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Theme Parks Travel: Big Bird coming to Busch Gardens

August 21, 2008 at 10:00 AM | 1 Comment

Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Virginia is about to add some new stuff even with the looming threat of a sale hanging over its head. The park plans to add a Sesame Street-themed land with hopes of bringing more families to the park--or at least those who have a thing for Big Bird.

The new section will supposedly contain a "European-style" Sesame Street, and plans also call for a small kid-friendly coaster, log flume and water play areas. There will also be new retail and character dining so you can really get the full Sesame experience.

As the park moves forward with the expansion, the Globe Theatre in the England section of the park will be transformed into a 4D movie featuring everyone's favorite characters called "Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!" The park will be working overtime throughout the winter and hopes to have the new addition open by Spring 2009.

Related Stories:
·New Sesame Street Area Debuts in 2009, Expands Park's Boundaries and Kid Offerings [Busch Gardens]
·Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Busch Gardens]

Theme Parks

Theme Parks Travel: The Shamu Watch Continues

August 14, 2008 at 10:00 AM | 0 Comments

When we last left you, Shamu was looking for a passport as she was considering a permanent European vacation. Well, it looks like things continue to move in that direction according to the UK Times.

Owners of Parques Reunidos, one of Europe's leading amusement park operators, is reported to be considering a bid of the Anheuser-Bush theme parks. Candover, a British equity firm that took ownership of Parques in 2007, is rumored to have hired Morgan Stanley to draw up the plans. Industry experts think that Shamu and friends are worth somewhere between $2.5 and $4.5 billion.

It's thought that InBev, the new owners of Budweiser, will go along with the deal as they need to raise some cash to pay off their debt from buying something like 1,000,000 30-packs of Bud Light.

To make things even more complicated, Merlin Entertainment, owners of Legoland, is also supposedly interested on getting in on the action. We'll let you know where your admission fee is going as soon as they figure it out.

Related Stories:
·European Theme Park Giant Parques Reunidos Angles for US Rival [UK Times]
·Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: doug bonhaus]

Theme Parks

Theme Park Travel: Who's Feeding Shamu?

July 18, 2008 at 9:45 AM | 0 Comments

You've probably already heard that Belgian company InBev, makers of Beck's and Stella Artois, announced that they would be purchasing Anheuser-Busch. Love it or hate it, Budweiser certainly is one of the most American of brands. But regardless of how you feel about the company's product, what's more important is what will happen to AB's theme parks.

Although InBev has not directly stated that it's looking to unload the parks, company executives have already noted that they're looking to save $1.5 billion by 2011. Industry experts say that if they were to sell, a buyer would likely come from overseas, as the lower dollar would make the Anheuser-Busch parks a deal.

Even if a buyer does come through, the parks would probably just change owners and maintain their current themes, but know one knows for sure. We're hoping that the new Manta roller coaster and Shamu will stay just the same.

Related Stories:
· Can InBev Sell Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks? [AP, via Google]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: hyku]