SeaWorld Orlando Theme Park Being Sold

Blackstone Group to Purchase SeaWorld Orlandoup our team. Each is dedicated to providing you
for up to $2.7 Billionthe very finest family entertainment experiences
and service anywhere.
Anheuser-Busch InBev and The Blackstone Group"For all of us at Worlds of Discovery, this is an
announced today that Anheuser-Busch InBev willexciting development. This new phase in our
sell its entertainment business to Blackstonehistory is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves
Capital Partners V L.P. for up to $2.7 billion. Underto the principles that have guided us for the last
the terms of the agreement, Blackstone will50 years. This is also our opportunity to make a
acquire Anheuser-Busch InBev's wholly ownedpromise to you. We pledge to deliver an
subsidiary, Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC),experience that exceeds your expectations; an
the second largest entertainment park operator inexperience that brings you closer to those you
the United States with approximately 25 millionlove; an experience that is as enriching as it is
annual visitorsthrilling and fun.
The purchase includes:"Visit a Worlds of Discovery park. If it isn't
* SeaWorld, Aquatica, and Discovery Cove ineverything you hoped it would be, contact us.
Orlando, FloridaWe'll refund your admission. On behalf of the
* Busch Gardens and Adventure Island in TampaWorlds of Discovery team, thank you for your
Bay, Floridainterest in our great parks. We hope to see you
* Two more SeaWorld parks in San Antonio,soon in one of our Worlds of Discovery."
Texas and San Diego, CaliforniaCarlos Brito, Chief Executive Officer of
* Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VirginiaAnheuser-Busch InBev, said:
* Other Busch/InBev-owned family entertainment"Busch Entertainment Corporation is a high
attractions in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Langhorne,performing asset with a world-class management
Pennsylvania.team, but not a core business for
In addition to the new purchase, Blackstone alsoAnheuser-Busch InBev. We are pleased to have
currently owns 50 percent of the Universalreached an agreement with a buyer who
Orlando theme parks. The firm also owns Merlinunderstands the industry and has a strategic
Entertainments Group, which owns Legolandvision for the business. The sale of BEC
theme parks, Madame Tussauds Wax Museums,represents another important milestone in our
The London Eye and more.commitment to de-leverage the company and will
Worlds of Discovery President Jim Atchison madealso allow us to continue to focus on our core
this statement:brewing business. "The Blackstone Group is a
"A short time ago, Blackstone Capital Partners Vpreeminent private equity firm and we are very
L.P., an investor fund advised by The Blackstonehappy to have reached an agreement with
Group, announced that it had reached agreementBlackstone. We have great respect for BEC's
with Anheuser-Busch InBev to purchase themanagement and employees and know they will
company's entertainment park division, Buschcontinue to prosper under Blackstone's ownership."
Entertainment Corporation (BEC). While you mayJoseph Baratta, Senior Managing Director of The
have never heard of BEC, if you are readingBlackstone Group, said:
these words you know who we are."We have long admired the Busch Entertainment
"BEC operates 10 Worlds of Discovery -Corporation parks. They are the premier collection
SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorldof entertainment parks in the United States and
San Antonio, Busch Gardens Tampa, Buschoffer a unique family experience. We are pleased
Gardens Williamsburg, Discovery Cove, Aquatica,to have the opportunity to acquire this business.
Sesame Place, Adventure Island and WaterWe have deep sector experience and look
Country USA - some of the best-known andforward to working with the excellent BEC
most-loved entertainment parks in the worldmanagement team to continue to invest in and
today. More than 25,000 men and women makegrow the company.