SeaWorld buyout made official

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Last Updated: Oct 7, 2009 - 2:53:58 PM

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SeaWorld buyout made official
By Leah Zanolla
Oct 7, 2009

Anheuser-Busch InBev finally has a buyer for SeaWorld. They announced today that they have made a deal with the Blackstone Group to sell its entertainment business for $2.7 billion. According to Central Florida News 13, "that entertainment business includes three SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Antonio, and San Diego, two Busch Gardens parks in Tampa and Williamsburg, and other family entertainment attractions in Orlando, Tampa, Williamsburg and Langhorne, Pennsylvania."

Adding an interesting twist to the deal, The Blackstone Group has a 50 percent stake in Universal Orlando. There has been speculation that Blackstone would have SeaWorld, Universal and Busch Gardens combine forces to compete with Walt Disney World, but executives for the company say that is not their plan.

The company is not planning too many changes for the parks at the present time. Busch Gardens will be allowed to keep its name, but Anheuser-Busch products will no longer be advertised. This also includes moving the popular Budweiser Clydesdale horses out of SeaWorld.

 

[dznygirl64]

ITs been a long time ago (70s)since I was at Busch gardens in Tampa but I thought there was a Busch bottling plant there on the edge of the park.Sad to see the last of the Busch family companys gone .The last of a great American company sold off.

 

[SpaceMtn101]

If you go to Sea World website there is a letter from Jim Atchinson about the change. Its kind of interesting.

 

[captain marvel1]

i would like to see the horses are they still there.

 

[SpaceMtn101]

yes they are ... my bf and i just got pics on wed ... there hasnt been announcement that it is closing yet

 

[Mouse Man]

Thats truly a shame. I love Sea World and always love to go and see those Clydales. That will truly be a sad thing to see them go. To me they are like Shamoo, a very big part of the park. I do hope the new owners continue to keep the park maintained and of course keep adding good things to it.

 

[SpaceMtn101]

i dunno if they will go ... it will be an independent bec company... so it will be interesting to see what happens...

 

[crazydaveh]

The Clydesdales will go, as they are a part of AB. Look for them to slowly make their way out over the next few months and at the same time, anything with the AB logo to be phased out and or painted over somehow.

 

[Mouse Man]

Any more news on the park buy out. Is the new company planning to do anything good in the future for this wonder park?