SeaWorld Orlando and Universal may soon be owned by the same company

ORANGE COUNTY -- In a move that will be a major shake up to the tourism industry nationwide, SeaWorld Orlando and Universal may soon be owned by the same company.

Inside sources said SeaWorld officials will announce to employees Wednesday the popular park, and several other formerly owned by Busch Entertainment, including Busch Gardens in Tampa, have been sold.

"That would be another huge deal. They've been up for sale for a while," said Robert Niles from Theme Park Insider.

Insiders and experts said the most likely buyer is The Blackstone Group, a private equity firm that already owns half of Universal Studios.

Rumors about a possible sale have circulated for months, but recently sources said high-ranking Blackstone officials have been spotted touring SeaWorld Orlando.
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Industry experts are excited about what a sale could mean.

"That would put some money in the pockets of the folks that run Busch and SeaWorld and potentially help them to step up," Niles said.

Others are less convinced about big possible changes.

Blackstone has owned a portion of Universal Studios for years, and experts said they are an investment group that basically just wants their money.

"Blackstone is pretty much been a hands off type of investor," said Dr. Duncan Dickson from the University of Central Florida. "They are ruthless when it comes to their bottom line. They just want their bottom line."

Any possible sale sets up interesting twists and turns. Since they would be owned by the same company, SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Studios would no longer be competing with each other, but teaming up against Disney.

"But it doesn't necessarily have to be a zero sum gain here. The more attractions you have in Central Florida, the more likely you are going to get people to visit," Niles said.