Sea World...Yikes!!!

[Peter Pirate 2]

SW has announced (1) a price increase and (2) no more free beer at the hospitality houses at any of their parks. WTH? This is an institution at this institution.

I guess InBev really isn't interested in running a good theme park (as long suspected). I'm not planning any visits soon, I can tell you that.

Budweiser, now a Dutch Company.

 

[SingleandLovinIt]

Yeah I heard about this today. What would make them do something like this? Most of the reason for me going over there was the free beer. I mean the park is nice and everything, but come on. I don't want to see Shamu unless I can have free beer too....lol

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

Same reason why Disney does it.. Cause they can..

 

[Jason71]

I took it as more of a sign that a sale is fairly imminent.

 

[Disneybag]

I was figuring they needed to pay off Manta.

 

[AdventurerKat]

Good point, Jason.

I will miss the free beer though.

 

[Metro West]

I will miss the free beer though.

According to the Sentinel, Sea World will close the The Hospitality Center February 1st.

 

[Jason71]

I will miss the free beer though.

To be honest, if it wasn't for Manta, I would probably just cut my AP down to Aquatica--the Hospitality House isn't the only thing I do in Sea World, but it was usually the thing the motivated me to at least walk in the turnstiles. I went to Brewmasters Club so many times the girls who work there recognized me in EPCOT during Food & Wine.

 

[Budshark]

Its a result of the InBev purchase of Anheuser-Busch.

They are shopping the theme parks, and the cost cutting moves and separation of the two businesses are just a part of that.

 

[Bouncy bounce]

Does that include the beer tastings with the pairings of food?

 

[AdventurerKat]

To be honest, if it wasn't for Manta, I would probably just cut my AP down to Aquatica--the Hospitality House isn't the only thing I do in Sea World, but it was usually the thing the motivated me to at least walk in the turnstiles. I went to Brewmasters Club so many times the girls who work there recognized me in EPCOT during Food & Wine.

 

[Dznefreek]

SW has announced (1) a price increase and (2) no more free beer at the hospitality houses at any of their parks. WTH? This is an institution at this institution.

I guess InBev really isn't interested in running a good theme park (as long suspected). I'm not planning any visits soon, I can tell you that.

Budweiser, now a Dutch Company.

I do not see the connection. If price increases are a part of not wanting to run a good park WDW must be terrible.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

The connection. The Hospitality buildings (and free beer) is probably the second biggest tradition at SW (behind Shamu). Does buying a new Company, publicaly stating you're not interested in the theme parks, then taking them anyway, then raising prices and then gutting a HUGE tradition sound like someone whose anxious to run a theme park?

To me it seems they know they are saddled with the parks (hopefully temporarily - are you listening Disney) and are doing anything they can to queeze every cent they can from it. But that's just me.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

.....and are doing anything they can to queeze every cent they can from it.

I don't know that they're trying to squeeze every cent out of the place unless you're referring to maximizing the sales price. Because I think it's obvious that that's what they're doing. They're being the bad guys by dropping the free beer now so that a new buyer, who doesn't have the brewery connection, doesn't have to do it. Raising the price now also allows them to show potential buyers what the future revenue stream will look like.

You know that they plan to make the hospitality room area something more "family friendly". Seems like we've heard that spiel somewhere else before! "Family friendly" just means you have to pay for the beer.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Luv2Roam]

We were in Busch Gardens early December. (Christmas on Ice was wonderful, BTW.)
I noticed their napkins read Largest American Owned Brewery, or something like that.
I showed it to DH and said, "Not any more."

So I wonder who is America's largest brewery now. Samuel Adams?

"Family friendly" -- Doesn't that equate to Harley's and cigars?

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I don't know that they're trying to squeeze every cent out of the place unless you're referring to maximizing the sales price. Because I think it's obvious that that's what they're doing. They're being the bad guys by dropping the free beer now so that a new buyer, who doesn't have the brewery connection, doesn't have to do it. Raising the price now also allows them to show potential buyers what the future revenue stream will look like.

You know that they plan to make the hospitality room area something more "family friendly". Seems like we've heard that spiel somewhere else before! "Family friendly" just means you have to pay for the beer.

BobK/Orlando

I don't disagree with anything you have said. But it doesn't mean they are doing what is best for "Sea World" the theme park. Just as we discuss the "magic" of Disney, SW has developed it's niche in this market and by eliminating the Hospitality Houses they are changing a big dynamic at the Parks. How this plays out in the long run remains to be seen but it seems like a foolish gamble, IMO.

 

[Kallista]

I don't disagree with anything you have said. But it doesn't mean they are doing what is best for "Sea World" the theme park. Just as we discuss the "magic" of Disney, SW has developed it's niche in this market and by eliminating the Hospitality Houses they are changing a big dynamic at the Parks. How this plays out in the long run remains to be seen but it seems like a foolish gamble, IMO.

InBev doesn't care about the long run. They're going to sell all of the AB parks as soon as the economy picks up and they can find a buyer. In the meantime, they're trying to keep the operating costs as low as possible.

It looks like Merlin Entertainment, the owners of Legoland, have expressed an early interest in the AB parks. They own a marine park in Europe, and would bring an experienced management team to Seaworld and Discovery Cove.

 

[artesian]

according to the article I just read
1. boston beer
2. yeungling
3. sierra nevada

 

[JMD]

Sea World gives out Free Beer?? How did I not know this??

 

[mitros]

SW has announced (1) a price increase and (2) no more free beer at the hospitality houses at any of their parks. WTH? This is an institution at this institution.

I guess InBev really isn't interested in running a good theme park (as long suspected). I'm not planning any visits soon, I can tell you that.

Budweiser, now a Dutch Company.

Oh well, don't go there anyway, and if WDW doesn't shape up, we won't be going there anymore either.....