LEGOLAND Parks Sold

[architect]

LEGO has sold 70% ownership of its LEGOLAND Parts to Blackstone Capital Partners IV for 375 Million Euro. This firm owns a variety of theme parks. Read the news on lego.com:

http://www.lego.com/eng/info/default.as ... hive=false

Kjeld has said that this will allow LEGO to focus specifically in producing toys in this changing marketplace.

Bloomberg Article:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid= ... AY6q7HA3cA

What do you think of this sale?

[Athos]

Hmmmm. Interesting. Seems like we heard this before, though, didn't we?

If it lets Lego focus on toys, its a good thing. Maybe we can get back to the good ol' days?

On the down side, if the parks are dramatically changed it will be too bad. Especially since I've let to be able to get to one.

Steve

[Formendacil]

Provided that it actually DOES allow LEGO to focus on toy production, I think it is a good thing.

Now, to stop the computer games, backpacks, shoes, and comics-in-sets..

[TheOrk]

I think this is a good thing. If it means we get better sets I'm ok with it.(I don't see me or my family ever paying all that money to get in there for the day)

Now, to stop the computer games, backpacks, shoes, and comics-in-sets..

I myself find all those other things like shirts, shoes and backpacks stupid. If the comics or computer games were any good it might be a different story.

[Jojo]

Hello!


Wouldn't this belong into Buy / Sell / Trade? :-)

375 Million Euro.

I like that number.


Bye
Jojo

[footsteps]

Now, to stop the computer games, backpacks, shoes, and comics-in-sets..

I myself find all those other things like shirts, shoes and backpacks stupid. If the comics or computer games were any good it might be a different story.

I beg to differ (though we are each allowed our own opinion). I use a Lego backpack as my lunchbag for work. I used a Lego rolling carry-on luggage piece for a trip to the Philippines last year -- no waiting for checked bags for me! Oh, and an umbrella (though it leaks ). The list goes on and on.

I also have a Lego t-shirt which came in very handy last weekend when my nine year old daughter and a friend went missing at a park. After a half hour of fruitless searching a fellow drove up and asked me if I was looking for two young girls. He pointed me to where they were at, and mentioned that the girls had said to look for a man with a red beard and a Lego shirt! That would be me! Girls found! Safe, if a little worried.

Alan

[Loneranger]

Provided that it actually DOES allow LEGO to focus on toy production, I think it is a good thing.

Now, to stop the computer games, backpacks, shoes, and comics-in-sets..

Ditto, I think this is better for LEGO. and I really think they hould stop there shoe lines, though they should keep the shirts, because they've been doing that for such a long time. (And they actually did come out with a few good games, like the first racers game, and the SW one they just came out with.)

LR

[venvorskar]

I like it, if Lego focuses on classic Lego, instead of semi-usless brands like Bionicle. I only went to Legoland once, two years ago.

[rogue27]

Didn't I once hear that the theme parks tie up 2/3 of TLC's resources, but only generate 1/3 of their revenue? Yeah, this should be a big help for their toy business.

Thanks for posting that.

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

Well, as long as the parks remain basically unchanged, then I'm ok with it. This will also help the LEGO Company work on actual sets.

Maybe I'm just a bit dense (or maybe it's because I barely skimmed through the article and I have headache), but what actually was sold? Does TLC have some control over the parks? Does this new company have the power to change and/or close down the parks?

Slightly on topic: W00t! The Lone Falcon made it onto the front page!

[architect]

Wouldn't this belong into Buy / Sell / Trade?

Yes it would if we could afford a theme park But since it is out of my price range, I put it in general.

I like that number.

Agreed.

Maybe I'm just a bit dense (or maybe it's because I barely skimmed through the article and I have headache), but what actually was sold? Does TLC have some control over the parks? Does this new company have the power to change and/or close down the parks?

LEGO and Blackstone will be partners to own and run the themeparks. Blackstone has a majority stake so they will make most of the operational decisions (but with input from LEGO).

I dont know if Blackstone can close a park but they can add rides and open new parks (according to the articles). Plus they will encorporate a few LEGO rides/displays into some of their other themeparks for additional exposure of the company.

Ben

[kingkastle]

hmmmm, i dunno guys and gals but maybe its just the pesimist in me thinking right now but I see this as a bad turn of events. Sure TLC promises to use the extra resources as a means to further their core product and sure it seems like now they should be able to pull a profit of some sort. But think of it this way TLC just downsized in order to relieve itself of some of its already significantly high losses. If they dont manage to pull things together now TLC is going to be left with one less income source and this, to me at least, seems like a 'juggle' of property with high hopes of regaining ground. Lets hope they can pull it off, otherwise TLC could truly be in for a rough time.
But then again what do I know, I only speculate from what limited resources I have available to me.

Fingers crossed that TLC knows better than I. Good Luck Guys and Gals at The Lego Company!

[venvorskar]

I dont know if Blackstone can close a park but they can add rides and open new parks

Good, we need more Legolands.

[Bloody Jay]

I won't be worried until a MEGABLOKIA opens.

[TheOrk]

I beg to differ (though we are each allowed our own opinion). I use a Lego backpack as my lunchbag for work. I used a Lego rolling carry-on luggage piece for a trip to the Philippines last year -- no waiting for checked bags for me! Oh, and an umbrella (though it leaks ). The list goes on and on.

I also have a Lego t-shirt which came in very handy last weekend when my nine year old daughter and a friend went missing at a park. After a half hour of fruitless searching a fellow drove up and asked me if I was looking for two young girls. He pointed me to where they were at, and mentioned that the girls had said to look for a man with a red beard and a Lego shirt! That would be me! Girls found! Safe, if a little worried.

Alan

Well now that is different. When I originally typed up my earlier post bionicle was going threw my mind(They have ALOT of merchandise on S@H) I myself would wear a minifig/system scale if I ever saw one in stores.

But I would like it more if LEGO increased the quality of their old system themes.(That ain't you Galidor/bionicle!!! )