Sea World To Be Sold

[lugnut33]

Since Sea World is owned by Anheiser Busch, with the purchase of AB by InBev, the theme parks will be sold off to help raise capital to pay for the purchase.

Any ideas who might buy it? Would Disney even consider it?

 

[Eaglefan9727]

Since Sea World is owned by Anheiser Busch, with the purchase of AB by InBev, the theme parks will be sold off to help raise capital to pay for the purchase.

Any ideas who might buy it? Would Disney even consider it?

As of right now, There is no word if Sea World or any of the the Anheiser Busch parks will be sold or possibly close up for good, So let's not speculate on this issue at this time.

 

[bytheblood]

I think it is okay for conversation purposes for people to speculate if they want to and should not be told not to. If a moderator feels it is not acceptable, they will say so.


lugnut, if SeaWorld is sold, I do not see this being a project that Disney would invest in. They seem to be all about DVC these days and building places for people to stay. Also, they are working on a huge overhaul for DCA. Who knows what it might bring. It might be the only thing they keep.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

I think it is okay for conversation purposes for people to speculate if they want to and should not be told not to.

While I have no issue with people having a conversation about what might happen to the theme parks that AB owns. The problem that I have is that he stated in the thread that "The theme parks will be sold off to help raise capital to pay for the purchase". Does he know that for sure? I dought it and I dought anyone would know at this point of the stage and that includes the management of the parks itself and the big shots of the company.

And then to go one step further. The topic of the thread states the following: "Sea World To Be Sold" when there is no official announcement on what will happen.

Do you see what I am getting at.

BTW, My wording of speculation was wrong. I should have stated misleading instead or getting ahead of our selves.

 

[lugnut33]

It's pretty much a given they will be sold.

SAN ANTONIO — The $52 billion sale of Anheuser-Busch ***. to Belgian brewer InBev SA could mean SeaWorld and other Busch theme parks will go up for sale.

The companies said they will sell off "noncore assets" to help finance the deal. They wouldn't name those assets, but analysts say the 10 U.S. theme parks are likely on the list.

"I know InBev wants to focus on the core, and the theme parks are just not part of that," Jack Russo, an analyst with Edward Jones & Co., said in a story posted in the San Antonio Express-News' online edition Monday.

The parks are worth an estimated $3 billion to $4 billion, Russo said.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/business/5887736.html

 

[Eaglefan9727]

They key word youre not taking into consideration is "could".

Also, At the end of the story. It states the following: "InBev spokesman Marianne Anssoms said in an e-mail to the newspaper that it was too early to make decisions about all the Anheuser-Busch operations, including the theme parks."

Now, The topic of the thread is called "Sea World To Be Sold". No where in that article stated that the parks will be sold. It just stated that they could be sold. There is big diffrence in the wording of your topic thread and the story you posted.

Anyways,Im guessing It will be a little while before we even hear any formal announcement if the parks will be sold or not. If they do get sold, My guess is that Disney will not buy them and the parks will probably be bought by Cedar which took over Knott's and put that park into shambles. I dought Six Flags will buy them as they are not in great financial shape.

BTW, This merger deal is not a done deal at this point.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Eaglefan, I can't resist...as long as we're being picky about the accuracy of everything in other people's posts...this is how you spell doubt.

Sorry. I just feel like you were being kinda mean to the OP who was just trying to start a fun thread.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

Eaglefan, I can't resist...as long as we're being picky about the accuracy of everything in other people's posts...this is how you spell doubt.

That is fine......Forums will have plenty of words that are misspelled from various users.

Sorry. I just feel like you were being kinda mean to the OP who was just trying to start a fun thread.

I wasnt and am not trying to be mean at all. It is one thing if there is a official announcement about Sea World being sold and another if there are rumors of the park being sold. With the headline of the thread called "Sea World To Be Sold". It is misleading as they havent made any official statement on the park and will probably wont make a official announcement until the end of the year and that is if they choose to sell the park which will probably happen at some point.

Now, If the thread starter called the headline of the thread the following "Sea World Could Be Sold". We wouldnt be having this discusion.

 

[toocherie]

That is fine......Forums will have plenty of words that are misspelled from various users.



I wasnt and am not trying to be mean at all. It is one thing if there is a official announcement about Sea World being sold and another if there are rumors of the park being sold. With the headline of the thread called "Sea World To Be Sold". It is misleading as they havent made any official statement on the park and will probably wont make a official announcement until the end of the year and that is if they choose to sell the park which will probably happen at some point.

Now, If the thread starter called the headline of the thread the following "Sea World Could Be Sold". We wouldnt be having this discusion.

Eaglefan: maybe the OP can just go back and put a question mark at the end of his/her title: "Sea World To Be Sold?" -- that would take care of your issue. I don't see what the problem is--it is a discussion board--I don't know why it's a big deal if people speculate about an asset getting sold.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

Eaglefan: maybe the OP can just go back and put a question mark at the end of his/her title: "Sea World To Be Sold?" -- that would take care of your issue. I don't see what the problem is--it is a discussion board--I don't know why it's a big deal if people speculate about an asset getting sold.

Listen....The first thing is that the merger of both companies have not been finalized as of yet and wont be for a few months. The deal has to go through a few hurdles before it gets finalized and is a done deal. This merger might not even happen in the first place as the merger could fall to pieces at some point of the stage. Do I believe that the merger will happen in my opinion? I would say yes, But until it is finalized and a done deal. I wont start talking about the parks being sold. We are still a long ways from the merger being a done deal and having some kind of formal announcment on the parks.

 

[toocherie]

Listen....The first thing is that the merger of both companies have not been finalized as of yet and wont be for a few months. The deal has to go through a few hurdles before it gets finalized and is a done deal. This merger might not even happen in the first place as the merger could fall to pieces at some point of the stage. Do I believe that the merger will happen in my opinion? I would say yes, But until it is finalized and a done deal. I wont start talking about the parks being sold. We are still a long ways from the merger being a done deal and having some kind of formal announcment on the parks.

I don't think anyone is questioning your right not to discuss it if you don't want to--the objection was to your attempt to limit the discussion of other people. Just ignore the thread -- if other people want to discuss it where's the problem?

 

[keegro94]

You guys are arguing over the stupidest subject


get over it.


it was a little mistake.

 

[pumpkin5156]

You guys are arguing over the stupidest subject


get over it.


it was a little mistake.

I agree. It's a Discussion Board. To discuss things. Even hypothetical things. Who cares how he worded it.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

I agree it is a discussion board, But at this time. We dont even know if the deal will be completed or not. The stockholders and some other people might have a say in this and stop this deal from happening.

I would say the following: Just go to the parks and enjoy them while you still can and not worry or discuss what will happen about the parks until we know the sale is finalized and is a done deal.

When the deal is finalized and is a done deal. Then, We can discuss who will buy the parks or what will happen to the parks at that time, Because right now. It is all premature as the deal could fall to pieces anyday.

Anyways, Im done with this thread as I am for one that doesnt like discussing things about something that might not even happen in the first place.

 

[Geef]

Eaglefan, do you have an interest in the Anh-Bush co?
Why are you so defensive over how the topic was stated.
Misspelling and grammar is something that is usually overlooked/tolerated.
Just curious

 

[heatherbelle]

Regardless of if the deal still has to be done, can't we have a discussion about what if?

I don't care who owns them, so long as they stay, and someone cares for and looks after all of those wonderful animals

When I first visited Disney in 1990, then I just would not go to Sea World. I thought it was cruel keeping killer whales in tanks etc etc.

Anyway, when I took my 6 year old DS, off we went to Sea World. It was fantastic. I loved the Shamu shows. Yes I stll think it's cruel those whales living in captivia, but Heyyy, we do want a real life "Free Willy" story on our hands.
By the way, I'm English, so don't go on about my English and grammar please, it's rubbish I know.

 

[EnnEss]

I think a discussion is fine, but i actually found the wording of the thread to be questionable too. Its not a spelling, grammar or that kind of issue. The OP posted twice it will be sold. I think it should be renamed only so as not to spread false rumours. Its far from decided as to be sold. Inbev has no issue with capital by the way.

As for the conversation though, its an interesting one, will they sell it? Hmm, I dont know, they'd do it so they dont have to manage theme parks, thats probably the only reason. This would have other effects, possibly saving money being one of them. Inbev has no experience with theme parks, so it would make sense to sell it for that reason.

If they do want to sell it though, who to? Disney, no way, won't happen. Ridiculous amount of eggs to put in one basket owning that many theme parks, particularly ones you didn't build and may not mesh with the existing ones well. Disney obviously is trying to spread out, hence the new WDW hotels being on property but not owned by disney.

Who else? There are probably a ton of people/companies that could, but I dont think it'll be any existing theme park giants, and there are only a handful. Its just too risky in this economic market.

If the parks are making money Inbev could very likely split that division off on its own, run it and shop it around at the same time. This would involve quite the expense to Inbev though when they did that, they'd lose a bunch of capital assets if they went that route instead of selling it outright. It may alleviate some of the percieved problems though, mainly how can Inbev run a theme park, assumedly the people in place would continue to do so.

I suspect Inbev is going to really focus on consolidation, they were well aware they were getting these parks, they'll let them run with existing management in place for some time, before they even start to turn their attention to it. Firstly they are going to focus on making money of alcohol sales, and in all likelihood expanding their brands from Europe to America. Anheiser Busch offers very little in reverse, the big brand is already in Europe, although it tastes a lot more like the Canadian version of Budweiser than the American version (think more alcohol, less watery). They're going to worry about all the big merger problems, losing staff and management that are duplicitous and turning even bigger profits, then get onto the theme parks.

If someone else buys the theme parks, I doubt it'll be a huge deal. The Seaworld franchise is kinda all over the place right now anyways. Do they want thrill rides or animals, both? Whoever started running it doesn't really have to hold to a solid line, as one isn't in existence today. What could happen is a further strenthenging of their relationship with Universal Florida at least, to fight disney. An outside buyer may see that as even more desirable than current management does and go further. Probably a smart move.