SeaWorld Orlando's Future Plans

[Mad Dog]

A recent article in theOrlando Sentinel really surprised me. Many on here have said SeaWorld was a locals oriented park. But, the Sentinel article kind of debunked that theory. They quoted Sea World as saying one third of their customers are foreign tourists. Thus they are very susceptible to downturns in the South American or other countries economic downturns. Very interesting info.

 

[SeventyOne]

A recent article in theOrlando Sentinel really surprised me. Many on here have said SeaWorld was a locals oriented park. But, the Sentinel article kind of debunked that theory. They quoted Sea World as saying one third of their customers are foreign tourists. Thus they are very susceptible to downturns in the South American or other countries economic downturns. Very interesting info.

They've always depended on the international crowd pretty heavily. One, because their attractions don't rely on U.S.-oriented IPs or "American humor" (or in most cases even require you to speak English), and two, because more international guests have more days of vacation to fill. I agree a drop in Brazilian or UK guests absolutely kills SW.

That said, I think a large chunk, possibly a majority, of the remaining 2/3 of guests are locals.

For their CEO saying they don't want to be the "discount" park in town, a ton of billboards around town advertising $69 tickets and e-mails saying as an AP I can get 4 and 5 year-old in for free all year. Mako looks amazing, but I still don't see it being enough.

 

[Mad Dog]

They've always depended on the international crowd pretty heavily. One, because their attractions don't rely on U.S.-oriented IPs or "American humor" (or in most cases even require you to speak English), and two, because more international guests have more days of vacation to fill. I agree a drop in Brazilian or UK guests absolutely kills SW.

That said, I think a large chunk, possibly a majority, of the remaining 2/3 of guests are locals.

For their CEO saying they don't want to be the "discount" park in town, a ton of billboards around town advertising $69 tickets and e-mails saying as an AP I can get 4 and 5 year-old in for free all year. Mako looks amazing, but I still don't see it being enough.

Good points. Sounds like, unless Mako brings in a lot of locals, this could be a tough summer for Sea World. South American economies,especially Brazil, are in one of their too typical downswings, plus the Olympics may keep many potential tourists at home instead of abroad, like the World Cup did.

 

[IzzyB]

They've always depended on the international crowd pretty heavily. One, because their attractions don't rely on U.S.-oriented IPs or "American humor" (or in most cases even require you to speak English), and two, because more international guests have more days of vacation to fill. I agree a drop in Brazilian or UK guests absolutely kills SW.

That said, I think a large chunk, possibly a majority, of the remaining 2/3 of guests are locals.

For their CEO saying they don't want to be the "discount" park in town, a ton of billboards around town advertising $69 tickets and e-mails saying as an AP I can get 4 and 5 year-old in for free all year. Mako looks amazing, but I still don't see it being enough.

The preschool pass (for 4 & 5 year olds) has been a thing for many many years. They do limit how many they hand out, so it is first come, first serve and they must be used for the first time by the end of May or by your 6th birthday whichever is first. I just wish they did the birthdays by the school year and not calendar year. Because my daughter won't get another one, but many of her classmates will because their birthdays are after Jan 1st. At least for my youngest who has a birthday in January I will get one for an extra year. However we will have to rush our before her January birthday or we won't be able to do it. If your child's birthday was early Jan it would be impossible to get this deal since they don't release it until several days into January.

They spin it as more of an educational thing because Sea World is all about Education and Preschool kids are really into animals. But in reality if the kids get a free pass and their friends are talking about Sea World then the parents tend to get passes too. A ton of my daughter's school friends have Sea World passes over other parks because of this free perk. Most sound like they would have no pass to any park if it wasn't for this benefit. One set of parents say they will try Universal next year when they can't get the free pass (their son also has a birthday before Jan 1st), and one family is getting Disney passes this year as they won't be getting Sea World passes by the May deadline. They debated back and forth and decided to go with Disney. But the rest sound like they will continue with Sea World this year and next while their kids get in free and then probably do nothing. We were all talking about it at the last birthday party. But I also noticed in her class kids talk about Sea World the most. They sometimes have art projects on the wall about what they like to do and the #1 answer was go to Sea World.

 

[UAN17]

On the plus side, despite the UK economy being relatively fragile, terrorism fears across pretty much all of Europe, and the strong word of mouth from returning Orlando visitors should see an uptick in UK visitors this and next summer.

I can only speak for people I know, but it seems everyone's off there. I might have worn them down because I never shut up about it

Seaworld is always on our recommended list due to the laid back nature of the place. We did do it after Magic Kingdom mind. The difference in crowd between the 2 emphasised our love for our Seaworld day. We even took another day off Disney later on and returned. Next trip we plan 2 Seaworld days as well. Aquatica also great...and Busch was a strong park.

Needs a few more rides but I think there's enough going on to last into 2 days if you like a laid back day, taking in all the shows, exhibits and a few rerides of the awesome coasters.

 

[Brian G.]

Total shot in the dark about the re-market; but my money is on Wild Arctic.

 

[Honor_Knight]

SeaWorld's five year plan should include a going out of business sale at this point.

 

[UAN17]

SeaWorld's five year plan should include a going out of business sale at this point.

Have a closer look at their finances and not the headlines. They have plenty of free cash flow.

 

[Honor_Knight]

Have a closer look at their finances and not the headlines. They have plenty of free cash flow.

Money doesn't mean anything if your brand is tainted.

 

[UAN17]

Money doesn't mean anything if your brand is tainted.

Sorry but that's nonsense. Money allows the business to continue to opperate, be in through direct investment or persuading banks they have the means to repay back anything borrowed. Brand damage can also be repaired....partly through sensible use of such money. Read the details not the headlines and you'll read that they've seen an improvement in their figures in Cali and Texas. Orlando is affected by a multitude of factors but they state Orlando attendance is up year on year in July, despite a massive reduction in Latin visitors.

Anyway back to the 5 year plan....id have thought construction would have already started on the small dark ride if they wanted it open by summer 2017?

 

[Scott W.]

Money doesn't mean anything if your brand is tainted.

I think they're in the midst of making one hell of a comeback recently. I think their PR has trumped everything from Universal and Disney as well with stories like this:

Free SeaWorld admission for first responders through September - Story | WOFL

Given what a crappy summer the first responders have had in Orlando, I think this is a nice touch.

 

[Mad Dog]

The issue though, is that Blackstone is the primary investor, by far, in Seaworld. And they've wanted to divest their position for a couple of years, but no takers out there. Blackstone is a very short term suck out the profits oriented investment company, and I would think it's very questionable how long and how much they'll actually put back in. They don't really plan or want to be there for another 5 years. They were hoping for a quick turn around so they could divest their holdings, and it's not happening.

 

[Scott W.]

The issue though, is that Blackstone is the primary investor, by far, in Seaworld. And they've wanted to divest their position for a couple of years, but no takers out there. Blackstone is a very short term suck out the profits oriented investment company, and I would think it's very questionable how long and how much they'll actually put back in. They don't really plan or want to be there for another 5 years. They were hoping for a quick turn around so they could divest their holdings, and it's not happening.

You just have to look to the dark years of Universal when Blackstone owned them.

 

[Mad Dog]

You just have to look to the dark years of Universal when Blackstone owned them.

Yep, and they say that lightning doesn't strike twice.

 

[anihilnation]

Total shot in the dark about the re-market; but my money is on Wild Arctic.

I think it might be a Dolphin Cove refurb, which will include a ride.

 

[Brian G.]

I think it might be a Dolphin Cove refurb, which will include a ride.

Possible, too. Just shows there are a lot of areas that need some TLC.

 

[Andy]

My money is on new show at Odyssey theater, new family ride at Happy Harbor, and update to Wild Artic Simulator

 

[anihilnation]

Possible, too. Just shows there are a lot of areas that need some TLC.

Reason why I think Dolphin Cove is because that would give a new ride, whereas Wild Arctic would just replace one. I can see them keep it a few more years. Have a Dolphin refurb next year and a minor ride, then add another major coaster in 2018, then Wild Arctic for 2019. I still hope Atlantis will get updated as well, that ride could be incredible if they cared and put effort into it.

 

[anihilnation]

My money is on new show at Odyssey theater, new family ride at Happy Harbor, and update to Wild Artic Simulator

You mean Nautilus theater? I always thing A'lure was the best show, saw it a lot. As for Happy Harbor, I think that whole area should be redone, and they should have things spread through the park more. Though I do like Jazzy Jellies on occasion lol.

 

[WAJAS]

Orlando Sentinel reports that...

Manby said SeaWorld Orlando will get two new additions next year and an existing one will be re-marketed. He did not say what the additions would be.