View Full Version : Rumored Disney SeaWorld and DVC
With the rumor that Disney is in the bidding to purchase Sea World from the new conglomerate which purchased Budweiser, I was wondering what your thoughts were on the affect on DVC. Aren't there already timeshares associated with Sea World? Does it give an opportunity for a DVC at the Sea World in Texas and San Diego?
gkrykewy
08-11-2008, 05:40 PM
Is that really rumored? I have no idea why they would want the Orlando Sea World aside from wanting to shut it down, which would be a shame :guilty:
Off-site Disney theme parks and/or resorts in Orlando would be opening up a can of worms, and really dilute the brand.
drusba
08-11-2008, 06:38 PM
InBev the purchaser of Anheuser-Busch, which owns Sea World and other theme parks, will be selling off the Busch entertainment properties including theme parks. Early probable bidders are Parques Reunidos and Merlin Entertainment (both foreign companies). A British tabloid, citing no sources, mentioned yesterday that Disney might be a bidder. No one has provided any confirmation. Thus, it is currently purely rumor and some suspect a rumor planted to get the two interested companies to bid high. At this point, the rumor is too preposterous to even think about a DVC relation.
marynvince
08-11-2008, 07:27 PM
With cedar point, kings island and the others the operate domestically. Going to miss the free AB samples at Sea World though.
CarolA
08-11-2008, 07:34 PM
With the rumor that Disney is in the bidding to purchase Sea World from the new conglomerate which purchased Budweiser, I was wondering what your thoughts were on the affect on DVC. Aren't there already timeshares associated with Sea World? Does it give an opportunity for a DVC at the Sea World in Texas and San Diego?
Have you read the stories behind this rumor?
InBev is "hyping" this assest by claiming everyone and thier brother wants to buy it. If half of whom they say is true Disney won't be the winner.
However, the real truth is that under US law (and the current company is US) they can't do ANYTHING until the deal is first done. So while InBev claims lots of stuff, they don't actually have the ablity to give those "buyers" the finanical info etc they would need to BUY the thing.
And no matter what Disney's going to say "Sure we are interested" even if they have NO plans to buy the thing. That gets them access to ALL kinds of cool finanical info they can't get otherwise.
crbruce_us
08-11-2008, 07:38 PM
I would love to have a DVC option in San Antonio. Probably won't happen.
Starr W.
08-11-2008, 08:48 PM
With cedar point, kings island and the others the operate domestically. Going to miss the free AB samples at Sea World though.
CP's CEO mentioned they are not interested in buying, but would be interested in a management contract if buyer had no experience in the theme park business.
dwelty
08-11-2008, 11:52 PM
CP's CEO mentioned they are not interested in buying, but would be interested in a management contract if buyer had no experience in the theme park business.
Boy I really hope this does not happen! When Cedar Fair purchased Knott's Berry Farm in California they destroyed everything that was charming and original about that park. It has become a roller coaster park now and has gotten really run down. The bathrooms are filthy. We went 3 years ago with our kids and vowed never again. This would ruin the Sea World Parks.
gcbsdad
08-12-2008, 06:51 AM
My Nephew works at Busch Gardens here in Tampa and he said the rumor he heard was that Universal is looking to purchase SeaWorld & Busch Gardens.
DisDaydreamer
08-12-2008, 07:20 AM
I for one really enjoy the A/B parks and felt A/B took a particular pride and sincere approach to helping wildlife and the environment. It concerns me this balance will be disturbed. I would like to see Disney at least become the new caretaker of Sea World. Not sure how likely that is though. :confused3
I don't know how it would have an effect on DVC, if any.
Wedgeh
08-12-2008, 07:45 AM
It would be awesome if they were bought by Merlin! I wonder if my annual pass from here in the UK would be valid ;)
Starr W.
08-12-2008, 08:13 AM
Boy I really hope this does not happen! When Cedar Fair purchased Knott's Berry Farm in California they destroyed everything that was charming and original about that park. It has become a roller coaster park now and has gotten really run down. The bathrooms are filthy. We went 3 years ago with our kids and vowed never again. This would ruin the Sea World Parks.
Well CP is big into coasters, I've lived most of my life within an hour's drive of Cedar Point. If you're not a coaster/ride fan, it's really kind of boring(my sister always hated it and refuses to go to WDW because of her CP experiences).
Can't comment on the bathrooms, because I haven't been for years since my kids are now just getting to the age and size to ride the "major" stuff.
keishashadow
08-12-2008, 09:37 AM
i posted this thread last week on Universal board
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1909667
link to story in St Louis newspaper
http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/08/04/daily18.html?ana=yfcpc
fyi, Blackstone (UK company) currently owns 50% of Universal Orlando is considering purchase of Busch Entertainment once InBev buys the beer portion
said principal is a major shareholder in Merlin Entertainment Group(co owned by company in Dubai), already a big player in theme parks
But, this is an opportunity for Disney to make a preemptive strike to keep others out of Orlando (so the rumor goes).
I also wonder what will happen to Discovery Cove. We have been dying to take the grandkids there. But we are waiting till the youngest is old enough to swim with the dolphins. It will be a shame if a company that is more into rides than the animals buys these parks.
dwelty
08-12-2008, 12:50 PM
I also wonder what will happen to Discovery Cove. We have been dying to take the grandkids there. But we are waiting till the youngest is old enough to swim with the dolphins. It will be a shame if a company that is more into rides than the animals buys these parks.
Why not sell it, and turn it into a tuna packing plant?
keishashadow
08-12-2008, 05:51 PM
But, this is an opportunity for Disney to make a preemptive strike to keep others out of Orlando (so the rumor goes).
or just the thing for Universal to be able to bundle in a weekly ticket;) to draw in new guests. They are already offering their waterpark-Wet & Wild "free" w/multiday tixpopcorn:: for a week @ less than $100.
IMO Universal (especially when the new Harry Potter attraction is completed) combined with SeaWorld/Discovery Cove/Aquatica, possibly tied exclusively into an onsite visit w/FOTL perc; would be wildly popular.
While space is limited @ Universal park area proper, there has been talk of building a 4th onsite hotel that could be a TS offering, or they could easily convert one of the wings @ Royal Pacific into studios
competition for guests/$s between WDW & U is just the thing to keep the parks current & vibrant:thumbsup2
DisDaydreamer
08-12-2008, 05:55 PM
turn it into a tuna packing plant?
:eek: DAVID!
Off to the naughty mat for you :mad:
crbruce_us
08-12-2008, 07:30 PM
competition for guests/$s between WDW & U is just the thing to keep the parks current & vibrant:thumbsup2
I agree. Let's keep them competing!
fishermouse
08-12-2008, 08:23 PM
Boy I really hope this does not happen! When Cedar Fair purchased Knott's Berry Farm in California they destroyed everything that was charming and original about that park. It has become a roller coaster park now and has gotten really run down. The bathrooms are filthy. We went 3 years ago with our kids and vowed never again. This would ruin the Sea World Parks.
Must be your local managment I've been to 3 CF parks and all were nice, nothing like WDW but they are more amusment parks not theme parks ,so they might not do well with SW or BG..Guess we all have to wait and see,unlsee someone has a couple hundred million to spare.
deedeetoo
08-12-2008, 09:17 PM
I'm thinking Disney has to be looking at this. It's a group of theme parks (their business) and they are for sale. I'm sure there is a group of MBAs madly working away somewhere to come up with a valuation for a bid.
That said,,, I'm not sure Disney will be the highest bidder. The assets are probably worth more to someone who is trying to get a foothold in the Orlando area than they are to Disney who will have to factor in revenue loss at is existing sites if they add Seaworld.
bgraham34
08-12-2008, 09:45 PM
Lets say Disney did purchase it. Now they would need a monorail system over to Sea World for them to get the biggest bang for the buck and that would be expensive. Busing people there would be a headache for sure.
Busch gardens and Sea World are quality brands and have a famous US legacy family name attached to it. But they do not the enjoy the same magic market position as Disney.
Walt might have gotten a perverse kick out of buying theme parks with the Busch family name attached. But that is old history and not quite the same as Disney buying ABC.
The interplay between the Busch primary business and its entertainment segment is an interesting variable, and possibly a significant one for Disney.
It is likely a major acquisition for anyone:
Sea World FL
Discovery Cove
Aquatica
Busch Gardens FL
Adventure Island
Busch Gardens VA
Water Country USA
Kingsmill Resort
Sesame Place PA
Sea World TX
Sea World CA
CraftyMouse
08-13-2008, 06:49 AM
I'm thinking Disney has to be looking at this. It's a group of theme parks (their business) and they are for sale. I'm sure there is a group of MBAs madly working away somewhere to come up with a valuation for a bid.
I disagree. I don't think Disney will get involved with this. I just don't see them diluting their brand like that. I actually don't think Universal will purchase the AB parks either, but I think that is more likely than a Disney purchase. I think they will go to a lower-tier operator.
Granny
08-13-2008, 07:37 AM
Living in St. Louis, I see the speculation on this topic on almost a daily basis. My guess (and it's only that).
Disney won't seriously consider purchasing the Busch theme parks. While the theme parks are very profitable, they really don't fit all that well with the Disney footprint. I could be very wrong about that, but I don't think so.
Leading contenders for acquiring the parks include Blackstone Group LP which is a private equity firm that manages or finances many types of businesses. Currently their partners include a few theme park businesses including Universal Orlando and Six Flags.
Another strong contender is a company out of Dubai that is establishing high end theme parks around the world. In fact, Busch Entertainment already has a deal to build four parks in Dubai. http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2008/2/28/seaworld_building_parks_in_dubai.html
My money's on the Dubai company because they have more money than they know what to do with, they're interested in gaining a foothold in America, and they already have a relationship with the Busch theme parks.
...Another strong contender is a company out of Dubai that is establishing high end theme parks around the world. In fact, Busch Entertainment already has a deal to build four parks in Dubai. http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2008/2/28/seaworld_building_parks_in_dubai.html
My money's on the Dubai company because they have more money than they know what to do with, they're interested in gaining a foothold in America, and they already have a relationship with the Busch theme parks.
Best view I have heard so far.
CraftyMouse
08-13-2008, 08:04 AM
Best view I have heard so far.
I agree. Actually, I think Disney would only be interested in purchasing the AB parks to keep such a company from gaining a foothold in their market but I doubt they will even bid on them.
CarolA
08-13-2008, 08:18 AM
I disagree. I don't think Disney will get involved with this. I just don't see them diluting their brand like that. I actually don't think Universal will purchase the AB parks either, but I think that is more likely than a Disney purchase. I think they will go to a lower-tier operator.
I think they will get involved. I think thwy will have no real intention to buy.
Getting involved allows them to perform due dilegence finding out all KINDS of interesting things about those parks that aren't public info!
Getting involved allows them to bid up the price to whomever actually does buy it.... getting the buyer to spend a lot of cash might make it harder for buyers to then spend money on new stuff.
So expect Disney to hang around!
keishashadow
08-13-2008, 10:14 AM
Living in St. Louis, I see the speculation on this topic on almost a daily basis. My guess (and it's only that).
My money's on the Dubai company because they have more money than they know what to do with, they're interested in gaining a foothold in America, and they already have a relationship with the Busch theme parks.
apparently, when touring the DVC model in DL, our co-touree's were from dubai...
they were not nationals, just working there, yet they indicated that many of their friends were doing well enough to buy into DVC enough to enjoy extended 3 week vacations every year (California, FL then DVC cruise for a week)popcorn::
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