Parques Reunidos

Spanish entertainment operator

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|

Parques Reunidos

Company type| Private
Industry| Amusement parks
Founded| 1967 (1967)
Headquarters| Madrid, Spain

Area served

| Worldwide

Key people

| Pascal Ferracci (CEO)
Owners| EQT AB (51.0%)
Elliott Management (12.8%)
Website| www.parquesreunidos.com/en/

Parques Reunidos (meaning "Reunited Parks") is an international entertainment operator based in Madrid, Spain. The group operates over 60 parks in about dozen countries. Parques Reunidos operates theme and amusement parks, zoos, water parks, family entertainment centers, and cable cars. These facilities are located in Spain, Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. Annual visitors to the group's attractions exceed 22 million, with revenue exceeding $570 million (USD). In 2008 it had the fifth-highest attendance figures for worldwide chains with 24.9 million, ahead of United Parks & Resorts and Cedar Fair.[1]

## Palace Entertainment

[edit]

Palace Entertainment

Company type| Private
Industry| Amusement parks
Founded| 1998; 27 years ago (1998)
Defunct| 2025
Fate| Assets acquired by Herschend Family Entertainment
Successor| Herschend Family Entertainment
Headquarters| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Area served

| United States
Owner| Parques Reunidos
Website| www.palaceentertainment.com

Palace Entertainment was a subsidiary of Parques Reunidos based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is primarily involved in the operation of attractions in the United States.

Palace Entertainment was established in 1998, after the acquisition of four independently owned family entertainment companies. These four companies consisted of five brands: Camelot Parks, Palace Park, Boomers!, Grand Prix Race-O-Rama and Family Fun Center.[2] In the early 2000s the company purchased various Water Parks and Family Entertainment Centers.[3]

On February 27, 2006, it was announced that MidOcean Partners was to acquire Palace Entertainment. This transaction occurred in the second quarter 2006.

On August 24, 2007, MidOcean Partners sold Palace Entertainment to Parques Reunidos for $330 Million. This transaction took place in the third quarter of 2007.[4]

Fernando Eiroa joined Palace Entertainment in 2007, serving as president and chief executive officer.

On December 11, 2007 Kennywood Entertainment Company entered an agreement to sell their Five Properties (Kennywood, Idlewild and Soak Zone, Sandcastle Waterpark, Lake Compounce and Story Land) to Palace Entertainment's parent company Parques Reunidos. By 2009 Palace had taken over operations of all five parks.[5]

On November 12, 2010, Palace Entertainment announced the acquisition of Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, from Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company.[6]

On March 2, 2012, Palace Entertainment announced the acquisition of Noah's Ark Water Park in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.[7]

In 2014, Palace Entertainment acquired Miami Seaquarium in Key Biscayne, Florida.[8]

Later that year Palace Entertainment sold 15 properties to the newly formed Apex Parks Group Including Big Kahuna's, 10 Boomers locations as well as an additional Family 4 Entertainment Centers. This was in an effort to move away from Family Entertainment Center operations for Palace Entertainment.[9]

In March 2020, it was announced that Palace Entertainment would open a new corporate facility near the Kennywood property. This new facility will house 25 executives as well as their East Coast team.[10]

In December 2021, Palace Entertainment acquired Adventureland in Altoona, Iowa.

In March 2025, Herschend Family Entertainment announced it had reached an agreement to acquire all of Palace Entertainment's United States parks.[11]

## Amusement parks

[edit]

The entrance of Mirabilandia, Ravenna, Italy Polar bear at Marineland of Antibes, France

Parques Reunidos currently operates 10 amusement park properties across two continents and eight countries.

Name  | Location  | Year Opened  | Year Acquired  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Asia
Motiongate Dubai | Dubai, United Arab Emirates  | 2016  |  |
Europe
Bobbejaanland | Lichtaart, Belgium  | 1961  | 2004  |
Belantis | Leipzig, Germany  | 2003  | 2018  |
BonBon-Land | Næstved, Denmark  | 1992  | 2007  |
Mirabilandia | Ravenna, Italy  | 1992  | 2006  |
Movie Park Germany | Bottrop-Kirchhellen, Germany  | 1996  | 2010  |
Parque de Atracciones de Madrid | Madrid, Spain  | 1969  |  |
Parque Warner Madrid | Madrid, Spain  | 2002  |  |
Attractiepark Slagharen | Hardenberg, Netherlands  | 1963  |  |
Tusenfryd | Vinterbro, Norway  | 1988  |  |

## Zoos, aquariums and nature parks

[edit]

Parques Reunidos currently operates 10 zoos, aquariums and nature parks across one continents and five countries.

Name  | Location  | Year Opened  | Year Acquired  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Europe
Atlantis Aquarium  | Madrid, Spain  |  |  |
Blackpool Zoo | Lancashire, England  | 1972  |  |
Delfinario Costa Daurada  | Costa Daurada, Spain |  |  |
Faunia  | Madrid, Spain |  |  |
Lakes Aquarium | Lakeside, England  | 1997  |  |
Oceanarium  | Bournemouth, England |  |  |
Selwo Aventura  | Estepona, Spain  | 1999  |  |
Selwo Marina | Benalmádena, Spain  | 2002  |  |
Weltvogelpark Walsrode | Walsrode, Germany | 1962  | 2019[12] |
Zoo Aquarium | Madrid, Spain  | 1770  |  |

## Water parks

[edit]

Parques Reunidos currently operates 11 separately-gated water parks across two continents and seven countries.

Name  | Location  | Year Opened  | Year Acquired  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Europe
Aqua Mexicana  | Hardenberg, Netherlands  |  |  | Part of Attractiepark Slagharen
Aquopolis Cartaya  | Cartaya, Spain  |  |  |
Aquopolis Costa Daurada  | Costa Daurada, Spain  |  |  |
Aquopolis Cullera  | Cullera, Spain  |  |  |
Aquopolis Torrevieja  | Torrevieja, Spain  |  |  |
Aquopolis Villanueva de la Cañada  | Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain  |  |  |
Aqualud  | Le Touquet, France  |  |  |
Mirabeach | Ravenna, Italy  | 2003  | 2006  | Part of Mirabilandia
Tropical Islands | Krausnick, Germany  | 2004  | 2018  |
Warner Beach | Madrid, Spain | 2014  |  | Part of Parque Warner Madrid
Australia
Raging Waters Sydney | Sydney, Australia | 2013  | 2018[13] |

## Family Entertainment Centers

[edit]

Parques Reunidos currently operates one family entertainment centers in the United Kingdom.

Name  | Location  | Year Opened  | Year Acquired  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Europe
Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside | Thurrock, England  | 2020  |  |

## Lodging and other ventures

[edit]

Name  | Location  | Year Opened  | Year Acquired  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Europe
Attractiepark Slagharen | Hardenberg, Netherlands  |  |  | Attractiepark Slagharen offers a large on-site camping area including cabins
Tropical Islands | Krausnick, Germany  |  | 2018  | Tropical Islands offers an on-site hotel, campground and holiday homes

### Cable cars

[edit]

The company operates one cable car in Spain.

* Benalmádena

## Former properties

[edit]

Park  | Location  | Property Type  | Year Opened  | Year Sold/Closed  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

Asia
Bollywood Parks Dubai | Dubai, United Arab Emirates  | Amusement Park  | 2016  | Status Unknown | Owned by Dubai Parks and Resorts; Last appeared on the official Parques Reunidos website in 2018. Closed since early 2023.
Dragon Park | Hạ Long, Vietnam | Amusement Park  | 2017  | Status Unknown | Owned by Sun Group; Last appeared on the official Parques Reunidos website in 2018
Typhoon Water Park | Hạ Long, Vietnam | Water Park  | 2017  | Status Unknown | Owned by Sun Group; Last appeared on the official Parques Reunidos website in 2018
Europe
Aquopolis Seville  | Seville, Spain | Water Park  |  | 2021  | Rebranded back to Guadalpark; Now operated by Wibit[14]
Aquaopolis San Fernando de Henares  | Madrid, Spain | Water Park  |  | 2018  | Did not reopen for 2019, Planned to become green space[15]
El Balcón de Rosales  | Madrid, Spain | Night Club  |  | 2008  | Closed after an 18 year old was beaten to death.[16]
L'Oceanogràfic | Valencia, Spain | Aquarium  | 2003  | 2015[17] | Now operated by Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
Marineland of Antibes | Antibes, France | Aquarium, Water Park, Kid's Center  | 1970  | 2025[18] |
Nickelodeon Adventure Madrid  | Madrid, Spain | Family Entertainment Center  | 2018[19] | 2019  | Closed September 8, 2019[20]
Nickelodeon Adventure Murcia  | Murcia, Spain  | Family Entertainment Center  | 2017  | 2022  |
Teleférico de Madrid | Madrid, Spain | Cable Car  |  | 2017  | Operations were taken back over by the city of Madrid[21]
Valwo | Matapozuelos, Spain | Zoo  | 1982  | 2007  | Closed in 2007
South America
Aquarium de Mar del Plata  | Mar del Plata, Argentina | Aquarium  |  | 2018  | Sold to Dolphin Discovery[22]
North America
Big Kahuna's | Destin, Florida | Water Park, Family Entertainment Center  | 1986  | 2014  | Part of the Palace Entertainment subsidiary
Boomers! Parks | Various  | Family Entertainment Center  |  | 2014
Anaheim, California |  | 2004
Bakersfield, California |  | 2004
Dania, Florida |  | 2015
Escondido, California |  | 2004
Medford, New York | 1999  | 2019
Jazzland | New Orleans, Louisiana | Amusement Park  | 2000  | 2002
Malibu Grand Prix | Redwood City, California | Family Entertainment Center  | 1979  | 2013
San Antonio, Texas | 1978  | 2014
Miami Seaquarium | Miami, Florida | Marine Animal Park  | 1955  | 2014
Mountain Creek Water Park | Vernon Township, New Jersey | Water Park  | 1978  | 2011
Mountasia | Houston, Texas | Family Entertainment Center  |  | 2014
Kingwood, Texas |  | 2007
Raging Waters Sacramento  | Cal Expo, Sacramento, California | Water Park  | 1986  | 2022
Raging Waters San Jose | East San Jose, San Jose, California | Water Park  | 1985  | 2023
Silver Springs | Silver Springs, Florida | Attraction  | 1878  | 2013
SpeedZone | Dallas, Texas | Family Entertainment Center  | 1997  | 2014
Los Angeles, California
Waterworld California | Concord, California | Water Park  | 2011  | 2017
Wet N' Wild Las Vegas | Las Vegas, Nevada | 2002  | 2004
Wild Waters Water Park | Silver Springs, Florida | 1978  | 2013
Adventureland | Altoona, Iowa | Amusement Park  | 1974  | 2025  | Part of the Palace Entertainment subsidiary, acquired by Herschend Family Entertainment
Castle Park | Riverside, California | 1976
Dutch Wonderland | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 1963
Idlewild and Soak Zone | Ligonier, Pennsylvania | 1887
Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 1899
Lake Compounce | Bristol, Connecticut | 1846
Story Land | Glen, New Hampshire | 1954
Living Shores Aquarium | Glen, New Hampshire | Aquarium  | 2019
Sea Life Park Hawaii | Waimanalo Beach, Hawaii | 1964
Noah's Ark Water Park | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin | Water Park  | 1979
Raging Waters Los Angeles | San Dimas, Los Angeles County, California | 1983
Sandcastle Waterpark | West Homestead, Pennsylvania | 1989
Splish Splash | Riverhead, New York | 1989
Water Country | Portsmouth, New Hampshire | 1984
Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe | Greensboro, North Carolina | 1984
Boomers! Palm Springs | Palm Springs, California | Family Entertainment Center  | 1998
Boomers! Vista | Vista, California | 1998
Malibu Grand Prix | Norcross, Georgia | 2002
Mountasia  | Marietta, Georgia | 2002

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "2008 Attraction Attendance Report" (PDF). TEA/ERA. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
2. ^ DreamEast (May 20, 2015). "DreamEast Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement With Palace Entertainment". PR Newswire (Press release). Archived from the original on Apr 4, 2023. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
3. ^ "Festival Fun Parks". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
4. ^ "MidOcean Partners Announces Sale Of Palace Entertainment To Parques Reunidos". MidOcean Partners. 2007-08-24. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
5. ^ "New Chapter in Kennywood Entertainment History Announced" (PDF). Kennywood Entertainment. 2008-05-11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
6. ^ Palicki, Martin (12 November 2010). "Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company Announces Sale of Dutch Wonderland to Palace Entertainment". InPark Magazine. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
7. ^ badams@madison.com | 608-252-6148 | @madnewsboy, BARRY ADAMS | Wisconsin State Journal | (2 March 2012). "Noah's Ark sold to California company". madison.com. Retrieved 2020-11-11.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
8. ^ "California theme park company to buy Miami Seaquarium". Miami Herald.
9. ^ "Palace Entertainment sells 14 entertainment centers and water park". Los Angeles Times. 2014-09-19. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
10. ^ Goulding, Gage (2020-03-07). "Kennywood's parent company opening corporate facility in Pittsburgh area". WTOV. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
11. ^ Gregory, John (2025-03-18). "Dollywood owner Herschend to buy over 20 U.S. properties from Parques Reunidos". Retrieved 2025-03-18.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
12. ^ "BELGRANO & CO has advised the shareholders of Vogelpark Walsrode GmbH on the sale to Parques Reunidos S.A." (PDF).
13. ^ "Parques Reunidos completes Wet'n'Wild Sydney acquisition - Australasian Leisure Management". www.ausleisure.com.au. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
14. ^ "¡Adiós Aquópolis, hola Guadalpark!". 21 May 2021.
15. ^ "San Fernando de Henares says goodbye to Aquópolis forever". 27 April 2019.
16. ^ Barroso, F. Javier (17 November 2008). "Medidas tardías de las instituciones tras la muerte de Álvaro Ussía". El País.
17. ^ "L'OCEANOGRÀFIC".
18. ^ Bazizin, L., Richier, A., Chapelard, R., Alphonse, C. (2024), Antibes : Marineland annonce une fermeture définitive le 5 janvier 2025, retrieved 4 December 2024
19. ^ "PARQUES REUNIDOS OPENS "NICKELODEON ADVENTURE" MADRID AT INTU XANADÚ". 17 December 2018.
20. ^ "Nickelodeon Adventure Madrid to Close on Sunday 8th September 2019".
21. ^ "The Madrid City Council will recover the management of the cable car". 27 July 2017.
22. ^ "Grupo Dolphin compra Aquarium de Mar del Plata".

* "Home". Candover. 2013-06-30. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
* "Info" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2009. Retrieved October 13, 2009
* McCaffrey, Sam (March 1, 2018). "Lionsgate focusing on Europe and Asia theme park opportunities". blooloop. Archived from the original on Sep 29, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Palace Entertainment
* Kennywood Connection
* MidOcean Partners website
* Oceanarium
* Lakes Aquarium
* Blackpool Zoo

* v
* t
* e

Parques Reunidos

Palace Entertainment

Amusement parks|

* Bobbejaanland
* BonBon-Land
* Mirabilandia
* Movie Park Germany
* Parque de Atracciones de Madrid
* Parque Warner Madrid
* Attractiepark Slagharen
* Tusenfryd
* Castle Park
* Dutch Wonderland
* Idlewild & Soak Zone
* Kennywood
* Lake Compounce
* Story Land
* Boomers! Parks
* Malibu Grand Prix
* Mountasia

Zoos and Aquariums|

* Zoo Aquarium of Madrid
* Faunia
* Selwo Marina
* Selwo Aventura
* Marineland of Antibes
* Lakes Aquarium
* Blackpool Zoo
* Oceanarium Bournemouth
* Sea Life Park Hawaii
* Miami Seaquarium
* Living Shores Aquarium
* Miami Seaquarium
* Sea Life Park

Water parks|

* Aquopolis
* Bø Sommarland
* Mirabilandia Beach
* Noah's Ark Water Park
* Raging Waters
* Sandcastle
* Splish Splash
* Water Country
* Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe
* Raging Waters Sydney
* Sacramento
* San Jose
* Sydney

Cable cars|

* Teleférico
* Madrid
* Benalmádena

Hotels|

* Cartoon Network Hotel

* v
* t
* e

Parques Reunidos

Palace Entertainment

Amusement parks|

* Bobbejaanland
* BonBon-Land
* Mirabilandia
* Movie Park Germany
* Parque de Atracciones de Madrid
* Parque Warner Madrid
* Attractiepark Slagharen
* Tusenfryd
* Castle Park
* Dutch Wonderland
* Idlewild & Soak Zone
* Kennywood
* Lake Compounce
* Story Land
* Boomers! Parks
* Malibu Grand Prix
* Mountasia

Zoos and Aquariums|

* Zoo Aquarium of Madrid
* Faunia
* Selwo Marina
* Selwo Aventura
* Marineland of Antibes
* Lakes Aquarium
* Blackpool Zoo
* Oceanarium Bournemouth
* Sea Life Park Hawaii
* Miami Seaquarium
* Living Shores Aquarium
* Miami Seaquarium
* Sea Life Park

Water parks|

* Aquopolis
* Bø Sommarland
* Mirabilandia Beach
* Noah's Ark Water Park
* Raging Waters
* Sandcastle
* Splish Splash
* Water Country
* Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe
* Raging Waters Sydney
* Sacramento
* San Jose
* Sydney

Cable cars|

* Teleférico
* Madrid
* Benalmádena

Hotels|

* Cartoon Network Hotel

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