Herschend Family Entertainment to operate pair of parks

Herschend Family Entertainment and CNL Lifestyle Properties Inc. announced Jan. 25 that HFE will assume day-to-day management of Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, near Buffalo, N.Y., and Elitch Gardens in Denver.

Orlando, Fla.,-based CNL Properties remains the owner, according to a news release.

Darien Lake Theme Park Resort and Elitch Gardens both include a theme park, a water park and a performance venue. Darien Lake Theme Park Resort also includes a hotel, cabins and a campground.

Curt Caffey, CNL senior vice president and managing director, and Joel Manby, HFE president and CEO, made the announcement.

“We are eager to get to work managing the operations at these popular parks,” Manby said in the release. “With 50 years of experience serving millions of guests, and operating a variety of family entertainment enterprises including theme parks, water parks, tour businesses, hotels and campgrounds, HFE is committed to delivering great value while always bringing families closer together. These parks align well with that philosophy.”

HFE owns, operates or partners in 24 entertainment, tourism and hospitality properties in eight states.

HFE ownership:

• Silver Dollar City, Branson
• Showboat Branson Belle, Branson
• White Water, Branson
• The Wilderness at Silver Dollar City campground, Branson
• Operating partner with Dolly Parton in Dollywood Co., which owns the Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country water park, both in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
• Atlanta’s Stone Mountain Park in conjunction with the state of Georgia and Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Ga.
• Adventure Aquarium in Camden, N.J.
• Newport Aquarium in Newport, Ken.
• Ride The Ducks amphibious tours in Branson, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Ride The Ducks also operates at Newport Aquarium and Stone Mountain Park.

CNL is a real estate investment trust that owns a portfolio of 151 properties in the United States and Canada in the lifestyle and recreation sectors. It specializes in the acquisition of ski and mountain venues, attractions, golf courses, marinas and senior living facilities, the release said.[[In-content Ad]]