SeaWorld Orlando's Future Plans

[Kumba's Roar]

Do you think we will have an announcement soon?

Well the construction walls are said to go up soon after. I would think they would announce something by Summer, but I guess we'll see. In 2015 they started teasing Mako at the end of April.

 

[Kumba's Roar]

Do you think we will have an announcement soon?

Well the construction walls are said to go up soon after. I would think they would announce something by Summer, but I guess we'll see. In 2015 they started teasing Mako at the end of April.

 

[anihilnation]

With the exit of Blackstone and a new group coming in that certainly will be calling the shots (as the most prominent owner of stock, by far), it will be interesting to see what course the Sea World parks (Sea World parks, BGW, BG Tampa) will now take. My guess is that there will be a "major change" in direction. Blackstone was just there to suck profits out, do limited improvements, and ultimately sell their stake. My guess is the company coming in is actually looking to grow the franchise. They are not primarily an investment group like Blackstone....For all of you Sea World fans, you may well end up having some exciting times to look forward to. :thumbsup:It certainly can't get as bad as it was under Blackstone control.

Did I miss something? Is Blackstone gone?

 

[Mad Dog]

Did I miss something? Is Blackstone gone?

On the way out. They just agreed (a few days ago) to sell their entire interest to a Chinese company that is invested in theme parks to a degree,

 

[anihilnation]

On the way out. They just agreed (a few days ago) to sell their entire interest to a Chinese company that is invested in theme parks to a degree,

Cool! Do you have any links? The Chinese are big on theme parks, so I can see that being a good thing. There was talk before of the Wanda group buying Seaworld, is it them?

Edit: Just googled it. Indeed, seems like good news. Don't think I saw anything in the local news.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/business/dealbook/seaworld-blackstone-deal.html?_r=0

China's Zhonghong Zhuoye to buy Blackstone's stake in SeaWorld| Reuters

 

[bob albert]

Blackstone out is the best news in years for sea world.

 

[Teebin]

Did it have to be the Chinese?&?*???

 

[JoeCamel]

With the exit of Blackstone and a new group coming in that certainly will be calling the shots (as the most prominent owner of stock, by far), it will be interesting to see what course the Sea World parks (Sea World parks, BGW, BG Tampa) will now take. My guess is that there will be a "major change" in direction. Blackstone was just there to suck profits out, do limited improvements, and ultimately sell their stake. My guess is the company coming in is actually looking to grow the franchise. They are not primarily an investment group like Blackstone....For all of you Sea World fans, you may well end up having some exciting times to look forward to. :thumbsup:It certainly can't get as bad as it was under Blackstone control.

I don't know what Blackstone put into their 21% stake but I would hope they lost their shirts on this "investment". Through their policies (and Blackfish) the stock is severly depressed so even with the 33% over price premium they got I can't think that they made money on this deal.

This TPI article says 2.3B +400M was the price back in 2009 but it also says 100% so they have diluted their stake quite a bit if they only sold a 21% stake now so they could have all their money back before this sale and all this is just gravy. Or maybe I don't have a clue and don't really know anything. The comments attached to the article are amusing. Certainly the ones hailing a new day compared to INBev ownership.

This Bloomberg article sheds more light on how much Blackstone may have made on this

Last edit: back of the envelope math shows they are short about 330M from their initial investment. Does not count any dividends or other considerations Blackstone received over the 8 year life of this deal so maybe they broke even. The opportunity cost of 2.7B over 8 years in a market that more than doubled in that time is a huge loss. I wonder if they will change their way of doing business in the future?

 

[Mad Dog]

I don't know what Blackstone put into their 21% stake but I would hope they lost their shirts on this "investment". Through their policies (and Blackfish) the stock is severly depressed so even with the 33% over price premium they got I can't think that they made money on this deal.

This TPI article says 2.3B +400M was the price back in 2009 but it also says 100% so they have diluted their stake quite a bit if they only sold a 21% stake now so they could have all their money back before this sale and all this is just gravy. Or maybe I don't have a clue and don't really know anything. The comments attached to the article are amusing. Certainly the ones hailing a new day compared to INBev ownership.

This Bloomberg article sheds more light on how much Blackstone may have made on this

Last edit: back of the envelope math shows they are short about 330M from their initial investment. Does not count any dividends or other considerations Blackstone received over the 8 year life of this deal so maybe they broke even. The opportunity cost of 2.7B over 8 years in a market that more than doubled in that time is a huge loss. I wonder if they will change their way of doing business in the future?

Yes, their strategy kind of backfired on them when the company's valuation dropped, instead of rising, over the years of their ownership. It's probably impossible though, for anyone to be able to determine their actual financials from the deal, since they took out considerable profits, management fees, executive salaries etc. from the company during the first few years of ownership when the parks were still living off their past reputation. But, it certainly didn't turn out like they anticipated. They're the Darth Vader of investment firms and they've destroyed many company's and employees jobs, pension plans etc. over the years.....Doubtful they will change their business philosophy. Like most investment firms, they are just no good dirt. They're not job creators, they destroy them.......Note: When Blackstone went public with a stock issue a few years ago to raise cash, that diluted their ownership percentage of the company.

 

[Speed]

 

[WAJAS]

I can verify that they've told TM's that the area will be closed on that day but no layoffs will occur.

Look out for some major changes in their direction with this new company coming on board. If they want something different they have the power to make it happen. I'd specifically look at a more focused approach domestically and a quickened international expansion, but I know nothing special on this front.

 

[shiekra38]

Thank the maker!

Perhaps someone that likes theme parks will be running the parks now

Did it have to be the Chinese?&?*???

Don't drink the coke at Sea World parks for a while

 

[Alicia]

New ride announcement may be coming:

 

[WAJAS]

New ride announcement may be coming:

It's a little early for those isn't it? I think this is either related to Kraken VR, Dolphin Nursery, the new bar, Electric Ocean, or the new shareholders. More than likely one of the last two.

 

[Alicia]

It's a little early for those isn't it? I think this is either related to Kraken VR, Dolphin Nursery, the new bar, Electric Ocean, or the new shareholders. More than likely one of the last two.

Maybe, but there was also rumors of work walls going up at the Sea Garden starting the next day, so they may want to let people know why walls are going up. That way no one gets concerned about future of the terrace, AP lounge, and Animal Ambassadors, and they can destroy any rumors before they start.

They have been hinting that the VR Kraken is coming soon a lot on social media, so who knows.

 

[Alicia]

..And I don't think it's too soon. Unlike Universal usually does, they don't wait to start building before they make announcements.

I hope they do announce the new something though, I wanna start reporting on it already!

 

[s8film40]

I could see them focusing on Kraken VR and then giving some very basic announcements for the other stuff.

 

[GAcoaster]

No, this is something new...

 

[Alicia]

No, this is something new...

Yea, I feel like you wouldn't invite media to talk about stuff you already announced at former media events without any of it actually opening yet.

 

[GAcoaster]

Yep, this is something new and fairly big for SeaWorld.