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Parques Reunidos (meaning "Reunited Parks") is an international entertainment operator based in Madrid, Spain. The group operates over 60 parks in about dozen countries. Parques Reunidos operates theme and amusement parks, zoos, water parks, family entertainment centers, and cable cars. These facilities are located in Spain, Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. Annual visitors to the group's attractions exceed 22 million, with revenue exceeding $570 million (USD). In 2008 it had the fifth-highest attendance figures for worldwide chains with 24.9 million, ahead of United Parks & Resorts and Cedar Fair.[1]
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Amusement parks |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Madrid, Spain |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Pascal Ferracci (CEO) |
| Owners | EQT AB (51.0%) Elliott Management (12.8%) |
| Website | www |
Palace Entertainment
edit | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Amusement parks |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Defunct | 2025 |
| Fate | Assets acquired by Herschend Family Entertainment |
| Successor | Herschend Family Entertainment |
| Headquarters | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Area served | United States |
| Owner | Parques Reunidos |
| Website | www |
Palace Entertainment was a subsidiary of Parques Reunidos based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is primarily involved in the operation of attractions in the United States.
Palace Entertainment was established in 1998, after the acquisition of four independently owned family entertainment companies. These four companies consisted of five brands: Camelot Parks, Palace Park, Boomers!, Grand Prix Race-O-Rama and Family Fun Center.[2] In the early 2000s the company purchased various Water Parks and Family Entertainment Centers.[3]
On February 27, 2006, it was announced that MidOcean Partners was to acquire Palace Entertainment. This transaction occurred in the second quarter 2006.
On August 24, 2007, MidOcean Partners sold Palace Entertainment to Parques Reunidos for $330 Million. This transaction took place in the third quarter of 2007.[4]
Fernando Eiroa joined Palace Entertainment in 2007, serving as president and chief executive officer.
On December 11, 2007 Kennywood Entertainment Company entered an agreement to sell their Five Properties (Kennywood, Idlewild and Soak Zone, Sandcastle Waterpark, Lake Compounce and Story Land) to Palace Entertainment's parent company Parques Reunidos. By 2009 Palace had taken over operations of all five parks.[5]
On November 12, 2010, Palace Entertainment announced the acquisition of Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, from Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company.[6]
On March 2, 2012, Palace Entertainment announced the acquisition of Noah's Ark Water Park in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.[7]
In 2014, Palace Entertainment acquired Miami Seaquarium in Key Biscayne, Florida.[8]
Later that year Palace Entertainment sold 15 properties to the newly formed Apex Parks Group Including Big Kahuna's, 10 Boomers locations as well as an additional Family 4 Entertainment Centers. This was in an effort to move away from Family Entertainment Center operations for Palace Entertainment.[9]
In March 2020, it was announced that Palace Entertainment would open a new corporate facility near the Kennywood property. This new facility will house 25 executives as well as their East Coast team.[10]
In December 2021, Palace Entertainment acquired Adventureland in Altoona, Iowa.
In March 2025, Herschend Family Entertainment announced it had reached an agreement to acquire all of Palace Entertainment's United States parks.[11]
Amusement parks
edit
Parques Reunidos currently operates 10 amusement park properties across two continents and eight countries.
| Name | Location | Year Opened | Year Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | ||||
| Motiongate Dubai | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 2016 | ||
| Europe | ||||
| Bobbejaanland | Lichtaart, Belgium | 1961 | 2004 | |
| BonBon-Land | Næstved, Denmark | 1992 | 2007 | |
| Mirabilandia | Ravenna, Italy | 1992 | 2006 | |
| Movie Park Germany | Bottrop-Kirchhellen, Germany | 1996 | 2010 | |
| Parque de Atracciones de Madrid | Madrid, Spain | 1969 | ||
| Parque Warner Madrid | Madrid, Spain | 2002 | ||
| Attractiepark Slagharen | Hardenberg, Netherlands | 1963 | ||
| Tusenfryd | Vinterbro, Norway | 1988 | ||
Zoos, aquariums and nature parks
editParques Reunidos currently operates 10 zoos, aquariums and nature parks across one continents and five countries.
| Name | Location | Year Opened | Year Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | ||||
| Atlantis Aquarium | Madrid, Spain | |||
| Blackpool Zoo | Lancashire, England | 1972 | ||
| Delfinario Costa Daurada | Costa Daurada, Spain | |||
| Faunia | Madrid, Spain | |||
| Lakes Aquarium | Lakeside, England | 1997 | ||
| Oceanarium | Bournemouth, England | |||
| Selwo Aventura | Estepona, Spain | 1999 | ||
| Selwo Marina | Benalmádena, Spain | 2002 | ||
| Weltvogelpark Walsrode | Walsrode, Germany | 1962 | 2019[12] | |
| Zoo Aquarium | Madrid, Spain | 1770 | ||
Water parks
editParques Reunidos currently operates 11 separately-gated water parks across two continents and seven countries.
| Name | Location | Year Opened | Year Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | ||||
| Aqua Mexicana | Hardenberg, Netherlands | Part of Attractiepark Slagharen | ||
| Aquopolis Cartaya | Cartaya, Spain | |||
| Aquopolis Costa Daurada | Costa Daurada, Spain | |||
| Aquopolis Cullera | Cullera, Spain | |||
| Aquopolis Torrevieja | Torrevieja, Spain | |||
| Aquopolis Villanueva de la Cañada | Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain | |||
| Aqualud | Le Touquet, France | |||
| Mirabeach | Ravenna, Italy | 2003 | 2006 | Part of Mirabilandia |
| Tropical Islands | Krausnick, Germany | 2004 | 2018 | |
| Warner Beach | Madrid, Spain | 2014 | Part of Parque Warner Madrid | |
| Australia | ||||
| Raging Waters Sydney | Sydney, Australia | 2013 | 2018[13] | |
Family Entertainment Centers
editParques Reunidos currently operates one family entertainment centers in the United Kingdom.
| Name | Location | Year Opened | Year Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | ||||
| Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside | Thurrock, England | 2020 | ||
Lodging and other ventures
edit| Name | Location | Year Opened | Year Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | ||||
| Attractiepark Slagharen | Hardenberg, Netherlands | Attractiepark Slagharen offers a large on-site camping area including cabins | ||
| Tropical Islands | Krausnick, Germany | 2018 | Tropical Islands offers an on-site hotel, campground and holiday homes | |
Cable cars
editThe company operates one cable car in Spain.
Former properties
edit| Park | Location | Property Type | Year Opened | Year Sold/Closed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | |||||
| Bollywood Parks Dubai | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Amusement Park | 2016 | Status Unknown | Owned by Dubai Parks and Resorts; Last appeared on the official Parques Reunidos website in 2018. Closed since early 2023. |
| Dragon Park | Hạ Long, Vietnam | Amusement Park | 2017 | Status Unknown | Owned by Sun Group; Last appeared on the official Parques Reunidos website in 2018 |
| Typhoon Water Park | Hạ Long, Vietnam | Water Park | 2017 | Status Unknown | Owned by Sun Group; Last appeared on the official Parques Reunidos website in 2018 |
| Europe | |||||
| Aquopolis Seville | Seville, Spain | Water Park | 2021 | Rebranded back to Guadalpark; Now operated by Wibit[14] | |
| Aquaopolis San Fernando de Henares | Madrid, Spain | Water Park | 2018 | Did not reopen for 2019, Planned to become green space[15] | |
| Belantis | Leipzig, Germany | Amusement Park | 2003 | 2025 | Sold to Compagnie des Alpes[16] |
| El Balcón de Rosales | Madrid, Spain | Night Club | 2008 | Closed after an 18 year old was beaten to death.[17] | |
| L'Oceanogràfic | Valencia, Spain | Aquarium | 2003 | 2015[18] | Now operated by Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre |
| Marineland of Antibes | Antibes, France | Aquarium, Water Park, Kid's Center | 1970 | 2025[19] | |
| Nickelodeon Adventure Madrid | Madrid, Spain | Family Entertainment Center | 2018[20] | 2019 | Closed September 8, 2019[21] |
| Nickelodeon Adventure Murcia | Murcia, Spain | Family Entertainment Center | 2017 | 2022 | |
| Teleférico de Madrid | Madrid, Spain | Cable Car | 2017 | Operations were taken back over by the city of Madrid[22] | |
| Valwo | Matapozuelos, Spain | Zoo | 1982 | 2007 | Closed in 2007 |
| South America | |||||
| Aquarium de Mar del Plata | Mar del Plata, Argentina | Aquarium | 2018 | Sold to Dolphin Discovery[23] | |
| North America | |||||
| Big Kahuna's | Destin, Florida | Water Park, Family Entertainment Center | 1986 | 2014 | Part of the Palace Entertainment subsidiary |
| Boomers! Parks | Various | Family Entertainment Center | 2014 | ||
| Anaheim, California | 2004 | ||||
| Bakersfield, California | 2004 | ||||
| Dania, Florida | 2015 | ||||
| Escondido, California | 2004 | ||||
| Medford, New York | 1999 | 2019 | |||
| Jazzland | New Orleans, Louisiana | Amusement Park | 2000 | 2002 | |
| Malibu Grand Prix | Redwood City, California | Family Entertainment Center | 1979 | 2013 | |
| San Antonio, Texas | 1978 | 2014 | |||
| Miami Seaquarium | Miami, Florida | Marine Animal Park | 1955 | 2014 | |
| Mountain Creek Water Park | Vernon Township, New Jersey | Water Park | 1978 | 2011 | |
| Mountasia | Houston, Texas | Family Entertainment Center | 2014 | ||
| Kingwood, Texas | 2007 | ||||
| Raging Waters Sacramento | Cal Expo, Sacramento, California | Water Park | 1986 | 2022 | |
| Raging Waters San Jose | East San Jose, San Jose, California | Water Park | 1985 | 2023 | |
| Silver Springs | Silver Springs, Florida | Attraction | 1878 | 2013 | |
| SpeedZone | Dallas, Texas | Family Entertainment Center | 1997 | 2014 | |
| Los Angeles, California | |||||
| Waterworld California | Concord, California | Water Park | 2011 | 2017 | |
| Wet N' Wild Las Vegas | Las Vegas, Nevada | 2002 | 2004 | ||
| Wild Waters Water Park | Silver Springs, Florida | 1978 | 2013 | ||
| Adventureland | Altoona, Iowa | Amusement Park | 1974 | 2025 | Part of the Palace Entertainment subsidiary, acquired by Herschend Family Entertainment |
| Castle Park | Riverside, California | 1976 | |||
| Dutch Wonderland | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 1963 | |||
| Idlewild and Soak Zone | Ligonier, Pennsylvania | 1887 | |||
| Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 1899 | |||
| Lake Compounce | Bristol, Connecticut | 1846 | |||
| Story Land | Glen, New Hampshire | 1954 | |||
| Living Shores Aquarium | Glen, New Hampshire | Aquarium | 2019 | ||
| Sea Life Park Hawaii | Waimanalo Beach, Hawaii | 1964 | |||
| Noah's Ark Water Park | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin | Water Park | 1979 | ||
| Raging Waters Los Angeles | San Dimas, Los Angeles County, California | 1983 | |||
| Sandcastle Waterpark | West Homestead, Pennsylvania | 1989 | |||
| Splish Splash | Riverhead, New York | 1989 | |||
| Water Country | Portsmouth, New Hampshire | 1984 | |||
| Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe | Greensboro, North Carolina | 1984 | |||
| Boomers! Palm Springs | Palm Springs, California | Family Entertainment Center | 1998 | ||
| Boomers! Vista | Vista, California | 1998 | |||
| Malibu Grand Prix | Norcross, Georgia | 2002 | |||
| Mountasia | Marietta, Georgia | 2002 | |||
References
edit- ^ "2008 Attraction Attendance Report" (PDF). TEA/ERA. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
- ^ DreamEast (May 20, 2015). "DreamEast Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement With Palace Entertainment". PR Newswire (Press release). Archived from the original on Apr 4, 2023. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
- ^ "Festival Fun Parks". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
- ^ "MidOcean Partners Announces Sale Of Palace Entertainment To Parques Reunidos". MidOcean Partners. 2007-08-24. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
- ^ "New Chapter in Kennywood Entertainment History Announced" (PDF). Kennywood Entertainment. 2008-05-11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
- ^ Palicki, Martin (12 November 2010). "Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company Announces Sale of Dutch Wonderland to Palace Entertainment". InPark Magazine. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
- ^ badams@madison.com | 608-252-6148 | @madnewsboy, BARRY ADAMS | Wisconsin State Journal | (2 March 2012). "Noah's Ark sold to California company". madison.com. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "California theme park company to buy Miami Seaquarium". Miami Herald.
- ^ "Palace Entertainment sells 14 entertainment centers and water park". Los Angeles Times. 2014-09-19. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
- ^ Goulding, Gage (2020-03-07). "Kennywood's parent company opening corporate facility in Pittsburgh area". WTOV. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
- ^ Gregory, John (2025-03-18). "Dollywood owner Herschend to buy over 20 U.S. properties from Parques Reunidos". Retrieved 2025-03-18.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "BELGRANO & CO has advised the shareholders of Vogelpark Walsrode GmbH on the sale to Parques Reunidos S.A." (PDF).
- ^ "Parques Reunidos completes Wet'n'Wild Sydney acquisition - Australasian Leisure Management". www.ausleisure.com.au. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
- ^ "¡Adiós Aquópolis, hola Guadalpark!". 21 May 2021.
- ^ "San Fernando de Henares says goodbye to Aquópolis forever". 27 April 2019.
- ^ "COMPAGNIE DES ALPES ANNOUNCES THE ACQUISITION OF BELANTIS, ONE OF THE LARGEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN EASTERN GERMANY". compagniedesalpes.com. April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
- ^ Barroso, F. Javier (17 November 2008). "Medidas tardías de las instituciones tras la muerte de Álvaro Ussía". El País.
- ^ "L'OCEANOGRÀFIC".
- ^ Bazizin, L., Richier, A., Chapelard, R., Alphonse, C. (2024), Antibes : Marineland annonce une fermeture définitive le 5 janvier 2025, retrieved 4 December 2024
- ^ "PARQUES REUNIDOS OPENS "NICKELODEON ADVENTURE" MADRID AT INTU XANADÚ". 17 December 2018.
- ^ "Nickelodeon Adventure Madrid to Close on Sunday 8th September 2019".
- ^ "The Madrid City Council will recover the management of the cable car". 27 July 2017.
- ^ "Grupo Dolphin compra Aquarium de Mar del Plata".
- "Home". Candover. 2013-06-30. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
- "Info" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2009
- McCaffrey, Sam (March 1, 2018). "Lionsgate focusing on Europe and Asia theme park opportunities". blooloop. Archived from the original on Sep 29, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2018.