SeaWorld Ends Orca Breeding

[GAcoaster]

Blackstone doesn't own enough of an interest in them to sell them anymore. They can only sell their share of them.

 

[Journey_On]

So I have been at work all day and not able to get online to reply. I see all of you are for this. I am in the minority. I have 600 Facebook friends all of them are SeaWorld fans. The overwhelming majority of comments on there are extremely negative. I would admit though that the majority of these facebook friends went to SeaWorld for the shows and animals not the rides. So I can see how this excites you ride people.

Further evidence of what will be happening was posted on HSUS Facebook page today where they commented that this is just the start that their are many more animals they want to "save" at SeaWorld and they are having dialogue with them now about that. So people, SeaWorld as you knew it today is over forever. Dolphins, Sea Lions, Beluga Whales etc. They are done. Just give it time.

SeaWorld is going to just become another park with rides. Nothing special. And Disney and Universal are far more superior and worth the visit.

Manby said today that they hope to increase attendance by 300K to 900K in the next 3 - 5 year. But at the cost of what! They have saddened their fan base, many pass members saying they are canceling passes etc. I visit every week and I know I am done.

Think in 40 years from now that poor orca who will be swimming along alone with no more pod mates. What a sad life for that one. That is if Seaworld is even here in 40 years. Never thought I would say that but they just made a huge mistake. Wonder what the new name will be. Its a sad day

I'm in the minority with you. I didn't even know what to think when I first read the news. I certainly didn't feel excited. As a former educator, I know a lot of educators, plus a few aviculturists, trainers, and animal care specialists at SeaWorld. I'm seeing similar reactions from most of them, and they aren't pleased with the changes.

DBF told me about the reality of HSUS, and I've done some more reading, just now. It seems so odd that SeaWorld would partner with them. If I am reading correctly, HSUS wants to end all animals in captivity.

I love SeaWorld. But I am disappointed about the decisions made.

 

[Mad Dog]

Blackstone doesn't own enough of an interest in them to sell them anymore. They can only sell their share of them.

Correct, since they went public. But they still control the company and if a deal gets made they'll be the one to make it. They'll just need to take it to the stockholders for final approval.

 

[anihilnation]

If SeaWorld continues the Seas theming an continues to add coasters in Orlando, it will find a niche that Universal and Disney don't really have..plus the hotel will certainly be awesome I'm sure

Exactly, I always say the same thing. Seaworld should become like BGT but with a nautical theme.

 

[Mad Dog]

Exactly, I always say the same thing. Seaworld should become like BGT but with a nautical theme.

Good idea. And that would essentially block any move into the market by Six Flags. Built a couple of more coasters and they'll be BGT East.

 

[IzzyB]

I think they'll experience a spike in attendance now. With some of the public who were convinced by PETA and Blackfish now feeling better about coming to SeaWorld, and the "Classic" fans coming for one last time to watch the orca shows, coupled with new capital improvements, it should be a winning ticket.

This for sure. I think attendance in Orlando will be way up the next two years. Because locals will go to catch the shows, some people who felt "bad" before will get their annual pass again, and tourist may make a special trip and lose a day at Disney or Universal to catch the Orca shows before they go away. I see this as nothing but good for Sea World and attendance numbers. I mean look at Osbourne Lights, that attendance was insane this past year because EVERYONE wanted to see it before it went away. People went to DHS even though there was nothing there just to see the lights. I think the handful of people who don't renew because Seaworld "caved" to animal activist will be so small it won't matter. In fact I think when it comes to renewal time many people who say they won't in the end will because even they won't want to miss the shows before they go away.

 

[Scott W.]

This for sure. I think attendance in Orlando will be way up the next two years. Because locals will go to catch the shows, some people who felt "bad" before will get their annual pass again, and tourist may make a special trip and lose a day at Disney or Universal to catch the Orca shows before they go away. I see this as nothing but good for Sea World and attendance numbers. I mean look at Osbourne Lights, that attendance was insane this past year because EVERYONE wanted to see it before it went away. People went to DHS even though there was nothing there just to see the lights. I think the handful of people who don't renew because Seaworld "caved" to animal activist will be so small it won't matter. In fact I think when it comes to renewal time many people who say they won't in the end will because even they won't want to miss the shows before they go away.

I think you're absolutely spot on. I can see a lot of people coming to see the last of the shows. I wonder if they will have anything special planned for the last show or if they'll want to quietly let it end. It's an end of an era and I can see generations of families wanting to see it one last time because for a lot of peope this will be the last time they'll have the opportunity.

 

[IzzyB]

I think you're absolutely spot on. I can see a lot of people coming to see the last of the shows. I wonder if they will have anything special planned for the last show or if they'll want to quietly let it end. It's an end of an era and I can see generations of families wanting to see it one last time because for a lot of peope this will be the last time they'll have the opportunity.

I think that is why Orlando is last. It has the best potential to pull higher numbers from the last couple years because the tourist are already here, they just need to pull from Uni and Disney. Which I think after this announcement they will.

 

[Mad Dog]

If SeaWorld continues the Seas theming an continues to add coasters in Orlando, it will find a niche that Universal and Disney don't really have..plus the hotel will certainly be awesome I'm sure

In a somewhat related manner, I just received a Busch Gardens Williamsburg email that they will be adding a new wooden coaster in 2017, and they're having a contest of sorts to let the fans have a say in the coaster's layouts. It will be in the New France area of the park. So, it's really looking like Sea World's making a commitment to increase the coasters in their park system.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

This sucks. I Love those Orcas. Best part about Sea World IMO. But more like Busch Gardens gives it a chance to be a theme/thrill park which we don't have IN orlando. So could work out.

 

[Mad Dog]

This sucks. I Love those Orcas. Best part about Sea World IMO. But more like Busch Gardens gives it a chance to be a theme/thrill park which we don't have IN orlando. So could work out.

Bottom line though, the Orcas' aren't really going anywhere. This really has more merit as a publicity announcement and spin. The good news is it looks like, as you said, that SeaWorld has a chance to become a somewhat theme/thrill park.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Bottom line though, the Orcas' aren't really going anywhere. This really has more merit as a publicity announcement and spin. The good news is it looks like, as you said, that SeaWorld has a chance to become a somewhat theme/thrill park.

True but when the Orcas are gone they won't even be represented. It was a part of Sea Worlds Logo. Re-branding is hard , but shouldn't be hard to do with the Ocean.
Hopefully we get a nice Orca Submarine ride or something.

 

[Mad Dog]

True but when the Orcas are gone they won't even be represented. It was a part of Sea Worlds Logo. Re-branding is hard , but shouldn't be hard to do with the Ocean.
Hopefully we get a nice Orca Submarine ride or something.

Never know. That may never happen. Company's change course & ownership. It wasn't that long ago that they were committed to the Blue Sea project. My feeling is all of this stuff is being done to increase the value of the company. Blue Seas would have put a lot of debt on the books without increasing attendance. Blackstone, the principle owner of Sea World, is an investment company. Those companies generally don't invest long term. They look for a short term gain and then get out. Once attendance & value increases, and animal rights organizations get off their back, my guess is that Blackstone dumps their stake in Sea World. Then everything becomes an open book again and anything can happen.

 

[Scott W.]

True but when the Orcas are gone they won't even be represented. It was a part of Sea Worlds Logo. Re-branding is hard , but shouldn't be hard to do with the Ocean.
Hopefully we get a nice Orca Submarine ride or something.

I wonder what the people who loved blackfish would think if they take in injured orcas.

 

[IAmFloridaBorn]

Never know. That may never happen. Company's change course & ownership. It wasn't that long ago that they were committed to the Blue Sea project. My feeling is all of this stuff is being done to increase the value of the company. Blue Seas would have put a lot of debt on the books without increasing attendance. Blackstone, the principle owner of Sea World, is an investment company. Those companies generally don't invest long term. They look for a short term gain and then get out. Once attendance & value increases, and animal rights organizations get off their back, my guess is that Blackstone dumps their stake in Sea World. Then everything becomes an open book again and anything can happen.

We're all locked in. Sea World is literally going to ride a tidal wave the next 5-10 years. Interesting stuff. I'm glad Blackstone is becoming less and less involved.

 

[WAJAS]

Orlando is going to be real interesting the next few years.

 

[Mad Dog]

Orlando is going to be real interesting the next few years.

And these improvements by the three theme park systems help everyone. More tourists visiting Orlando. Translates into more attendance, more spending, more profits = more new attractions and lands. Win, win, win.

 

[IzzyB]

And these improvements by the three theme park systems help everyone. More tourists visiting Orlando. Translates into more attendance, more spending, more profits = more new attractions and lands. Win, win, win.

Agreed. If Sea World can start pulling more attendance, which I think they can over the next two years that will be a huge win. I just hope they don't forget about the AP holders that have kept that thing alive and still do the special things they do for us. I have to say Sea World is the best to their AP holders of the three parks.

 

[WAJAS]

Agreed. If Sea World can start pulling more attendance, which I think they can over the next two years that will be a huge win. I just hope they don't forget about the AP holders that have kept that thing alive and still do the special things they do for us. I have to say Sea World is the best to their AP holders of the three parks.

That last part has a boat load of truth.

 

[Mad Dog]

Agreed. If Sea World can start pulling more attendance, which I think they can over the next two years that will be a huge win. I just hope they don't forget about the AP holders that have kept that thing alive and still do the special things they do for us. I have to say Sea World is the best to their AP holders of the three parks.

Hopefully they stay the course like Universal did. Universal survived because of AP support during their dark days under Vivendi then GE/Blackstone. But Universal still takes care of their AP holders with lots of special things and pretty reasonable rates, even though they've become so successful. I live out of state, and I'm even an Universal APH, and proud to say so.