The Future of PortAventura

[Alicia]

This was my next question. Not denying they exist, genuinely asking. I don't follow European theme park rumors for the most part, so I'm out of the loop.

This thread has previously brought up @aalllllyyyyyy as "the biggest leaker and information hole of Disney in Europe with a near perfect reputation", but Ally isn't backing this horse as a definite thing. He's been stating the same rumor points we've been discussing in this exact thread without ever saying they think it's definitive.

Just yesterday someone tweeted their disappointment to Ally about the GB news and Ally's response was basically what we've all been saying: There's smoke, but who knows if there's fire.

"That doesn't mean it's necessarily dead on the other side. There have been domain name registrations on both sides. Both projects appear to be seriously studied."

Another insider associated with Ally, @TMainStreetNews, just responded about the Spain potential an hour ago with:

"It’s quite hard to say at the moment. So far, the information I have received still indicates that’s the case, but we’ll have to wait and see"

I'm failing to see any European insiders 1) claiming this is a done deal, 2) expressing displeasure at the fact that insiders on here won't confirm the report yet, and 3) feeling like insiders here are attempting to discredit them. Hell, Ally's most recent tweet is a retweet from Alicia about the GB land. Doesn't seem like bad blood to me. It feels more like fans creating fictitious drama while the insiders appropriately assess rumors and post what they can, when they can.

I’ve been in contact with both of them recently. Really nice folks. While they seem a little more hopeful than myself, we all seem to be waiting for more concrete information before we can know for sure if a deal has been reached.

In talking with them, feels like we’re on the same page.

 

[Tbad556]

I’ve been in contact with both of them recently. Really nice folks. While they seem a little more hopeful than myself, we all seem to be waiting for more concrete information before we can know for sure if a deal has been reached.

In talking with them, feels like we’re on the same page.

Love to hear it! And that's definitely the vibe their tweets/reports have given me. Still questioning, but cautiously optimistic about the potential.

 

[Nico]

Alright, I’m about to pop into a client session, but I see this thread is back eating its own tail. Still, lots of good points being made.

I’ll make an effort to do some thread updates like a new title and a potential threadmark post that summarizes where everything stands. Don’t be surprised if you all see some of your quotes used for clarity lol.

 

[cgd25]

I’ve been in contact with both of them recently. Really nice folks. While they seem a little more hopeful than myself, we all seem to be waiting for more concrete information before we can know for sure if a deal has been reached.

In talking with them, feels like we’re on the same page.

It’s nice to hear that. Again, I wasn’t intending on making my message feel like an attack, I’m sorry, your coverage on the UK story is amazing.

As I said, we just can only hope for any of the projects there may be (or there are, as Uni said today) to become a reality.

 

[Scott W.]

These are my thoughts on Universal and PAW.

Right now, I just don't see any evidence that it's happening. With the UK story, it was never brought up in any of the research. Universal people visiting could be them checking on their IPs that PAW has in the resort and if the resort is up for sale, of course, they're going to look.

If I had a tin foil hat on, the UK news could maybe force PAW to lower their price as they know Universal doesn't need the resort but if a good offer is on the table, it could happen. I think Universal confirming the UK story so quickly and easily was a bit of a shock.

Do I think Universal should buy it? I don't know, it's like comparing a new build house to an old run down house that you'd need to fully remodel. Each has pros and cons.

But, I think Universal having a park in the UK and buying PAW, could only benefit each other. A lot of British people visit Spain, if they get a taste for Universal by visiting local, of course, they're going to want to go PAW.

Since Comcast took over, Universal parks have become the textbook example of spending money to make money and they're aggressively expanding.

 

[Nico]

Alright the thread name has been updated using the forum’s standard naming conventions. Threadmark will take a bit longer to compile. I’ll try and get something together over the next few days.

The future for this park is currently open.

Could Universal, Merlin, or Blackstone purchase the park and become operators? Sure.

Could a private equity/real estate firm buy the land and lease it back to the current operators? According to business reports, the park is open to examining this as well.

All options are open to discuss. As always - please keep all conversations respectful and refrain from personal attacks, scapegoating, or generalizing communities.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

As always - please keep all conversations respectful and refrain from personal attacks, scapegoating, or generalizing communities.

Brian is a poo poo head.

Anyway, I heard PA is still on but nothing has happened yet. Stay tuned.

 

[Nico]

Brian is a poo poo head.

Anyway, I heard PA is still on but nothing has happened yet. Stay tuned.

Joe I always appreciate your contributions.

That second part seems to line up with what Tom and the others have been saying. Glad to hear it!

 

[Calmix]

Hi! have you seen this twit from Jim Shull it seems interesting.

Although Universal had confirmed the purchase of land in the U K, I wouldn’t close the door on The Company purchasing the other park. The one in Spain. #Universal

 

[wutisgood]

If comcast is really interested in buying this resort I'm betting they are getting a good deal.

 

[Disneyhead]

What if Universal bought it, but "branded" differently than the existing resorts. "Universal PortAventura Adventure Park" or something like that? Like a different segment of the Parks & Resorts division.

 

[wutisgood]

What if Universal bought it, but "branded" differently than the existing resorts. "Universal PortAventura Adventure Park" or something like that? Like a different segment of the Parks & Resorts division.

500 million or even less on a Lord of the rings land or something similar would prob do what potter did for Orlando here where the could generate attendance at will.

That being said if port Aventura wants to give them a great deal where Comcastcan make money simply by taking it over for little to no debt just on some brand packages I get your point.

 

[LukiLu]

This might be a bit of a stretch, but to me, the timing of the UK news breaking does seem rather convenient for Comcast. If they do consider buying PortAventura, this gives them additional leverage for price negotiations.

 

[tommyhawkins]

What if Universal bought it, but "branded" differently than the existing resorts. "Universal PortAventura Adventure Park" or something like that? Like a different segment of the Parks & Resorts division.

I thought a cheap buy and some kind of imprint of the universal brand be the only way the could pass it off, so they're not dropping a few billion completely re doing the park on the image of all their other parks.

 

[Calmix]

This might be a bit of a stretch, but to me, the timing of the UK news breaking does seem rather convenient for Comcast. If they do consider buying PortAventura, this gives them additional leverage for price negotiations.

I'm starting to suspect that this is a plausible reality, and the other way around too. Now Universal can be trying to squeeze every thing from the seller from one side and on both sides from authorities. The best dial gets the park.

 

[havaska]

Does anyone know if Merlin have expressed any interest in acquiring the parks? They seem to be the only other big operator with enough cash who would want the park. It would also fill a hole in their European footprint; they don’t really have a presence in Spain.

And don’t forget, they also used to part own the park when they were Tussauds so there’s the history there too.

 

[LukiLu]

Usually, PortAventura with its focus on smaller-scale IP-driven experiences and its lacklustre operations would be a great fit for Merlin's portfolio, but they have acquired almost for billion pounds of debt during their massive expansion and this is not a good time to take on massive new loans. They even shied away from what seemed to be a done deal for a new LEGOLAND resort in Belgium earlier this year. And that was a very sweet deal involving a 100 million Euro subsidy by the regional government.

 

[tommyhawkins]

Hahahahahaha


No. Nope. Not even close.

I like being implicated in a conspiracy though. This is hilarious

This might be a bit of a stretch, but to me, the timing of the UK news breaking does seem rather convenient for Comcast. If they do consider buying PortAventura, this gives them additional leverage for price negotiations.

 

[unifannew]

Hahahahahaha


No. Nope. Not even close.

I like being implicated in a conspiracy though. This is hilarious

Why do you think not?

 

[Tomfoolery]

This might be a bit of a stretch, but to me, the timing of the UK news breaking does seem rather convenient for Comcast. If they do consider buying PortAventura, this gives them additional leverage for price negotiations.

No I leaked uk for fun,