SeaWorld Orlando's Future Plans

[OhHaiInternet95]

"Coaster investments in Florida for the 2016 also produced negative attendance growth at both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa, suggesting a conflict between offerings and public demand."

"You don't need more coasters. You need attractions with lower height limits to encourage families to come back. Building more coasters instead is putting you in the opposite direction of Cedar Fair, Disney, and Universal in terms of their trends."

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In the wake of Dragons closing, reading this really hurts. I have to wonder if big roller coasters are just not a lucrative market in Florida? Thankfully such a trend is certainly not nationwide as evidenced by Cedar Fair's record 2016 attendance as they continue adding big coasters (Valravyn, Fury 325, Banshee, Mystic Timbers).

 

[Parkscope Joe]

"Coaster investments in Florida for the 2016 also produced negative attendance growth at both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa, suggesting a conflict between offerings and public demand."

"You don't need more coasters. You need attractions with lower height limits to encourage families to come back. Building more coasters instead is putting you in the opposite direction of Cedar Fair, Disney, and Universal in terms of their trends."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the wake of Dragons closing, reading this really hurts. I have to wonder if big roller coasters are just not a lucrative market in Florida? Thankfully such a trend is certainly not nationwide as evidenced by Cedar Fair's record 2016 attendance as they continue adding big coasters (Valravyn, Fury 325, Banshee, Mystic Timbers).

I'm going to work on doing a podcast soon with Alan on this, but I think it's a few factors, not just "coasters don't deliver". I think Mako is a foundation but not a building block, if that makes sense.

Anyway, Alan has part 2 up now.

Parkscope: What's happening with SeaWorld? Part 2: The Plan?

 

[quinnmac000]

Yes, investment companies, by nature, are kind of evil. They strip assets & retirement funds and close down operations that were successful for the most part. They've ruined many a community with plant closings, corporate office shutdowns, etc. They suck out profit, consolidate operations and put very little back in... But that said, Blackstone is the Dark Side of the investment companies, rotten to the core, the worst of the worst.

Certain investment companies...mind you Universal bought USJ from Goldman Sachs.

 

[UNIrd]

"Coaster investments in Florida for the 2016 also produced negative attendance growth at both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa, suggesting a conflict between offerings and public demand."

"You don't need more coasters. You need attractions with lower height limits to encourage families to come back. Building more coasters instead is putting you in the opposite direction of Cedar Fair, Disney, and Universal in terms of their trends."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the wake of Dragons closing, reading this really hurts. I have to wonder if big roller coasters are just not a lucrative market in Florida? Thankfully such a trend is certainly not nationwide as evidenced by Cedar Fair's record 2016 attendance as they continue adding big coasters (Valravyn, Fury 325, Banshee, Mystic Timbers).

That does seem to be the way Universal is moving, which explains the Fast & the Furious that we're getting. Wish it would have been built 10 years ago by the "Old Universal" when the franchise already had 3-4 films under its belt.

 

[Mad Dog]

Certain investment companies...mind you Universal bought USJ from Goldman Sachs.

Them too. Even the ones that are considered on the 'slightly' less evil ethical side have brought devastation to communities through closings to accommodate short profit gains. And Goldman Sachs was one of the major causes of the worldwide recession and near collapse of the financial sector due to their very questionable investment strategies, derivatives, and may I say, snake oil salesman tactics. Unfortunately, it's the nature of the beast. There's no "good guys" in the bunch.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

^^At very, very least, F&F is supposedly the last screenz ride we're getting for the time being. :fingers crossed:

As I said earlier in this thread, Universal might still be able to re-claim to being the best place in Orlando for roller coasters in a few years, given SWO's outlook--though not in all of Central Florida, assuming BGT isn't in danger of closing. It would really suck to go from CF having nine B&Ms in 2016 (yes I'm counting Dragons as two) to four.

I hope Mine Blower puts Fun Spot on the map.

 

[shiekra38]

^^At very, very least, F&F is supposedly the last screenz ride we're getting for the time being. :fingers crossed:

As I said earlier in this thread, Universal might still be able to re-claim to being the best place in Orlando for roller coasters in a few years, given SWO's outlook--though not in all of Central Florida, assuming BGT isn't in danger of closing. It would really suck to go from CF having nine B&Ms in 2016 (yes I'm counting Dragons as two) to four.

I hope Mine Blower puts Fun Spot on the map.

The Busch parks can still be the coaster capital while attracting families..

 

[MakoMania]

I don't understand this article or the notion that coasters no longer work, Mako & Cobra's Curse did fantastic things for domestic attendance, up double figures at SWO in 2016, it's just that Brazil bombed out completely.

There are also many factual errors littered throughout the article that makes the core message less believable. (Antarctica is not on weekend only operation for example and hasn't been for the best part of a year.)

 

[ragerunner]

The article has a lot of holes and incorrect facts.

 

[shiekra38]

I don't understand this article or the notion that coasters no longer work, Mako & Cobra's Curse did fantastic things for domestic attendance, up double figures at SWO in 2016, it's just that Brazil bombed out completely.

There are also many factual errors littered throughout the article that makes the core message less believable. (Antarctica is not on weekend only operation for example and hasn't been for the best part of a year.)

I don't think anyone said coasters don't work...It's just the type and the marketing...For the record, I think Mako and Cobra both serve a very important purpose

 

[Viator]

In addition to the departure of Brian Morrow, Anthony Esparza is also taking leave of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, as Mike Denninger will take over for Esparaza.

InPark Magazine – Anthony Esparza Departs SeaWorld; Mike Denninger Promoted to SVP Attractions

 

[UniversalRBLX]

In addition to the departure of Brian Morrow, Anthony Esparza is also taking leave of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, as Mike Denninger will take over for Esparaza.

InPark Magazine – Anthony Esparza Departs SeaWorld; Mike Denninger Promoted to SVP Attractions

Are they beginning to jump out of the ship?

 

[MakoMania]

Are they beginning to jump out of the ship?

Seems they are being pushed out rather than jumping out themselves, more so Esparza than Morrow.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

In addition to the departure of Brian Morrow, Anthony Esparza is also taking leave of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, as Mike Denninger will take over for Esparaza.

InPark Magazine – Anthony Esparza Departs SeaWorld; Mike Denninger Promoted to SVP Attractions

All the winning! Can’t stop!

But no really sounds like Marrow’s departure had been planned for a bit, he’s left to start his own design firm.

 

[GAcoaster]

Esparza came from Herschend with Manby, so that's not too surprising he's leaving with him too.

SeaWorld creative executives Anthony Esparza, Brian Morrow leaving company - Orlando Sentinel

 

[anihilnation]

Morrow probably left because they always expected the impossible, by having grand plans with little budget.

 

[shiekra38]

Morrow probably left because they always expected the impossible, by having grand plans with little budget.

Yes, I like the direction they went with Cobra's Curse, for instance, It's just too little too late

Plus, I'd love to see the original plans for Antarctica, I feel it was a better attraction on some computer somwhere haha

 

[GAcoaster]

Heard today that the numbers for both SeaWorld and Aquatica have been really good. Aquatica actually set attendance records in February with the hot weather. The feeling is that the park (and the company as a whole) have started to turn a corner and recover. Of course this comes just a little too late for Manby...

 

[Alicia]

Heard today that the numbers for both SeaWorld and Aquatica have been really good. Aquatica actually set attendance records in February with the hot weather. The feeling is that the park (and the company as a whole) have started to turn a corner and recover. Of course this comes just a little too late for Manby...

Good on them. Clearly the Seven Seas Food Fest has been successful, since it was extended a couple weeks. And I'm actually looking forward to Electric Ocean again. Now if we can just improve ride upkeep and daily operations, the parks could move up a few pegs in my book.

Both the water park and SeaWorld are getting (good) new rides this year, so that should help too.

 

[Scott W.]

I'd put my money on SeaWorld having the best new ride for 2018.