Popular blogs have picked it up.

http://gawker.com/the-ceo-of-sea-world-has-resigned-after-one-little-doc-1670033420

WTOP Newsradio in the Nation's capital just reported the sort of departing but not really CEO will get $2.4 million in severance, even though he is not leaving the company, while many low paid managers who soon will be leaving will get no severance pay.

^Well, I hate to do it again but:

SeaWorld CEO stepping aside as company announces layoffs[/size]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-seaworld-ceo-20141211-story.html

I met the CEO twice as an intern and I'm ok with him leaving. He was a dick. I'll be sad if/when the great people at Busch Gardens that I know get let go.

That article I can read. It is not blocked by a paywall. Yet the other one is, and without an apparent reason why. Color me confused.

^Don't feel alone. I cannot read it either.

Sure they can.

They could hire Ed Hart, Ed Glasscock, and John Shanrock.

...or Richard Kinzel and the Kinzel Kids.

In the running for one of the worst business articles I have ever read:

http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2014-12-11/seaworld-dumps-its-ceo-dont-just-blame-blackfish

Sigh.

^Well, I hate to do it again but:

SeaWorld CEO stepping aside as company announces layoffs[/size]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-seaworld-ceo-20141211-story.html

I met the CEO twice as an intern and I'm ok with him leaving. He was a dick. I'll be sad if/when the great people at Busch Gardens that I know get let go.

That article I can read. It is not blocked by a paywall. Yet the other one is, and without an apparent reason why. Color me confused.

I think it has to do with the date the article was posted, maybe?

I think there is a bigger problem, for Sea World in the fact that they are not "unique" anymore. 10-20-30 years ago, people didnt have the opportunity to view these creatures. SW was the only (or one of the few) spots to see them. Not so much now, as the internet allows us opportunities to study and look at animals in a way that we never had seen before.

A closed sea pen would be interesting... I picture the Jaws underwater Tunnel personally.

A thoughtful piece, with thoughtful comments:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201412/4334/

Layoffs? Not good. This effects all of their parks...not just SeaWorld.

There are some very sad Facebook posts coming from some very close friends today. It seems the hammer has fallen for a lot of the mid-range full timers and even some higher ups...

See:

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Hundreds-of-SeaWorld-Employees-Given-Pink-Slips-Report-285673521.html

Some employees only found out when their access badges didn't work. Shameful and sad. Note the new addition about severance packages.

I suspect this is the camel's nose.

The total experience will be affected...

See also a question with a rather pathetic 'answer' at USAToday:

http://americasmarkets.usatoday.com/2014/12/13/ask-matt-can-seaworld-resurface/

And killing park experience is never the way to get more people into the park to enjoy it, spend more money, and come back....

More, including that what the public is perceiving as the 'fired' CEO will get more than $3.7 million from SeaWorld in the next three years. And, oh yes, he's 48.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/tourism/orlando-sentinel-sea-world-ceo-atchison-stepping-down/2209914

In Busch Gardens Williamsburg, the marketing department is practically gone. Zoological division and entertainment division took huge cuts. Sell-off of non-core animals is all but assured at this park.

http://forum.parkfans.net/thread-3728-post-123344.html#pid123344

Guys, this is BAD. Really, REALLY bad.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg without marketing, minimal zoo staff, minimal entertainment staff, and a modern, "edgy" motocross themed coaster en route for 2015 - still not announced. But then, who would announce it? There's no marketing department left.

And this is just one park.

Yeah that article does not make the future look very bright at all.

*Hides in a corner with laptop and bags of chips until matter is resolved*

California has very strict laws requiring state notification before most widespread layoffs.

108 at SeaWorld San Diego alone:

http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2014/dec/15/seaworld-san-diego-job-layoffs/

No way this isn't going to adversely affect park experiences.

And the timing--right before Christmas.

Sad and pathetic.

Could Busch Gardens End Up at FUN or SIX?

http://www.thestreet.mobi/story/12984130/1/exit-of-seaworld-ceo-sparks-talk-of-busch-gardens-split.html

It would be an absolute travesty to see either/both Busch Gardens in the hands of Six Flags.

Maybe.

Maybe not.

It would be an absolute travesty to see either/both Busch Gardens in the hands of Six Flags.

Worse than being in the hands of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment?

I don't know. Just asking.

Looks to me anything would be better........Almost

Specifically reducing the zoological focus at Busch Gardens could make sense if the goal is to find a wide field of bidders for those parks within 2 years.

The general reductions? Do parks with declining attendance fetch top dollar?

It'll never happen, but Busch Gardens would be best spun off into its own entity.

I don't know if BG would be a good fit in the FUN or SIX portfolio. I think those parks have way too much attention to detail than those suitors. The last I was at BG, Williamsburg- the attention to landscaping was off the chart. CF has done much better with environment/experience at the parks than the Paramount predecessor, but lets face it- those details aren't one of their strong suits.

^ Perhaps some of the displaced employees in charge of said details will find jobs at FUN or SIX.

Directors of landscaping are among those let go at SEAS.

It would be an absolute travesty to see either/both Busch Gardens in the hands of Six Flags.

Worse than being in the hands of SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment?

I don't know. Just asking.

That's a fair question. Does Herschend have the financial resources it would take to acquire the Busch parks?

Yes, it does.

Would it want to? That's the question.

From my experience at Silver Dollar City, Herschend knows details. The park was über clean and the whole frontier land theme was phenomenal.

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Understand the alcohol would be the first thing dismissed.