market approach estimated fair value by applying cash flow multiples to each reporting unit's operating performance. The multiples were derived from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics of the reporting units. The impairment charges recognized were for the amount by which the reporting unit's carrying amount exceeded its fair value.

Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names. The fair value of our trade names was calculated using a relief-from-royalty model. The impairment charges recognized were for the amount by which the trade name's carrying amount exceeded its fair value.

Management made significant estimates calculating the fair value of our reporting units and trade names. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates depending on the ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the three months ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 were:

(In thousands)	Goodwill
Balance as of December 31, 2020	$	266,961
Foreign currency translation	757
Balance as of March 28, 2021	$	267,718
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	359,654
Impairment	(80,331)
Foreign currency translation	(4,664)
Balance as of March 29, 2020	$	274,659

As of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 29, 2020, other intangible assets consisted of the following:

(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Value
March 28, 2021
Other intangible assets:
Trade names	$	49,623	$	—	$	49,623
License / franchise agreements	4,259		(3,369)		890
Total other intangible assets	$	53,882	$	(3,369)	$	50,513
December 31, 2020
Other intangible assets:
Trade names	$	49,454	$	—	$	49,454
License / franchise agreements	4,259		(3,425)		834
Total other intangible assets	$	53,713	$	(3,425)	$	50,288
March 29, 2020
Other intangible assets:
Trade names	$	50,361	$	—	$	50,361
License / franchise agreements	4,255		(2,958)		1,297
Total other intangible assets	$	54,616	$	(2,958)	$	51,658

(6) Long-Term Debt:

Long-term debt as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 29, 2020 consisted of the following:

(In thousands)	March 28, 2021		December 31, 2020		March 29, 2020
Revolving credit facility	$	—	$	—	$	70,000
U.S. term loan averaging 1.88% YTD 2021; 2.70% in 2020; 3.43% YTD 2020 (1)	264,250		264,250		729,375
Notes
2024 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.375%	450,000		450,000		450,000
2025 U.S. fixed rate senior secured notes at 5.500%	1,000,000		1,000,000		—
2027 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.375%	500,000		500,000		500,000
2028 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 6.500%	300,000		300,000		—
2029 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.250%	500,000		500,000		500,000
	3,014,250		3,014,250		2,249,375
Less current portion	—		—		(7,500)
	3,014,250		3,014,250		2,241,875
Less debt issuance costs and original issue discount	(56,769)		(60,006)		(24,589)
	$	2,957,481	$	2,954,244	$	2,217,286

(1)     The average interest rates do not reflect the effect of interest rate swap agreements (see Note 7).

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Term Debt and Revolving Credit Facilities

In April 2017, we amended and restated our existing credit agreement (the "2017 Credit Agreement") which includes our senior secured term loan facility and senior secured revolving credit facility. The $750 million senior secured term loan facility under the 2017 Credit Agreement matures on April 15, 2024 and, following an amendment in March 2018, bears interest at London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 175 basis points (bps). The pricing terms for the amendment reflected $0.9 million of Original Issue Discount ("OID"). In April 2020, as a result of the anticipated effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we further amended the 2017 Credit Agreement (the "Second Amendment") to suspend and revise certain financial covenants, and to adjust the interest rate on and reflect additional commitments and capacity for our revolving credit facility. In conjunction with the Second Amendment, we prepaid $463.3 million of our outstanding senior secured term loan facility. Following the prepayment, we do not have any required remaining scheduled quarterly payments on our senior secured term loan facility. In September 2020, in response to the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we further amended the 2017 Credit Agreement (subsequently referred to as the "Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement" or "Third Amendment") to further suspend and revise certain of the financial covenants and extend the maturity of and adjust the terms that apply to a portion of our senior secured revolving credit facility. The facilities provided under the Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Partnership.

In connection with the Second Amendment, we received additional commitments under the U.S. senior secured revolving credit facility of $100 million bringing our total senior secured revolving credit facility capacity under the 2017 Credit Agreement to $375 million with a Canadian sub-limit of $15 million. Senior secured revolving credit facility borrowings following the Second Amendment bore interest at LIBOR plus 300 bps or Canadian Dollar Offered Rate ("CDOR") plus 200 bps and required the payment of a 37.5 bps commitment fee per annum on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility was scheduled to mature in April 2022 under the Second Amendment. In September 2020, the Third Amendment extended the maturity date of $300 million of the $375 million senior secured revolving credit facility to December 2023 (which the portion of the facility is subsequently referred to as the "2023 Revolving Credit Facility Capacity"). Under the Third Amendment, the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility Capacity bears interest at LIBOR plus 350 bps or CDOR plus 250 bps and requires the payment of a 62.5 bps commitment fee per annum on the unused portion of the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility Capacity, in each case without any step-downs. The terms of the remaining $75 million available under the senior secured revolving credit facility remain unchanged from the Second Amendment. Prior to the Second Amendment and Third Amendment, our senior secured revolving credit facility had a combined limit of $275 million with a Canadian sub-limit of $15 million and bore interest at LIBOR or CDOR plus 200 bps. The Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement also provides for the issuance of documentary and standby letters of credit. As of March 28, 2021, no borrowings were outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

Notes

In April 2020, as a result of the anticipated effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and in connection with the Second Amendment, we issued $1.0 billion of 5.500% senior secured notes due 2025 ("2025 senior notes") in a private placement. The 2025 senior notes and the related guarantees are secured by first-priority liens on the issuers' and the guarantors' assets that secure all the obligations under our credit facilities. The net proceeds from the offering of the 2025 senior notes were used to repay $463.3 million of our then-outstanding senior secured term loan facility. The remaining amount is to be used for general corporate and working capital purposes, including fees and expenses related to the transaction.

The 2025 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in May and November, with the principal due in full on May 1, 2025. Prior to May 1, 2022, up to 35% of the 2025 senior notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 105.500% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any. The 2025 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to May 1, 2022 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" premium together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the 2025 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed.

In June 2014, we issued $450 million of 5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2024 ("2024 senior notes"). The 2024 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in June and December, with the principal due in full on June 1, 2024. The 2024 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed.

In April 2017, we issued $500 million of 5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2027 ("2027 senior notes"). The 2027 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in April and October, with the principal due in full on April 15, 2027. The 2027 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to April 15, 2022 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" premium together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the 2027 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed.

In June 2019, we issued $500 million of 5.250% senior unsecured notes due 2029 ("2029 senior notes"). The 2029 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in January and July, with the principal due in full on July 15, 2029. Prior to July 15, 2022, up to 35% of the 2029 senior notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 105.250% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any. The 2029 senior notes

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may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to July 15, 2024 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" premium together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the 2029 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed.

In October 2020, in response to the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we issued $300 million of 6.500% senior unsecured notes due 2028 ("2028 senior notes") in a private placement. The net proceeds from the offering of the 2028 senior notes is to be used for general corporate and working capital purposes, including fees and expenses related to the transaction. The 2028 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in April and October, beginning April 1, 2021, with the principal due in full on October 1, 2028. Prior to October 1, 2023, up to 35% of the 2028 senior notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 106.500% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The 2028 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to October 1, 2023 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" premium together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the 2028 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed.

As market conditions warrant, we may from time to time repurchase our outstanding debt securities in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer, exchange offer or otherwise.

Covenants

The Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement includes: (i) a Senior Secured Leverage Ratio of 4.50x Total First Lien Senior Secured Debt-to-Consolidated EBITDA starting with the first quarter of 2022, which will step down to 4.00x in the second quarter of 2023 and which will step down further to 3.75x in the third quarter of 2023, with the covenant calculations for the first, second, and third quarters in 2022 to include Consolidated EBITDA from the second, third and fourth quarters of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 in lieu of the Consolidated EBITDA for the corresponding quarters in 2021 ("Deemed EBITDA Quarters"); (ii) a requirement that we maintain a minimum liquidity level of at least $125 million, tested at all times, until the earlier of December 31, 2022 or the termination of the Additional Restrictions Period (which generally includes the period from the effective date of the Second Amendment until the delivery of the compliance certificate for the fourth quarter of 2022); and (iii) a suspension of certain restricted payments, including partnership distributions, under the Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement until the termination of the Additional Restrictions Period. We may terminate the Additional Restrictions Period prior to December 31, 2022 by achieving compliance with the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio covenant as of the end of a fiscal quarter without giving effect to Deemed EBITDA Quarters for any fiscal quarter. As of March 28, 2021, we were in compliance with the applicable financial covenants under the Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement.

Our fixed rate note agreements include Restricted Payment provisions, which could limit our ability to pay partnership distributions. Pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the 2024 senior notes, which includes the most restrictive of these Restricted Payments provisions under our fixed rate note agreements, if our pro forma Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio is greater than 5.00x, we can still make Restricted Payments of $60 million annually so long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing. If our pro forma Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio is less than or equal to 5.00x, we can make Restricted Payments up to our Restricted Payment pool. Our pro forma Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio was greater than 5.00x as of March 28, 2021.

(7) Derivative Financial Instruments:

Derivative financial instruments are used within our overall risk management program to manage certain interest rate and foreign currency risks. By utilizing a derivative instrument to hedge exposure to LIBOR rate changes, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk, in particular the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. To mitigate this risk, hedging instruments are placed with a counterparty that we believe poses minimal credit risk. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

We have four interest rate swap agreements that convert $500 million of one month LIBOR to a fixed rate of 2.88% through December 31, 2023. This results in a 4.63% fixed interest rate for borrowings under our senior secured term loan facility after the impact of interest rate swap agreements. As of March 29, 2020, we had four additional interest rate swap agreements that matured on December 31, 2020 and converted the same notional amount of one month LIBOR to a fixed rate of 2.64%. None of the interest rate swap agreements are designated as hedging instruments. The fair market value of our swap portfolio, including the location within the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, for the periods presented were as follows:

(In thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	March 28, 2021		December 31, 2020		March 29, 2020
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Interest Rate Swaps	Other accrued liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	(8,718)
	Derivative Liability	(35,524)		(39,086)		(34,298)
		$	(35,524)	$	(39,086)	$	(43,016)

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Instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are adjusted to fair value each reporting period through "Net effect of swaps" within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

(8) Fair Value Measurements:

The table below presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 29, 2020 on a recurring basis as well as the fair values of other financial instruments, including their locations within the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

(In thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	March 28, 2021				December 31, 2020				March 29, 2020
			Carrying Value		Fair  Value		Carrying Value		Fair  Value		Carrying Value		Fair  Value
Financial assets (liabilities) measured on a recurring basis:
Short-term investments	Other current assets	Level 1	$	348	$	348	$	280	$	280	$	99	$	99
Interest rate swaps	Derivative Liability (1)	Level 2	$	(35,524)	$	(35,524)	$	(39,086)	$	(39,086)	$	(43,016)	$	(43,016)
Other financial assets (liabilities):
Term debt	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 2	$	(264,250)	$	(257,644)	$	(264,250)	$	(253,680)	$	(721,875)	$	(620,813)
2024 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 1	$	(450,000)	$	(454,500)	$	(450,000)	$	(451,125)	$	(450,000)	$	(382,500)
2025 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 2	$	(1,000,000)	$	(1,043,750)	$	(1,000,000)	$	(1,043,750)	—		—
2027 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 1	$	(500,000)	$	(513,125)	$	(500,000)	$	(507,500)	$	(500,000)	$	(410,000)
2028 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 2	$	(300,000)	$	(321,375)	$	(300,000)	$	(318,000)	—		—
2029 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 1 (3)	$	(500,000)	$	(510,625)	$	(500,000)	$	(505,625)	$	(500,000)	$	(417,500)

(1)As of March 29, 2020, $8.7 million of the fair value of our swap portfolio was classified as current and recorded in "Other accrued liabilities".

(2)Carrying values of long-term debt balances are before reductions for debt issuance costs and original issue discount of $56.8 million, $60.0 million, and $24.6 million as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 29, 2020, respectively.

(3)The 2029 senior notes were based on Level 1 inputs as of March 28, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and Level 2 inputs as of March 29, 2020.

Fair values of the interest rate swap agreements are determined using significant inputs, including the LIBOR forward curves, which are considered Level 2 observable market inputs.

Due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our expected future operating results, we tested our long-lived assets, goodwill, and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment during the first quarter of 2020. We concluded the estimated fair value of goodwill and long-lived assets at the Schlitterbahn parks reporting unit and the Schlitterbahn trade name, and the estimated fair value of goodwill at the Dorney Park reporting unit no longer exceeded their carrying values. Therefore, as of March 29, 2020, these assets were measured at fair value. We recorded a $2.7 million, $73.6 million and $7.9 million impairment charge to long-lived assets, goodwill and the trade name at the Schlitterbahn parks, respectively, and a $6.8 million impairment charge to goodwill at Dorney Park during the first quarter of 2020. The long-lived asset impairment charge was recorded in "Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets", and the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges were recorded in "Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles" within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

The fair value determination for our long-lived assets, reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets included numerous assumptions based on Level 3 inputs. The fair value of our long-lived assets was determined using a real and personal property appraisal of which the principal assumptions included the principal market and market participants upon sale. The primary assumptions used to determine the fair value of our reporting units included growth rates in revenues and costs, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures, the anticipated time frame to re-open our parks, the related anticipated demand upon re-opening our parks, terminal value growth rates, future estimates of capital expenditures, changes in future capital requirements, and a weighted-average cost of capital that reflected current market conditions. The fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets was determined using a relief-from-royalty method of which the principal assumptions included royalty rates, growth rates in revenues, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins, the anticipated time frame to re-open our parks, the related anticipated demand upon re-opening our parks, terminal value growth rates, and a discount rate based on a weighted-average cost of capital that reflected current market conditions.

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, revolving credit loans, accounts receivable, current portion of term debt, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. There were no other assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020 or March 29, 2020.

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(9) Loss per Unit:

Net loss per limited partner unit was calculated based on the following unit amounts:

	Three months ended
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)	March 28, 2021		March 29, 2020
Basic weighted average units outstanding	56,552		56,414
Diluted weighted average units outstanding	56,552		56,414
Net loss per unit - basic	$	(1.95)	$	(3.83)
Net loss per unit - diluted	$	(1.95)	$	(3.83)

For the three months ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, there were approximately 0.6 million potentially dilutive units excluded from the computation of diluted loss per limited partner unit as their effect would have been anti-dilutive due to the net loss in each period.

(10) Income and Partnership Taxes:

We are subject to publicly traded partnership tax (PTP tax) on certain partnership level gross income (net revenues less cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues), state and local income taxes on partnership income, U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on income from our corporate subsidiaries and foreign income taxes on our foreign subsidiary. As such, the total provision (benefit) for taxes includes amounts for the PTP gross income tax and federal, state, local and foreign income taxes. Under applicable accounting rules, the total provision (benefit) for income taxes includes the amount of taxes payable for the current year and the impact of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which represents future tax consequences of events that are recognized in different periods in the financial statements than for tax purposes.

The total tax provision (benefit) for interim periods is determined by applying an estimated annual effective tax rate to the applicable quarterly income (loss). Our consolidated estimated annual effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to state, local and foreign income taxes, certain partnership level income not being subject to federal tax and beneficial rate differences on loss carry backs allowed by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act") on March 27, 2020.

The CARES Act resulted in various changes to the U.S. tax law, including, among other things, allowing net operating losses arising in tax years 2018 through 2020 to be carried back to the preceding five taxable years and removing the limitation that such losses only offset 80% of taxable income. As a result of these changes, we expect to recognize two benefits. First, we expect to carryback tax year 2020 losses incurred by our corporate subsidiaries, which will result in the refund of a portion of federal income taxes paid during the carryback period of approximately $78.6 million. Second, as of March 28, 2021, the annual effective tax rate included a net benefit of $6.1 million from carrying back the projected tax year 2020 losses of the corporate subsidiaries. This tax benefit represents an estimated $6.4 million incremental benefit of tax loss carrybacks for periods when the federal income tax rate was greater than the current 21% rate. The estimated $6.4 million benefit was decreased by $0.3 million for a projected valuation allowance on foreign tax credits originally utilized during the carryback period which would be released as a result of the loss carryback but which are not expected to be utilized.

As of March 28, 2021, $78.6 million in tax refunds attributable to the net operating loss in tax year 2020 being carried back to prior years in the United States, and an additional $14.9 million in tax refunds attributable to the net operating loss of our Canadian corporate subsidiary being carried back to prior years in Canada, were recorded within "Current income tax receivable" in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. We anticipate receiving these tax refunds in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Additional benefits from the CARES Act included an $8.2 million deferral of the employer's share of Social Security taxes due in 50% increments in the fourth quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2022. As of March 28, 2021, the current portion was recorded in "Accrued salaries, wages and benefits" and the non-current portion was recorded in "Other Liabilities" within the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Unrecognized tax benefits, including accrued interest and penalties, were not material in any period presented. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business Overview:

We generate our revenues from sales of (1) admission to our amusement parks and water parks, (2) food, merchandise and games both inside and outside our parks, and (3) accommodations, extra-charge products, and other revenue sources. Our principal costs and expenses, which include salaries and wages, operating supplies, maintenance, advertising, utilities and insurance, are relatively fixed for a typical operating season and do not vary significantly with attendance.

Each of our properties is overseen by a general manager and operates autonomously. Management reviews operating results, evaluates performance and makes operating decisions, including allocating resources, on a property-by-property basis.

Along with attendance and in-park per capita spending statistics, discrete financial information and operating results are prepared at the individual park level for use by the CEO, who is the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM), as well as by the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, Regional Vice Presidents and the general managers.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had a material impact on our business in 2020, is expected to have a continuing negative impact in 2021 and may have a longer-term negative effect. We continue to actively work with state and local officials and anticipate opening all of our parks in May 2021 except for Canada's Wonderland. Upon opening, our parks will continue to operate under capacity and other operating limitations. Our 2021 operating calendars have been aligned with anticipated capacity restrictions, guest demand and labor availability in a challenging labor market. Due to unfavorable COVID-19 trends in Ontario, Canada's Wonderland is not expected to open in May 2021, but we anticipate opening the park as soon as conditions and the local jurisdiction allow. While full park operations at Knott's Berry Farm, our only year-round park, remained suspended during the first four months of 2021, the park hosted a culinary festival from March 5, 2021 through May 2, 2021. Prior to reopening, pre-opening expenses are being minimized. With broad vaccination distribution efforts in process and in anticipation of pent-up consumer demand for outdoor entertainment, we are focused on maximizing the seasonally weighted second half of 2021. A substantial portion of our revenues are typically generated during the peak vacation months of July and August allowing time for broader vaccine distribution and a potential reduction of COVID-19 restrictions before these key months. In addition, as of March 28, 2021, we have a sizeable base of approximately 1.8 million season passes outstanding and valid for the 2021 operating season following the extension of usage privileges for 2020 season passes through the 2021 operating season. Despite these positive indicators, we do not anticipate 2021 to be a normal year operationally or financially, and it is uncertain how long it may take us to achieve full operational potential. Our future operations are dependent on factors outside of our knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its public health effects.

On March 14, 2020, we closed our properties in response to the spread of COVID-19 and local government mandates. We ultimately resumed only partial operations at 10 of our 13 properties in 2020. Due to soft demand trends upon reopening in 2020, park operating calendars were adjusted, including reduced operating days per week and operating hours within each operating day. Following March 14, 2020, Knott's Berry Farm's partial operations in 2020 were limited to culinary festivals.

In order to ensure our season pass holders receive a full season of access to our parks, in April 2020, we extended the usage privileges of 2020 season passes through the 2021 season and paused collections of guest payments on installment purchase products. For those parks which opened during the summer of 2020, we resumed collections of guest payments on installment purchase products as each of these parks opened for the 2020 operating season. For those parks which did not open during the summer of 2020, we resumed collections of guest payments in April 2021, except for Canada's Wonderland. We will resume collections at Canada's Wonderland when the park is able to open for the 2021 operating season. At four of our parks, we also provided our season pass holders a loyalty reward to be used on purchases within the park during the 2021 operating season. Knott's Berry Farm is also offering a day-for-day extension into calendar year 2022 for 2020 and 2021 season passes for every day the park is closed in 2021. No other parks are offering similar plans. Refer to Note 3 for additional detail.

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Critical Accounting Policies:

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions during the normal course of business that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Beyond estimates in the normal course of business, management has also made significant estimates and assumptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic to determine our liquidity requirements and estimate the impact on our business, including financial results in the near and long-term. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

Management believes that judgment and estimates related to the following critical accounting policies could materially affect our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements:

•Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

•Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

•Self-Insurance Reserves

•Revenue Recognition

•Income Taxes

In the first quarter of 2021, there were no changes in the above critical accounting policies from those previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA:

Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash items, and adjustments as defined in the Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement and prior credit agreements. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of operating performance computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and should not be considered as a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flows from operating activities computed in accordance with GAAP. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure as it is widely used by analysts, investors and comparable companies in our industry to evaluate our operating performance on a consistent basis, as well as more easily compare our results with those of other companies in our industry. Further, management believes Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure of park-level operating profitability and we use it for measuring returns on capital investments, evaluating potential acquisitions, determining awards under incentive compensation plans, and calculating compliance with certain loan covenants. Adjusted EBITDA is provided in the discussion of results of operations that follows as a supplemental measure of our operating results and is not intended to be a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flows from operating activities as defined under GAAP. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

The table below sets forth a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss for the three month periods ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020.

	Three months ended
(In thousands)	March 28, 2021		March 29, 2020
Net loss	$	(110,416)	$	(215,977)
Interest expense	44,096		27,219
Interest income	(13)		(348)
Benefit for taxes	(16,297)		(49,007)
Depreciation and amortization	1,453		5,088
EBITDA	(81,177)		(233,025)
Net effect of swaps	(3,562)		19,779
Non-cash foreign currency (gain) loss	(5,804)		34,203
Non-cash equity compensation expense	5,369		(4,794)
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	1,539		6,767
Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles	—		88,181
Other (1)	13		224
Adjusted EBITDA	$	(83,622)	$	(88,665)

(1)    Consists of certain costs as defined in our Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement and prior credit agreements. These items are excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and have included certain legal expenses and severance expenses. This balance also includes unrealized gains and losses on short-term investments.

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Results of Operations:

We believe the following are key operational measures in our managerial and operational reporting, and they are used as major factors in significant operational decisions as they are primary drivers of our financial and operational performance:

Attendance is defined as the number of guest visits to our amusement parks and separately gated outdoor water parks.

In-park per capita spending is calculated as revenues generated within our amusement parks and separately gated outdoor water parks along with related tolls and parking revenues (in-park revenues), divided by total attendance.

Out-of-park revenues are defined as revenues from resort, marina, sponsorship, online transaction fees charged to customers and all other out-of-park operations.

Net revenues consist of in-park revenues and out-of-park revenues less amounts remitted to outside parties under concessionaire arrangements (see Note 3).

Three months ended March 28, 2021

Operating results for the first quarter are historically less than 5% of our full-year revenues and attendance. First quarter results typically include normal off-season operating, maintenance and administrative expenses at our ten seasonal amusement parks and two of our separately gated outdoor water parks, daily operations at Knott's Berry Farm which is typically open year-round, limited operations at the Schlitterbahn parks which are typically open during portions of March, and some out-of-park attractions, including limited hotel operations.

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we postponed the opening of our parks for the 2021 operating season to May 2021, including Knott's Berry Farm and the Schlitterbahn parks. Therefore, the fiscal three-month period ended March 28, 2021 included no operating days. Operations during the first quarter of 2021 were limited to a culinary festival at Knott's Berry Farm and limited out-of-park attractions, including some of our hotel properties. Net revenues from the culinary festival at Knott's Berry Farm were classified as out-of-park revenues. Operating day statistics for 2021 exclude these limited operations at Knott's Berry Farm.

The fiscal three-month period ended March 29, 2020 included a total of 90 operating days which included daily operations at Knott's Berry Farm and 16 operating days at the Schlitterbahn parks prior to the March 14, 2020 closure of our properties.

The following table presents key financial information for the three months ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020:

	Three months ended				Increase (Decrease)
	March 28, 2021		March 29, 2020		$		%
	(Amounts in thousands)
Net revenues	$	9,742	$	53,635	$	(43,893)	(81.8)	%
Operating costs and expenses	98,810		137,562		(38,752)		(28.2)	%
Depreciation and amortization	1,453		5,088		(3,635)		(71.4)	%
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	1,539		6,767		(5,228)		N/M
Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles	—		88,181		(88,181)		N/M
Gain on sale of investment	(2)		—		(2)		N/M
Operating loss	$	(92,058)	$	(183,963)	$	91,905	N/M
N/M - Not meaningful
Other Data:
Adjusted EBITDA (1)	$	(83,622)	$	(88,665)	$	5,043	5.7	%
Out-of-park revenues	$	10,147	$	12,091	$	(1,944)	(16.1)	%

(1)    For additional information regarding Adjusted EBITDA, including how we define and use Adjusted EBITDA, as well as a reconciliation to net loss, see page 18.

For the three months ended March 28, 2021, net revenues decreased 82% to $9.7 million from $53.6 million for the three months ended March 29, 2020. The decrease reflected no in-park revenue in the current period due to the delay of park openings for the 2021 operating season compared with 90 operating days in the prior period and a $1.9 million decrease in out-of-park revenues. The decrease in out-of-park revenues was primarily attributable to a decline in accommodations revenue somewhat offset by revenues from the Knott's Berry Farm culinary festival. Net revenues for the three months were not materially impacted by foreign currency exchange rates.

Operating costs and expenses for the three months ended March 28, 2021 decreased 28% to $98.8 million from $137.6 million for the three months ended March 29, 2020. This was the result of a $4.1 million decrease in cost of goods sold, a $40.2 million decrease in operating expenses and a $5.5 million increase in SG&A expense. The decrease in cost of goods sold was due to the decline in sales volume related to delayed park openings in 2021. The $40.2 million decrease in operating expenses was

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attributable to less maintenance expense due to delayed park openings and less maintenance required in 2021 following minimal 2020 usage of rides and attractions, as well as reductions in seasonal labor, operating supplies and utilities due to delayed park openings. The $5.5 million increase in SG&A expense was attributable to prior period declines in the anticipated payout of outstanding performance units and the value of outstanding deferred units, both of which are part of our equity-based compensation plans, and current period consulting fees incurred as a result of a business optimization program. The increases in SG&A expense were somewhat offset by less advertising expense, transaction fees and information technology supplies due to delayed park openings. Operating costs and expenses were not materially impacted by foreign currency exchange rates.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 28, 2021 decreased $3.6 million compared with the three months ended March 29, 2020 due to 90 fewer operating days in the current period. We recognize deprecation over operating days for the majority of our assets. Depreciation during the current period was attributable to hotel properties that typically operate year-round. The loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets for the three months ended March 28, 2021 was $1.5 million compared with $6.8 million for the three months ended March 29, 2020. The prior period included a $2.7 million impairment charge with respect to the Schlitterbahn parks' long-lived assets triggered by the anticipated negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic during the first quarter of 2020 (see Note 4), as well as the impairment of two specific assets during the first quarter of 2020. Similarly triggered by the anticipated negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles for the three months ended March 29, 2020 included impairment charges of $73.6 million, $6.8 million and $7.9 million attributable to goodwill at the Schlitterbahn parks, goodwill at Dorney Park, and the Schlitterbahn trade name, respectively, during the first quarter of 2020 (see Note 5).

After the items above, operating loss for the three months ended March 28, 2021 totaled $92.1 million compared with $184.0 million for the three months ended March 29, 2020.

Interest expense for the three months ended March 28, 2021 increased $16.9 million due to interest incurred on the 2025 senior notes issued in April 2020 and the 2028 senior notes issued in October 2020. The net effect of our swaps resulted in a benefit to earnings of $3.6 million for the three months ended March 28, 2021 compared with a $19.8 million charge to earnings for the three months ended March 29, 2020. The difference was attributable to the change in fair market value movements in our swap portfolio. During the current period, we also recognized a $5.8 million net benefit to earnings for foreign currency gains and losses compared with a $34.2 million net charge to earnings for the three months ended March 29, 2020. Both amounts primarily represent remeasurement of the U.S.-dollar denominated debt recorded at our Canadian entity from the U.S.-dollar to the legal entity's functional currency.

During the three months ended March 28, 2021, a benefit for taxes of $16.3 million was recorded to account for PTP taxes and federal, state, local and foreign income taxes compared with a benefit for taxes of $49.0 million for the three months ended March 29, 2020. The decrease in benefit for taxes was attributable to a prior period increase in pretax loss from our taxable subsidiaries, as well as expected benefits from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act"), which was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act resulted in various changes to the U.S. tax law, including, among other things, allowing net operating losses arising in tax years 2018 through 2020 to be carried back to the preceding five taxable years and removing the limitation that such losses only offset 80% of taxable income. As a result of these changes, we expect to recognize two benefits. First, we expect to carryback the tax year 2020 losses incurred by our corporate subsidiaries, which will result in the refund of a portion of federal income taxes paid during the carryback period of approximately $78.6 million. Second, as of March 29, 2020, the annual effective tax rate included a net benefit of $6.1 million from carrying back the projected tax year 2020 losses of the corporate subsidiaries. This tax benefit represents an estimated $6.4 million incremental benefit of tax loss carrybacks for periods when the federal income tax rate was greater than the current 21% rate. The estimated $6.4 million benefit was decreased by $0.3 million for a projected valuation allowance on foreign tax credits originally utilized during the carryback period which would be released as a result of the loss carryback but which are not expected to be utilized.

After the items above, net loss for the three months ended March 28, 2021 totaled $110.4 million, or $1.95 per diluted limited partner unit, compared with $216.0 million, or $3.83 per diluted limited partner unit, for the three months ended March 29, 2020.

For the three months ended March 28, 2021, Adjusted EBITDA loss totaled $83.6 million compared with $88.7 million for the three months ended March 29, 2020. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA loss was due to less expense incurred in the current year due to delayed park openings, particularly maintenance and seasonal labor costs, which more than offset the related decline in revenue in the current year.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources:

Our principal sources of liquidity typically include cash from operating activities, funding from our long-term debt obligations and existing cash on hand. Due to the seasonality of our business, we typically fund pre-opening operations with revolving credit borrowings. Revolving credit borrowings are typically reduced with our positive cash flow during the seasonal operating period. Our primary uses of liquidity typically include operating expenses, partnership distributions, capital expenditures, interest payments and income tax obligations.

Due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we took steps in 2020 to secure additional liquidity and to obtain relief from certain financial covenants including issuing $1.3 billion of senior notes, amending our term debt and revolving credit agreement, reducing operating expenses, including labor costs, suspending capital expenditures, and suspending quarterly partnership distributions. Due to limited open operations, our 2020 and first quarter 2021 liquidity needs were funded from cash on hand from the recently issued senior notes. As of March 28, 2021, we had cash on hand of $271.7 million and $359.1 million of available borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Based on this level of liquidity, we have concluded that we will have sufficient liquidity to satisfy our obligations and remain in compliance with our debt covenants at least through the second quarter of 2022.

As restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are lifted and our properties are able to resume full operations, management is focused on driving profitable and sustainable growth in the business, as well as reducing the Company's leverage. We recently commenced a business optimization program as part of our long-range strategic plan. Efforts include capturing cost efficiencies and driving incremental revenues through data-driven decision making, as well as enhancements to the guest experience to meet changing consumer behaviors and preferences. The program focuses on reductions in fixed costs that are independent of attendance levels, as well as incremental revenue opportunities and variable cost savings. Also, in the long term, management anticipates returning to historical annual capital expenditure investments of 9-10% of revenues under normal operating conditions. Management is also committed to reinstituting quarterly partnership distributions when it is appropriate to do so and it is permissible under the Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement and our other debt covenants.

For the 2021 operating season, capital investments will again be less than historical levels, as many new rides and attractions originally planned for the 2020 operating season have yet to be introduced to our guests. For 2021, we expect to invest approximately $100 million in capital expenditures, roughly equally split between the completion of select unfinished projects from 2020, including the renovation of some of our resort properties, essential compliance and infrastructure requirements, and the start of projects planned for the 2022 operating season. We may invest in additional capital expenditures over the 2021 operating season as conditions permit. Due to the issuance of $1.3 billion of senior notes in 2020, we anticipate $175 million in annual cash interest in 2021 of which 80% of the payments occur in the second and fourth quarter. We are expecting to receive $78.6 million in tax refunds attributable to the tax year 2020 net operating loss being carried back to prior years in the United States and an additional $14.9 million in tax refunds attributable to net operating losses being carried back to prior years in Canada. We anticipate receiving these tax refunds in the fourth quarter of 2021. Also, in 2021, we anticipate cash payments for income taxes to range from $5 million to $10 million, exclusive of these tax refunds. We anticipate funding our remaining 2021 liquidity needs from cash on hand and cash from operating activities.

As of the date of this Form 10-Q, we anticipate that we will spend approximately $60 million per month during the second quarter of 2021. We spent $35 million per month during the first quarter of 2021. The higher rate of spend during the second quarter of 2021 is due to higher projected capital investments and incremental operating costs related to preparing the parks to open, as well as the timing of interest payments. The second and fourth quarter include interest payments for four of our five notes issuances. Excluding interest payments, we spent approximately $30 million per month during the first quarter of 2021, and we anticipate spending approximately $35 million per month during the second quarter of 2021. Our estimate includes projected operating expenses, capital expenditures, income tax obligations, and interest payments, except where otherwise noted. We have made significant estimates and assumptions to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, including financial results in the near and long term. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates. We have not provided a longer period estimate due to the volatility of the current operating environment.

Working Capital

In the prior year quarterly period ended March 29, 2020, we estimated that some or all of our parks would remain closed throughout 2020 due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we estimated the following working capital amounts would be realized greater than 12 months from the balance sheet date, and these amounts were classified as non-current within the prior year quarterly period unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet:

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(In thousands)
Working Capital Account	Balance Sheet Location	March 29, 2020
Receivables	Other Assets	$	23,968
Inventories	Other Assets	39,364
Prepaid advertising and other current assets	Other Assets	5,177
		$	68,509
Deferred revenue	Non-Current Deferred Revenue	$	154,946

In the current year quarterly period ended March 28, 2021, our parks are expected to open in 2021. Therefore, we expect outstanding working capital amounts to be realized within 12 months from the balance sheet date with the exception of $5.4 million of deferred revenue expected to be realized greater than 12 months from the balance sheet date due to the extension of validity for Knott's Berry Farm season passes (see Note 3).

Operating Activities

Net cash for operating activities for the first three months of 2021 totaled $90.4 million, a decrease of $14.8 million compared with the same period in the prior year. The decrease in net cash for operating activities was largely attributable to less costs incurred in the current year due to delayed park openings, particularly related to maintenance and seasonal labor costs.

Investing Activities

Net cash for investing activities for the first three months of 2021 was $8.4 million, a decrease of $49.7 million compared with the same period in the prior year. The decrease in net cash for investing activities was due to a planned reduction in capital spending for 2021.

Financing Activities

Net cash for financing activities for the first three months of 2021 was $6.1 million, a decrease of $16.7 million compared with net cash from financing activities for the same period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributable to prior period typical seasonal revolver borrowings offset by the first quarter 2020 partnership distribution, both of which occurred prior to the COVID-19 disruption.

Contractual Obligations

As of March 28, 2021, our primary contractual obligations consisted of outstanding long-term debt agreements and related derivative agreements. Before reduction for debt issuance costs and original issue discount, our long-term debt agreements consisted of the following:

•$264 million of senior secured term debt, maturing in April 2024 under our Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement. The term debt bears interest at London InterBank Offering Rate ("LIBOR") plus 175 basis points (bps), under amendments we entered into on March 14, 2018. The pricing terms for the 2018 amendment reflected $0.9 million of Original Issue Discount ("OID"). Following a $463.3 million prepayment during the second quarter of 2020, we do not have any required remaining quarterly payments. Therefore, we had no current maturities as of March 28, 2021.

•$1.0 billion of 5.500% senior secured notes, maturing in May 2025, issued at par. The 2025 senior notes and the related guarantees are secured by first-priority liens on the issuers' and the guarantors' assets that secure all the obligations under our credit facilities. Prior to May 1, 2022, up to 35% of the 2025 senior notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 105.500% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any. The 2025 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to May 1, 2022 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" premium together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the 2025 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed. The 2025 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in May and November.

•$450 million of 5.375% senior unsecured notes, maturing in June 2024, issued at par. The 2024 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed. The 2024 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in June and December.

•$500 million of 5.375% senior unsecured notes, maturing in April 2027, issued at par. The 2027 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to April 15, 2022 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" premium, together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the 2027 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed. The 2027 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in April and October.

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•$300 million of 6.500% senior unsecured notes, maturing in October 2028, issued at par. Prior to October 1, 2023, up to 35% of the 2028 senior notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 106.500% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any. The 2028 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to October 1, 2023 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" premium together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the 2028 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed. The 2028 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in April and October, beginning April 1, 2021.

•$500 million of 5.250% senior unsecured notes, maturing in July 2029, issued at par. Prior to July 15, 2022, up to 35% of the 2029 senior notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 105.250% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any. The 2029 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to July 15, 2024 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" premium together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the 2029 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed. The 2029 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in January and July.

•No borrowings under the $375 million senior secured revolving credit facility under our Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement with a Canadian sub-limit of $15 million. $300 million of the revolving credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 350 bps or Canadian Dollar Offered Rate ("CDOR") plus 250 bps and requires the payment of a 62.5 bps commitment fee per annum on the unused portion of the credit facilities. The remaining $75 million of the revolving credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 300 bps or CDOR plus 200 bps and requires the payment of a 37.5 bps commitment fee per annum on the unused portion of the credit facilities. The $300 million revolving credit facility is scheduled to mature in December 2023 and the $75 million revolving credit facility is scheduled to mature in April 2022. The Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement provides for the issuance of documentary and standby letters of credit. After letters of credit, which totaled $15.9 million as of March 28, 2021, we had $359.1 million of available borrowings under the revolving credit facility and cash on hand of $271.7 million. Our letters of credit are primarily in place to backstop insurance arrangements.

As of March 28, 2021, we have four interest rate swap agreements that convert $500 million of one month LIBOR to a fixed rate of 2.88% through December 31, 2023. This results in a 4.63% fixed interest rate for borrowings under our senior secured term loan facility after the impact of interest rate swap agreements. None of our interest rate swap agreements were designated as cash flow hedges in the periods presented. As of March 28, 2021, the fair value of our swap portfolio was classified as long-term and recorded in "Derivative Liability" within the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement includes: (i) a Senior Secured Leverage Ratio of 4.50x Total First Lien Senior Secured Debt-to-Consolidated EBITDA starting with the first quarter of 2022, which will step down to 4.00x in the second quarter of 2023 and which will step down further to 3.75x in the third quarter of 2023, with the covenant calculations for the first, second, and third quarters in 2022 to include Consolidated EBITDA from the second, third and fourth quarters of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 in lieu of the Consolidated EBITDA for the corresponding quarters in 2021 ("Deemed EBITDA Quarters"); (ii) a requirement that we maintain a minimum liquidity level of at least $125 million, tested at all times, until the earlier of December 31, 2022 or the termination of the Additional Restrictions Period (which generally includes the period from the effective date of the Second Amendment until the delivery of the compliance certificate for the fourth quarter of 2022); and (iii) a suspension of certain restricted payments, including partnership distributions, under the Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement until the termination of the Additional Restrictions Period. We may terminate the Additional Restrictions Period prior to December 31, 2022 by achieving compliance with the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio covenant as of the end of a fiscal quarter without giving effect to Deemed EBITDA Quarters for any fiscal quarter. As of March 28, 2021, we were in compliance with the applicable financial covenants under the Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement.

Our fixed rate note agreements include Restricted Payment provisions, which could limit our ability to pay partnership distributions. Pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the 2024 senior notes, which includes the most restrictive of these Restricted Payments provisions under our fixed rate note agreements, if our pro forma Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio is greater than 5.00x, we can still make Restricted Payments of $60 million annually so long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing. If our pro forma Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio is less than or equal to 5.00x, we can make Restricted Payments up to our Restricted Payment pool. Our pro forma Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio was greater than 5.00x as of March 28, 2021.

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Financial and Non-Financial Disclosure About Issuers and Guarantors of our Registered Senior Notes

As discussed within the Long-Term Debt footnote at Note 6, we have issued five tranches of fixed rate senior notes: the 2024, 2025, 2027, 2028 and 2029 senior notes (“senior notes”). The 2024, 2027 and 2029 senior notes (the “registered senior notes”) have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The 2025 and 2028 senior notes were sold in a private placement in reliance on exemptions from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. Cedar Fair, L.P., Canada's Wonderland Company ("Cedar Canada"), and Magnum Management Corporation ("Magnum") are the co-issuers of the 2024 senior notes. Cedar Fair, L.P., Cedar Canada, Magnum, and Millennium Operations LLC (“Millennium”) are the co-issuers of the 2027 and 2029 senior notes. Our senior notes have been irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by each 100% owned subsidiary of Cedar Fair (other than the co-issuers). There are no non-guarantor subsidiaries. A full listing of the issuers and guarantors of our registered senior notes can be found within Exhibit 22, and additional information with respect to our registered senior notes and the related guarantees follows.

The 2024, 2027 and 2029 senior notes each rank equally in right of payment with all of each issuer’s existing and future senior unsecured debt, including the other registered senior notes and the 2028 senior notes. However, the 2024, 2027 and 2029 senior notes are ranked effectively junior to our secured debt under the Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement and the 2025 senior notes to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt.

In the event that the co-issuers (except for Cedar Fair, L.P.) or any subsidiary guarantor is released from its obligations under our senior secured credit facilities (or the Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement), such entity will also be released from its obligations under the registered senior notes. In addition, the co-issuers (except for Cedar Fair, L.P.) or any subsidiary guarantor can be released from its obligations under the 2024, 2027 and 2029 senior notes under the following circumstances, assuming the associated transactions are in compliance with the applicable provisions of the indentures governing the 2024, 2027 and 2029 senior notes: i) any direct or indirect sale, conveyance or other disposition of the capital stock of such entity following which the entity ceases to be a direct or indirect subsidiary of Cedar Fair or a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such entity; ii) if such entity is dissolved or liquidated; iii) if we designate such entity as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; iv) upon transfer of such entity in a qualifying transaction if following such transfer the entity ceases to be a direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of Cedar Fair or is a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a guarantor under any credit facility; or v) in the case of the subsidiary guarantors, upon a discharge of the indenture or upon any legal defeasance or covenant defeasance of the indenture.

The obligations of each guarantor are limited to the extent necessary to prevent such guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law. This provision may not, however, protect a guarantee from being voided under fraudulent transfer law, or may reduce the applicable guarantor’s obligation to an amount that effectively makes its guarantee worthless. If a guarantee were rendered voidable, it could be subordinated by a court to all other indebtedness of the guarantor, and depending on the amount of such indebtedness, could reduce the guarantee to zero. Each guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a guarantee is entitled to a pro rata contribution from each other guarantor based on the respective net assets of the guarantors.

The following tables provide summarized financial information for each of our co-issuers and guarantors of the 2024, 2027 and 2029 senior notes. We have presented each entity that is a co-issuer of any series of the registered senior notes separately. The subsidiaries that guarantee the 2027 and 2029 senior notes are presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances and transactions between entities in such guarantor subsidiary group eliminated. Intercompany balances and transactions between the co-issuers and guarantor subsidiaries have not been eliminated. The subsidiaries that guarantee the 2024 senior notes include the guarantor subsidiary group, as well as Millennium. Millennium is a co-issuer under the 2027 and 2029 senior notes and a guarantor under the 2024 senior notes. There are no non-guarantor subsidiaries.

Summarized Financial Information (In thousands)	Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)		Magnum (Co-Issuer Subsidiary)		Cedar Canada (Co-Issuer Subsidiary)		Millennium (Co-Issuer 2027 & 2029 Guarantor 2024)		Guarantor Subsidiaries (1)
Balance as of March 28, 2021
Current Assets	$	173	$	54,679	$	42,635	$	367,673	$	1,039,678
Non-Current Assets	(157,328)		909,857		527,954		2,318,039		1,809,570
Current Liabilities	477,122		585,901		23,631		228,446		43,344
Non-Current Liabilities	146,333		40,920		462,534		2,379,486		93,379
Balance as of December 31, 2020
Current Assets	$	421	$	33,985	$	44,465	$	464,779	$	1,033,489
Non-Current Assets	(31,953)		994,682		528,281		2,311,502		1,833,932
Current Liabilities	488,799		573,244		18,235		200,107		42,224
Non-Current Liabilities	146,106		44,778		461,903		2,370,939		93,430

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Three Months Ended March 28, 2021
Net revenues	$	—	$	59	$	100	$	68,909	$	1,722
Operating (loss) income	(33,058)		(68,295)		(2,700)		32,456		(20,461)
Net loss	(110,416)		(69,042)		(5,093)		—		(20,592)
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020
Net revenues	$	—	$	102	$	440	$	510,077	$	152,257
Operating (loss) income	(199,250)		(323,293)		(37,655)		109,688		(121,498)
Net loss	(590,243)		(361,061)		(54,046)		—		(149,903)

(1)    With respect to the 2024 senior notes, if the financial information presented for Millennium was combined with that of the other guarantor subsidiaries that have been presented on a combined basis, the following additional intercompany balances and transactions between Millennium and such other guarantor entities would be eliminated: Non-Current Assets - $2,208.0 million as of March 28, 2021 and $2,201.8 million as of December 31, 2020; and Net revenues - $2.2 million as of March 28, 2021 and $130.3 million as of December 31, 2020. Combined amounts for all guarantors of the 2024 senior notes for all other line items within the table would be computed by adding the amounts in the Millennium and Guarantor Subsidiaries columns.

Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this report (including the "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section) that are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements as to our expectations, beliefs, goals and strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements may involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct, or that our business optimization and growth strategies will achieve the targeted results. Important factors, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, general economic conditions, adverse weather conditions, competition for consumer leisure time and spending, unanticipated construction delays, changes in our capital investment plans and projects and other factors we discuss from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") could affect attendance at our parks, as well as our business optimization program, and could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations or otherwise to fluctuate or decrease. Additional information on risk factors that may affect our business and financial results can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the filings we make from time to time with the SEC, including this Form 10-Q. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the filing date of this document.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risks from fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates on our operations in Canada, and from time to time, on imported rides and equipment. The objective of our financial risk management is to reduce the potential negative impact of interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations to acceptable levels. We do not acquire market risk sensitive instruments for trading purposes.

We manage interest rate risk using a combination of fixed-rate long-term debt, interest rate swaps that fix our variable-rate long-term debt, and variable-rate borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Translation exposures with regard to our Canadian operations are not hedged.

None of our interest rate swap agreements are designated as hedging instruments. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported as "Net effect of swaps" in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

As of March 28, 2021, on an adjusted basis after giving effect to the impact of interest rate swap agreements, all of our outstanding long-term debt represented fixed-rate debt except for revolving credit borrowings. Assuming the daily average balance over the past twelve months on our revolving credit borrowings of approximately $12.3 million, a hypothetical 100 bps increase in 30-day LIBOR on our variable-rate debt (including term debt and not considering the impact of our interest rate swaps) would lead to an increase of approximately $2.8 million in cash interest costs over the next twelve months.

Assuming a hypothetical 100 bps increase in 30-day LIBOR, the amount of net cash interest paid on our derivative portfolio would decrease by $2.6 million over the next twelve months.

A uniform 10% strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar would result in a $2.4 million decrease in annual operating loss for the trailing twelve months ended March 28, 2021.

25

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures - 

We maintain a system of controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Commission and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of March 28, 2021, management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 28, 2021.

(b)Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting -

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our employees continued working from home during the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 2021. We are monitoring and assessing the changing business environment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the related effect on our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:

The following table summarizes repurchases of Cedar Fair, L.P. Depositary Units representing limited partner interests by the Partnership during the three months ended March 28, 2021:

	(a)	(b)		(c)	(d)
Period	Total Number of Units Purchased (1)	Average Price Paid per Unit		Total Number of Units Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Units that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1 - January 31	600	$	39.34	—	$	—
February 1 - February 28	38,150	$	46.48	—	—
March 1 - March 28	—	—		—	—
Total	38,750	$	46.37	—	$	—

(1)All repurchased units were reacquired by the Partnership in satisfaction of tax obligations related to the vesting of restricted units which were granted under the Partnership's Omnibus Incentive Plan.

26

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit (10.1)	2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement (Spring 2021 Version). Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Form 8-K (File No. 001-09444) filed on March 30, 2021.
Exhibit (10.2)	2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan Form of Restricted Unit Award Declaration (Spring 2021 Version). Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Form 8-K (File No. 001-09444) filed on March 30, 2021.
Exhibit (22)	Subsidiary Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 22 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q (File No. 001-09444) filed on November 4, 2020.
Exhibit (31.1)	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit (31.2)	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit (32)	Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit (101)	The following materials from the Partnership's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 28, 2021 formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, (ii) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow, (iv) the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Partners' Deficit, and (v) related notes, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags.
Exhibit (104)	The cover page from the Partnership's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 28, 2021 formatted in Inline XBRL (included as Exhibit 101).

27

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
		(Registrant)
		By Cedar Fair Management, Inc.
		General Partner
Date:	May 5, 2021	/s/ Richard A. Zimmerman
		Richard A. Zimmerman
		President and Chief Executive Officer
Date:	May 5, 2021	/s/ Brian C. Witherow
		Brian C. Witherow
		Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer

28

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Richard A. Zimmerman, certify that:

1)I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cedar Fair, L.P.;

2)Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3)Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4)The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5)The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	May 5, 2021	/s/ Richard A. Zimmerman
		Richard A. Zimmerman
		President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Brian C. Witherow, certify that:

1)I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Cedar Fair, L.P.;

2)Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3)Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4)The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5)The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	May 5, 2021	/s/ Brian C. Witherow
		Brian C. Witherow
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Cedar Fair, L.P. (the “Partnership”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 28, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), each of the undersigned officers of the Partnership certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to our knowledge:

1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.

May 5, 2021

/s/ Richard A. Zimmerman

Richard A. Zimmerman

President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Brian C. Witherow

Brian C. Witherow

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

XML

Cover - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021	Apr. 30, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 28, 2021
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-9444
Entity Registrant Name	CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	34-1560655
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Cedar Point Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Sandusky
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	44870-5259
City Area Code	419
Local Phone Number	626-0830
Title of 12(b) Security	Depositary Units (Representing Limited Partner Interests)
Trading Symbol	FUN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		56,829,250
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0000811532

XML

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 271,730	$ 376,736	$ 26,295
Receivables	33,402	34,445	25,652
Inventories	48,004	47,479	7,394
Prepaid advertising	6,926	2,838	17,435
Current income tax receivable	93,496	69,104	0
Other current assets	25,847	23,909	16,183
Total current assets	479,405	554,511	92,959
Property and Equipment:
Land	443,579	442,708	435,677
Land improvements	467,390	467,176	457,922
Buildings	845,838	849,404	811,048
Rides and equipment	1,963,551	1,962,324	1,893,596
Construction in progress	83,658	75,507	114,740
Total property and equipment, gross	3,804,016	3,797,119	3,712,983
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,993,568)	(1,995,138)	(1,836,870)
Total property and equipment, net	1,810,448	1,801,981	1,876,113
Goodwill	267,718	266,961	274,659
Other Intangibles, net	50,513	50,288	51,658
Right-of-Use Asset	13,741	13,527	13,688
Other Assets	5,836	6,144	80,406
Total Assets	2,627,661	2,693,412	2,389,483
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0	7,500
Accounts payable	22,613	14,272	39,000
Deferred revenue	189,652	183,354	30,381
Accrued interest	58,977	33,718	28,617
Accrued taxes	9,878	10,775	6,656
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	17,809	24,975	16,866
Self-insurance reserves	22,071	22,322	25,127
Other accrued liabilities	12,011	10,565	23,692
Total current liabilities	333,011	299,981	177,839
Deferred Tax Liability	49,972	39,595	59,021
Derivative Liability	35,524	39,086	34,298
Lease Liability	10,749	10,483	10,310
Non-Current Deferred Revenue	15,877	10,508	164,137
Other Liabilities	5,657	5,952	806
Long-Term Debt:
Revolving credit loans	0	0	70,000
Term debt	255,866	255,025	714,685
Notes	2,701,615	2,699,219	1,432,601
Total long-term debt	2,957,481	2,954,244	2,217,286
Partners’ Deficit
Special L.P. interests	5,290	5,290	5,290
General partner	(8)	(7)	(3)
Limited partners, 56,828, 56,706 and 56,703 units outstanding as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020 and March 29, 2020, respectively	(785,400)	(674,319)	(305,152)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(492)	2,599	25,651
Total partners' equity	(780,610)	(666,437)	(274,214)
Total Liabilities and Partners' Equity	$ 2,627,661	$ 2,693,412	$ 2,389,483

XML

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - shares shares in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Limited partners, units outstanding (in shares)	56,828	56,706	56,703

XML

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021	Mar. 29, 2020
Net revenues:
Revenues	$ 9,742	$ 53,635
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	2,306	6,385
Operating expenses	66,154	106,368
Selling, general and administrative	30,350	24,809
Depreciation and amortization	1,453	5,088
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	1,539	6,767
Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles	0	88,181
Gain on sale of investment	(2)	0
Total costs and expenses	101,800	237,598
Operating loss	(92,058)	(183,963)
Interest expense	44,096	27,219
Net effect of swaps	(3,562)	19,779
Loss on early debt extinguishment	4	0
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	(5,805)	34,202
Other income	(78)	(179)
Loss before taxes	(126,713)	(264,984)
Benefit for taxes	(16,297)	(49,007)
Net loss	(110,416)	(215,977)
Net loss allocated to general partner	(1)	(2)
Net loss allocated to limited partners	(110,415)	(215,975)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(3,091)	15,905
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax)	(3,091)	15,905
Total comprehensive loss	$ (113,507)	$ (200,072)
Basic loss per limited partner unit:
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding (in shares)	56,552	56,414
Net loss per limited partner unit (in dollars per share)	$ (1.95)	$ (3.83)
Diluted loss per limited partner unit:
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding (in shares)	56,552	56,414
Net loss per limited partner unit (in dollars per share)	$ (1.95)	$ (3.83)
Admissions
Net revenues:
Revenues	$ 0	$ 26,649
Food, merchandise and games
Net revenues:
Revenues	7,246	19,947
Accommodations, extra-charge products and other
Net revenues:
Revenues	$ 2,496	$ 7,039

XML

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ DEFICIT - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021	Mar. 29, 2020
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, value	$ (666,437)	$ (9,966)
Net loss	(110,416)	(215,977)
Partnership distribution declared		(53,022)
Limited partnership units related to equity-based compensation	882	(9,413)
Tax effect of units involved in treasury unit transactions	(1,548)	(1,741)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(3,091)	15,905
Ending balance, value	$ (780,610)	$ (274,214)
Limited Partners
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, units (in shares)	56,706	56,666
Beginning balance, value	$ (674,319)	$ (25,001)
Net loss	$ (110,415)	(215,975)
Partnership distribution declared		$ (53,022)
Limited partnership units related to equity-based compensation (in shares)	122	37
Limited partnership units related to equity-based compensation	$ 882	$ (9,413)
Tax effect of units involved in treasury unit transactions	$ (1,548)	$ (1,741)
Ending balance, units (in shares)	56,828	56,703
Ending balance, value	$ (785,400)	$ (305,152)
General Partner’s Deficit
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, value	(7)	(1)
Net loss	(1)	(2)
Ending balance, value	(8)	(3)
Special L.P. Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, value	5,290	5,290
Ending balance, value	5,290	5,290
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, value	2,599	9,746
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(3,091)	15,905
Ending balance, value	$ (492)	$ 25,651

XML

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ DEFICIT (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021	Mar. 29, 2020
Statement of Partners' Capital [Abstract]
Partnership distribution declared, per unit (in dollars per share)		$ 0.935
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	$ (427)	$ 2,851

XML

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021	Mar. 29, 2020
CASH FLOWS FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss	$ (110,416)	$ (215,977)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash for operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,453	5,088
Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles	0	88,181
Non-cash foreign currency (gain) loss on debt	(5,435)	35,332
Non-cash equity based compensation expense (benefit)	5,369	(4,794)
Non-cash deferred income tax benefit	9,896	(27,727)
Net effect of swaps	(3,562)	19,779
Other non-cash expenses	3,493	5,995
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables	1,077	13,233
(Increase) decrease in inventories	(464)	(14,098)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid advertising	(4,084)	(18,575)
(Increase) decrease in tax receivable	(25,130)	(25,093)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(1,450)	(4,477)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	8,505	8,640
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue	11,522	34,602
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	25,200	7,580
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	(6,353)	(12,828)
Net cash for operating activities	(90,379)	(105,139)
CASH FLOWS FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(8,361)	(58,032)
Net cash for investing activities	(8,361)	(58,032)
CASH FLOWS (FOR) FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net borrowings on revolving credit loans	0	70,000
Distributions paid to partners	0	(53,022)
Payments related to tax withholding for equity compensation	(4,489)	(4,618)
Other	(1,596)	(1,741)
Net cash (for) from financing activities	(6,085)	10,619
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(181)	(3,405)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Net decrease for the period	(105,006)	(155,957)
Balance, beginning of period	376,736	182,252
Balance, end of period	271,730	26,295
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Cash payments for interest expense	16,085	19,342
Interest capitalized	559	465
Net cash (refunds) payments for income taxes	(330)	4,000
Capital expenditures in accounts payable	$ 3,401	$ 11,365

XML

Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies:

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had a material impact on our business in 2020 and is expected to have a continuing negative impact in 2021. We continue to actively work with state and local officials and anticipate opening all of our parks in May 2021 except for Canada's Wonderland. Upon opening, our parks will continue to operate in accordance with capacity and other operating limitations. Our 2021 operating calendars have been aligned with anticipated capacity restrictions, guest demand and labor availability in a challenging labor market. Due to unfavorable COVID-19 trends in Ontario, Canada's Wonderland is not expected to open in May 2021, but we anticipate opening the park as soon as conditions and the local jurisdiction allow. While full park operations at Knott's Berry Farm, our only year-round park, remained suspended during the first four months of 2021, the park hosted a culinary festival from March 5, 2021 through May 2, 2021. Our future operations are dependent on factors outside of our knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its public health effects.

In 2020, we closed our properties for several months beginning in March 2020. We ultimately resumed partial operations at 10 of our 13 properties in 2020, operating in accordance with local and state guidelines. Due to soft demand trends upon reopening in 2020, park operating calendars were adjusted for the remainder of 2020, including reduced operating days per week and operating hours within each operating day.

Management has made significant estimates and assumptions to determine our liquidity requirements and estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, including financial results in the near and long-term. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates depending on the ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the prior year quarterly period ended March 29, 2020, we estimated that some or all of our parks would remain closed throughout 2020 due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we estimated the following working capital amounts would be realized greater than 12 months from the balance sheet date, and these amounts were classified as non-current within the prior year quarterly period unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet:

(In thousands)
Working Capital Account	Balance Sheet Location	March 29, 2020
Receivables	Other Assets	$	23,968
Inventories	Other Assets	39,364
Prepaid advertising and other current assets	Other Assets	5,177
		$	68,509
Deferred revenue	Non-Current Deferred Revenue	$	154,946

In the current year quarterly period ended March 28, 2021, our parks are expected to open in 2021. Therefore, we expect outstanding working capital amounts to be realized within 12 months from the balance sheet date with the exception of $5.4 million of deferred revenue expected to be realized greater than 12 months from the balance sheet date due to the validity extension for Knott's Berry Farm season passes (see Note 3).

Significant Accounting Policies

Except for the changes described below, our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q report have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, which were included in the Form 10-K filed on February 19, 2021. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes included in the Form 10-K referred to above.

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"). ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing specific exceptions and clarifying and amending existing guidance under Topic 740, Income Taxes. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, but all amendments must be adopted in the same period. The allowable adoption methods differ under the various amendments. We adopted ASU 2019-12 as of January 1, 2021. The standard did not have an effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We are in the process of evaluating the effect this standard will have on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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Interim Reporting

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Interim Reporting

Interim Reporting:

We are one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world with 13 properties in our portfolio consisting of amusement parks, water parks and complementary resort facilities. Our parks operate seasonally except for Knott's Berry Farm, which is typically open daily on a year-round basis. Our seasonal parks are generally open during weekends beginning in April or May, and then daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day. After Labor Day, our seasonal parks are open during select weekends in September and, in most cases, in the fourth quarter for Halloween and winter events. As a result, a substantial portion of our revenues from these seasonal parks typically are generated during an approximate 130- to 140-day operating season with the major portion concentrated in the third quarter during the peak vacation months of July and August. COVID-19 impacted our parks' operating calendars in 2020 and 2021 as described within Note 1.

To assure that these highly seasonal operations will not result in misleading comparisons of current and subsequent interim periods, we have adopted the following accounting procedures: (a) revenues from multi-use products are recognized over the estimated number of uses expected for each type of product; and the estimated number of uses is reviewed and may be updated periodically during the operating season prior to the ticket or product expiration, which generally occurs no later than the close of the operating season; (b) depreciation, certain advertising and certain seasonal operating costs are expensed over each park’s operating season, including some costs incurred prior to the season, which are deferred and amortized over the season; and (c) all other costs are expensed as incurred or ratably over the entire year. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our parks' 2020 operating calendars, we recognized depreciation and certain other operating costs, which were still incurred and which are typically expensed over each park's operating season, over pre-COVID-19 budgeted operating days for 2020. This change in accounting procedure more accurately reflected incurred expense and resulted in greater consistency between parks and with historical results. In 2021, we will recognize these types of expenses over each park's 2021 operating season.

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Revenue Recognition

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition:

As disclosed within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, revenues are generated from sales of (1) admission to our amusement parks and water parks, (2) food, merchandise and games both inside and outside the parks, and (3) accommodations, extra-charge products, and other revenue sources. Admission revenues include amounts paid to gain admission into our parks, including parking fees. Revenues related to extra-charge products, including premium benefit offerings such as front-of-line products, and online transaction fees charged to customers are included in "Accommodations, extra-charge products and other".

The following table presents net revenues disaggregated by revenues generated within the parks and revenues generated from out-of-park operations less amounts remitted to outside parties under concessionaire arrangements for the periods presented. The amounts are not comparable due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

	Three months ended
(In thousands)	March 28, 2021		March 29, 2020
In-park revenues	$	—	$	43,027
Out-of-park revenues	10,147		12,091
Concessionaire remittance	(405)		(1,483)
Net revenues	$	9,742	$	53,635

Due to our highly seasonal operations, a substantial portion of our revenues typically are generated during an approximate 130- to 140-day operating season. Most revenues are recognized on a daily basis based on actual guest spend at our properties. Revenues from multi-use products, including season-long products for admission, dining, beverage and other products, are recognized over the estimated number of uses expected for each type of product. The estimated number of uses is reviewed and may be updated periodically during the operating season prior to the ticket or product expiration, which generally occurs no later than the close of the operating season. The number of uses is estimated based on historical usage adjusted for current period trends. For any bundled products that include multiple performance obligations, revenue is allocated using the retail price of each distinct performance obligation and any inherent discounts are allocated based on the gross margin and expected redemption of each performance obligation. We do not typically provide for refunds or returns.

Many products, including season-long products, are sold to customers in advance, resulting in a contract liability ("deferred revenue"). Deferred revenue is typically at its highest immediately prior to the peak summer season, and at its lowest at the beginning of the calendar year following the close of our parks' operating seasons. Season-long products represent most of the deferred revenue balance in any given period.

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we extended the validity of our 2020 season-long products through the 2021 operating season in order to ensure our season pass holders receive a full season of access to our parks. In addition, four of our parks provided their season pass holders a loyalty reward to be used on purchases within the park during the 2021 operating season. We have identified the loyalty reward as a separate performance obligation and have allocated revenue to the season pass and loyalty reward in a manner consistent with other bundled products. The extended validity of the 2020 season-long products, and to a much lesser extent the loyalty reward offering, resulted in a significant amount of revenue being deferred into 2021. Due to the extension of the validity of the 2020 season-long products into 2021, we classified $154.9 million of deferred revenue as non-current as of March 29, 2020 within "Non-Current Deferred Revenue" in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. In order to calculate revenue recognized in 2020 on 2020 season-long products, management made significant estimates regarding the estimated number of uses expected for these season-long products for admission, dining, beverage and other products for the 2021 operating season. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates depending on the ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the extended validity through 2021, Knott's Berry Farm is also offering a day-for-day extension into calendar year 2022 for 2020 and 2021 season passes for every day the park is closed in 2021. Due to the Knott's Berry Farm extension, we classified $5.4 million of deferred revenue as non-current as of March 28, 2021. No other parks are offering similar plans.

Of the $183.4 million of current deferred revenue recorded as of January 1, 2021, 90% was related to season-long products. The remainder was related to deferred online transaction fees charged to customers, advanced ticket sales, marina deposits, advanced resort reservations, and other deferred revenue. During the three months ended March 28, 2021, a minimal amount of the deferred revenue balance as of January 1, 2021 was recognized as only limited out-of-park attractions were open during the first quarter of 2021. We also recorded $10.5 million of non-current deferred revenue as of January 1, 2021 which largely represents prepaid lease payments for a portion of the California's Great America parking lot. The prepaid lease payments are being recognized through 2039.

Payment is due immediately on the transaction date for most products. Our receivable balance includes outstanding amounts on installment purchase plans which are offered for season-long products (and other select products for specific time periods), and includes sales to retailers, group sales and catering activities which are billed. Installment purchase plans vary in length from three monthly installments to 12 monthly installments. Payment terms for billings are typically net 30 days. Receivables are typically highest in the peak summer months and lowest in the winter months. We are not exposed to a significant concentration of customer credit risk. As of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020 and March 29, 2020, we recorded an $8.7 million, $8.7 million and $6.0 million allowance for doubtful accounts, respectively, representing estimated defaults on installment purchase plans. The default estimate is calculated using historical default rates adjusted for current period trends, including an adjustment for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our customers' ability to pay based on collection rates since March 2020. The allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded as a reduction of deferred revenue to the extent revenue has not been recognized on the corresponding season-long products. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and given the uncertainty around the timing of the reopening of our parks, we paused collections on our installment purchase plans in April 2020. For those parks which opened during the summer of 2020, we resumed collections of guest payments on installment purchase products as each of these parks opened for the 2020 operating season. For those parks which did not open during the summer of 2020, we resumed collections of guest payments in April 2021, except for Canada's Wonderland. We will resume collections at Canada's Wonderland when the park is able to open for the 2021 operating season.

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Long-Lived Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets:

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. In order to determine if an asset has been impaired, assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable, independent cash flows are available. A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include, among others: a significant decline in expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in equity price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate; unanticipated competition; and slower growth rates. Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of these assets and could have a material impact on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

We concluded indicators of impairment did not exist during the first quarter of 2021. We based our conclusion on our financial performance projections, as well as an updated analysis of macroeconomic and industry-specific conditions. During the first quarter of 2020 and due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our expected future operating results, we tested our long-lived assets for impairment. We concluded the estimated fair values of the long-lived assets at Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort New Braunfels and Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston (collectively "the Schlitterbahn parks") no longer exceeded the related carrying values. Therefore, we recorded a $2.7 million impairment charge equal to the difference between the fair value and the carrying amounts of the assets in "Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets" within the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss during the first quarter of 2020. The fair value of the long-lived assets was determined using a real and personal property appraisal which was performed in accordance with ASC 820 - Fair Value Measurement. Management made significant estimates in performing the impairment test, including the anticipated time frame to re-open our parks and the related anticipated demand upon re-opening our parks. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates depending on the ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Remaining acreage from the former WildWater Kingdom, a separately gated outdoor water park near Cleveland in Aurora, Ohio, was recorded within "Other Assets" in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets ($2.1 million as of March 28, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and $9.0 million as of March 29, 2020). All remaining acreage from this property was sold in April 2021.

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, including trade names, are reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. During the first quarter of 2021, we concluded indicators of impairment did not exist. We based our conclusion on our financial performance projections, as well as an updated analysis of macroeconomic and industry-specific conditions. During the first quarter of 2020 and due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our expected future operating results, we tested our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. We concluded the estimated fair value of goodwill at the Schlitterbahn parks and Dorney Park reporting units, and the estimated fair value of the Schlitterbahn trade name no longer exceeded their carrying values. Therefore, we recorded a $73.6 million, $6.8 million and $7.9 million impairment of goodwill at the Schlitterbahn parks, goodwill at Dorney Park, and the Schlitterbahn trade name, respectively, during the first quarter of 2020. The impairment charges were equal to the amount by which the carrying amounts exceeded the assets' fair value and were recorded in "Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles" within the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

The fair value of our reporting units was established using a combination of an income (discounted cash flow) approach and market approach. The income approach used each reporting unit's projection of estimated operating results and discounted cash flows using a weighted-average cost of capital that reflected current market conditions. Estimated operating results were established using our best estimates of economic and market conditions over the projected period including growth rates in revenues and costs, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures, the anticipated time frame to re-open our parks, and the related anticipated demand upon re-opening our parks. Other significant estimates and assumptions included terminal value growth rates, future estimates of capital expenditures and changes in future working capital requirements. The market approach estimated fair value by applying cash flow multiples to each reporting unit's operating performance. The multiples were derived from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics of the reporting units. The impairment charges recognized were for the amount by which the reporting unit's carrying amount exceeded its fair value.

Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names. The fair value of our trade names was calculated using a relief-from-royalty model. The impairment charges recognized were for the amount by which the trade name's carrying amount exceeded its fair value.

Management made significant estimates calculating the fair value of our reporting units and trade names. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates depending on the ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the three months ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 were:

(In thousands)	Goodwill
Balance as of December 31, 2020	$	266,961
Foreign currency translation	757
Balance as of March 28, 2021	$	267,718
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	359,654
Impairment	(80,331)
Foreign currency translation	(4,664)
Balance as of March 29, 2020	$	274,659

As of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 29, 2020, other intangible assets consisted of the following:

(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Value
March 28, 2021
Other intangible assets:
Trade names	$	49,623	$	—	$	49,623
License / franchise agreements	4,259		(3,369)		890
Total other intangible assets	$	53,882	$	(3,369)	$	50,513
December 31, 2020
Other intangible assets:
Trade names	$	49,454	$	—	$	49,454
License / franchise agreements	4,259		(3,425)		834
Total other intangible assets	$	53,713	$	(3,425)	$	50,288
March 29, 2020
Other intangible assets:
Trade names	$	50,361	$	—	$	50,361
License / franchise agreements	4,255		(2,958)		1,297
Total other intangible assets	$	54,616	$	(2,958)	$	51,658

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Long-Term Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt:

Long-term debt as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 29, 2020 consisted of the following:

(In thousands)	March 28, 2021		December 31, 2020		March 29, 2020
Revolving credit facility	$	—	$	—	$	70,000
U.S. term loan averaging 1.88% YTD 2021; 2.70% in 2020; 3.43% YTD 2020 (1)	264,250		264,250		729,375
Notes
2024 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.375%	450,000		450,000		450,000
2025 U.S. fixed rate senior secured notes at 5.500%	1,000,000		1,000,000		—
2027 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.375%	500,000		500,000		500,000
2028 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 6.500%	300,000		300,000		—
2029 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.250%	500,000		500,000		500,000
	3,014,250		3,014,250		2,249,375
Less current portion	—		—		(7,500)
	3,014,250		3,014,250		2,241,875
Less debt issuance costs and original issue discount	(56,769)		(60,006)		(24,589)
	$	2,957,481	$	2,954,244	$	2,217,286

(1)     The average interest rates do not reflect the effect of interest rate swap agreements (see Note 7).

Term Debt and Revolving Credit Facilities

In April 2017, we amended and restated our existing credit agreement (the "2017 Credit Agreement") which includes our senior secured term loan facility and senior secured revolving credit facility. The $750 million senior secured term loan facility under the 2017 Credit Agreement matures on April 15, 2024 and, following an amendment in March 2018, bears interest at London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 175 basis points (bps). The pricing terms for the amendment reflected $0.9 million of Original Issue Discount ("OID"). In April 2020, as a result of the anticipated effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we further amended the 2017 Credit Agreement (the "Second Amendment") to suspend and revise certain financial covenants, and to adjust the interest rate on and reflect additional commitments and capacity for our revolving credit facility. In conjunction with the Second Amendment, we prepaid $463.3 million of our outstanding senior secured term loan facility. Following the prepayment, we do not have any required remaining scheduled quarterly payments on our senior secured term loan facility. In September 2020, in response to the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we further amended the 2017 Credit Agreement (subsequently referred to as the "Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement" or "Third Amendment") to further suspend and revise certain of the financial covenants and extend the maturity of and adjust the terms that apply to a portion of our senior secured revolving credit facility. The facilities provided under the Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Partnership.

In connection with the Second Amendment, we received additional commitments under the U.S. senior secured revolving credit facility of $100 million bringing our total senior secured revolving credit facility capacity under the 2017 Credit Agreement to $375 million with a Canadian sub-limit of $15 million. Senior secured revolving credit facility borrowings following the Second Amendment bore interest at LIBOR plus 300 bps or Canadian Dollar Offered Rate ("CDOR") plus 200 bps and required the payment of a 37.5 bps commitment fee per annum on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility was scheduled to mature in April 2022 under the Second Amendment. In September 2020, the Third Amendment extended the maturity date of $300 million of the $375 million senior secured revolving credit facility to December 2023 (which the portion of the facility is subsequently referred to as the "2023 Revolving Credit Facility Capacity"). Under the Third Amendment, the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility Capacity bears interest at LIBOR plus 350 bps or CDOR plus 250 bps and requires the payment of a 62.5 bps commitment fee per annum on the unused portion of the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility Capacity, in each case without any step-downs. The terms of the remaining $75 million available under the senior secured revolving credit facility remain unchanged from the Second Amendment. Prior to the Second Amendment and Third Amendment, our senior secured revolving credit facility had a combined limit of $275 million with a Canadian sub-limit of $15 million and bore interest at LIBOR or CDOR plus 200 bps. The Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement also provides for the issuance of documentary and standby letters of credit. As of March 28, 2021, no borrowings were outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

Notes

In April 2020, as a result of the anticipated effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and in connection with the Second Amendment, we issued $1.0 billion of 5.500% senior secured notes due 2025 ("2025 senior notes") in a private placement. The 2025 senior notes and the related guarantees are secured by first-priority liens on the issuers' and the guarantors' assets that secure all the obligations under our credit facilities. The net proceeds from the offering of the 2025 senior notes were used to repay $463.3 million of our then-outstanding senior secured term loan facility. The remaining amount is to be used for general corporate and working capital purposes, including fees and expenses related to the transaction.

The 2025 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in May and November, with the principal due in full on May 1, 2025. Prior to May 1, 2022, up to 35% of the 2025 senior notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 105.500% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any. The 2025 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to May 1, 2022 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" premium together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the 2025 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed.

In June 2014, we issued $450 million of 5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2024 ("2024 senior notes"). The 2024 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in June and December, with the principal due in full on June 1, 2024. The 2024 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed.

In April 2017, we issued $500 million of 5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2027 ("2027 senior notes"). The 2027 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in April and October, with the principal due in full on April 15, 2027. The 2027 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to April 15, 2022 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" premium together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the 2027 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed.

In June 2019, we issued $500 million of 5.250% senior unsecured notes due 2029 ("2029 senior notes"). The 2029 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in January and July, with the principal due in full on July 15, 2029. Prior to July 15, 2022, up to 35% of the 2029 senior notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 105.250% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any. The 2029 senior notes

may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to July 15, 2024 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" premium together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the 2029 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed.

In October 2020, in response to the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we issued $300 million of 6.500% senior unsecured notes due 2028 ("2028 senior notes") in a private placement. The net proceeds from the offering of the 2028 senior notes is to be used for general corporate and working capital purposes, including fees and expenses related to the transaction. The 2028 senior notes pay interest semi-annually in April and October, beginning April 1, 2021, with the principal due in full on October 1, 2028. Prior to October 1, 2023, up to 35% of the 2028 senior notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 106.500% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The 2028 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to October 1, 2023 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a "make-whole" premium together with accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the 2028 senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed.

As market conditions warrant, we may from time to time repurchase our outstanding debt securities in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer, exchange offer or otherwise.

Covenants

The Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement includes: (i) a Senior Secured Leverage Ratio of 4.50x Total First Lien Senior Secured Debt-to-Consolidated EBITDA starting with the first quarter of 2022, which will step down to 4.00x in the second quarter of 2023 and which will step down further to 3.75x in the third quarter of 2023, with the covenant calculations for the first, second, and third quarters in 2022 to include Consolidated EBITDA from the second, third and fourth quarters of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 in lieu of the Consolidated EBITDA for the corresponding quarters in 2021 ("Deemed EBITDA Quarters"); (ii) a requirement that we maintain a minimum liquidity level of at least $125 million, tested at all times, until the earlier of December 31, 2022 or the termination of the Additional Restrictions Period (which generally includes the period from the effective date of the Second Amendment until the delivery of the compliance certificate for the fourth quarter of 2022); and (iii) a suspension of certain restricted payments, including partnership distributions, under the Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement until the termination of the Additional Restrictions Period. We may terminate the Additional Restrictions Period prior to December 31, 2022 by achieving compliance with the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio covenant as of the end of a fiscal quarter without giving effect to Deemed EBITDA Quarters for any fiscal quarter. As of March 28, 2021, we were in compliance with the applicable financial covenants under the Third Amended 2017 Credit Agreement.

Our fixed rate note agreements include Restricted Payment provisions, which could limit our ability to pay partnership distributions. Pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the 2024 senior notes, which includes the most restrictive of these Restricted Payments provisions under our fixed rate note agreements, if our pro forma Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio is greater than 5.00x, we can still make Restricted Payments of $60 million annually so long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing. If our pro forma Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio is less than or equal to 5.00x, we can make Restricted Payments up to our Restricted Payment pool. Our pro forma Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio was greater than 5.00x as of March 28, 2021.

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Derivative Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments:

Derivative financial instruments are used within our overall risk management program to manage certain interest rate and foreign currency risks. By utilizing a derivative instrument to hedge exposure to LIBOR rate changes, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk, in particular the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. To mitigate this risk, hedging instruments are placed with a counterparty that we believe poses minimal credit risk. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

We have four interest rate swap agreements that convert $500 million of one month LIBOR to a fixed rate of 2.88% through December 31, 2023. This results in a 4.63% fixed interest rate for borrowings under our senior secured term loan facility after the impact of interest rate swap agreements. As of March 29, 2020, we had four additional interest rate swap agreements that matured on December 31, 2020 and converted the same notional amount of one month LIBOR to a fixed rate of 2.64%. None of the interest rate swap agreements are designated as hedging instruments. The fair market value of our swap portfolio, including the location within the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, for the periods presented were as follows:

(In thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	March 28, 2021		December 31, 2020		March 29, 2020
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Interest Rate Swaps	Other accrued liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	(8,718)
	Derivative Liability	(35,524)		(39,086)		(34,298)
		$	(35,524)	$	(39,086)	$	(43,016)

Instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are adjusted to fair value each reporting period through "Net effect of swaps" within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

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Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements:

The table below presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 29, 2020 on a recurring basis as well as the fair values of other financial instruments, including their locations within the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

(In thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	March 28, 2021				December 31, 2020				March 29, 2020
			Carrying Value		Fair  Value		Carrying Value		Fair  Value		Carrying Value		Fair  Value
Financial assets (liabilities) measured on a recurring basis:
Short-term investments	Other current assets	Level 1	$	348	$	348	$	280	$	280	$	99	$	99
Interest rate swaps	Derivative Liability (1)	Level 2	$	(35,524)	$	(35,524)	$	(39,086)	$	(39,086)	$	(43,016)	$	(43,016)
Other financial assets (liabilities):
Term debt	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 2	$	(264,250)	$	(257,644)	$	(264,250)	$	(253,680)	$	(721,875)	$	(620,813)
2024 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 1	$	(450,000)	$	(454,500)	$	(450,000)	$	(451,125)	$	(450,000)	$	(382,500)
2025 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 2	$	(1,000,000)	$	(1,043,750)	$	(1,000,000)	$	(1,043,750)	—		—
2027 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 1	$	(500,000)	$	(513,125)	$	(500,000)	$	(507,500)	$	(500,000)	$	(410,000)
2028 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 2	$	(300,000)	$	(321,375)	$	(300,000)	$	(318,000)	—		—
2029 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 1 (3)	$	(500,000)	$	(510,625)	$	(500,000)	$	(505,625)	$	(500,000)	$	(417,500)

(1)As of March 29, 2020, $8.7 million of the fair value of our swap portfolio was classified as current and recorded in "Other accrued liabilities".

(2)Carrying values of long-term debt balances are before reductions for debt issuance costs and original issue discount of $56.8 million, $60.0 million, and $24.6 million as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 29, 2020, respectively.

(3)The 2029 senior notes were based on Level 1 inputs as of March 28, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and Level 2 inputs as of March 29, 2020.

Fair values of the interest rate swap agreements are determined using significant inputs, including the LIBOR forward curves, which are considered Level 2 observable market inputs.

Due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our expected future operating results, we tested our long-lived assets, goodwill, and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment during the first quarter of 2020. We concluded the estimated fair value of goodwill and long-lived assets at the Schlitterbahn parks reporting unit and the Schlitterbahn trade name, and the estimated fair value of goodwill at the Dorney Park reporting unit no longer exceeded their carrying values. Therefore, as of March 29, 2020, these assets were measured at fair value. We recorded a $2.7 million, $73.6 million and $7.9 million impairment charge to long-lived assets, goodwill and the trade name at the Schlitterbahn parks, respectively, and a $6.8 million impairment charge to goodwill at Dorney Park during the first quarter of 2020. The long-lived asset impairment charge was recorded in "Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets", and the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges were recorded in "Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles" within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

The fair value determination for our long-lived assets, reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets included numerous assumptions based on Level 3 inputs. The fair value of our long-lived assets was determined using a real and personal property appraisal of which the principal assumptions included the principal market and market participants upon sale. The primary assumptions used to determine the fair value of our reporting units included growth rates in revenues and costs, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures, the anticipated time frame to re-open our parks, the related anticipated demand upon re-opening our parks, terminal value growth rates, future estimates of capital expenditures, changes in future capital requirements, and a weighted-average cost of capital that reflected current market conditions. The fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets was determined using a relief-from-royalty method of which the principal assumptions included royalty rates, growth rates in revenues, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins, the anticipated time frame to re-open our parks, the related anticipated demand upon re-opening our parks, terminal value growth rates, and a discount rate based on a weighted-average cost of capital that reflected current market conditions.

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, revolving credit loans, accounts receivable, current portion of term debt, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. There were no other assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020 or March 29, 2020.

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Loss per Unit

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Earnings Per Unit [Abstract]

Loss per Unit

Loss per Unit:

Net loss per limited partner unit was calculated based on the following unit amounts:

	Three months ended
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)	March 28, 2021		March 29, 2020
Basic weighted average units outstanding	56,552		56,414
Diluted weighted average units outstanding	56,552		56,414
Net loss per unit - basic	$	(1.95)	$	(3.83)
Net loss per unit - diluted	$	(1.95)	$	(3.83)

For the three months ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, there were approximately 0.6 million potentially dilutive units excluded from the computation of diluted loss per limited partner unit as their effect would have been anti-dilutive due to the net loss in each period.

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Income and Partnership Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income and Partnership Taxes

Income and Partnership Taxes:

We are subject to publicly traded partnership tax (PTP tax) on certain partnership level gross income (net revenues less cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues), state and local income taxes on partnership income, U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on income from our corporate subsidiaries and foreign income taxes on our foreign subsidiary. As such, the total provision (benefit) for taxes includes amounts for the PTP gross income tax and federal, state, local and foreign income taxes. Under applicable accounting rules, the total provision (benefit) for income taxes includes the amount of taxes payable for the current year and the impact of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which represents future tax consequences of events that are recognized in different periods in the financial statements than for tax purposes.

The total tax provision (benefit) for interim periods is determined by applying an estimated annual effective tax rate to the applicable quarterly income (loss). Our consolidated estimated annual effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to state, local and foreign income taxes, certain partnership level income not being subject to federal tax and beneficial rate differences on loss carry backs allowed by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act") on March 27, 2020.

The CARES Act resulted in various changes to the U.S. tax law, including, among other things, allowing net operating losses arising in tax years 2018 through 2020 to be carried back to the preceding five taxable years and removing the limitation that such losses only offset 80% of taxable income. As a result of these changes, we expect to recognize two benefits. First, we expect to carryback tax year 2020 losses incurred by our corporate subsidiaries, which will result in the refund of a portion of federal income taxes paid during the carryback period of approximately $78.6 million. Second, as of March 28, 2021, the annual effective tax rate included a net benefit of $6.1 million from carrying back the projected tax year 2020 losses of the corporate subsidiaries. This tax benefit represents an estimated $6.4 million incremental benefit of tax loss carrybacks for periods when the federal income tax rate was greater than the current 21% rate. The estimated $6.4 million benefit was decreased by $0.3 million for a projected valuation allowance on foreign tax credits originally utilized during the carryback period which would be released as a result of the loss carryback but which are not expected to be utilized.

As of March 28, 2021, $78.6 million in tax refunds attributable to the net operating loss in tax year 2020 being carried back to prior years in the United States, and an additional $14.9 million in tax refunds attributable to the net operating loss of our Canadian corporate subsidiary being carried back to prior years in Canada, were recorded within "Current income tax receivable" in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. We anticipate receiving these tax refunds in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Additional benefits from the CARES Act included an $8.2 million deferral of the employer's share of Social Security taxes due in 50% increments in the fourth quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2022. As of March 28, 2021, the current portion was recorded in "Accrued salaries, wages and benefits" and the non-current portion was recorded in "Other Liabilities" within the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Unrecognized tax benefits, including accrued interest and penalties, were not material in any period presented. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.

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Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Adopted And New Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"). ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing specific exceptions and clarifying and amending existing guidance under Topic 740, Income Taxes. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, but all amendments must be adopted in the same period. The allowable adoption methods differ under the various amendments. We adopted ASU 2019-12 as of January 1, 2021. The standard did not have an effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We are in the process of evaluating the effect this standard will have on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both

As a result, we estimated the following working capital amounts would be realized greater than 12 months from the balance sheet date, and these amounts were classified as non-current within the prior year quarterly period unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet:

(In thousands)
Working Capital Account	Balance Sheet Location	March 29, 2020
Receivables	Other Assets	$	23,968
Inventories	Other Assets	39,364
Prepaid advertising and other current assets	Other Assets	5,177
		$	68,509
Deferred revenue	Non-Current Deferred Revenue	$	154,946

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Revenue Recognition (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents net revenues disaggregated by revenues generated within the parks and revenues generated from out-of-park operations less amounts remitted to outside parties under concessionaire arrangements for the periods presented. The amounts are not comparable due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

	Three months ended
(In thousands)	March 28, 2021		March 29, 2020
In-park revenues	$	—	$	43,027
Out-of-park revenues	10,147		12,091
Concessionaire remittance	(405)		(1,483)
Net revenues	$	9,742	$	53,635

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Summary of Changes in Partnership's Carrying Value of Goodwill

Changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the three months ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 were:

(In thousands)	Goodwill
Balance as of December 31, 2020	$	266,961
Foreign currency translation	757
Balance as of March 28, 2021	$	267,718
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	359,654
Impairment	(80,331)
Foreign currency translation	(4,664)
Balance as of March 29, 2020	$	274,659

Schedule of Partnership's Other Intangible Assets

As of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 29, 2020, other intangible assets consisted of the following:

(In thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Value
March 28, 2021
Other intangible assets:
Trade names	$	49,623	$	—	$	49,623
License / franchise agreements	4,259		(3,369)		890
Total other intangible assets	$	53,882	$	(3,369)	$	50,513
December 31, 2020
Other intangible assets:
Trade names	$	49,454	$	—	$	49,454
License / franchise agreements	4,259		(3,425)		834
Total other intangible assets	$	53,713	$	(3,425)	$	50,288
March 29, 2020
Other intangible assets:
Trade names	$	50,361	$	—	$	50,361
License / franchise agreements	4,255		(2,958)		1,297
Total other intangible assets	$	54,616	$	(2,958)	$	51,658

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Long-Term Debt (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments

Long-term debt as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 29, 2020 consisted of the following:

(In thousands)	March 28, 2021		December 31, 2020		March 29, 2020
Revolving credit facility	$	—	$	—	$	70,000
U.S. term loan averaging 1.88% YTD 2021; 2.70% in 2020; 3.43% YTD 2020 (1)	264,250		264,250		729,375
Notes
2024 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.375%	450,000		450,000		450,000
2025 U.S. fixed rate senior secured notes at 5.500%	1,000,000		1,000,000		—
2027 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.375%	500,000		500,000		500,000
2028 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 6.500%	300,000		300,000		—
2029 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.250%	500,000		500,000		500,000
	3,014,250		3,014,250		2,249,375
Less current portion	—		—		(7,500)
	3,014,250		3,014,250		2,241,875
Less debt issuance costs and original issue discount	(56,769)		(60,006)		(24,589)
	$	2,957,481	$	2,954,244	$	2,217,286

(1)     The average interest rates do not reflect the effect of interest rate swap agreements (see Note 7).

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

The fair market value of our swap portfolio, including the location within the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, for the periods presented were as follows:

(In thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	March 28, 2021		December 31, 2020		March 29, 2020
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Interest Rate Swaps	Other accrued liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	(8,718)
	Derivative Liability	(35,524)		(39,086)		(34,298)
		$	(35,524)	$	(39,086)	$	(43,016)

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The table below presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 29, 2020 on a recurring basis as well as the fair values of other financial instruments, including their locations within the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:

(In thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	March 28, 2021				December 31, 2020				March 29, 2020
			Carrying Value		Fair  Value		Carrying Value		Fair  Value		Carrying Value		Fair  Value
Financial assets (liabilities) measured on a recurring basis:
Short-term investments	Other current assets	Level 1	$	348	$	348	$	280	$	280	$	99	$	99
Interest rate swaps	Derivative Liability (1)	Level 2	$	(35,524)	$	(35,524)	$	(39,086)	$	(39,086)	$	(43,016)	$	(43,016)
Other financial assets (liabilities):
Term debt	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 2	$	(264,250)	$	(257,644)	$	(264,250)	$	(253,680)	$	(721,875)	$	(620,813)
2024 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 1	$	(450,000)	$	(454,500)	$	(450,000)	$	(451,125)	$	(450,000)	$	(382,500)
2025 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 2	$	(1,000,000)	$	(1,043,750)	$	(1,000,000)	$	(1,043,750)	—		—
2027 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 1	$	(500,000)	$	(513,125)	$	(500,000)	$	(507,500)	$	(500,000)	$	(410,000)
2028 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 2	$	(300,000)	$	(321,375)	$	(300,000)	$	(318,000)	—		—
2029 senior notes	Long-Term Debt (2)	Level 1 (3)	$	(500,000)	$	(510,625)	$	(500,000)	$	(505,625)	$	(500,000)	$	(417,500)

(1)As of March 29, 2020, $8.7 million of the fair value of our swap portfolio was classified as current and recorded in "Other accrued liabilities".

(2)Carrying values of long-term debt balances are before reductions for debt issuance costs and original issue discount of $56.8 million, $60.0 million, and $24.6 million as of March 28, 2021, December 31, 2020, and March 29, 2020, respectively.

(3)The 2029 senior notes were based on Level 1 inputs as of March 28, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and Level 2 inputs as of March 29, 2020.

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Loss per Unit (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Earnings Per Unit [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Income (Loss) Per Limited Partner Unit

Net loss per limited partner unit was calculated based on the following unit amounts:

	Three months ended
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)	March 28, 2021		March 29, 2020
Basic weighted average units outstanding	56,552		56,414
Diluted weighted average units outstanding	56,552		56,414
Net loss per unit - basic	$	(1.95)	$	(3.83)
Net loss per unit - diluted	$	(1.95)	$	(3.83)

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Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020 property
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of properties in operation	10
Number of properties	13

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Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies - Reclassifications Due to Covid-19 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2021	Jan. 01, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020
Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Line Items]
Receivables	$ 33,402		$ 34,445	$ 25,652
Inventories	48,004		47,479	7,394
Deferred revenue	189,652	$ 183,400	183,354	30,381
Non-Current Deferred Revenue	15,877		$ 10,508	164,137
Pandemic COVID-19 | Other Assets
Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Line Items]
Receivables	23,968
Inventories	39,364
Prepaid advertising and other current assets	5,177
Other current assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents	68,509
Pandemic COVID-19 | Non-Current Deferred Revenue
Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	154,946
Non-Current Deferred Revenue	$ 5,400	$ 10,500		$ 154,900

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Interim Reporting (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021 property
Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of properties owned and operated	13
Minimum
Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Operating period	130 days
Maximum
Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Operating period	140 days

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Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021	Mar. 29, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Concessionaire remittance	$ (405)	$ (1,483)
Net revenues	9,742	53,635
In-park revenues
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	0	43,027
Out-of-park revenues
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 10,147	$ 12,091

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Revenue Recognition (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2021 USD ($)	Mar. 28, 2021 USD ($) monthly_installment	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Non-current deferred revenue		$ 15,877	$ 10,508	$ 164,137
Deferred revenue	$ 183,400	$ 189,652	183,354	30,381
Deferred revenue percentage, season-long products	90.00%
Payment terms for billing		30 days
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable		$ 8,700	$ 8,700	6,000
Minimum
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating period		130 days
Number of monthly installments | monthly_installment		3
Maximum
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating period		140 days
Number of monthly installments | monthly_installment		12
Pandemic COVID-19 | Non-Current Deferred Revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Non-current deferred revenue	$ 10,500	$ 5,400		$ 154,900
Deferred revenue		$ 154,946

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Long-Lived Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 28, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Wildwater Kingdom | Other Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Assets held-for-sale	$ 9.0	$ 2.1	$ 2.1
Schlitterbahn
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairment of long-lived assets	$ 2.7

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, impairment loss	$ 80,331
Dorney Park
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, impairment loss	6,800
Schlitterbahn
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, impairment loss	73,600
Schlitterbahn | Trade Names
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets	$ 7,900

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021	Mar. 29, 2020
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill (net), beginning of period	$ 266,961	$ 359,654
Impairment		(80,331)
Foreign currency translation	757	(4,664)
Goodwill (net), end of period	$ 267,718	$ 274,659

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Other Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Accumulated Amortization	$ (3,369)	$ (3,425)	$ (2,958)
Total other intangible assets, gross carrying amount	53,882	53,713	54,616
Total other intangible assets, net carrying value	50,513	50,288	51,658
License / Franchise Agreements
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
License / franchise agreements	4,259	4,259	4,255
Accumulated Amortization	(3,369)	(3,425)	(2,958)
Net Carrying Value	890	834	1,297
Trade Names
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Carrying Amount/Value	$ 49,623	$ 49,454	$ 50,361

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Long-Term Debt (Schedule of Long-term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 3,014,250	$ 2,249,375	$ 3,014,250
Less current portion	0	(7,500)	0
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities, gross	3,014,250	2,241,875	3,014,250
Less debt issuance costs and original issue discount	(56,769)	(24,589)	(60,006)
Total long-term debt	2,957,481	2,217,286	2,954,244
Revolving credit facility | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 0	$ 70,000	$ 0
Term debt | Senior Secured Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate during period	1.88%	3.43%	2.70%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 264,250	$ 729,375	$ 264,250
2024 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.375% | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.375%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 450,000	450,000	450,000
2025 U.S. fixed rate senior secured notes at 5.500% | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.50%			5.50%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 1,000,000	0	1,000,000
2027 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.375% | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.375%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 500,000	500,000	500,000
2028 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 6.500% | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	6.50%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 300,000	0	300,000
2029 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.250% | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.25%
Long-term debt, gross	$ 500,000	$ 500,000	$ 500,000

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Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details)		1 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, increase (decrease), net			$ 75,000,000	$ 100,000,000
Restricted Payments
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument consolidated leverage ratio							5.00
Restricted payment							$ 60,000,000
Term debt | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of secured debt				$ 463,300,000
Term debt | Senior Secured Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount						$ 750,000,000
Original issue discount								$ 900,000
Term debt | Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount						275,000,000
Term debt | Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility | Bridge Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity						15,000,000
Second Amended 2017 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin over LIBOR	3.00%			3.00%
Second Amended 2017 Credit Agreement | Bridge Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 15,000,000			$ 15,000,000
Second Amended 2017 Credit Agreement | Secured Debt | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 375,000,000			375,000,000
Second Amended 2017 Credit Agreement | Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage	0.375%
Line of credit outstanding							0
Third Amendment, 2017 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Covenant, liquidity level, minimum							$ 125,000,000
Third Amendment, 2017 Credit Agreement | Secured Debt | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total indebtedness to consolidated cash flow ratio requirement							4.50
Third Amendment, 2017 Credit Agreement | Secured Debt | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total indebtedness to consolidated cash flow ratio requirement							4.00
Third Amendment, 2017 Credit Agreement | Secured Debt | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total indebtedness to consolidated cash flow ratio requirement							3.75
Third Amendment, 2017 Credit Agreement | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage			0.625%
Third Amendment, 2017 Credit Agreement | Secured Debt | 2023 Revolving Credit Facility, Capacity
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 300,000,000
2025 U.S. fixed rate senior secured notes at 5.500% | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 1,000,000,000.0			$ 1,000,000,000.0
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.50%			5.50%			5.50%
Redemption price, percentage				35.00%
Early call date, premium price, percentage				105.50%
Redemption percentage of original face amount				100.00%
Note Payable 5.250%, Due 2029 | Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount									$ 450,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage									5.375%
2027 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.375% | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage							5.375%
2027 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.375% | Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount						$ 500,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage						5.375%
Redemption percentage of original face amount						100.00%
2029 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.250% | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage							5.25%
2029 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 5.250% | Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount					$ 500,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage					5.25%
Redemption price, percentage					35.00%
Early call date, premium price, percentage					105.25%
Redemption percentage of original face amount					100.00%
2028 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 6.500% | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage							6.50%
2028 U.S. fixed rate senior unsecured notes at 6.500% | Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 300,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage		6.50%
Redemption price, percentage		35.00%
Early call date, premium price, percentage		106.50%
Redemption percentage of original face amount		100.00%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Term debt | Senior Secured Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate percentage								1.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Third Amendment, 2017 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin over LIBOR			3.50%
Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (CDOR) | Term debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin over LIBOR						2.00%
Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (CDOR) | Second Amended 2017 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin over LIBOR	2.00%			2.00%
Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (CDOR) | Third Amendment, 2017 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin over LIBOR			2.50%

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) - Cash Flow Hedging	Mar. 28, 2021 USD ($) contract interest_rate_swap_agreement	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($)
Interest Rate Swap at 2.88%
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of derivative instruments | contract	4
Derivative, amount of hedged item | $	$ 500,000,000
Derivative, forward interest rate	2.88%
Interest Rate Swap at 4.63%
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, forward interest rate	4.63%
Interest Rate Swap at 2.64%
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of derivative instruments | contract	4
Derivative, amount of hedged item | $			$ 500,000,000
Derivative, forward interest rate		2.64%
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of derivative instruments | interest_rate_swap_agreement	0

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Balance Sheet Location) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability	$ (35,524)	$ (39,086)	$ (34,298)
Interest Rate Swaps | Not Designated As Hedging
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability	(35,524)	(39,086)	(43,016)
Other accrued liabilities | Interest Rate Swaps | Not Designated As Hedging
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability	0	0	(8,718)
Derivative Liability | Interest Rate Swaps | Not Designated As Hedging
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability	$ (35,524)	$ (39,086)	$ (34,298)

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Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 28, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs	$ 56,769	$ 60,006	$ 24,589
Other current assets | Level 1 | Fair Value, Recurring | Short-term investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	348	280	99
Other current assets | Level 1 | Reported Value Measurement | Fair Value, Recurring | Short-term investments
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	348	280	99
Derivative Liability | Level 2 | Fair Value, Recurring | Interest Rate Swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liability	(35,524)	(39,086)	(43,016)
Derivative Liability | Level 2 | Reported Value Measurement | Fair Value, Recurring | Interest Rate Swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative liability	(35,524)	(39,086)	(43,016)
Long-term Debt | Level 1 | Fair Value, Recurring | 2024 senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of notes	(454,500)	(451,125)	(382,500)
Long-term Debt | Level 1 | Fair Value, Recurring | 2027 senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of notes	(513,125)	(507,500)	(410,000)
Long-term Debt | Level 1 | Fair Value, Recurring | 2029 senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of notes	(510,625)	(505,625)	(417,500)
Long-term Debt | Level 1 | Reported Value Measurement | Fair Value, Recurring | 2024 senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of notes	(450,000)	(450,000)	(450,000)
Long-term Debt | Level 1 | Reported Value Measurement | Fair Value, Recurring | 2027 senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of notes	(500,000)	(500,000)	(500,000)
Long-term Debt | Level 1 | Reported Value Measurement | Fair Value, Recurring | 2029 senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of notes	(500,000)	(500,000)	(500,000)
Long-term Debt | Level 2 | Fair Value, Recurring | Term debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of term debt	(257,644)	(253,680)	(620,813)
Long-term Debt | Level 2 | Fair Value, Recurring | 2025 senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of notes	(1,043,750)	(1,043,750)	0
Long-term Debt | Level 2 | Fair Value, Recurring | 2028 senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of notes	(321,375)	(318,000)	0
Long-term Debt | Level 2 | Reported Value Measurement | Fair Value, Recurring | Term debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of term debt	(264,250)	(264,250)	(721,875)
Long-term Debt | Level 2 | Reported Value Measurement | Fair Value, Recurring | 2025 senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of notes	(1,000,000)	(1,000,000)	0
Long-term Debt | Level 2 | Reported Value Measurement | Fair Value, Recurring | 2028 senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of notes	$ (300,000)	$ (300,000)	0
Other accrued liabilities | Level 2 | Fair Value, Recurring | Interest Rate Swaps
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges			$ 8,700

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Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Goodwill, impairment loss	$ 80,331
Dorney Park
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Goodwill, impairment loss	6,800
Schlitterbahn
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of long-lived assets	2,700
Goodwill, impairment loss	73,600
Schlitterbahn | Trade Names
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets	$ 7,900

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Loss per Unit (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021	Mar. 29, 2020
Earnings Per Unit [Abstract]
Basic weighted average units outstanding (in shares)	56,552	56,414
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding (in shares)	56,552	56,414
Net loss per unit - basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.95)	$ (3.83)
Net loss per unit - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.95)	$ (3.83)

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Loss per Unit - Narrative (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021	Mar. 29, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of earnings per share, amount	0.6	0.6

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Income and Partnership Taxes (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021 USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes receivable, CARES Act	$ 78.6
Income tax benefit, carry back, CARES Act	6.1
Incremental tax benefit, CARES Act	6.4
Change in deferred tax assets valuation allowance, CARES Act	(0.3)
Additional income taxes receivable	14.9
Deferred employer's share of social security taxes due to CARES Act	$ 8.2
Taxes due in increments	50.00%