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Bocuse d'Or Will Not Return To Epcot

Jerome Bocuse, son of legendary chef Paul Bocuse and head of his father's operations at Chefs de France in Epcot, was a guest judge on this week's Top Chef (the episode will be rebroadcast tonight at 7). The episode's winner won a chance to compete in the US finals for the prestigious Bocuse d'Or, a biennial culinary competition. The last US finals were held as part of Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival. A subtle reference on the program to the next competition was a huge blow to Epcot -- it isn't coming back next year. Here's the full story

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Vote of the week: The Comcast/NBC Universal deal - good or bad for the theme parks?

The big news this week has been cable TV operator Comcast's purchase of 51 percent of NBC Universal, with an option to buy the rest of the company from GE in a few years.

NBC Universal is the full or part owner of the several Universal theme parks, including parks in Orlando, Los Angeles, Japan and soon, Singapore. How will this latest change in ownership (GE bought Universal from French water company Vivendi just six years ago) will affect Universal and its theme parks remains to be seen. I offered my two cents earlier this week.

Now let's hear from you:

Tell us in the comments why you voted the way you did. Although the current NBC Universal and theme park managers will remain in place, tell us what, specifically, are you looking for from Comcast in its management of the Universal theme parks over the long term.

And thanks for reading Theme Park Insider.

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Demon Drop does a detour

I've been a bit occupied with preparing for this year's tournament project, and missed reporting several tweets I saw over the long weekend from folks who'd noticed pieces from the disassembled Demon Drop showing up at Dorney Park in Pennsylvania.

Well, Cedar Fair has confirmed it - Demon Drop is going to Dorney Park, not Knott's Berry Farm, as originally announced.

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Comcast purchase of NBC Universal said to be done deal now

Sources are now saying that the deal for Comcast to buy 51 percent of NBC/Universal is now done.

What this means? See this post from earlier.

Or this one, if you're feeling cynical (or sarcastic) about the whole thing. ;-)

Update, Dec. 3: And here's your official announcement. Sale price for 51 percent: $13.75 billion - $6.5 billion in cash and the rest in the value of Comcast's cable networks that will become part of the new NBC/Uni (E!, Versus, Golf Channel and 10 regional sports channels). Jeff Zucker remains your NBC/Uni CEO.

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Busch Entertainment Corp. is now SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

The Blackstone Group this morning closed its $2.3+ billion purchase of the now-former Busch Entertainment Corp. theme parks. Which means that the chain now has a new name: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.

Added by Robert: The Busch Gardens theme parks in Williamsburg, Virginia and Tampa, Florida will retain their names, although they are now officially "owned by SeaWorld." Which is a flip from the SeaWorld parks being "owned by Busch."

Here is the obligatory press release quote:

The new name reflects the prominence of the SeaWorld brand in both the family travel industry and among the company’s portfolio of parks.

“It is one of the world’s most widely recognized and respected family travel brands,” said Jim Atchison, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment President. “SeaWorld has been a brand associated with quality family entertainment since SeaWorld San Diego opened its gates for the first time in March 1964.”

Translation: The name with the higher attendance total wins.

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