The already crowded theme park market in Central Florida could be gaining a new competitor. The Orlando Sentinel's Growth Spotter is reporting that a large U.S. theme park developer -- one that doesn't have a presence in the area -- is negotiating on parcels of land in Orlando that could top 200 acres. Sources claim that the theme park operator would team up with international partners to develop the site with a theme park, a water park, and hotels.
We know that we're not talking about Disney, Universal Orlando parent Comcast, and SeaWorld Entertainment, since they already have a heavy presence in the area. Disney World, Comcast's Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld's Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando combine for eight theme parks and another six water parks in Central Florida.
That opens the door for Six Flags and Cedar Fair as major regional amusement park operators that may finally make a big push into the booming Florida market. They're not the only possible players in this scenario. Palace Entertainment -- the U.S.-based arm of Spain's Parques Reunidos -- operates several leisure parks in this country, including Kennywood and Lake Compounce. Sources telling Growth Spotter that it's a U.S. operator with international partners makes California-based Palace a strong contender. There's also Dollywood and Silver Dollar City parent Herschend Family Entertainment, where Joel Manby ran the show before being tapped as SeaWorld Entertainment's CEO last year.
Read the rest at the MotleyFool
No comments:
Post a Comment