Will Universal, SeaWorld combine forces?

[crazy4wdw]

From the Orlando Sentinel:

Will Universal, SeaWorld combine forces?
By Jason Garcia and Sara K. Clarke | Sentinel Staff Writers
April 27, 2009

Has the parent company of Universal Orlando sniffed around the parent company of SeaWorld Orlando?

General Electric Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Immelt won't say outright, but he sure makes it sound like his company has at least kicked the tires at Busch Entertainment Corp., which has been rumored to be for sale in the months since Belgian beer giant InBev acquired Anheuser Busch late last year. (Universal is co-owned by GE's NBC Universal unit and the Blackstone Group.)

"I think any time there's a change in the industry, people in the industry are going to take a look at it," Immelt told the Orlando Sentinel shortly before GE's annual shareholder meeting began last week in the Orange County Convention Center. "My understanding is that's [a Busch Entertainment sale] been slowed down a little bit, so I can't really speak to it. But look, we're in the business, and we're always looking for opportunities to make the business better."

So you have looked at Busch?

Orlando Sentinel blogs Immelt responded: "You just never can comment on stuff like that. But we're an 'industrial participant,' let's say. And so I think we look at these things with interest."

Manta poised to roll

Speaking of SeaWorld, the resort says its the much-anticipated Manta roller coaster is ahead of schedule — so much so that it might start letting guests ride it in about a week.

SeaWorld spokesman Nick Gollattscheck said water has already been pumped into the aquariums around the attraction, and the testing and safety checks of the inverted-flying coaster are complete. The park is now populating the aquariums with rays. It has been allowing employees to ride Manta for the past couple of weeks.

Letting guests aboard at the beginning of May would allow for a roughly three-week "soft opening" of the ride before Manta's formal grand opening on May 22.

AirTran in Cuba?

AirTran Airways executives were asked last week about the possibility of the Orlando-based airline getting into the Cuban market if the U.S. government lifts travel restrictions there.

During a quarterly earnings call, Kevin Healy, AirTran's senior vice president of marketing and planning, said the airline had operated charters to Cuba in the past. Company officials "certainly are looking" at opportunities there should the rules change, he said. Chief Executive Officer Bob Fornaro doesn't think AirTran would be alone: He said he expects four or five airlines would like to enter the Havana market when the time comes.

Big-time bash

The economy didn't put a damper on this year's Bacchus Bash, put on April 3 by the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association. The charity street party attracted 26,500 people and raised $106,000. That's the second-highest dollar amount in the event's 23-year history, said Rich Maladecki, president of the hoteliers' group. Proceeds benefit the CFHLA Educational Trust Fund, which provides scholarships and grants to local hospitality students and schools.

Jason Garcia can be reached at jrgarcia@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5414. Sara K. Clarke can be reached at 407-420-5664 or skclarke@orlandosentinel.com.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Now that would be a force to be reckoned with. Universal taking over Seaworld (which would probably also include Discovery Cove) would give Universal a third park, link them together through some bus service, add another hotel near the area, and you definately are going to put another major Orlando theme park operator on notice.

 

[MemoToMe]

Logistically, this makes some sense, since Universal has a presence in both Orlando and Southern California. However the big question is "what to do with the San Antonio park?"

Frankly, I think Sea World would be a nice fit for Universal, more so than for Disney, but whether GE (which is a notoriously frugal company) wants to buy is questionable.

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[Metro West]

Now that would be a force to be reckoned with. Universal taking over Seaworld (which would probably also include Discovery Cove) would give Universal a third park, link them together through some bus service, add another hotel near the area, and you definately are going to put another major Orlando theme park operator on notice.

Don't forget about Aquatica...Sea World owns that too.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

Yeah, what would happen to the San Antonio SeaWorld? That's the only one I ever go to. How far away is the Orlando SeaWorld from Univeral, anyways?

 

[Metro West]

Yeah, what would happen to the San Antonio SeaWorld? That's the only one I ever go to. How far away is the Orlando SeaWorld from Univeral, anyways?

They are right down Turkey Lake Road from each other and currently offer transfers from the onsite Universal hotels to Sea World so that's already in place.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

They are right down Turkey Lake Road from each other and currently offer transfers from the onsite Universal hotels to Sea World so that's already in place.

Thanks. Wow... how convenient for them.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I'm not such a fan of what GE has done with Universal, it's like they pillaged the place So the idea of them stripping down Seaworld too is not such a great idea to me.

I don't understand. What has GE done to dimiish the Universal experience in your opinion?

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

That would give Universal 3 parks in Orlando, a water park, and Discovery Cove ( I guess that would be a 'niche' park).

With the ability both parks (SW & US/IOA) already offer of allowing AP holders to pay monthly, rather than annually, WDW would really have its hands full.

 

[Metro West]

With the ability both parks (SW & US/IOA) already offer of allowing AP holders to pay monthly, rather than annually, WDW would really have its hands full.

WDW doesn't seem to understand that a lot of people don't have the money all at once to renew their AP's. Mine expires around the time I get my income tax refund so it's not an issue for me but I still have to pay $345.00 at one time...just for me. I wonder why Disney can't seem to realize monthly AP payments would increase their local following a lot.

 

[Disneybag]

WDW doesn't seem to understand that a lot of people don't have the money all at once to renew their AP's. Mine expires around the time I get my income tax refund so it's not an issue for me but I still have to pay $345.00 at one time...just for me. I wonder why Disney can't seem to realize monthly AP payments would increase their local following a lot.

Personally, I think it's because they don't care. They can't make as much money on the AP people. We don't stay in their hotels, we don't have a pressing need to buy gobs of souvenirs, and they aren't making anything on people who just pop over to Epcot after dinner. We can go over for a few hours, not spend money on food, and then head out after fireworks. We've come in and spent NOTHING. You get someone who's done that a few times and they've basically paid for their pass. Everything after that is like a free entry. I agree with you that the monthly payment WOULD get more people to grab passes. Universal is riding that system hard. There are billboards advertising that very thing ("Less then $15 per month...").

 

[Metro West]

Personally, I think it's because they don't care. They can't make as much money on the AP people. We don't stay in their hotels, we don't have a pressing need to buy gobs of souvenirs, and they aren't making anything on people who just pop over to Epcot after dinner. We can go over for a few hours, not spend money on food, and then head out after fireworks. We've come in and spent NOTHING. You get someone who's done that a few times and they've basically paid for their pass. Everything after that is like a free entry. I agree with you that the monthly payment WOULD get more people to grab passes. Universal is riding that system hard. There are billboards advertising that very thing ("Less then $15 per month...").

All good points and I agree with every one of them. I might spend $500 a YEAR at Disney and $345.00 of that $500 is the renewal fees. I just don't spend money at Disney because they don't offer park discounts on food and merchandise...but that's me. Sea World and Universal offer passholders lots of discounts...Disney...not so much.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

I might spend $500 a YEAR at Disney and $345.00 of that $500 is the renewal fees.

Multiply that by 4 for my family (or more for any AP upgrades), and there is one annual vacation right there. To me, they get the same amount of money either way.

And I still buy at Disney. When we had our AP's, you got 10% off at World of Disney in DD. I don't know if that still holds true. With meals and souveniers, we must have spent an extra $1000 annually.

They allow payments on booked vacations and DVC memberships. This would be the next logical step IMO.

 

[Metro West]

They allow payments on booked vacations and DVC memberships. This would be the next logical step IMO.

I agree.