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Blackstone buys Busch Entertainment
- Thread starter Snoo
- Start date
spicy
Giga Poster
The only park that comes close to any of the Busch Parks is Alton Towers in my opinion. Although I have only been to Busch Gardens Africa.
The Merlin parks are all run pretty differently and I think each park is run by manager of each individual park which Merlin just overlooks so I don't think you can compare the Merlin parks as a whole.
For example Alton is run much more effectively than Thorpe Park although that isn't saying much but you get what I mean? Just because Thorpe isn't run well doesn't mean the Busch Parks are suddenly going to change.
Merlin as a company though I don't think I can complain. Every Tussaud's park they have purchased has seen general improvements in all the little areas. Just things like sorting the Monorail and skyride out. Replacing the windows on the Sea Lion enclosure at Chessington (which Tussauds just boarded up) improvement in the catering in the parks, plus the themeing has improved. (although not a touch on Busch standard)
So Merlin taking over the parks I don't think will really make much of a difference, especially if they keep the same management at the parks. Just expect Eurofighters rather than 200ft dive machines :wink:
The Merlin parks are all run pretty differently and I think each park is run by manager of each individual park which Merlin just overlooks so I don't think you can compare the Merlin parks as a whole.
For example Alton is run much more effectively than Thorpe Park although that isn't saying much but you get what I mean? Just because Thorpe isn't run well doesn't mean the Busch Parks are suddenly going to change.
Merlin as a company though I don't think I can complain. Every Tussaud's park they have purchased has seen general improvements in all the little areas. Just things like sorting the Monorail and skyride out. Replacing the windows on the Sea Lion enclosure at Chessington (which Tussauds just boarded up) improvement in the catering in the parks, plus the themeing has improved. (although not a touch on Busch standard)
So Merlin taking over the parks I don't think will really make much of a difference, especially if they keep the same management at the parks. Just expect Eurofighters rather than 200ft dive machines :wink:
Yep Spicy I sort of agree with you there.
Merlin tend to go for more family attractions over here, but thats not to say that will happen in the USA. You guys would not put up with it and they would know that tbh.
The parks in Orlando probably pull in more money in a year than the UK parks do in 3 years so I think they will invest.
The 1st thing they will do is sort out the parks, thats if anything needs to be sorted out. When they took over the UK parks there was quiet a bit behind the scenes that needed to be sorted out.
But expect a price increase on tickets and food, thats what happened over here anyway.
The rides that keep breaking down over here they did not install so they can not really be blamed for them, even though we blame them lol.
Merlin tend to go for more family attractions over here, but thats not to say that will happen in the USA. You guys would not put up with it and they would know that tbh.
The parks in Orlando probably pull in more money in a year than the UK parks do in 3 years so I think they will invest.
The 1st thing they will do is sort out the parks, thats if anything needs to be sorted out. When they took over the UK parks there was quiet a bit behind the scenes that needed to be sorted out.
But expect a price increase on tickets and food, thats what happened over here anyway.
The rides that keep breaking down over here they did not install so they can not really be blamed for them, even though we blame them lol.
I do not think you will see anything new for a while, as I said they will probably do a review 1st.
The problem with Blackstone/Merlin over here was job cuts in the maintence team, again this is from people that work for them.
I do hope it works out as it will be a shame if the parks suffer.
The problem with Blackstone/Merlin over here was job cuts in the maintence team, again this is from people that work for them.
I do hope it works out as it will be a shame if the parks suffer.
theRock-steel
Mega Poster
From the article:
Blackstone will retain Busch Entertainment's management and operate the company as a standalone investment.
"This is an exciting day in BEC history," Busch Entertainment President Jim Atchison said in an interview. Blackstone brings "an awful lot of strategic vision for us. We're going to continue to grow the business together."
In a prepared statement, Joseph Baratta, a senior managing director at Blackstone,said, "We are pleased to have the opportunity to acquire this business. We have deep sector experience and look forward to working with the excellent BEC management team to continue to invest in and grow the company."
With the deal, Busch Entertainment will for the first time become an independent company, rather than operate as a division under the corporate umbrella of much larger beer conglomerates. Because of that, Busch will soon begin hiring to fill roles such as legal, procurement and tax that had previously been handled by Anheuser-Busch.
"This is a big thing for Orlando, not just BEC," Atchison said. He added that no jobs will be cut as part of the transaction.
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All of this sounds like good news. Except for loosing the horses, I only see changes for the better. Has Blackstone / Merlin always owned Alton Towers? If not, were there big changes made after they got it?
Blackstone will retain Busch Entertainment's management and operate the company as a standalone investment.
"This is an exciting day in BEC history," Busch Entertainment President Jim Atchison said in an interview. Blackstone brings "an awful lot of strategic vision for us. We're going to continue to grow the business together."
In a prepared statement, Joseph Baratta, a senior managing director at Blackstone,said, "We are pleased to have the opportunity to acquire this business. We have deep sector experience and look forward to working with the excellent BEC management team to continue to invest in and grow the company."
With the deal, Busch Entertainment will for the first time become an independent company, rather than operate as a division under the corporate umbrella of much larger beer conglomerates. Because of that, Busch will soon begin hiring to fill roles such as legal, procurement and tax that had previously been handled by Anheuser-Busch.
"This is a big thing for Orlando, not just BEC," Atchison said. He added that no jobs will be cut as part of the transaction.
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All of this sounds like good news. Except for loosing the horses, I only see changes for the better. Has Blackstone / Merlin always owned Alton Towers? If not, were there big changes made after they got it?
spicy
Giga Poster
theRock-steel said:
No they bought Alton Towers in 2007 it was previously owned by the Tussaud's group and only positive things have happened since like I stated in my previous post. They have renovated the Monorail and sky ride, themeing has improved and a new coaster for next year so can't complain at all!