For those of you keeping track at home, there's been another change in ownership at a major theme park chain. The Blackstone Group made it official today by closing the sale of Busch Entertainment Corp from Anheuser-Busch InBev to The Blackstone Group. With the deal consummated, the new owners announced that the 10-park chain will now be known as SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
The name is a bit curious. While SeaWorld is perhaps the most recognized name, the new moniker overlooks the Busch Gardens parks as well as the other properties in the portfolio (including Adventure Island water park in Tampa and Sesame Place in Pennsylvania). Busch had coined the name, "Worlds of Discovery," to refer to its collection of parks. That seems more inclusive, if less well known, as a brand name.
Blackstone is no stranger to the park biz. It maintains a 50% stake in Universal Orlando and owns a major piece of Merlin Entertainments Group, a UK-based park operator whose properties include the Legoland parks and the London Eye Ferris wheel.
- Busch Gardens- Overview of the Williamsburg, VA park.
- Manta- The new stingray-themed coaster at SeaWorld Orlando.
“…..a major piece of Merlin Entertainments Group….” => This is 48%.
There is NO direct involvement of Blackstone into Legoland parks, because KIKBY is 22% shareholder into Merlin as well, representing the value of Legoland, when they brought it in, for the vitue of the Merlin management.