Parques Reunidos Buys Miami Seaquarium. Palace Entertainment, The US branch of Parques Reunidoes, has signed a deal within the last month to purchase the notorious "Miami Seaquairum" from Wometco Entertainment. The 38 acre park sits on leased land from the city of Miami and has been a staple of the area since 1955 and the lease of the land runs until 2031. The downside is Miami Seaquarium has one of the darkest and most abusive reputations in the Marine Park and Marine Mammal fields. While Parques doesn't have the best reputation among US parks, perhaps they'll actually put money into Miami Seaquairum rather then funneling it out to support their European parks. Palace Entertainment has stated in the next year they will do studies of the park to find out where improvements need to be made, it's going to become a game of "Wait and See" for Miami Seaquarium. Note: No, I don't like Miami Seaquarium because I do know their history and it's NOT pleasant. Do some research and decide for yourself.
According tot he Miami Herald, Palace Entertainment, the US branch of Parques Reunidos may be looking to buy the Miami Seaquairum for a reported $30 Million. The Herald reports that their source said a nondisclosure agreement has been signed while the buyer completes the process.
While many people right now are focusing wrongly on Seaworld for animal rights and treatement of their Killer Whales, the Miami Seaquarium has a much darker and twisted history. Much of it not good and while Blackfish may be all the news right now, people should focus their efforts someplace that needs the spotlight placed on them. Don't believe me? Do some googling- you'll find out better that way and my opinion won't cloud your own judgement (it's bad).
Palace Entertainment has already proven to funnel money from their US amusement parks and properties into their massive building projects in Europe. There is no other way to explain the complete lack of care and declining state of their US park properties, I can't imagine that Miami Seaquairum (which desperately needs money for massive improves to their animal keep facilities) would benefit from this deal.
In 1992 Hurricane Andrew decimated Miami Zoo, causing thousands in damage and killing some animals. Since then it seems the now called "Zoo Miami" has been in talks with various companies over the years above changing the zoo and the land around it. Theme Parks/Amusement Parks and the Miami Zoo have a rather long history, rumors have been around since the 1970's.
This week it came to light that two projects are competition for the rights to build at and around Zoo Miami. Beginning this Monday, both companies will begin trying to pitch their plans to the Miami-Dade County Leaders. Theme Parks/Amusement Parks and Zoo Miami have a rather long history, rumors have been around since the 1970's in some form or another.
"Dinosaur Park International" which is proposed by a German company which runs a similar style site in Neumuhle Park. They state their project could be complete in around two years from ground breaking. Their German park website states the following:
The Garden Fair is home to the largest open air dinosaur exhibition in Europe. More than 80 life-like dinosaur replicas populate the Neumühle Park, including the only 30 centimeter long hylonomus and the 27 meter long diplodocus.
The other proposed project is much larger and more intimidating called "Miami Wilds" and is backed by none other then 20th Century Fox. The newspaper states their proposal is "a theme park with rides based on its blockbuster movies. It would
include an Ice Age-themed water park; 30,000 square feet of space for
stores and restaurants; an outdoor space for concerts and sporting
events; and, a 400-room hotel". 20th Century Fox states their project would be two phase, complete 'possibly' by 2020 after groundbreaking.
One thing that strikes me as odd, neither of these 'proposals' address the fact that this is a working, breathing zoo. What will happen with the animals who call Zoo Miami home? Will the 'zoo' be kept, intact and operating or will this new project demolish the zoo? Personally, before Hurricane Andrew happened the Miami Zoo as a gem, an amazing zoo with amazing animal care programs. Afterwards, I can't tell you much as I was never able to return there in the following years since.
InSanity lurks Inside will be following up on these proposals and will report back when more news or rumors come to light.
