Watch: Adventureland launches two new journeys for 2023
Adventureland Park in Altoona made its debut in 2023.
Adventureland was officially acquired by the same billion dollars that has themed parks like Dollywood and Silver Dollar City.
Herschend, a family theme attraction company, ended its purchase from 24 American Palace Entertainment properties, including Adventureland, May 27. There The sale was announced for the first time in mid-March.
Just as Adventureland began as a family theme park, Herschend experienced a similar start, said CEO Andrew Wexler.
“We are here to bring families closer by creating memories that deserve to be repeated,” said Wexler in an interview with the register after closing the purchase. “So, for us to do this, we have to enter the families where they are.”
Will the new owner of Adventureland, Herschend make changes?
For the moment, it is not planned to change Adventureland with the acquisition. Herschend officials will work with Adventureland and other Palais companies for the next 90 days to carry out the transition, Wexler said in the register.
“We are going to spend the next 90 days listening and learning, knowing the properties and communities in which we are,” said Wexler.
When asked if there would be new advantages for seasonal passes in Adventureland, Wexler said that Herschend intended to maintain the current advantages for customers. Adventureland is the most Costly season tickets package Includes access to other parks belonging to Palace Entertainment.
What is Herschend Family Entertainment, the new Adventureland operator?
Herschend began in 1950 with its first Cave Tour operation in the Ozark mountains. He has themed parks like Kentucky Kingdom, Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, Aquariums and Harlem Globetrotters.
The purchase price was not disclosed, but shortly after the announcement of the agreement Bloomberg reported That Herschend contracted a loan of $ 1.1 billion to refinance its existing debt and help pay the purchase.
What is Herschend’s safety file in the amusement parks?
Adventureland was sold to Palace Entertainment shortly After an unleashed river accident, an 11 -year -old child and injured several others in 2021. Ride had 17 security violations At the time of the accident, according to state officials. Subsequent surveys Questions raised on maintenance efforts Under the original property of the park.
Herschend was sentenced to a fine that $ 18,000 in 2020 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration After a Dollywood employee was electrocuted at work.
Herschend Family Entertainment, as well as four other companies, were also prosecuted after 17 passengers died on a boat attraction at the Rock Lake of Missouri who capsized during a storm. The prosecution said that the accused were warned for two decades that boats were dangerous for passengers in the event of an emergency, according to the Kansas City Star.
Kate Kealey is a general mission journalist for the monks register. Touch it kkeley@cartermedia.com or follow it on Twitter at @ Kkealey17.