Or SEAS looked at their spreadsheets and realized it would be more cost-effective to reuse the infrastructure of one of their less successful parks, rather than build one from scratch.
Sesame Place Williamsburg
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Or SEAS looked at their spreadsheets and realized it would be more cost-effective to reuse the infrastructure of one of their less successful parks, rather than build one from scratch.
I think when deciding the location they wanted it to be near another park to reduce a lot of admin costs. San Diego makes a lot of sense because it certainly would have been cheaper than building a ground up park and they can transform a seasonal park into a year round park.
Furthermore to @BGWnut's point, if this becomes a successful year round park, it could give them new reason/meaning to build a new ground up water park that lives up to the Aquatica name, closer to SWSD. Then they'd be able to actually maximize on the two park ticket. If I'm not mistaken, Aquatica San Diego is a pretty hefty distance from SWSD?
I suppose a hypothetical water park for SWSD in the future would be branded differently than Aquatica.
Something I want to point out though is that this doesn't mean that there will never be a Sesame Place Williamsburg. It just means that it won't be the 2nd one they build. This could be the start of a chain of Sesame Place parks throughout the country. It would make sense that they build the first few near current parks before expanding beyond that.
From the press release:
www.sesameworkshop.org
From the press release:
SeaWorld Entertainment and Sesame Workshop Announce Expanded Partnership to Include New Sesame Place Theme Park - Sesame Workshop
ORLANDO, Fla. and NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 18, 2017) – SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS), a leading theme park and entertainment company, and Sesame
www.sesameworkshop.org
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Something I want to point out though is that this doesn't mean that there will never be a Sesame Place Williamsburg. It just means that it won't be the 2nd one they build. This could be the start of a chain of Sesame Place parks throughout the country. It would make sense that they build the first few near current parks before expanding beyond that.
From the press release:
SeaWorld Entertainment and Sesame Workshop Announce Expanded Partnership to Include New Sesame Place Theme Park - Sesame Workshop
ORLANDO, Fla. and NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 18, 2017) – SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS), a leading theme park and entertainment company, and Sesame
I think we're all aware that the sesame contract mandated a second gate. But do we know if it has any wording for additional expansions beyond two gates?
Yes I included the language from the press release in my original post. The agreement said that SEAS would build a second Sesame Place by mid 2021. After which SEAS has the option to build additional Sesame Places in the US.
Something else here - from what has been said about the SEAS land owned by WCUSA, there's a ton not being used (some is environmental buffer though). Additionally, BGW isn't adjacent either. And, they definitely have parts that see low use or could stand to be rethemed.
So would it be possible that if they did decide to build in the area, they would build over at WCUSA using their current Aquatica SD situation as a model?
So would it be possible that if they did decide to build in the area, they would build over at WCUSA using their current Aquatica SD situation as a model?
I think this is very unlikely. WCUSA is one of the most popular water parks in the country. I think if SPW happened then it would be like the concept that they did surveys about. That means it would be built in the France parking lot and annex Forest of Fun from BGW into it's own park.
I realize I wasn't clear, my apologies - this wouldn't be SP overtaking WC, it'd be a second gate on the same property. In theory, they could use the land for Rampage/Wild Thang and convert the dive show theatre, plus maybe tack on a few more attractions in that general area with a gate in the parking lot and a gate in WC.
I was also figuring that there's more space for parking and whatnot over at WCUSA not to mention space towards a resort if they ever chose to build it. If they took the France lot for the build then they're inherently reducing parking and thus guest capacity at BGW without doing something drastic... Which would likely be more expensive than tacking on a second gate at WCUSA.
I don't see WaterCountry or the land around WaterCountry ever using the Aquatica San Diego model as a blueprint for any future plans. Its very obvious from the concept art that the choice to use ASD for the new park was the least expensive choice in order to fulfill their obligation to Sesame Workshop on a 2021 park opening. If Williamsburg were to get a Sesame Place in the future (which still think is within the realm of possibility) that they would follow the original SPW concept pretty closely.
I will echo all the way that ASD convert to SPSD is for cost effectiveness. If we are to get SPW, I also believe it would be like the survey was set-up. Williamsburg is, in my opinion, the perfect opportunity to delve into the regional, stay on-site, resort game. Building SPW, a hotel right at the front gate as part of the expansion, and beautifying the area to make it look natural would be the way to go. It's a far fetched plan, right now, but I think it is a perfect one-two punch to solidify Williamsburg as a premier regional (maybe even national) destination.
I don't think BGW can't really afford to take out one of their parking lots unless there's a plan to replace the space or even increase it - attendance = $, reducing capacity is effectively reducing profit unless they increase pricing.
To that end, if they build a resort I'd guess it wouldn't be tied to the main lots.
Of course, wasn't KM Resort what AB built to be the resort for BGW?
To that end, if they build a resort I'd guess it wouldn't be tied to the main lots.
Of course, wasn't KM Resort what AB built to be the resort for BGW?
@Jonesta6 absolutely they'd have to expand parking. Whether that be serious dollars with garages or across the street. Somewhere. With regard to the resort there is a perfect location that will connect it to Rt 60 while still allowing resort guests walking access to the gates. There is always a way. They just have to dedicate the money.
This probably doesn't belong in the SPW thread, so I'd assume it's going to get moved... But where is the location you're thinking of?
@Jonesta6 the location I have in mind would require leveling a ravine, relocating the tram route from the over flow lots along with the load/unload area for overflow lots, possible relocating the road that connects the non-preferred lots (or building a tunnel for it) and possibly moving the pet kennel. Major job. This would, of course, require a huge capital commitment that would accompany the building of the new Sesame park; and doing it right. If I had unlimited finances, it would even include a wing that over looked the Sesame Park themed to Sesame Street. The building on that wing would be aesthetically different. The side that overlooked the park would be themed completely different.
You're not kidding about taking a lot of money, assuming it clears all the regulatory approvals (leveling a ravine in a RPA buffer zone in itself is a major ask).
But realistically, the ROI for such changes would probably not justify the expense - especially since the resort would likely not see many guests outside of the summer seasons and the competition BGW would have against all the regular local hotels and Big Wolf Lodge up the street.
@Jonesta6 I would venture to say that you're probably right. However, if they every did build a SPW they'd probably have no choice but to build garages to handle the influx of vehicles. So, we're really just talking about the hotel. In my personal opinion, it only makes sense to build a hotel if they made the two gates so close together. Plus this SP would be more of a destination than SP Pennsylvania, so the hotel would probably be more successful. That's why I always say its a one-two punch. Put it together and you have an argument to investors that the ROI is there.
One thing I disagree with you on is the hotel not being busy outside of the summer season. With my opinion that SPW being more of a destination park, they'd have an easy time selling Sesame vacation/weekend packages. Also, I would venture to guess that the hotel would be packed for HOS, and people would flock to the hotel for Christmastown because it would be decked out in decorations. The vision and plans for filling the hotel are for a different thread.
One thing I disagree with you on is the hotel not being busy outside of the summer season. With my opinion that SPW being more of a destination park, they'd have an easy time selling Sesame vacation/weekend packages. Also, I would venture to guess that the hotel would be packed for HOS, and people would flock to the hotel for Christmastown because it would be decked out in decorations. The vision and plans for filling the hotel are for a different thread.