Class Action lawsuit filed against Six Flags, Enchanted Parks over unrefunded dining passes

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Amusement park companies Six Flags and Enchanted Parks have been hit with a class action lawsuit, accusing both of failing to refund customer dining plans.

After Enchanted Parks bought Six Flags St. Louis in April, they announced the dining plans would no longer be honored. Then many customers began complaining of long refund delays.

Sonya Parrent has been attending Six Flags St. Louis since she was a little girl.

“My favorite year going to Six Flags was when I was tall enough to do the Batman ride,” Parrent recalled.

Now the Caseyville mother takes her young family. But after paying $279 for dining plans this year, Parrent told First Alert 4 that she registered for a refund six months ago.

“I think it was August that they said, ‘Hey, sorry for the delay, we’re going to process all the refunds in 3-5 business days.’ I said, ‘Finally, I’m going to get my money back.’ But it never came,” said Parrent.

Parrent and her attorney, Christopher Roberts, have filed a class action lawsuit against both Six Flags and Enchanted Parks.

“What happened is that Sonya, and we believe thousands of customers, kind of got left behind. They purchased these meal plans, which are actually significantly more expensive than the season passes, and they didn’t get anything in return,” explained Roberts.

First Alert 4 Investigates has talked previously with other frustrated customers.

“We didn’t even get a notice from the company that it was sold, or you purchased a Dining Plan, and this is what you need to do. The only reason I knew to do this is because I watch the news, and I watch Channel 4,” said customer Kim Zito.

Zito finally received her dining pass refund after First Alert 4 aired her story. In September, Six Flags said it had to make system enhancements because of “transaction-level complexities,” such as customer credit cards that were no longer valid or payment information that did not match transaction records.

Roberts believes all meal plan holders, not just those who applied for refunds, should get their money back, plus interest.

“There was this whole, you have to make an election by a certain date if you want a refund or a gift card, or whatever it might be. I don’t think that’s fair either,” said Roberts.

First Alert 4 contacted Six Flags about the lawsuit, which sent the following statement:

“We recognize the frustration of Enchanted Parks guests who submitted Dining Plan refund requests and appreciate their continued patience. Most eligible refunds have been processed, and we are committed to working through individual cases where the original refund attempt was unsuccessful.”

First Alert 4 also contacted Enchanted Parks, but has not yet heard back.

Parrent said Enchanted Parks offered her a discount on a season pass for next year.

“Now you want me to spend more money with you, and you haven’t even given me a refund,” responded Parrent.