posted by orlandovacationhome on Oct 7

As we reported on a previous post concerning rumors on the sale of Sea World, the Blackstone Group has announced an agreement in principle for the purchase of SeaWorld from Anheuser-Busch InBev for $2.7Billion.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Busch Entertainment is currently the second largest developer and operator of theme parks in the United States.

Who is the Blackstone Group? The public company (NYSE Symbol: BX) defines itself as an asset management and financial services firm. In 2007, the company reported revenues of over $3 billion. The Blackstone Group is headquartered in New York City and has roughly 1,100 employees. Notable investments in other hospitality businesses include the Hilton Hotels Corporation, La Quinta, Travelport, and Luxury Resorts.

The Blackstone Group already has a 50% stake in Universal and other entertainment venues such as Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Legoland. Blackstone is also a heavyweight investor in British entertainment as a co-owner of Merlin Entertainments Group. Merlin manages such large British attractions as SeaLife (second largest atttraction in Europe), Gardaland, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Heide Park, and Chessington World of Adventures.

Interestingly, there were persistent rumors earlier this year that Legoland might develop a location in Orlando. This rumor did not become a reality at least as of this date. This purchase certainly indicates that despite the sluggish economy, Orlando attractions are still viable as blue chip equity investments. Expansion and growth in the local market will stimulate the economy and provide additional job opportunities. Having a liquid equity investor such as the Blackstone Group interested in capitalizing high quality entertainment in Orlando is a good thing for Central Florida.

With Disney’s purchase of Marvel, the upcoming opening of Harry Potter Land and this news, stay tuned for more exciting innovative entertainment concepts coming to Orlando in the future. These events should only continue to attract an ever growing global travel audience. This will certainly be to the benefit of resort villas in Orlando.

Sea World Which Includes Aquatica Sold

Tweet This Post

posted by orlandovacationhome on Jan 27

SeaWorld ® in Orlando plans to open Manta Ray ® in Summer 2009

The next big attraction ride coming to Orlando Florida sounds amazing. SeaWorld ® plans to open a combination roller coaster and 3,000 sea animal aquarium. For those who love roller coasters, this appears to have the markings of a sophisticated yet thrilling ride boasting heights of 140 ft and speeds of up to 56 MPH +/- with 4 inversions and 3,359 ft. of track.

For those who are a little shy of rollercoasters, the attraction will also offer a wall of windows to view the over 300 Manta Rays in the huge aquarium. If you drive past the NE section of the park, you can see the ride under construction.

It is believed the ride will give a sensation of floating like a manta ray. The SeaWorld Manta ride is being designed by the same company that designed their hugely popular Kraken ® ride.

For our vacation homers, the closest vacation home community to SeaWorld ® is Vista Cay which can be viewed in our directory adjacent to this post.

Tweet This Post

posted by orlandovacationhome on Jan 9

No More Free Beer at Sea World! Say it ain’t so!

Our lunch highlight at SeaWorld ® – getting to sample the free beer from Anheuser-Busch is no more.

I was always amazed at the huge line for the free beer. The last time I went the line was out the door with people happily waiting up to twenty minutes just to get a sample.

Conveniently, the “beer tent” was also a cafeteria and did a huge volume of food business around the samples. SeaWorld ® plans to turn the free beer area into a place of more “broader appeal” (1). The closure could also be a cost cutting measure especially if it saves thousands of dollars daily.

By the way, for those of you that are interested in renting a vacation home close to Sea World the nearest community is Vista Cay which we review HERE.

I don’t think anyone really went to SeaWorld ® just for the free beer which is probably why it is being closed, but rest assured it will be sorely missed.

Tweet This Post