- Sep 18, 2015
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I met Carl a few times. He seemed like a decent guy.
It seemed he was bent on cutting things like animal experiences, which is what sets Sea World parks apart from the others. I get that Shamu is controversial, but the other animal experiences are critical IMOI can’t wait to here the details in a few weeks. These internal conflicts always seem to be out in the open after a while.
Yes Carl Lum is a great guy. I worked with him when he was at BGW. He was always so friendly and would always chat it up with me. His wife was also very nice.I met Carl a few times. He seemed like a decent guy.
animal enthusiasts in leadership
Yep, this is exactly where I was going, but you made it sound smarter hahaFor once I'm actually not that upset about another CEO leaving. Carnival Guy, whose name I never even bothered learning, was a bad fit. He seemed intent on making the SeaWorld parks just like a Carnival cruise: cheap and uninspired, and with entertainment that's not very entertaining. In retrospect, I can actually see how he might have driven out some of the park presidents who probably weren't on board (haha boat puns) with his vision for the parks. I just hope that his departure will mark the end (and hopefully the reversal) of the extreme guest-facing staffing and budget cuts. I've lost count of all the ways SeaWorld Orlando alone has been whittled down this year, from the firing of the Longshoremen to the butchering of Turtle Trek to the shortening/cheapening/removal of shows to screens on rides being left off just to save electricity. Heck, the ticketing kiosks outside the park are broken 50% of the time right now, probably because no one's being paid to keep them working. And to try to steer a chain of parks whose biggest strength is its animal experiences, away from animals, is just absurd. As the company gets back on its feet, what it needs is more theme park and animal enthusiasts in leadership, not just bean counters.
Yes. Investment companies, by their very nature, suck every drop out of everything they buy. Even the investment groups that aren't considered the dark side, like Blackstone is, are pretty nasty too.This park chain is going to have problems as long as they are owned by investment groups.
While I am worried, I am encouraged by the fact that BGW has gone and got approvals for a 2021 coaster already. The controlling investment group has been in that position long enough that they could have or would have cancelled that if they didn't think that was the right direction for the company. Not every company is Blackstone, and some realize that if you invest it increases your income.This park chain is going to have problems as long as they are owned by investment groups.
Investment firms work for investors that want short term gains. Parks are not a place for that.While I am worried, I am encouraged by the fact that BGW has gone and got approvals for a 2021 coaster already. The controlling investment group has been in that position long enough that they could have or would have cancelled that if they didn't think that was the right direction for the company. Not every company is Blackstone, and some realize that if you invest it increases your income.
:thumbsup:Investment firms work for investors that want short term gains. Parks are not a place for that.
Universal will not be buying SeaWorld anytime soon.Wasn't there a rumour a few years back (around the time Blackfish was really gaining traction) that Uni might be looking at buying Seaworld? If the above is true and the company is being prepped for a sale then could we see Universal purchasing it?
I mean almost certainly not due to Epic Universe being built and the finances required. But would be a major shakeup in the Orlando market.
But was the loss at Sea World Orlando, which also had hurricane scare effects in 2018 third quarter, which is the comparison here, enough to drive the total attendance of the entire chain into negative territory?But it's important to note that the share price has increased because the figures would have been up without the impacts of hurricane Dorian.