Rumored Disney SeaWorld and DVC

[deedeetoo]

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]

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.

 

[JimC]

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]

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]

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.

 

[JimC]

...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]

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]

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]

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)