Visitor Attractions
The principals of LDP have consulted on all types of destination attractions globally, ranging from theme parks to specialty attractions, from corporate visitor centers to museums. Yael and Michael have worked with all of the major groups during their careers, including Universal Studios, Disneyland Resort Paris, Warner Bros., The Tussauds Group (now Merlin Entertainment Group), Parques Reunidos etc.
- Market, attendance and financial assessments of new build theme park potential in markets throughout Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
- Assessments of financial performance, levels of supportable investment and potential government or other public sector support.
- Price points analysis unique to individual markets, visitor behaviour patterns and spend potential and strategies for improvement.
- Identification of unique selling points and high priority intellectual property value based on consumer potential.
- Operational and financial reviews of existing theme park operations for acquisition, assessing current performance, areas for improvement, and potential for growth in value.
- Operational reviews looking at visitor behaviour patterns, flow, bottlenecks, entertainment capacity, and under exploited assets.
- Sources of sponsorship potential and new business development.
- Selection and management of multi-disciplinary teams to create unique new concepts and attractions and theme park experiences that reflect actual market support and dynamics.
- Negotiations with local authorities and government agencies to identify funding sources and development agreements for new build projects.
Examples of recent work are shown below.
Please contact us to discus areas of our experience relevant to your venture.
Budapest Theme Park
LDP was retained to review the preliminary feasibility of a potential theme park, waterpark and ancillary facilities in the Budapest area. LDP conducted a preliminary market, attendance and operating cash flow analysis of the proposed development based on industry benchmarks. As the markets and spend levels were income qualified to reflect the economic realties of the market, the analysis was able to give a solid preliminary assessment of potential to the client.
Confidential Site, Czech Republic
LDP worked with Imaginvest, Master Planner and project manager to define a leisure programme to fit alongside an existing retail centre. The centre owner’s goals of enhancing the leisure offer and driving footfall were the start point for the assignment. We prepared feasibility analysis for the development of a pay-as-you-go urban amusement park, family entertainment centre and night-time entertainment and dining area, to be created alongside an existing shopping mall.
Blackstone Group/SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment
LDP and Martin Barratt Ltd were retained by the Blackstone Group as part of their due diligence prior to the acquisition of the Busch Entertainment Group (now SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment) to review one of the parks being purchased and identify areas of enhancing its economic performance. Post the acquisition, the team was then retained by both Blackstone and SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment to conduct an operational and financial review of one of the parks in greater depth, in the context of industry KPIs. The team reviewed the existing operations and identified several ways in which the park could enhance its operating and financial performance.
Earth Quest Theme Park
LDP was asked to review the market potential, attendance and financial feasibility of a proposed natural history / dinosaur theme park in Houston Texas.
We reviewed the markets, the level of competition, and the potential financial performance of the park. In addition, we worked closely with the design team to make sure the park reflected the true market opportunities which would lead to a successful venture.
During the process, additional attraction opportunities were identified such as a waterpark, FEC, Ecotourism Park, and dining and entertainment centre. The resulting concept is currently moving forward with a goal of opening in 2012, as part of a much larger destination resort.
Review of Parques Reunidos Theme Park Chain
We were retained by an internationally significant private equity group to review the existing holdings of Parques Reunidos and their plans for expansion, when put up for sale by Advent International in 2006/7.
As part of this review a full benchmark analysis of each park and its performance was conducted, as well as a review of the plans for growth of the chain.
Hili Fun City, Al Ain
We reviewed the existing operations and potential for growth of Hili Fun City in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi.
A complete redesign of the park was being contemplated, and the possible improvement in attendance and operating performance was estimated in order to move to the next stages of redesign
Indoor Waterpark
We have recently completed a market study and feasibility assessment for an indoor waterpark planned for a confidential site in Northern Europe.
In a challenging market the goal was to finesse a concept capable of generating relatively flat seasonality with significant resident market appeal.
The resulting programme of leisure water, food and beverage and entertainment fulfils the goals of both its private sector developers and public sector sponsors.
As a part of our partnership philosophy our team also works as sub-consultants alongside design practices and again in 2007 and 2008, this has included work for Europe’s most visited viewing attraction, and Europe’s most visited science museum, new build speciality entertainment attractions including a recent opening in London and feasibility work for new build theme parks, FECs, museums and visitor attractions.
Hard Rock Park Due Diligence
Following Hard Rock Park’s closure after its unsuccessful first operating season, LDP was hired by a potential purchaser to analyse what the real market potential was in Myrtle Beach and what should be done to realise it. LDP performed market analysis and an assessment of the shortcomings of the offer and operations of the existing park. Based on existing market and spend information, reinvestment parameters and identified opportunities and comparable park performances, we performed an analytical assessment of long term attendance, revenue and operating potential in conjunction with an overview of what a new operator would have to do to attain these levels of performance.
Working with LDP, John Collins performed an assessment of the value of the existing rides and equipment and considered the value of the underlying assets and potential from the operator’s perspective. This gave the client a full understanding of the situation and allowed them to make decisions armed with a realistic view. The client did not proceed with the purchase.
Giant’s Causeway
Working as a team with Martin Barratt, LDP completed an assessment of potential for a major new visitor centre and interpretation area for the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s leading attraction. We assessed the net impact of the new centre on overall visitation to the Causeway, visitation patterns, spend potential and operational impacts. The potential performance of the new visitor centre at the World Heritage Site was assessed in order to provide advice to its public sector stakeholders, Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB).
Resorts & Mixed Use
Culture, Heritage & Education
Retail & Entertainment
Entertainment & Sports Venues
