Blooloop’s Who’s Who: Amusement Park Chain Ownership 2012 Blooloop

Here is our annual study of the visitor attractions owned by the top 10 theme park groups¹ and amusement park chains as well as the parent ownership of those companies. We have also included some interesting facts and quotes along the way about vision, values and future plans.

We believe the information in this article to have been well-researched and accurate at the time of publishing, September 2012.

1. Walt Disney Attractions

Owns/Operates

Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida:

Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Blizzard Beach (waterpark)
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon (waterpark)

Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California:

Disneyland Park
Disney California Adventure

Tokyo Disney Resort, Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo, Japan:

Tokyo Disneyland Park
Tokyo DisneySea

Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée in the IIe-de-France region, France:

Disneyland Park
Walt Disney Studios Park

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Lantau Island, Hong Kong:

Hong Kong Disneyland Park

Shanghai Disney Resort, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China:

Shanghai Disneyland Park, targeted to Open in Late 2015

Disney Cruise Line – Port Canaveral, Florida:

Disney Magic (1998), Disney Wonder (1999), Disney Dream (2011), Disney Fantasy (2012)

Other operations included by Disney in the “Parks and Resorts” sector are Disney Vacation Club, Aulani – a Disney Resort and Spa, Adventures by Disney and Walt Disney Imagineering.

Is Owned By

US operations:

Wholly owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division of The Walt Disney Company.

Disneyland Paris:

Disney has a 51% effective ownership interest in Disneyland Paris, and manages and has a 40% equity interest in Euro Disney S.C.A. , a publicly traded French entity on the Paris Stock Exchange, that is the holding company for Euro Disney Associes S.C.A., the primary operating company of Disneyland Paris. An indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Disney is responsible for managing Disneyland Paris. Euro Disney S.C.A. pays royalties and management fees to Disney on the basis of performance.

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort:

Disney has a 47% effective ownership interest in the operations of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort through Hong Kong International Theme Parks Ltd., in which the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region owns the majority interest of 53%. A separate Hong Kong subsidiary of Disney is Disney Logo responsible for managing this resort. Based on the performance of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, the company is entitled to receive royalties and management fees.

Tokyo Disney Resort:

Tokyo Disney Resort is owned and operated by an unrelated Japanese corporation, the Oriental Land Co., Ltd. of Japan. The Walt Disney Company earns royalties on revenues generated by the resort, but has no equity interest.

Shanghai Disney Resort:

Construction and operation of the development project is the responsibility of a joint venture in which Shanghai Shendi (Group) Co Ltd (Shendi) own 57% and Disney own 43%. Another joint venture company has been formed, owned 70% by Disney and 30% by Shendi, which will be responsible for creating, developing and operating the resort. This management company will receive management fees based on project operations. Disney will also earn royalties on revenues generated by the resort.

Capital Expenditure Strategy

Sanford C. Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, May 30, 2012: Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company on his seven years as CEO…

“As I look back on the seven years, what I think I'm most proud of is that I made a strong company stronger with the acquisition of some very, very valuable and important brands for the company; notably, Pixar and Marvel. And the company today is extremely brand-focused. It's where we invest most of our capital. And those brands are not only stronger in the United States than they were before, but they are stronger globally.”

…and capital investment strategy in Disney Parks and Resorts:

“Well, first of all, it begins with an overall evaluation of how we deploy capital across the company. So, if the theme park group comes to us with a proposal to fix Fantasyland or renovate Fantasyland in Florida, we obviously look at it in a very discrete fashion, meaning what are the likely returns on that specific capital investment. But we look at it against the whole capital expenditure needs of the company over a given year, or over a given period of time.

…Now, we know that parks and resorts has been a good business for us. It certainly is a strong component of the Disney brand proposition. But when we talk about growing internationally for instance, we know that we've had opportunities to invest in that business to, essentially, increase our footprint internationally. So the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005, the recent expansion of Hong Kong Disneyland that's already underway — in fact, we're opening three new lands. One's already open, one is opening this summer, and then there's a third to come later in the year. Just a strong belief that that park was really starting to do well; particularly growth in mainland visitation, and a good use of our capital.

The cruise ships, we had, we believe, a solid business in that we had mid-teen returns on invested capital in two legacy ships that had been built in the 1990s. We believe that we had a quality product, that there was definitely room for us to add capacity, that the market was there for us to expand in it. And we built two ships, the Dream, which launched in early 2011, and the Fantasy, which launched a couple of months ago. Again, a very specific look at return on invested capital for the two new ships. Interestingly enough, our four ships are about 90% booked for the year. The Dream, which we sailed, as I mentioned, early 2011, was accretive, bottom line, the first full quarter of operation. The same thing will be true for the Fantasy. And it's just an incredible, high-quality product.

California Adventure, another good one to, I guess, talk about in terms of capital allocation, about $1 billion in capital. We had a park that was not up to the standards that Disney parks need to achieve. Its return on invested capital for the initial investment was not that impressive. It was a bit of a brand eyesore as well. We felt we definitely could benefit from increasing capacity in southern California, decided that we could both grow the overall Disneyland resort, fix what was clearly a problem, and, hopefully, get to a much more respectable return on invested capital for the whole resort.

We've opened two attractions already — two key attractions. Actually, we've opened a few more than that. But Midway Mania-Toy Story Mania-and World of Color. When we look at the popularity of all of the attractions, including Disneyland, those are two of the highest rated that we've got. And we're opening Cars Land in a couple of weeks, which I'm certain is going to be a real home run.

So we feel great about that one. Fantasyland in Florida we hadn't touched in four years. The Magic Kingdom, where Fantasyland sits, is the number-one park in the world, not just for us but in the world. And it was time. We were overdue in terms of that.

Shanghai Disney Groundbreaking And then, of course, Shanghai Disneyland in Shanghai — and that's one where I think is probably the best opportunity the company's had since Walt Disney bought land in central Florida in the 1960s. This is a 7.5-square-kilometer piece of land sitting in Pudong, right in the heart of Shanghai. 330 million live within three hours commuting distance to this park. We stood on a tower overlooking a cleared piece of property recently. I couldn't believe its size. But I'm certain that it will fulfill its potential in what is the world's most populous country in the world.

…In terms of overall capital allocation, we've been pretty specific that the projects that I listed are part of, probably, a more aggressive period of time. And, on the domestic front, you definitely will see a ramping down of capital in particularly parks and resorts. We do not have –once Fantasyland opens in Florida, we don't have any other big projects right now, other than building out Avatar land at Animal Kingdom. But our capital expenditures, US, for our parks business will decrease.

We do have Shanghai Disneyland, which is expected to open at the end of 2015. There, we –our capital investment is 43% of the capital in that project. We have local partners that will foot the rest of the bill. But you have to factor that capital expenditure in.

But I think, in general, you're looking at a period of time where you will not see the kind of capital allocation in parks and resorts that you've seen these last five years. We don't have any new ships planned, for instance, and we're not right now targeting another place in the world to build a theme park. So we'll continue to build out the projects that we've got, operate them to deliver the returns that we expect to deliver on them, and continue to look opportunistically.

Obviously, that's a business that does, I think, provide opportunities for us to continue to invest capital in new attractions in new lands, but, again, you're looking at a period of time that's been unusually aggressive."

Images: © Disney

2. Merlin Entertainments Group

Owns/Operates

Resort Theme Parks

Alton Towers, Alton, UK
Chessington World of Adventures, Chessignton, UK
Thorpe Park, Chertsey, UK
Warwick Castle, Warwick, UK
Heide Park, Soltau, Germany
Gardaland, Lake Garda, Italy
Gardaland Waterpark, Milan, Italy

LEGOLAND Parks
Billund, Denmark
Windsor, UK
Günzburg, Germany
Carlsbad, Calif.
Winter Haven, Florida
Malaysia

Midway Attractions

Madame Tussauds – New York, Las Vegas, Hollywood, Washington DC, Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, Blackpool, London, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Shanghai and Sydney (due to open in 2012).

The Dungeons – Blackpool, London, Edinburgh, York, Warwick, Amsterdam and Hamburg

Merlin Entertainments The Eye Brand – London, Blackpool and Sydney

SEA LIFE –
UK: Birmingham, Blackpool, Brighton, Great Yarmouth, Hunstanton, Loch Lomond, London, Scarborough, Weymouth and Tower
North America: Arizona, California, Dallas, Kansas City (Opening 2012) and Minnesota
Europe: Benalmadena, Berlin, Blankenberge, Bray, Gardaland, Hannover, Helsinki, Jesolo, Königswinter, Konstanz, München, Oberhausen, Paris, Porto, Scheveningen, Speyer, Timmendorfer Strand
Asia: Bangkok, Busan, Shanghai
Australia/New Zealand: Auckland, Melbourne, Moolooaba, Sydney

LEGOLAND Discovery Centres – Manchester, Berlin, Duisburg, Chicago and Dallas. Opening in 2012, Atlanta and Kansas City. Opening in 2013, Toronto and New York State.

Earth Explorer, Ostende

Wildlife – Sydney and Hamilton Island

Falls Creek, Australia

Mount Hotham, Australia

Australian Treetop Adventures – Otway and Illawarra

The Sanctuaries – Gweek, Oban and Manly

Dubai Aquarium – Management Contract

Is Owned By

The ultimate parent company, ie the largest Group in which the results of Merlin Entertainments are consolidated is that headed by Merlin Entertainments S.à r.l., incorporated in Luxembourg.

Merlin’s ownership structure is:

KIRKBI A/S (a privately owned investment and holding company that has a 75% ownership share in the LEGO Group) – 31.63%
Funds managed by Blackstone Group International – 29.80%
Funds managed by CvC Capital Partners – 24.54%
Management – 14.03%

The Merlin Way… Delivering Memorable Visitor Experiences

“Merlin Entertainments Group is a leading name in location based, family entertainment. Its aim is to deliver unique, memorable and rewarding experiences to millions of visitors across its growing estate, and it achieves this objective largely thanks to the commitment and passion of its managers and employees. Merlin’s brands, while being household names, will never fail to be distinctive, challenging and innovative. They will, in short, have attitude! They will deliver the best financial returns in the sector and demonstrate a record of growth in market share that will be unrivalled. In every respect and to every group of stakeholders Merlin will always be an exciting company to be involved with.

Our Values

As a global company we have a very unique way of working and we call it The Merlin Way.

The Merlin way is part of the company's DNA. It is demonstrated everyday on every site and in everything we do. In short:-
•    We love what we do
•    We care
•    We are innovative and fast moving
•    We do what we say
•    We make every £, $, € ……. count
•    We take ownership
…………… And we make it fun”

3. Universal Studios Recreations Group

Owns/Operates

Universal Orlando Resort:

Islands of Adventure, Orlando
Universal Studios Florida, Orlando
Wet’n Wild (waterpark), Orlando

Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City, California

Universal Studios Japan, Osaka

Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios theme parks reported to be currently under development are Universal Studios Dubailand (a joint venture between Universal Studios and Tatweer) and Universal Studios South Korea (with partners led by Lotte Group and POSCO Engineering & Construction). A deal is also reported to have been struck to build an indoor theme park in Moscow.

Is Owned By

NBCUniversal wholly owns Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort. Comcast Corporation acquired control of the businesses of NBC Universal, Inc. ( renamed NBCUniversal Media, LLC [“NBC Universal”] on 28th January 2011, and on 1st July 2011 acquired the remaining 50% interest in universal City Development Partners, Ltd. (Universal Orlando Resorts).

NBCUniversal has license and operating agreements with Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Singapore.

Universal Parks & Resorts is the NBCUniversal business unit that administers all such ownership interests and license and service arrangements.

Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake .

Theme Park Cash Flow:

Sanford C. Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, Jun. 1, 2012: Brian L. Roberts, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Comcast Corp. said:

"The big surprise was how steady the cash flow appears to be from the theme parks. And if you have great intellectual property like Harry Potter and you execute it well as they did in Orlando, wonderful things happen and so we – we have much more of the cash flow coming from theme parks. We opened a ride, Transformers ride in Los Angeles. I think they had the biggest Memorial Day they’ve ever had – weekend, and tremendous success.

So, we’re feeling really good, really one kind of competitor in theme parks and as the economy hopefully recovers over time, that business gets better and better."

Universal Studios Japan:

NBC Universal has licence and operating agreements with Universal Studios Japan. Universal Studios Japan is licensed by Vivendi Universal Entertainment LLLP and other Universal group companies regarding use of intellectual properties.

Universal Studios Japan, operator of the Universal Studios Japan theme park, was acquired by the Goldman unit SG Investments K.K. in 2009.

Vision: “We aim to become the leading entertainment and leisure industry company in Asia by providing fulfilment and services that exceed expectations.”

Universal Studios Singapore:

NBC Universal has licence and operating agreements with Universal Studios Singapore. Universal Studios Singapore opened in May 2011 and is located within Singapore’s first integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa. Resorts World Sentosa is wholly owned by Genting Singapore Public Limited Company which is listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. In turn Genting Singapore PLC is part of the Genting Group listed in Malaysia.

Genting Singapore Vision: “To be the brand leader in Integrated Resorts destinations.”

4. Parques Reunidos

Owns/Operates

Amusement Parks
Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, Spain
Bobbejaanland, Belgium
Mirabilandia, Italy
Parque Warner Madrid, Spain

Bonbonland, Denmark
TusenFryd, Norway
MoviePark, Germany
Kennywood, US
Idlewild, US
Lake Compounce, US
Story Land, US
Castle Park, US
Dutch Wonderland, US
Slagharen, Netherlands

Waterparks
Aquópolis COSTA DAURADA, Spain
Aquópolis CULLERA, Spain
Aquópolis SAN FERNANDO DE HENARES, Spain
Aquópolis SEVILLA, Spain
Aquópolis CARTAYA, Spain
Aquópolis TORREVIEJA, Spain
Aquópolis VILLANUEVA DE LA CAÑADA, Spain
Bo Sommarland, Norway
Aquasplash Marineland, France
Aqualud, France
Mirabilandia Beach, Italy
Sandcastle, US
Parques Acuáticos (USA): Big Kahuna´s, Wet n’ Wild Emerald Pointe, Wild Waters, Splish Splash, Raging Waters, Water World and Noah´s Ark

Zoos and Wildlife Parks
L'Oceanogràfic Valencia, Spain
Zoo Aquarium de Madrid, Spain
Faunia, Spain
Selwo Aventura, Spain
Selwo Marina, Spain
Delfinario Costa Daurada, Spain
Mar del Plata Aquarium, Argentina
Marineland, France
Aquarium of the Lakes, UK
Blackpool Zoo, UK
Bournemouth Oceanarium, UK
Silver Springs, Orlando, US
Sea Life Park Hawaii, US

Cable Cars
Teleférico Madrid
Teleférico Benalmadena

FECs (USA): There are 21 centers under the brands Mountasia, Boomers and Malibu Speed Zone.

Is Owned By

Parques Reunidos is owned by London based private equity firm Arle Capital Partners established in April 2011, who took over the Candover Partners fund which the theme park group had been a part of since 2007.

Arle Capital Partners say:

“Parques Reunidos is the world's third largest operator of leisure parks, entertaining around 26 million visitors each year in 71 amusement parks, animal parks and water parks in ten countries across the globe. The company operates only regional and local parks and has leading market positions in all segments. It is the world's largest water park operator, the largest operator of animal parks in Europe and the operator of Europe's largest aquarium.
The business has made nine acquisitions under our ownership and has transformed itself from a predominantly Spanish operator to a recognised global player. Its business fundamentals remain strong and it has proved very resilient during the downturn of the last two years."

5. Six Flags Inc

Owns/Operates

Six Flag America, Largo, Maryland
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, Calif.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio, Texas
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey
Six Flags Wild Safari (drive–through safari), Jackson, New Jersey
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (waterpark), Jackson, New Jersey
Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, Illinois
Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (waterpark), Valencia, California
Six Flags Mexico, Mexico City
Six Flag New England, Agawam, Massachusetts
Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell, Georgia
Six Flags Whitewater (waterpark), Marietta, Georgia
Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, Texas
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (waterpark), Arlington, Texas
Six Flags St. Louis, Missouri
La Ronde, Montreal, Canada
The Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom (waterpark), New York
Six Flags Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Waterpark, New York

Is Owned By

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation wholly own most of the theme, water and zoological parks that they operate.

Six Flags has three parks owned under partnership agreements (“Partnership Parks”): Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Over Georgia including Six Flags White Water Atlanta. As of 31 December 2011, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation owned 29.7% and 53.0% of the limited partner units in Georgia and Texas. Obligations under the partnership agreement extend to 2027 for Six Flags Over Georgia and 2028 for Six Flags Over Texas at which Six Flags logo point Six Flags will have the option to purchase the remaining partnership units. The maximum number of units to be purchased would be valued at approximately $350.2 million at 2012 rates.

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation holds exclusive long-term licenses for theme park usage throughout most of the United States, Canada, Mexico and other countries of certain Warner Bros. and DC Comics characters. These characters include Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety Bird, Yosemite Sam, Batman, Superman and others. In addition, the Company has certain rights to use the Hanna-Barbera and Cartoon Network characters, including Yogi Bear, Scooby-Doo, The Flintstones and others.

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Strategy:

“the largest regional theme park operator in the world”

“Six Flags is back to doing what it does best – running theme parks”

“Our Strategy: News in every park, every year”

6. Sea World Parks and Entertainment

Owns/Operates

SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Antonio
Discovery Cove, Orlando
Aquatica, Orlando
Busch Gardens Tampa
Adventure Island, Busch Gardens Waterpark, Tampa
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Water Country USA, Waterpark, Williamsburg
Sesame Place, Pennsylvania

Is Owned By

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is owned by private equity firm, Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P., following the acquisition of Busch Entertainment Corporation from Anheuser-Busch InBev for $2.7 billion in 2009.

About Blackstone:

Blackstone say, "We play a vital role in providing businesses with the capital to realize their growth potential. We uncover value by identifying great companies and enhancing their performance by providing patient capital and partnering with strong management teams."

7. Cedar Fair Entertainment Company

Owns/Operates

Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
Cedar Point Soak City (waterpark), Sandusky, Ohio
Castaway Bay (indoor water park resort), Sandusky, Ohio
Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California
Knott’s Soak City (waterpark), Buena Park, California
Knott’s Soak City-San Diego (waterpark), San Diego, California
Knott’s Soak City-Palm Springs (waterpark), Palm Springs, California
Kings Island (a combination amusement and waterpark), Cincinnati, Ohio
Canada’s Wonderland (a combination amusement and waterpark) Toronto, Canada
Kings Dominion (a combination amusement and waterpark), Richmond, Virginia
Carowinds (a combination amusement and waterpark), Charlotte, North Carolina
Great America (a combination amusement and waterpark), Santa Clara, California
Dorney Park (a combination amusement and waterpark), Allentown, Pennsylvania,
Valleyfair (a combination amusement and waterpark), Shakopee, Minnesota.
Worlds of Fun, Kansas City, Missouri
Oceans of Fun (waterpark), Kansas City, Missouri,
Michigan’s Adventure (a combination amusement and waterpark), Muskegon, Michigan
Wildwater Kingdom (formerly known as Geauga Lake) (waterpark), Cleveland, Ohio
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, Gilroy, California – management contract

Is Owned By

Cedar Fair is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio, and traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Cedar Fair Mission Statement:

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, is dedicated to providing our guests with world-class thrills, fun and family entertainment, guided by the principles of safety, service, courtesy, cleanliness and integrity.

8. OCT Parks China

Owns/Operates

Splendid China Folk Culture Village, Shenzhen, China
Window of the World, Shenzhen, China
Happy Valley Beijing, China
Happy Valley Chengdu, China
Happy Valley Shanghai, China
Happy Valley Shenzhen, China
Happy Valley Wuhan, China
Shenzhen OCT East (Eco-Resort and amusement park)
Taizhou OCT East (Eco-Resort and amusement park)
Yunnan OCT East (Eco-Resort and amusement park)

Is Owned By

The OCT Group was founded in 1985 and is one of the main enterprises governed by the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. The Group’s OCT Tourism brand includes its amusement park businesses owned by the holding company, Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town Co., Ltd.. The company has a Happy Valley Division, holding the Happy Valley theme parks, as well as a Tourism Division which is includes Splendid China Folk Culture Village, Window of the World, Shenzhen OCT East (Eco-Resort and amusement park), Taizhou OCT East (Eco-Resort and amusement park), Yunnan OCT East (Eco-Resort and amusement park).

Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town Co., Ltd. is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

Interpretation of logo

"Our logo concept – Creation & Imagination• Infinite – is derived from our unique brand personality, brand positioning and commitment. We not only have infinite imaginations, but also thoroughly implement, execute and create such imaginations.

The OCT logo is derived from the English name: O and C in OCT are connected to form a infinite symbol (∞) to represent OCT’s spirit of infinite imagination.
OCT is a Chinese enterprise, and its main businesses have strong cultural features. Therefore, we adopt the Chinese calligraphic font as our Chinese logo to represent the root of our Chinese culture.
Our imagination is as large as the universe. We have introduced this concept to the color design of the logo by applying green, which represents the earth, and blue, which represents the heaven, to the English font and Chinese font of OCT respectively, to reflect our infinite creation & imaginations and infinite vitality, and constant pursuit of excellence and continuous healthy development."

9. Herschend Entertainment

Owns/Operates

Theme Parks
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge (TN)
Silver Dollar City, Branson (MO)
Wild Adventures, Valdosta (GA)
Managed Parks
Elitch Gardens, Denver (CO)
Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, Darien Center (NY)

Waterparks
Dollywood's Splash Country, Pigeon Forge (TN)
White Water, Branson (MO)

Attractions
Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta (GA)
Talking Rocks Cavern, Branson (MO)

Aquariums
Adventure Aquarium, Camden (NJ)
Newport Aquarium, Newport (KY)

Sightseeing Tours
Classic Cable Car Sightseeing, San Francisco (CA)
Ride The Ducks, Atlanta (GA), Newport (KY), Philadelphia (PA) , San Francisco (CA) and Branson (MO)

Dinner Shows
Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, Branson (MO), Pigeon Forge (TN) and Myrtle Beach (SC)
Showboat Branson Belle, Branson (MO)

Lodging
Dollywood Vacations, Pigeon Forge (TN)
Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort, Atlanta (GA)
Stone Mountain Inn, Atlanta (GA)
Stone Mountain Park Campground, Atlanta (GA)
The Wilderness Log Cabins & RVs, Branson (MO)

Is Owned By

Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation is a family-owned company that owns, operates or partners in themed attractions in the US. It is the largest family-owned theme park corporation in America. Joel Manby

Strategy explained to Blooloop by Joel Manby:

The company's mission is to "Create Memories Worth Repeating". How do you achieve this?

I know that if you went to all of our properties and asked, I would be shocked if there was anybody who didn’t know that that was our mission because we’ve been worked so hard to train it, and every host, every employee understands what their role is to create memories worth repeating. Everybody is energised around that and a lot of magic happens. If we had hours I could bore you with incredible stories of what our employees do. Nobody ever gets in trouble when they make this happen. If they spend too much money doing it then we try to coach them on how they could spend less next time or in a different way, but they will never get in trouble.

On HFE Culture:

“We have eight words that define how we’re supposed to be behaving with each other: patience, kindness, humility, honesty, respectfulness, selflessness, commitment, and forgiveness (which is the hardest).”

Images: Kind courtesy Herschend Family Entertainment)

10. Compagnie Des Alpes

Owns/Operates

Parc Asterix, Plailly, France
Grevin, Paris, France
France Miniature, Elancourt – Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France
Dolfinarium, Harderwijk, Netherlands
Fort Fun Abenteuerland, Bestwig / Sauerland, Germany
Planète Sauvage, Port Saint Father, France
Mer de Sable, Ermenonville, France
Bioscope, Ungersheim, France
Walibi Belgium, Wavre, Belgium
Bellewaerde Park, Ypres, Belgium
Walibi Holland, Biddinghuizen, Netherlands
Walibi Rhone Alps, The Avenières, France
Walibi Aquitaine, Rocquefort, France
Futuroscope, JAUNAY-CLAN, France
Aqualibi Belgium, Wavre, Belgium

Is Owned By

Compagnie des Alpes is a public company listed on Euronext Paris .

Strategy

Compagnie des Alpes balances a portfolio of ski resorts with theme parks to mitigate the effects of climate risk on operating results, spreading its business over ten months of the year.

"The Group aims to accelerate its integration in the future, optimizing the use of its expertise and strategic capital to become a key player in the European leisure industry, within the framework of ambitious, selective and valuecreating growth."

Compagnie des Alpes logo

"The Group's investment policy, which is ambitious as well as selective, will continue to focus on key value-creating projects in both segments, which aim to increase the appeal of the sites currently operated by the Group. It also includes the launch of projects aiming to replicate the model of the Musée Grévin, which has proved successful in terms of visitor numbers and profitability in other countries. Two projects are already being completed and others will follow."

"…the Group aims to leverage its expertise at the international level by developing a consultancy business and support services for setting up and managing ski areas and leisure parks. The Group will expand project consultancy and management assistance contracts in this sector on large, high-visibility projects. This activity, which will not require much capital, should represent an additional growth driver, opening up new markets to the Group while also being asset light, i.e. requiring little if any capital. The strategy of developing and investing in brands should help build this new business."

¹ – As defined by the 2011 Theme Index Global Attractions Attendance Report published by the TEA and AECOM.

Sources: Unless otherwise stated the information in this article comes from the financial statements, annual reports, investor presentations or company websites.

Blooloop’s Who’s Who: Amusement Park Chain Ownership 2012

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