Europe in the Air is Now Closed

[Zachary]

It's true. The park shut down Europe in the Air yesterday, June 30th without any announcement of any kind. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like it was shut down to prepare for its replacement. From what we've been able to gather, the park is in such bad shape financially right now that they simply couldn't afford to keep running it. The full developing story can be found here.


All that said, I don't care how bad a ride is, a park should always announce when something is about to close. I was never a fan of Europe in the Air, but I know there was at least one or two people out there who cared about the ride and would have loved to experience it one last time. Not cool Busch Gardens, not cool.


Also, a massive thanks to ChickenKing for running out to the park this morning with basically zero notice to confirm everything. Give him all the rep!

 

[Zachary]

Full story is now live at the link in the first post.

 

[BBW]

I liked (not loved, but liked) EitA, but I'm not too sad to see it go. Agree that closing it without notice is bad form, but frankly that is pretty much the park's MO when it comes to informing the public. They DON'T, about things both good and bad.

Will heed your advice about CK!

 

[Ben]

Wow, I hated EITA and wanted it to go, but not like this......

BTW- for people who have a been going to the park for 15+ years, has the park ever experienced problems like this?

 

[Ken]

I'm certainly ok with EitA closing. I'm a bit concerned about the doom 'n' gloom tone of the news, though. Can't afford to run it? Really? That's not good news at all.

 

[Pretzel Kaiser]

This could definitely be a sign of great things to come!

No, quite the opposite really.

 

[Planeteer]

Well, the doom and gloom tone comes from Zach being a real optimistic guy (bu-dum-chee). I know at least one of my kids will be upset, plus it was a great way to cool off on hot days. They should have given a heads up! I would have brought my boys for a "one for the road" before it was gone!

---

Plus, those insects and reptiles can't be cheap!

 

[Zachary]

First picture from ChickenKing! Full credit to him as always!

 

[Party Rocker]

I am very shocked only because I am stunned the park is in such bad shape they could afford to run a supposedly main attraction, especially as the season starts to really pick up. This is definitely means bad things are coming if not already here.

Is the company not making sufficient funds? You say budget cuts handed down by corporate, does this mean as far as stocks go they are doing really bad? Are they really relying on stock profit for income rather than everything else they had been using like admissions, merchandise, etc?

 

[Zachary]

ChickenKing says the area is a madhouse right now. Employees had no idea that the thing was closed and guests are not happy at all.

 

[OnTheFritz]

Are they really relying on stock profit for income rather than everything else they had been using like admissions, merchandise, etc?

Do you not understand how the stock market works?

 

[Party Rocker]

I am hoping to go to the park just to check out all the kommotion in Kilarney Bust seriously I just want to check this out.

 

[bigbrother32]

When you come into the park and see the board that says attractions that are closed does it say eita?

 

[Celticdog]

I find odd that there are now budget issues. A Richmond Times-Dispatch article (approx. two weeks ago) stated that BG's attendance was up last year. CT was a huge success, HOS brought in record crowds, so where did all the money go?? From my perspective, it doesn't seem like it takes a lot of people to run EITA. It may be a maintenance headache, but it's all inside and not exposed to the elements like so many other rides.

Now I wish I had ridden it last trip.

 

[Party Rocker]

Are they really relying on stock profit for income rather than everything else they had been using like admissions, merchandise, etc?

Do you not understand how the stock market works?

I have the basic jist of it. Based on others posts and my guessing, the park makes some profit on selling stocks, more or less, I would guess this is probably an initial profit only, as stock holder sell their stocks for profit themselves. But my issue is, did they not gain enough profit from that?

Where is all the money? is essentially what I am asking.

 

[Shane]

The entire chain is experiencing huge budgetary problems. Blackstone raped SEAS for money.

 

[Party Rocker]

Blackstone raped SEAS for money.

When you put it like that, oh my. But thanks for the somewhat insight on where the money went.

 

[CoolDrMoney]

This is unbelievably terrible news.

Busch Gardens can't operate a main attraction for lack of money?

I'm shocked and dismayed.

Are we sure this is the reason? How do we know it's not a maintenance cost-related issue?

Maybe letting everyone in for free all the time is not such a good idea, after all.

 

[pandorazboxx]

They used the IPO to pay Blackstone and to pay back some of the loans they've taken out. I don't think it's likely that their stock price is dictating this. (btw, their stock is about the same as when it opened)

It's just business. Corporate sets budgets and performance expectations for each of it's properties. If it's like any other kind of business, BGW executives would then allocate their budget within the park. So either they've overspent in some areas or didn't meet their estimates for revenue so far.

It's possible corporate is trying to trim some fat and see if the parks can manage with a reduced budget. I haven't seen any articles to this effect though.

Just my opinion, but whoever is in charge of executing/planning the budget for BGW isn't doing a good job.

 

[CoolDrMoney]

Let's see: fireworks every night of the summer? Saved. Major park attractions? Cut.

What a bunch of idiots.