In this news round-up from one of the most eventful fall seasons Orlando has seen in years we talk about those awful new attendance numbers coming out of SeaWorld, we review Mango’s new menu and talk Skyplex, we cover all the new hotels and attractions heading to Disney, and try to read the tea leaves on what the future holds for Universal Orlando.
We give trip reports from opening night at Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa including a food review of the cricket tacos. We also talk about SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween offerings including a Sesame Place themed character breakfast. There’s also a few fun rants along the way.
Steve Glum, the Chief Marketing Officer, Ace Cafe North America, joins us in the studio to talk about his role at the motorcycle-focused café in downtown Orlando. He shares stories from his time at Ripley’s including a run-in with the famed fertility statues, his time at Hard Rock, and what it was like being part of the opening staff at WDW’s Pleasure Island.
We also discuss TASTE! Central Florida. The annual event that helps raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank and Coalition for the Homeless. Taking place August 19, 2017, at the World Center Marriott on 536 TASTE! is the premier foodie event of the year and this year is no exception. We also get new details on BOTH Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ joints coming to Central Florida and hear new details on future of the Ace Café brand.
With new Quarterly Earnings Reports from Disney, SeaWorld, and Merlin all within the last few weeks. Ken looks at the numbers and the news surrounding each company. He touches on the Merlin Busch Gardens rumors, talks about the below estimate revenue coming out of Disney, and all the no good, very bad news coming out of SeaWorld.
Kevin Yee talks about The Great Movie and Universe of Energy and Ken shares his thoughts on hotel security. Plus a gruesome double murder at a resort shocks a small Florida community that hasn’t seen a single murder in nearly two decades.
Revenue below estimates: $14.24 billion vs. the expected $14.42 billion, according to Thomson Reuters
Earnings Per Share above estimates: $1.58 vs. the expected $1.55
Operating Income
Media and networks: $1.84 billion vs. $1.99 billion expected, 22% decline YoY due to ESPN issues Parks and resorts: $1.17 billion vs. $1.09 billion expected (18 percent year-over-year growth) Studio: $639 million vs. $636.6 million expected Consumer and interactive: $362 million vs. $394.6 million expected
“Operating income growth for the quarter reflected an increase at our international operations, while results at our domestic operations were comparable to the prior-year quarter. Segment results benefitted from the timing of the Easter holiday, which fell in the third quarter of the current year compared to the second quarter of the prior year.”
Disney point to “to labor and other cost inflation, increased operations support costs, new guest offerings and the dry-dock of the Disney Fantasy in the current quarter” for their higher output. This was offset by increased guest spending related to “increases in average ticket prices for sailings on our cruise ships and admission to our theme parks, as well a higher daily average hotel room rates and food and beverage spending”.
$373.8 million in revenue vs. expected $394 million
Net loss of $237.0 million for the first half of 2017 includes a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $269.3 million. The company expects to achieve targeted $40 million in net cost savings by the end of 2018, is identifying additional areas for cost reduction.
Net loss of $175.9 million for the second quarter as admission revenue fell 6%
revenue up 19.4 percent to $893 million (£685 million).
Pre-tax profit unchanged at $65 million (£50 million).
London attractions saw domestic visitation “immediately and significantly reduced” following attacks but “cautious on international visitation over the key summer trading period given the lag between international bookings and visitation.”
Merlin chief financial officer Anne-Francoise Nesmes regarding Busch Gardens buy – “It takes two parties to do a deal so we do not know what SeaWorld’s intentions are but we do believe that those assets are interesting and we could certainly do a lot with them particularly around accommodation, so to us it’s about having the right discussion with a willing partner and making sure we have the right financial return.”
Six Points include grow current attractions, make them destination resorts, synergize, new midway and Legoland attractions, and acquire.
Kevin stops by the studio in this extended episode where the guys discuss SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and all the other summer events happening around town. Food, random news, and a surprise phone call keep it interesting.
