Matt N
CF Legend
Hi guys. Many US theme park operators have diversified their park offerings by building theme parks abroad, with the likes of Disney & Universal in particular building many international resorts as well as their US resorts, and even the likes of Six Flags are attempting to get in on the international action. However, one thing I’ve noticed with these companies’ international projects is that the park operator in charge never seems to have full ownership, with a company local to the country either having partial or full control. Why is this?
If you’re wondering what I mean, have a few examples. I know I said US companies, but there are 1 or 2 examples from other countries too:
Disney
If you’re wondering what I mean, have a few examples. I know I said US companies, but there are 1 or 2 examples from other countries too:
Disney
- Tokyo Disney Resort: Owned and operated by The Oriental Land Company under license from Disney.
- Disneyland Paris: Now fully owned by The Walt Disney Company, but this acquisition was not undertaken until 2017. When the park first opened, it was owned operated by Euro Disney SCA, which Disney themselves only had a 49% stake in, later reducing to 39% when a Saudi prince bought a 10% stake in 1994. I think the remaining 51% was owned by various European investors, correct me if I’m wrong; it may even have been the French government.
- Hong Kong Disneyland: Disney only holds a 47% stake, with the remaining 53% being owned by the Hong Kong government.
- Shanghai Disney Resort: Disney only holds a 43% stake, with the other 57% being held by Shanghai Shendi Group.
- Universal Studios Japan: Owned and operated by USJ LLC; I’m not sure on past ownership history, but apparently Universal didn’t fully own it until 2017.
- Universal Studios Singapore: Owned and operated by Genting Group under license from Universal.
- Universal Studios Beijing: The exact ownership divide here is unknown, but it’s jointly owned by Universal & Beijing Shouhuan Cultural Tourism Investment.
- All Chinese properties: Owned and operated by a Chinese investor under license from Six Flags. Until recently, this was the Riverside Group, but I’m unsure who it is now.
- Six Flags Qiddiya: Judging by the ownership information of the Qiddiya complex, I’m going to guess that it will be owned and operated by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia under license from Six Flags.
- Various proposed Paramount parks: Paramount may have owned and operated its US theme parks, however their many proposed projects overseas have never been fully owned by the company, instead being licensed to local firms.
- PortAventura: I know I said US park operators, but even when Tussauds, a British park operator, owned PortAventura, they only ever had a 37% stake, with Anheuser-Busch taking another stake and most of it being owned by La Caixa, a Spanish investment firm. La Caixa still owned a substantial stake when Universal operated the park until they eventually took full control in 2004.
- SeaWorld Abu Dhabi: Owned and operated by Miral under license from SeaWorld.