"Unless someone cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to change, it's not"
SeaWorld Leadership Changes
- Thread starter Brian G.
- Start date
anihilnation
Veteran Member
It definitely did not look anything like the concept art. You are correct that the entire ride is done wrong, but surely lack of funds made it worse. Anyway, I like the icy cavern with the lights, that is done nice, but all the rest is beyond mediocre.
Interesting interview with Esparza: InPark Magazine – Breaking exclusive: Anthony Esparza talks about his transition from SeaWorld
P@n!K_Sw1tC#
Veteran Member
^ It's interesting, a lot of the things he says he contributed to are moves a lot of people in the industry would disagree with. He mentions things like VR experiences, Orca 360, etc. but in my estimation these were all a waste of time, resources, and energy.
Ultranel
Member
IMO after the whole thing with Blackfish and PETA's drama queens. I feel that SeaWorld needs to start phasing out of SW Rescue. Why spend the money you don't have in the things you are getting criticized the most. I think they should change priorities and put park operations first and if there's any left, then it can go to Rescue, or you can just leave it all behind, take Shamu and drop her at the front doors of PETA's HQ with a sticky note that says "Here! now show me how much you TRULY care"
OhHaiInternet95
Veteran Member
- Aug 18, 2017
- 2,055
If not for InBev and Blackstone, I believe SWE could’ve weathered BF.
I believe AB could have handled a brand change certainly...And I doubt Antarctica would have turned out how it did
Mad Dog
Premium Member
I agree. Blackstone handled it poorly and then tried to blame Blackfish for the troubles that mostly came from Blackstone sucking the company dry.
Ultranel
Member
gotta love South Park.
MakoMania
Rookie
- May 8, 2017
- 461
SeaWorld should never have become a public company. It's too vulnerable and spends too much on conservation for it to be compatible with the stock exchange.
^RE Antarctica, enthusiasts slate it yet I'm not a massive fan but I think it's underrated due to the city it's located in. It's my family's favourite attraction in all of Orlando, don't ask me why but it's really not as bad as people say.
As for the whole SeaWorld closing nonsense, I'm pretty sure that I've said this before but it's important to remember that the park is still in the top 30 parks worldwide based on attendance. 99% of parks would kill to get the attendance that SWO gets.
^RE Antarctica, enthusiasts slate it yet I'm not a massive fan but I think it's underrated due to the city it's located in. It's my family's favourite attraction in all of Orlando, don't ask me why but it's really not as bad as people say.
As for the whole SeaWorld closing nonsense, I'm pretty sure that I've said this before but it's important to remember that the park is still in the top 30 parks worldwide based on attendance. 99% of parks would kill to get the attendance that SWO gets.
Last edited:
Going public was not a good move and just a cash grab by Blackstone.
Ok I think I see where we're coming from now. Bankruptcy does not mean closing. It means they have to restructure debt or sell off assets. I don't see SeaWorld closing, I do see them going bankrupt. Attendance doesn't mean much when they have so much leveraged debt.
SOCAL110
Member
- Feb 20, 2018
- 649
How much time/years do you give it? After looking at your crystal ball, which scenario do you see happening:
1. SeaWorld sells some of their parks and reinvests that money into their flagship parks.
2. They get bought out by Merlin or some other company and the parks get re-branded/upgraded.
3. Seaworld goes bankrupt and goes out of business.
WAJAS98
Veteran Member
anihilnation
Veteran Member
OhHaiInternet95
Veteran Member
- Aug 18, 2017
- 2,055
That seems to be changing. The additions of Manta and Mako caused me to check SW out.
The Orlando Sentinel has a great profile of SeaWorld's Interim CEO, John Reilly. It's great to know his background and his commitment to the company. He started at Busch Gardens Williamsburg when he was 16, and at 49 he's the CEO of the company.
I know BGW under his leadership was a first rate park, and I know nothing but good things about him.
SeaWorld's interim CEO isn't your typical executive. Will it help the company rebound? - Orlando Sentinel
I know BGW under his leadership was a first rate park, and I know nothing but good things about him.
SeaWorld's interim CEO isn't your typical executive. Will it help the company rebound? - Orlando Sentinel
JoeCamel
Premium Member
This guy sounds like a great park...Clearly he is a fan of the parks as much as we are
Not to derail the conversation, but I love that sometimes you can find Micheal Aiello or Bill Davis strolling around Universal...The last time I saw Mr. Davis, he was in a swimsuit at Volcano Bay haha
Mark Rose (designer of Kumba, Montu, etc) used to stroll around the Busch parks, same with Scott Swenson
So, in short, I think this is good
The best GMs of parks/park managers are out in the parks as much as possible IMO, talking to guests and employees and really getting a sense of what they are thinking and feeling about the experience. They should also have that front line experience and understand the business from the bottom up.
With Reilly as CEO and Jim Dean running SWO, I think they are in really good hands as both leaders have done well with the Busch Gardens parks and know the business on all levels.
With Reilly as CEO and Jim Dean running SWO, I think they are in really good hands as both leaders have done well with the Busch Gardens parks and know the business on all levels.