Sorry. It kind of sums up my opinion of how Club 33 may be executed at WDW
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News Club 33 coming to Walt Disney World this Fall
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Yes it could make things worse, but isn't Universal's current ownership the reason the parks have improved so much? You have repeatedly stated that Iger is looking at the short term and pulling out as much cash as possible, and I agree. So how would that change with a company like Blackstone?
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Universal was owned by Blackstone for a few years and Blackstone invested NOTHING in the parks but did load up on Debt. Things did not improve till Comcast bought Universal and started investing. Ask anyone about UNI under Blackstone
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Thats EXACTLY what P&R would get under any 'Private Equity' ownership
Andrew C
You know what's funny?
Oh ok gotcha.
Well, based on some of the positions I have seen that they are hiring for the club, and the prerequisites for the positions, it should be high class.
On the other hand, Blackstone also bought SeaWorld and Busch Gardens from InBev, and until CNN aired the hatchet job, were doing well enough with them to spin them off in a IPO. I understand they still retain a minority interest.
That's what "they" said about the Hound Dog, too, but as Elvis pointed out, that was just a lie.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Blackstone also owned Merlin Entertainments (Legoland, London/Orlando Eye, Madam Tussaud's, SeaLife, Alton Towers and more) during their rather aggressive growth. Universal Orlando Resort was only ever 50% owned by Blackstone and is more of an outlier.
Comcast was not interested in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts when it sought to purchase The Walt Disney Company, nor was it interested in Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort when it acquired NBCUniversal. It was the success of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a project developed by Universal Orlando Resort, that convinced Comcast that the theme parks were a worthwhile investment. Even then, Comcast has shown little interest in pushing the medium of themed entertainment.
articos
Well-Known Member
The Sponsor lounges are actually staffed by the Operating Partner's marketing depts. Club 33 is its own specialty within Disney Parks and F&B, working closely with multiple divisions of TWDC.
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ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Anheiser-Busch ran both Busch gardens and SeaWorld as a labor of love and blackstone did not have enough time to do the usual load up with debt and sell the walking corpse to the next group of suckers. Blackfish ironically may have saved SeaWorld and Busch Gardens
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Comcast is an ISP why would they want to expand themed entertainment beyond its existing footprint
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
What debt is Merlin loaded down with? SeaWorld was in no position to be sold and operate independently. Universal Orlando Resort was stuck with a completely disinterested GE that also ignores Universal Studios Hollywood.
What does that have to do with what I said? Even then, Comcast has increased their theme park ownership since acquiring NBCUniversal.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
I said Blackstone DID NOT have the opportunity to load up the theme park businesses with Debt before Blackfish hit and Blackstone unloaded them.
The usual private equity shuffle
1 buy established company,
2 hack and slash way to Increased Profitability
3 load company up with high interest debt
4 transfer all cash from debt to parent
5 announce intent to take new company public
6 IPO and transfer IPO proceeds to parent PE firm
7 Failure of new company because of high debt and insufficient capitalization
With SeaWorld / Merlin / Busch Blackstone Only got to step 2 of of the 'Private Equity Shuffle'
As to second comment. Comcast is the most successful ISP in the business why would they want to get further into the volatile themed entertainment business? Other than incremental growth in their existing B/U???
Haymarket2008
Well-Known Member
Jim Hill is saying on his recent podcast that Club 33 is being eyed in the Magic Kingdom for a room in the Skipper Canteen. He also mentioned a possible absorbing of the entire restaurant, which I highly doubt. A big downside is his mentioning of taking the Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom and converting that into a private 33 space. Which is beyond ridiculous, seeing as that space is one of the best bars on property and should be enjoyed by everyone.
Bocabear
Well-Known Member
with what membership will cost, and it being Disney, there is no reason that they could not purpose-build clubs in the parks for Club 33...it is beyond ridiculous for them to take popular restaurants out completely for the upcharge (and crazy expensive membership) Club locations...
They should build a second story addition over the Laugh Floor and create the never built Astronomers Club as the Club 33 location...Something original and unique...
Magic Feather
Well-Known Member
I thought it was the Asia room in Tiffins being planned. I heard two plans for the skipper canteen room, one would not cut into the restaurant. The other would.
danlb_2000
Premium Member
This may have changed.
lentesta
Premium Member
We got different information shortly after we recorded the show. Neither Skipper Canteen or Nomad Lounge were mentioned. I'll add something to the show notes about this. Thanks!
Haymarket2008
Well-Known Member
I'd greatly prefer just one room as opposed to the whole restaurant, so that is better news.
Haymarket2008
Well-Known Member
Oh interesting, I'll be interested to hear what else you guys say about the project! You both said the plans would be fluid, so I'm not surprised the plans have changed.