Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) reported its fourth-quarter results, and its theme parks business posted strong gains. Following the May opening of Epic Universe, theme parks adjusted EBITDA rose 24% in the quarter—topping $1.0 billion in quarterly EBITDA for the first time—driven by higher attendance and increased per-capita guest spending in Orlando.

 

What are they doing that FUN/SIX is not?

2 hours ago, IndyGuy4KI said:

What are they doing that FUN/SIX is not?

They focus on the guest experience, while the management at FUN focuses on the excel sheet.

7 hours ago, IndyGuy4KI said:

What are they doing that FUN/SIX is not?

They offer a premium experience for starters. Universal Orlando Resort is designed to make you stay multiple days. Six Flags parks are mostly regional with people visiting for a day, then going home. There’s less opportunity for Six Flags to monetize second and third days, on-site lodging and vacation package behavior. 

Universal excels at turning demand into high-margin upgrades, on top of tickets, food and merchandise. 

Six Flags is heavily dependent on season pass visitation in many of its markets, and that pressures per-cap spending. 

Universal also has those global, world-class IP as a repeatable content machine. They utilize it well.

That’s my thoughts on it. 

23 hours ago, DonHelbig said:

They offer a premium experience for starters. Universal Orlando Resort is designed to make you stay multiple days. Six Flags parks are mostly regional with people visiting for a day, then going home. There’s less opportunity for Six Flags to monetize second and third days, on-site lodging and vacation package behavior. 

Universal excels at turning demand into high-margin upgrades, on top of tickets, food and merchandise. 

Six Flags is heavily dependent on season pass visitation in many of its markets, and that pressures per-cap spending. 

Universal also has those global, world-class IP as a repeatable content machine. They utilize it well.

That’s my thoughts on it. 

I agree. 

I took my family on a trip to Orlando last summer and spent 2 weeks between Disney and Universal. 

In addition to the premium ride experience (pretty much every ride is heavily themed and designed and is considered world class), the IP is really what sets them apart. 

I can admit we spent a lot of money in the shops for all of exclusive items. Harry Potter, Super Mario, How to Train Your Dragon… Star Wars, Stitch, Toy Story…

It’s really hard to beat that. And then you toss in that these parks are in geographical locations that allow them to stay open year round…