Rumored Disney SeaWorld and DVC

[nuts]

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]

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

Off-site Disney theme parks and/or resorts in Orlando would be opening up a can of worms, and really dilute the brand.

 

[drusba]

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]

With cedar point, kings island and the others the operate domestically. Going to miss the free AB samples at Sea World though.

 

[CarolA]

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.

 

[ITGirl50]

I would love to have a DVC option in San Antonio. Probably won't happen.

 

[Starr W.]

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]

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]

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]

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.

I don't know how it would have an effect on DVC, if any.

 

[Wedgeh]

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.]

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]

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

 

[nuts]

But, this is an opportunity for Disney to make a preemptive strike to keep others out of Orlando (so the rumor goes).

 

[eva]

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]

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]

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 tix 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

 

[DisDaydreamer]

turn it into a tuna packing plant?

DAVID!

Off to the naughty mat for you

 

[ITGirl50]

competition for guests/$s between WDW & U is just the thing to keep the parks current & vibrant

I agree. Let's keep them competing!

 

[fishermouse]

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.