Efteling Plans 2nd Park Outside of Netherlands

[milst1]

There was a story in one of the financial newspapers here this week that Efteling, the popular Dutch fairy-tale themed amusement park, is seeking to expand to a second park outside of the Netherlands. I'm translating from Dutch so excuse the errors and my interpretation.

 

"We are discreetly looking around" said Board Chairman Bart de Boer. "There are opportunities in this market."

 

The new park would also have the fairy-tale theming. "We're good at that and we have few competitors in that area". There are no plans for an additional park in the Netherlands.

 

The possibility of expansion has already been on management's agenda for some time. "Our market position is stronger if we're not dependent on a single park. Traffic jams in the Netherlands have taken a toll and limit the number of visitors to our park."

 

De Boer sees opportunities. "There are a number of foreign parks up for sale. These have been financed by high levels of debt and the shareholders are looking for buyers during this recession."

 

Efteing is in a good financial position to take over another park, according to the article, which says that the Dutch park could finance more than 70% of a purchase itself. The Efteling Naturepark Foundation, the sole owner of the park since the 1950's, supports the expansion plans.

 

The expansion will not come at the cost of the Dutch park. "We're not going to allow our gem to become sullied." This year Efteling is investing EUR 52 million in a new vacation-park, Efteling Bosrijk. The firm is staking tens of millions in additional expansion projects.

 

Here's a link to the article in Dutch:

www.fd.nl/artikel/11319936/efteling-onderzoekt-bouw-tweede-park

 

That's more or less what the article says. There's no mention of what country the expansion is aimed at, but as far as I know, it's the U.S. that has the parks up for sale. The Busch parks are for sale, Cedar Fair has named the parks it wants to off-load, and if Six Flags does file for Chapter 11, they'll probably have some properties on the market.

 

If you were Efteling, which park would you buy? I would try to buy Busch Gardens Williamsburg, but I don't think Efteling has the animal expertise required, or they would have to ditch the wildlife stuff. And I think InBev wants to sell the parks in one shot to one buyer. That may not be possible, so they might have to break up the empire. People's thoughts?

 

-Martin

[Nrthwnd]

Um...

 

 

Hard Rock Park?

 

 

 

Of course, fairy tales and hard rock music - a perfect combination!

 

 

 

Honestly? I wish them all the best and much luck in what they buy and can do with such a thing. Efteling was one of my (and several others') favourite parks back on the TPR Mini-Europe tour last summer.

 

But just imagine... a fairy tale takeover of Hard Rock?

 

Mind boggles.

 

"The SHREK SwampLands"???

 

[ChrisZer0]

Eftling would probably go for smaller/regional park(s) like Kentucky Kingdom, as its their first step into the US market.

[netdvn]

Dutch Wonderland? That park seems to stand out, but I'm not sure if it's on sale or not.

 

How about Valleyfair and World's of Fun?

[thrillerman1]

If there was any one park on the TPR Europe trip last summer that reminded me of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, it was Efteling. I could also see them operating Gilroy Gardens.

[larrygator]

When I saw that article last night the first thing that came to mind was Busch Gardens. Williamsburg in particular.

 

I can't see Efteling expanding in the US with a park as small as Gilroy Gardens. Any Six Flags or CF park would entail too much investment in the landscaping/infratsructure, outside of maybe Great Escape

[thrillerman1]

You may be right Larry. Efteling really seems to like to make their guests walk a long ways between attractions (talk about wearing me out!), and Gilroy is fairly compact.

[larrygator]

^I have no idea if Efteling would be interested in keeping the animals but if they were to buy BGA also and remove the animals that could create a lot of walking paths.

 

I know In-Bru would prefer to sell all parks as a whole, but if they can get the two largest parks off their hands for a big monetray return they may have to rethink their position.

[montezooma]

^I have no idea if Efteling would be interested in keeping the animals but if they were to buy BGA also and remove the animals that could create a lot of walking paths.

 

I know In-Bru would prefer to sell all parks as a whole, but if they can get the two largest parks off their hands for a big monetray return they may have to rethink their position.

 

Whether or not to keep the animals shouldn't really figure into the buying these parks. The Busch Parks are very successful with the animals and to eliminate them just becuase you don't have experience with them would be a silly move (cough cough Cedar Point).

 

There are plenty of experienced staff on hand that know how to manage, maintain and handle the animals. It is not like the owners of Eftling would have to come in and take care of them themselves.

 

But in reality I find it hard to believe that one theme park in Europe could come to the states and take over one of the most successful theme park chains. I think they will stay on their own continent for their first foray into another gate.

 

Just my opinion

[thrillerman1]

^^ Lol yes screw the animals...make way for more walking paths to insure our guests get their exercise!

[slicknixon]

I can see attractions like The Flying Dutchman and all those fantasy-themed dark rides getting a lot of attention from American park-goers who were previously only accustomed to attractions of this type from Disney, Universal, & Busch parks.

 

With that being said, i think it would be a good idea for them to buy a park that isn't too close to any of said parks. PA would be a great place for an American version of Efteling. I think they should buy a botanical gardens such as one like Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square which is right outside of West Chester. These gardens would be the absolute perfect place for a European-style park.

[larrygator]

But in reality I find it hard to believe that one theme park in Europe could come to the states and take over one of the most successful theme park chains. I think they will stay on their own continent for their first foray into another gate.

 

Just my opinion

 

Agreed - expanding within Europe is a more logical step, but if the price is right you never know.

[milst1]

Has there been any news of European parks up for sale? Of the larger park companies in Europe, I only know Parques Reunidos, Merlin, and Compagnie des Alpes and haven't heard anything about consolidation. Are there marginal (financially) or independently-owned European parks that would fit well with Efteling?

 

How did Parques Reunidos break into the U.S. market? I see they have more parks in North America now than they do in Europe.

 

For what it's worth, the Dutch are generally comfortable with far-flung locations and English is widely spoken by most business people. From a language point of view, the only places that make more sense than the U.S. for expansion are Flanders (Dutch-speaking Belgium) or the UK. Maybe Germany. But again, this is a buyer's market and Valleyfair or Worlds of Fun could probably be picked up for a song.

 

I agree that Busch Williamsburg could probably be pulled off with the animals. Wasn't there a rumour that Disney was interested in some or all Busch parks? Now they're just laying off people, at least according to the latest Inside the Magic podcast.

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

[larrygator]

How did Parques Reunidos break into the U.S. market? I see they have more parks in North America now than they do in Europe.

Cheers,

 

Martin

 

I did not realize they owned that many FECs and waterparks in the US. I only knew about the 4 amusement parks vs. the 6 European ones.

[speedracer]

I can't see Efteling expanding in the US with a park as small as Gilroy Gardens.

 

The current GG only covers 75 acres of a total 600 acres the park had planned to eventually expand on. Efteling's unique touch would be a perfect fit to guide the long overdue expansion.

[darklingscribe]

^ So true, but very unlikely.

 

Still one can hope. Efteling is one of my favorite parks in terms of overall atmosphere.

[QueerRudie]

This is an odd thing I see-

 

BGE? Perhaps. Fits the the theme, right sized, quality park with good rides and a good mix of attractions and themes. BUT....

 

PRICEY. I think it goes without saying that BGE is going to be worth some Megabuck$$$$ in a price tag.

 

GG: Good park, small, and ready for development. Right area, good market, plenty of people. Land to spare, and space to grow. Already has a few good rides and some good concepts- But has sufferered due to lack of foresight and traffic due to lack of 'large rides' that draw crowds. And possibly a GOOD asking price, even with it's location.

 

With Great America on not-so-solid footing right now, I think GG would be a good fit for a park operator willing to put in money to expand a small park into something larger (I'm headed to GG on the 25th of April as my first 'trip' in the bay Area)- so I hope to get a better 'feel' of what might make it a 'bigger/better park or one along the lines of SixFlags or Cedar Fair type.

 

Just my .02 worth there.

[milst1]

I agree that Gilroy Gardens could be a nice fit for Efteling, but I have some questions:

 

1) Does the city of Gilroy want to offload it? I know they swooped in as saviour to Bonfante Gardens and they've invested a great deal and will buy out the remaining bondholders in 2010 (according to Wikipedia). They've themed the place to nature and horticulture and they highlight the area's ag focus. Do they want a fairy-tale re-theme?

 

2) I think the big opportunities for Efteling are the parks that are known to be on the block. There will be some downward pressure on park prices while several are up for sale. Does Efteling want to start barking up other trees? Or has the City of Gilroy stated some intention to sell? Would Efteling be interested if it can't buy the land? Currently the park holds a long-term lease on the land.

 

3) For its first foray into North America, would a European co. pick a West Coast location? Merlin has Madame Tussaud's and Legoland in the U.S. Did they start on the West Coast or East?

 

Thanks for the insight people.

 

ML

[speedracer]

This is the most recent status I could find on GG, they are definitely considering all options:

 

Councilman Dion Bracco, who sits on the park's board, said the two-year contract with Cedar Fair would not necessarily prevent the council from deciding to sell some of the land, the park, or implementing whatever residents want to see out there. Any land deal would likely take a year to ink out, and the city also leases the 70 acres the park sits on to the board on a yearly basis, giving the council the ultimate say.

 

Tonight the city council will talk about the future of the park with a much-anticipated chance for public comment. Residents have been eager to tell the council how they feel since a group of Asian investors surprised the council earlier this month with a $35 million offer for the park and the 536 acres of mostly untouched land it sits on, according to people involved in the discussion. The investors from South Korea and Guam have since suspended their offer pending a more precise direction from the council.

 

The park has also entered into preliminary talks with Parc Management, a Florida-based theme park operator that has expressed interest in adding a water park for children to Michael Bonfante's struggling horticultural dream.

 

As far as the theming is concerned, one thing I've heard alot of people comment is GG is like stepping into Alice's Wonderland with all the curious and whimsical landscaping/theming. No doubt Efteling hasn't taken notice that GG consistently ties them for 2nd place or comes in right behind them every year in the only Golden Ticket Award either of them ever win (best landscaping). A new section with a Fairy Tale Forest and Droomvlucht West would blend in perfectly and compliment a rebranded GG! And bring on that long overdue planned GCI hillside terrain woodie! (No Pegasus!). Yeah I know, wishful thinking . . .

[CGM]

I highly doubt they are looking for a US park and there was nothing in that article to indicate as such (unless something was lost in the translation). Efteling is very much a European park and I don't think that a European style park would work in the US market just as Six Flags demonstrated that US style parks don't work in Europe (Mind you, they can't seem to get their US parks to do too well either). I would expect them to be looking at parks in Northern Europe although none spring to mind that are being offered up for sale.

 

However there are a number of parks over here such as Camelot who are struggling, hopefully they'll set up shop in the UK. We could do with some decent theming

[AlmereStars]

Good news, but if De Efteling is going to expand. It's more likely they will expand closer to home. Eastern Germany or Belgium or France or some place like that. Going overseas immediately would be a mistake.

 

The market in the US is very different then the market in Europe, at least from what I can see. Parks in the US are more technical and focussed on the attractions then the parks in Europe, that are more focussed on the overall feeling and theming.