Blackstone may be interested in Anheuser-Busch parks

I thought that Blackstone would be at the front of the line of prospective buyers. BEC will fit in nicely with their other properties.*** This post was edited by Dutchman 8/6/2008 1:10:48 PM ***

Interesting indeed... If one of the goals would be to grab some of Disney's Orlando market share, this would certainly be a way to do it. Now they can package Universal, IOA, Sea World, Discovery Cove and Aquatica all on one ticket and now you are talking of a great vacation package.

I am a huge WDW fan and always stay on WDW property because Disney has soo much to offer, but this could change that...

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Now they can package Universal, IOA, Sea World, Discovery Cove and Aquatica all on one ticket ...

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The Orlando Flexticket has been around for years.

Blackstone and PR were the first two mentioned, the day (maybe 2 days?) after InBev made the purchase and *semi-announced* they were looking for suitors for the BEC properties.

Honestly, within the industry, BEC is the only chain that seems to be pulling in good profits consistently...the Orlando combo of SWF/Aquatica has been an absolute zoo (even with the disruption caused by Manta construction). Aquatica, AFAIK, has had to shut the gates every day for at least the past month....there's NO capacity, and demand is ridiculous. If Busch Entertainment can stay as profitable as they have been during the economic downturn we're going through....there's NO reason for a prudent investor to flinch at the potential price for the whole she-bang...

Hmmm...Legoland/Seaworld tickets?

Which reminds me, what ever happened to Legoland Middle America?

^I was wondering about that too.....Lego and Schlitterbahn were both looking hard at the KC area, as I recall....then everything got really quiet.

Is there any word or signs in the parks of the hospitality house closing in the parks??

^Hospitality Houses at SWF and BGA have been operating normally, with no indication of any change forthcoming. InBev wouldn't want to do ANYTHING that might remind Americans that A-B is no longer "American-owned". ;)

^^ The evil rumor site which shall not be named has had people reporting that some of the Anheuser-Busch signs are already coming down at the Florida parks. Also they are saying all "American Owned" signs have been covered up. I'll find out next month when I am down in Tampa :)

Well, technically the American Owned signs would have to be changed or else they are outright lying about it.

Those signs were always meant to take jabs at Miller.

According to an article in our local paper today, with the sale of A-B, little Yuengling is now the second largest domestic brewer in the country. Boston (Sam Adams) is first. That's crazy!

I was at Sea World Orlando today and saw plenty of Anheuser Busch signs still up. It looks like they're keeping everything "status quo" for now, atleast until the sale is made. By the way, look for tracks and supports to start appearing soon as it looks like they're pouring the footers for Manta.

I just went to BGA today and the AB labels are still there as well as the American Owned labels though I expect the amercican owned labels to start coming down soon.