Rumor: Seaworld will be sold to Blackstone

[Rip]

Is this for sure. Busch Entertainment/InBev hasn't officially announced anything yet (at least to their employees).

They have an employee meeting scheduled for today, I believe.

 

[inkkognito]

The meeting is over and they said at both the beginning and end that this is only a rumor.

 

[Rip]

The meeting is over and they said at both the beginning and end that this is only a rumor.

Was just coming back to add that I just read that the meeting was over. The report said that execs refused to comment and wouldn't discuss it.

Guess we'll see, but I'd still bet on it. It is no secret that InBev wants to sell it.

 

[Rip]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-seaworld-orlando-092309,0,6556082.story

 

[msminniemouse]

I changed the title of the thread, because it is only a rumor and nothing has been confirmed.

Based on this email subscription update I received this morning from The Examiner, I had thought that it was definite:
"Breaking news: SeaWorld Orlando reportedly sold, announcement expected Wednesday
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
SeaWorld Orlando officials are scheduled to make an announcement to employees on Wednesday (Sept. 23) that the theme park and several other Busch Entertainment properties have been sold. Central Florida News 13, citing "insiders and experts",... "

 

[Guitar Player]

wow, they r the new big player

so if i found the right company & they are:

Blackstone GRP LP, NYSE BX; their stock is currently @ $14+ & rising, and their D&Y is 1.2%, jik anybody's in the market we could all be rich

I actually do make my living in the stock market. And here is my opinion: From the corporate perspective this is a brilliant acquisition by Blackrock. Sea World is a brand name and there are only so many brand names. From the consumer perspective; this is a bad thing. I have to believe that the objective of the corporation is to make more profits.

When a single corporation gains control over a large group of similar products, the question of a monopoly comes into play. With this acquisition, Blackrock will be in the sweet spot of having a quasi-monopoly, where they can take control of a large percentage of the theme park entertainment market share without impunity, because compared to the quasi-monopoly that Disney has been running for decades, Blackrock is an angel.

But mark my words: The tickets prices will go up dramatically. The quality of product and customer service will go down dramatically. These things are a given in 21st century corporate America.

 

[ChrisFL]

I actually do make my living in the stock market. And here is my opinion: From the corporate perspective this is a brilliant acquisition by Blackrock. Sea World is a brand name and there are only so many brand names. From the consumer perspective; this is a bad thing. I have to believe that the objective of the corporation is to make more profits.

When a single corporation gains control over a large group of similar products, the question of a monopoly comes into play. With this acquisition, Blackrock will be in the sweet spot of having a quasi-monopoly, where they can take control of a large percentage of the theme park entertainment market share without impunity, because compared to the quasi-monopoly that Disney has been running for decades, Blackrock is an angel.

But mark my words: The tickets prices will go up dramatically. The quality of product and customer service will go down dramatically. These things are a given in 21st century corporate America.

As far as the Central Florida market is concerned, I don't agree exactly.

BlackSTONE is going to basically make this a 2 horse race in the Orlando market, and they will have to compete with Disney who is still by most accounts the behemoth of the industry.

Let's look at the past, ticket prices have been going up at all of the parks for years on end anyway, through feast or famine, that hasn't changed. This won't make that any different.

What this WILL do though, is strengthen the combined deals for people who do want to see Sea World and then go check out Universal and vice versa.

Just like Disney's multi-park multi-day passes kept Animal Kingdom afloat, the same can be done for these parks.

In addition, Busch Gardens and Sea World have always been well themed amusement parks, but not on the level of the Universal parks. This would potentially mean a lot more growth potential in theming and quality attractions that are more like what's found in Universal and Disney.

 

[keishashadow]

I actually do make my living in the stock market. And here is my opinion: From the corporate perspective this is a brilliant acquisition by Blackrock. Sea World is a brand name and there are only so many brand names. From the consumer perspective; this is a bad thing. I have to believe that the objective of the corporation is to make more profits.

When a single corporation gains control over a large group of similar products, the question of a monopoly comes into play. With this acquisition, Blackrock will be in the sweet spot of having a quasi-monopoly, where they can take control of a large percentage of the theme park entertainment market share without impunity, because compared to the quasi-monopoly that Disney has been running for decades, Blackrock is an angel.

But mark my words: The tickets prices will go up dramatically. The quality of product and customer service will go down dramatically. These things are a given in 21st century corporate America.

i assume most park's business plans rely on charging what the market will bear. Re the quality of the product, they can cut back on customer service to a degree (only the repeat guests would notice a change, many new visitors expected for HP, they can always tweak things). The name of the game in their market seems to be rolling out the next best thing to grab the stretched tourist dollar.

re Blackstone i dug a bit yesterday, if i pulled up the right company (BX), couple of things stand out:

*class action lawsuit resolved re their IPO, could be the reason for slight surge in recent stock prices

*They just socked alot of $$$s into this british land venture, exactly how deep r their pockets? know they have business in dubai, may answer that Q

*upper management doesn't hold much of the stock

Did read that one of the principals of anhueser busch family is active in animal operations @ SW, perhaps a private consortium is being formed?

positively machiavellian, while it's interesting to watch it unfold to all those who work @ the affected parks.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Our local news here in St Louis reported this morning that Blackstone purchased SW.

 

[dogodisney]

Oh No! We were planning on using our free passes that Busch offers to members of the military for Sea World in April- I wonder if they'll still accept them?

I'm sure they will since Universal has been running their own specials for the military (although the current one ends Dec 18th).

 

[Rip]

http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/t...uying-shamu-amounts-to-a-whale-of-a-deal.aspx

 

[msminniemouse]

It is official; Seaworld and Universal are purchased by Blackstone.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-seaworld-orlando-sold-100709,0,1554695.story

 

[syenisch]

So should we expect new annual passes to be available that include Seaworld, Busch Gardens, and US/IOA? That would be fantastic for us Central Floridians!

 

[Metro West]

So should we expect new annual passes to be available that include Seaworld, Busch Gardens, and US/IOA? That would be fantastic for us Central Floridians!

That's what I'm thinking but it would be SW and Universal...not BGT but who knows? I'm thinking it would be available sometime in mid-2010 at the earliest.

 

[lachica]

That's what I'm thinking but it would be SW and Universal...not BGT but who knows? I'm thinking it be available sometime in mid-2010 at the earliest.

I realllllllllllllllllllllly hope so!

 

[ChrisFL]

That's what I'm thinking but it would be SW and Universal...not BGT but who knows? I'm thinking it would be available sometime in mid-2010 at the earliest.

I don't think they'd limit themselves, so I bet we might see Busch Gardens included in some kind of package

 

[DOOM1001]

I'm perfectly happy with my Busch and Universal AP's kept separate,I'm perfectly happy paying $110 for the year for both Universal parks and $12 a month for 8 of the 10 Busch parks(all except Discovery Cove and Aquatica).

 

[Metro West]

I'm perfectly happy with my Busch and Universal AP's kept separate,I'm perfectly happy paying $110 for the year for both Universal parks and $12 a month for 8 of the 10 Busch parks(all except Discovery Cove and Aquatica).

If there is a joint AP, I'm sure it would be an option...not mandatory so you should be fine to keep everything separate.