The Future of PortAventura

[cgd25]

Last couple of months operations have been at its worst, ride closures a daily occurrence, so whoever buys the resort it will be good news, doesn't seem like it can get much worse than it is right now, but I am still worried that it can take many more years before they realize they have to lower the price to get anybody interested

I’d say that the buyout has either happened already or is happening right now, as I commented before, the management team is leaving the park, and there have been some news this past month about different holdings being created with names such as GL PARK ASSETS.

 

[Gerardo]

I’d say that the buyout has either happened already or is happening right now, as I commented before, the management team is leaving the park, and there have been some news this past month about different holdings being created with names such as GL PARK ASSETS.

That doesn't sound good, different holdings as if they are splitting the current resort for a sale? That sound like they couldn't find a buyer so they are selling different parts to different companies... oh god, its going to be even worse than it is, isn't it?

 

[cgd25]

That doesn't sound good, different holdings as if they are splitting the current resort for a sale? That sound like they couldn't find a buyer so they are selling different parts to different companies... oh god, its going to be even worse than it is, isn't it?

It doesn’t have to be that way. There have been rumours about them remergering the assets of the park with the rest of the CRT, giving the future buyer plenty of space for future expansion beyond PortAventura.

 

[Gerardo]

It doesn’t have to be that way. There have been rumours about them remergering the assets of the park with the rest of the CRT, giving the future buyer plenty of space for future expansion beyond PortAventura.

I didn't fully understand that, you mean the resort getting back the surrounding area? That was sold to some bank if I am not mistaken, so they would have to buy it back and I guess that wouldn't be cheap, no bank is going to lose money with an asset sale, they prefer to sit on it for years if needed

 

[cgd25]

I didn't fully understand that, you mean the resort getting back the surrounding area? That was sold to some bank if I am not mistaken, so they would have to buy it back and I guess that wouldn't be cheap, no bank is going to lose money with an asset sale, they prefer to sit on it for years if needed

The bank was supposed to sell them a few years ago to the government in order for them to sell the terrains to Hard Rock for 120 million, but due to the delays associated with the HR project they can sell those terrains to third interested parties.

Either way, the bank’s intentions are to sell the terrains.

 

[havaska]

If not Universal then who are the other big players interested in buying PA?

You’ve got the European big hitters like Merlin (eww), Looping (probably too big for them) and Compagnie des Alpes (Walibi, Parc Asterix).

But equally I can see someone like Six Flags coming in…

 

[Brian G.]

Wow! We're almost approaching Christmas again...

 

[Viator]

I feel this is a fun question for @Brian G. but would it not be sound to move this thread to Global Parks? With the conversating and discussion evolving, would it not make sense to move it out of a Universal domain?

If not Universal then who are the other big players interested in buying PA?

You’ve got the European big hitters like Merlin (eww), Looping (probably too big for them) and Compagnie des Alpes (Walibi, Parc Asterix).

But equally I can see someone like Six Flags coming in…

might be a weird element, but I wonder if a non-entertainment group could come in and scoop up PortAventura. Not simply for the sake of improving the park, but of claiming the land properly and using it for more eventful projects (and then selling assets piece by piece).

Would very much not be the ideal situation, but I wonder at what point do they have to take their losses with some of the park's assets, to use it for financial betterment.

 

[Michael S]

I feel this is a fun question for @Brian G. but would it not be sound to move this thread to Global Parks? With the conversating and discussion evolving, would it not make sense to move it out of a Universal domain?

You’re right. It should be moved over now. Until there’s any concrete evidence of this becoming an international Universal Park/Resort, it belongs in the worldwide parks sub forum.

 

[BBPH]

Somewhat ironic but I see this park struggling the most from the possibility of European Universal park.

I’m a Brit, have been to and lived in Spain many times and have somehow managed to never go and probably never will.

With DLP, Europa Park and others I can’t see the attraction in going here.

 

[Gerardo]

I don't understand anything at all, with the resort up for sale, the current park director(who is leaving in january) starts talking about a new gate ‍

 

[Mad Dog]

This park, it's mgt. and operations ,plus a steady stream of wild unsubstantiated rumors, have the feel of a dumpster fire.

 

[Alicia]

A reminder that the latest news from PAW was essentially all options to sell the resort are currently closed, so they are focusing on Halloween and the upcoming season while the owners wait for better times.

Un parc temàtic de Mario Bros a Port Aventura? Les opcions es refreden

Es refreda la possibilitat d'incorporar un parc temàtic dedicat a Mario Bros a Port Aventura. Això, després que aquest matí El Economista hagi publicat que Universal

www.rac1.cat

 

[Gerardo]

A reminder that the latest news from PAW was essentially all options to sell the resort are currently closed, so they are focusing on Halloween and the upcoming season while the owners wait for better times.

Un parc temàtic de Mario Bros a Port Aventura? Les opcions es refreden

Es refreda la possibilitat d'incorporar un parc temàtic dedicat a Mario Bros a Port Aventura. Això, després que aquest matí El Economista hagi publicat que Universal

www.rac1.cat

Yep, the thing is, the current park director wouldn't be talking about a new gate if the park was sold or at least had someone really interested, so the obvious here is that they don't have a buyer, but at the same time, with the park up for sale, why would they think on building a new gate? That is massive expenditure and if you want to sell what you want is to cash in as much as possible, that is why in my previous post I said I don't understand anything at all, because, well, it doesn't make any sense, not talking about Universal here, just in general, there is clearly no buyer in sight and he is pulling this out of thin air, it makes even less sense knowing that he is leaving at the end of the year, so he shouldn't be talking about long term stuff either

 

[Gerardo]

My gut tells me that this thread will be back to the previous subforum sooner than later

 

[Michael S]

My gut tells me that this thread will be back to the previous subforum sooner than later

Which previous subforum? Worldwide Universal parks? I’m highly doubting that. I’ve already moved it back to the other section for a reason.

Also please refrain from double posting in the future, thanks.

 

[Gerardo]

Which previous subforum? Worldwide Universal parks? I’m highly doubting that. I’ve already moved it back to the other section for a reason.

Also please refrain from double posting in the future, thanks.

Did I double post? My browser only showed the message once, I did I didn't even realize, sorry for that.

As for the sub change, you all always say that things don't happen until they do, so... you can doubt, but never say never


EDIT: I just got the double post part, as in posting after myself without anyone else posting, I thought you meant sending the same message twice

 

[Michael S]

As for the sub change, you all always say that things don't happen until they do, so... you can doubt, but never say never

Look, I understand you are new here, but try not to paint with broad strokes with statements like “you all say things.” That is factually inaccurate. Many of us gave the rumor credit enough to keep it in the Universal Subforum for a long, long time.

Look at other threads where we have said things aren’t coming, and they don’t. FNAF (HHNH) and The Weeknd (HHNO).

I’m not going down this rabbit hole, once more.

I understand never say never, but this thread has been an ongoing mess for the last year, with no evidence, and Universal announcing intentions to build a park/resort in Great Britain that is, essentially, direct competition for PA.

Everyone should just wait and see, not get hopes up and not buy into baseless speculation at this point.

 

[Gerardo]

Look, I understand you are new here, but try not to paint with broad strokes with statements like “you all say things.” That is factually inaccurate. Many of us gave the rumor credit enough to keep it in the Universal Subforum for a long, long time.

Look at other threads where we have said things aren’t coming, and they don’t. FNAF (HHNH) and The Weeknd (HHNO).

I’m not going down this rabbit hole, once more.

I understand never say never, but this thread has been an ongoing mess for the last year, with no evidence, and Universal announcing intentions to build a park/resort in Great Britain that is, essentially, direct competition for PA.

Everyone should just wait and see, not get hopes up and not buy into baseless speculation at this point.

You took it way too personal man, I was just saying you all as in the speculation/rumour community, that things don't happen until they do, and nothing is a done deal until it is, and the same goes the other way around, and with that I don't think you'll disagree, it's like the whole motto of our micro universe.

It seems like you took it as an attack or something while it wasn't.

The latest information from a reliable source(kind of) was the last tweet from some spanish media outlet posted by Alicia Stella, and she can confirm I sent her that link in private before posting anything here, in fact I told her that I didn't like the whole drama in general in the theme park community, I have not used this forum enough to know how to mention her, but she can confirm it, so I didn't come to cause trouble or create any drama and I am sorry if I gave that impression

 

[Gerardo]

Well, another disapointing halloween has ended at the resort, lets see how it goes in christmas.

Allegedly halloween had way lower visitors than expected, but the houses were the same as always, so I am not sure what were they expecting