Busch Entertainment Corp. is now SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment By Mitchell Botwin
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. Published: December 1, 2009 at 10:43 AM 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. Translation: The name with the higher attendance total wins.
Readers' OpinionsFrom Robert Niles on December 1, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Worlds of Discovery was a weak brand because there was no widely-used, non-generic word within it that was primarily associated with this company. SeaWorld is the best brand that the new company has. "Busch" has legacy issues with the beer company. That said, I do like the sound of "adventure" as opposed to "entertainment," though entertainment is more honest about what they do. I suspect that "& Entertainment" got tacked on because "SeaWorld Parks" sounded too parallel to "Disney Parks," which is a lousy brand as it is. From Derek Potter on December 1, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Could also be a contractual/business thing, because the parks are no longer affiliated with A-B or Inbev, and the name Busch is related to that product. They probably can't call the company Busch Entertainment anymore, nor would they probably want to. They must have a clause in the sale that allows them to at least temporarily keep the Busch Gardens name for the parks. It does make perfect sense to simply call the company SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. From 204.149.81.7 on December 1, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Not sold on the "Parks and Entertainment" name. As for Disney, I wish they would go back to "Walt Disney Attractions" as it's much more encompassing of all that they do. From David Graham on December 1, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Think I'll go home and drink a Inbev Bud product to celebrate hopefully great things now with the new owners offically :o) From 153.9.83.144 on December 2, 2009 at 9:24 AM
I wasn't really sold on the Worlds of Discovery branding for the month or so that we had that, but the new name is too much like an old super friends episode with the whole SeaWorld and Friends kind of name. This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments. More Theme Park NewsPrevious article: My $.02 on Comcast's purchase of NBC/Universal
|
Search Theme Park InsiderNews, Video and Live Updates
Reader Reviews, by Theme ParkUnited States Top 10 *
International parks
Readers' Top Themed Rides
Top Roller CoastersTop Live ShowsTop Movies/Animated Shows
Theme Park Reviews, Features, Advice
Theme Park News Archive2012Jan. Feb.
2011Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2010Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2009Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2008Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2007Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2006Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
2005Dec.
2004-2005Staff column archive
|
©1999-2012 Robert Niles.
"Theme Park Insider" ® is a registered trademark of Robert Niles.
About Theme Park Insider - Rules for Writing and Rating - Privacy Policy - Contact the Editor
I like an idea the owner of BGWFans' website came up with. SeaWorld Parks & Adventures: SPA.
I'm not sure I am happy or even understanding this really. If they are removing Busch from that, why aren't they removing it from the theme parks, too? It doesn't make much sense.
Wait, does this mean Worlds of Discovery no longer exists? They should have just used that. They already have it.