Xanterra Parks and Resorts
Encyclopedia
Xanterra Parks & Resorts (formerly Amfac Resorts and Amfac Parks & Resorts) is a privately-owned United States
park and resort management company based in Greenwood Village, Colorado
, controlled by entertainment magnate Phillip Anschutz. Denver-based billionaire Anschutz, who has an extensive history of developing and operating mineral, railroad, newsmedia and entertainment enterprises, is one of the largest private promoters of live events in the world, most notably soccer.
, after the death of the founder's grandson in 1965, the company became affiliated with Chicago-based JMB Realty
, which acquired large Hawaii landholder Amfac in 1968 and broke it up into independent corporations including Amfac Resorts. In 1995, Amfac bought the large national parks management concession TW Recreational Services from Flagstar
. In 2002, Amfac changed its corporate name to Xanterra after the bankruptcy of Amfac Hawaii. The name comes from a combination of Xanadu
and terra, meaning Earth
. The Anschutz Company bought Xanterra from JMB in 2008.
Xanterra specializes in tourism in U.S. National Park
s, and has a presence in Yellowstone and Grand Canyon
, and a number of other national and state parks. They are contracted by the US National Park Service to provide lodging and services in these parks. Accommodations and pricing vary widely and include quality hotel rooms, lodges, rustic cabins, motel-style lodging and camping.
To provide service to throngs of tourists each year, while protecting these national parks, Xanterra has developed an extensive environmental program: decreasing fossil fuel use, increasing renewable energy use, recycling, and offering sustainable cuisine with a local focus.
The most notable of the original Harvey operations is the Grand Canyon South Rim concession, including the El Tovar Hotel
. The company owns the Grand Canyon Railway
, which has been in the news for experimental use of used vegetable oil (from cooking French fries) to power locomotives. In July, 2010, the company announced it was acquiring the Kingsmill Resort
near Williamsburg, Virginia
, a world-renowned hospitality property. The Kingsmill Resort was developed beginning in the 1970s as part of Anheuser-Busch
's projects of theme parks, residential, commercial and industrial developments coordinated between August Busch
and Winthrop Rockefeller
intended to complement Colonial Williamsburg
and enhance both the region's tourism attractions and local economy.
, which is located near Williamsburg, Virginia
. The Kingsmill Resort has 425 rooms, five restaurants, 17000 square feet (1,579.4 m²) of conference space, a spa and fitness center, marina, and 15-court tennis center. Three championship golf courses and an executive nine-hole course surround the resort. The location has hosted the LPGA and other premier golf events, as well as perennially hosting political conferences, such as national governors conferences and congressional caucuses.
Beginning in the early 1970s, the Kingsmill Resort was developed by Anheuser-Busch (A-B) as a portion of the brewing company's development of diversified activities in the Williamsburg area, which grew to include not only the brewery, but the Busch Gardens Williamsburg theme park, and large upscale developments of residential and office park properties. The St. Louis-based brewer invested in the area following negotiations held between August Busch, II
and Winthrop Rockefeller
, a son of Colonial Williamsburg's initial chief mentor, John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
. Winthrop Rockefeller had been serving as both governor of Arkansas and chairman of Colonial Williamsburg
in the 1960s and 1970s. (Water Country USA
, a local water park
, was acquired by A-B in the 1990s, and added to the company's theme park activities, which include a number of Sea World
properties in other states as well).
Both Winthrop Rockefeller, who died in 1973, and August Busch II, who died in 1989 have been credited by some historians with helping develop the Greater Williamsburg area into one of the top tourism destinations in the world. They apparently felt that augmenting the attractions of the Historic Triangle of Colonial Virginia (Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Yorktown) with other attractions which would help draw future families to the region, as well as help balance out the local ecomnomy. Since their respective deaths, other family members of both the Rockefeller and Busch families have carried on much of those priorities, although as a brewer, A-B found itself increasingly in tough competition in an increasingly global market.
In 2009, after initially resisting an unsolicited stock bid, A-B announced it had reached an agreement to be acquired by the even larger Belgium-based InBev
, the world's largest brewing company. The newer owners announced plans to sell-off the portions of A-B activities which were not part of the core beverage business as it worked to reduce debt incurred to fund the acquisition.
As A-B had been a major employer and strong community supporter for many years, there was widespread speculation and more than a little apprehension about who might ultimately acquire and control the theme parks, the resort, and other Busch developments in the region. Since then, the Blackstone Group
acquired the company's 10 theme parks, including two near Williamsburg. Some leaders and citizens of Williamsburg, as well as James City County
and York County
have expressed both relief and optimism at the selections of Blackstone and Xanterra to operate the theme parks and resort respectively. While the key pieces of the future ownership and management of the brewery, both theme parks, and the resort subsequent to the InBev acquisition of all of A-B's properties and enterprises in the area have now been resolved, at least for the immediate future, the disposition of management of the Kinsgmill residential development's owner association and the several office and commercial property developments at McLaw's Circle in James City County and the Busch Corporate Center, an industrial park in York County, had not yet been announced as of July 2010.
in Arizona on the line originally built by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
.Since their takeover of the operation, the line has retired its steam locomotives and historic ALCO FA diesels.
In May of 2010, Xanterra announced the American Railway Explorer "cruise train" which was to operate multi-day tours in four regions: Southwest (between California and New Mexico), Northwest (between California and Jackson, Wyoming with stops in several national parks), Transcontinental (between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.) and West Coast (between northern and southern California).However, plans for the train were cancelled in August of 2010.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
park and resort management company based in Greenwood Village, Colorado
Greenwood Village, Colorado
The city of Greenwood Village is a prominent suburb of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area and a Home Rule Municipality located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States...
, controlled by entertainment magnate Phillip Anschutz. Denver-based billionaire Anschutz, who has an extensive history of developing and operating mineral, railroad, newsmedia and entertainment enterprises, is one of the largest private promoters of live events in the world, most notably soccer.
History
A legacy of the 19th century Fred Harvey CompanyFred Harvey Company
The origin of the Fred Harvey Company can be traced to the 1875 opening of two railroad eating houses located at Wallace, Kansas and Hugo, Colorado on the Kansas Pacific Railway. These cafés were opened by Fred Harvey, then a freight agent for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad...
, after the death of the founder's grandson in 1965, the company became affiliated with Chicago-based JMB Realty
JMB Realty
JMB Realty Corporation is a real estate investment company based in Chicago that at one time was one of the largest property developers in the United States. The company was founded as Robert Judelson & Co. in 1968...
, which acquired large Hawaii landholder Amfac in 1968 and broke it up into independent corporations including Amfac Resorts. In 1995, Amfac bought the large national parks management concession TW Recreational Services from Flagstar
Trans World Corporation
Trans World Corporation was the original name of the holding company set up to own Trans World Airlines.In 1967 , when the airline sought to diversify into other areas of business, a key investment was Hilton International Hotels, the non-American interests of the Hilton Hotels chain...
. In 2002, Amfac changed its corporate name to Xanterra after the bankruptcy of Amfac Hawaii. The name comes from a combination of Xanadu
Xanadu
-Description of Xanadu by Toghon Temur :The lament of Toghon Temur Khan , concerning the loss of Daidu and Heibun Shanduu in 1368, is recorded in many Mongolian historical chronicles...
and terra, meaning Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. The Anschutz Company bought Xanterra from JMB in 2008.
Xanterra specializes in tourism in U.S. National Park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
s, and has a presence in Yellowstone and Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park, the 15th national park in the United States...
, and a number of other national and state parks. They are contracted by the US National Park Service to provide lodging and services in these parks. Accommodations and pricing vary widely and include quality hotel rooms, lodges, rustic cabins, motel-style lodging and camping.
To provide service to throngs of tourists each year, while protecting these national parks, Xanterra has developed an extensive environmental program: decreasing fossil fuel use, increasing renewable energy use, recycling, and offering sustainable cuisine with a local focus.
The most notable of the original Harvey operations is the Grand Canyon South Rim concession, including the El Tovar Hotel
El Tovar Hotel
The El Tovar Hotel, also known simply as El Tovar, is a former Harvey House hotel situated directly on the south rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA...
. The company owns the Grand Canyon Railway
Grand Canyon Railway
The Grand Canyon Railway , is a passenger railroad which operates between Williams, Arizona, and Grand Canyon National Park South Rim.-Santa Fe Ownership:...
, which has been in the news for experimental use of used vegetable oil (from cooking French fries) to power locomotives. In July, 2010, the company announced it was acquiring the Kingsmill Resort
Kingsmill Resort
Kinsgmill Resort is premier vacation, conference and golf resort which located in James City County, Virginia. It is located on a portion of the Kingsmill Plantation first established in the late 17th century. The original plantation structures and their successors have long been in ruins...
near Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
, a world-renowned hospitality property. The Kingsmill Resort was developed beginning in the 1970s as part of Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. , is an American brewing company. The company operates 12 breweries in the United States and 18 in other countries. It was, until December 2009, also one of America's largest theme park operators; operating ten theme parks across the United States through the...
's projects of theme parks, residential, commercial and industrial developments coordinated between August Busch
Gussie Busch
August "Gussie" Anheuser Busch, Jr. was an American brewing magnate who built the Anheuser-Busch Companies into the largest brewery in the world as company chairman from 1946–75, and became a prominent sportsman as owner of the St...
and Winthrop Rockefeller
Winthrop Rockefeller
Winthrop Rockefeller was a politician and philanthropist who served as the first Republican Governor of Arkansas since Reconstruction. He was a third-generation member of the Rockefeller family.-Early life:...
intended to complement Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is the private foundation representing the historic district of the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The district includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780 which made colonial Virginia's capital. The capital straddled the boundary of the original shires of Virginia —...
and enhance both the region's tourism attractions and local economy.
Locations
- Death Valley National ParkDeath Valley National ParkDeath Valley National Park is a national park in the U.S. states of California and Nevada located east of the Sierra Nevada in the arid Great Basin of the United States. The park protects the northwest corner of the Mojave Desert and contains a diverse desert environment of salt-flats, sand dunes,...
- Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch ResortFurnace Creek Inn and Ranch ResortThe Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort is a privately owned luxury resort in California's Death Valley National Park operated by Xanterra.-Furnace Creek Inn:...
- Stovepipe Wells
- Scotty's CastleScotty's CastleScotty's Castle is a two-story Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival style villa located in the Grapevine Mountains of northern Death Valley in Death Valley National Park, California, U.S.. It is also known as Death Valley Ranch...
- Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort
- Grand Canyon National ParkGrand Canyon National ParkGrand Canyon National Park is the United States' 15th oldest national park and is located in Arizona. Within the park lies the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, considered to be one of the Wonders of the World. The park covers of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties.Most...
South rim - Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho...
- Crater Lake National ParkCrater Lake National ParkCrater Lake National Park is a United States National Park located in southern Oregon. Established in 1902, Crater Lake National Park is the sixth oldest national park in the United States and the only one in the state of Oregon...
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Rocky Mountain National ParkRocky Mountain National ParkRocky Mountain National Park is a national park located in the north-central region of the U.S. state of Colorado.It features majestic mountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climates and environments—from wooded forests to mountain tundra—and easy access to back-country trails...
- Zion National ParkZion National ParkZion National Park is located in the Southwestern United States, near Springdale, Utah. A prominent feature of the park is Zion Canyon, which is 15 miles long and up to half a mile deep, cut through the reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone by the North Fork of the Virgin River...
- Petrified Forest National ParkPetrified Forest National ParkPetrified Forest National Park is a United States national park in Navajo and Apache counties in northeastern Arizona. The park's headquarters are about east of Holbrook along Interstate 40 , which parallels a railroad line, the Puerco River, and historic U.S. Route 66, all crossing the park...
- Everglades National ParkEverglades National ParkEverglades National Park is a national park in the U.S. state of Florida that protects the southern 25 percent of the original Everglades. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, and is visited on average by one million people each year. It is the third-largest...
- Silverado Country ClubSilverado Country ClubSilverado Resort is a census-designated place in Napa County, California, United States, centered on a tennis, golf and spa resort in the Napa Valley known as the Silverado Country Club. The population of the CDP was 1,095 at the 2010 census....
- Grand Canyon RailwayGrand Canyon RailwayThe Grand Canyon Railway , is a passenger railroad which operates between Williams, Arizona, and Grand Canyon National Park South Rim.-Santa Fe Ownership:...
- Ohio State Parks
- Burr Oak State ParkBurr Oak State ParkBurr Oak State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Ohio, located mostly in Morgan County, with part extending into Athens County. Its address is listed as Glouster....
- Hueston Woods State ParkHueston Woods State ParkHueston Woods State Park is a state park located in the Butler and Preble counties of the U.S. state of Ohio, about five miles northeast of Oxford in the southwestern part of the state. It has , including a man-made lake of . The state bought the land in 1941, but the park did not open until 1957...
- Maumee Bay State ParkMaumee Bay State ParkMaumee Bay State Park is a state park in Jerusalem Township, Ohio. The park was acquired by the state in 1974 and became a state park in 1975.-Attractions:...
- Mohican State ParkMohican State ParkMohican State Park is a Ohio state park in Ashland County, Ohio, United States, located about south of downtown Loudonville, Ohio. The state park is surrounded by the Mohican-Memorial State Forest. Mohican State Park is located along Ohio SR 3 and Ohio SR 97...
- Punderson State ParkPunderson State ParkPunderson State Park is a park in Newbury, Ohio. It is known for its great camping and haunted stories.It's a fine park, offering swimming, fishing, camping and various other recreational activities...
- Salt Fork State ParkSalt Fork State ParkSalt Fork State Park is a state park located north of Lore City in Guernsey County, Ohio, United States. It contains of land and of water. It is the largest state park in Ohio.-History:...
- Shawnee State ParkShawnee State Park (Ohio)Shawnee State Park is a state park in Scioto County, Ohio, United States. The park is in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains near the Ohio River in Southern Ohio on State Route 125, just north of Friendship. It is surrounded by Shawnee State Forest. Shawnee State Park was once a hunting...
- Geneva State ParkGeneva State ParkGeneva State Park is a state park located on the shore of Lake Erie in Geneva, Ashtabula County, Ohio, United States. It contains of land.-Park activities:...
(Geneva Marina)
- Burr Oak State Park
Expansion into Virginia July 2010
In July 2010, it was announced that Xanterra had entered into an agreement to purchase the Kingsmill ResortKingsmill Resort
Kinsgmill Resort is premier vacation, conference and golf resort which located in James City County, Virginia. It is located on a portion of the Kingsmill Plantation first established in the late 17th century. The original plantation structures and their successors have long been in ruins...
, which is located near Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
. The Kingsmill Resort has 425 rooms, five restaurants, 17000 square feet (1,579.4 m²) of conference space, a spa and fitness center, marina, and 15-court tennis center. Three championship golf courses and an executive nine-hole course surround the resort. The location has hosted the LPGA and other premier golf events, as well as perennially hosting political conferences, such as national governors conferences and congressional caucuses.
Beginning in the early 1970s, the Kingsmill Resort was developed by Anheuser-Busch (A-B) as a portion of the brewing company's development of diversified activities in the Williamsburg area, which grew to include not only the brewery, but the Busch Gardens Williamsburg theme park, and large upscale developments of residential and office park properties. The St. Louis-based brewer invested in the area following negotiations held between August Busch, II
Gussie Busch
August "Gussie" Anheuser Busch, Jr. was an American brewing magnate who built the Anheuser-Busch Companies into the largest brewery in the world as company chairman from 1946–75, and became a prominent sportsman as owner of the St...
and Winthrop Rockefeller
Winthrop Rockefeller
Winthrop Rockefeller was a politician and philanthropist who served as the first Republican Governor of Arkansas since Reconstruction. He was a third-generation member of the Rockefeller family.-Early life:...
, a son of Colonial Williamsburg's initial chief mentor, John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
John Davison Rockefeller, Jr. was a major philanthropist and a pivotal member of the prominent Rockefeller family. He was the sole son among the five children of businessman and Standard Oil industrialist John D. Rockefeller and the father of the five famous Rockefeller brothers...
. Winthrop Rockefeller had been serving as both governor of Arkansas and chairman of Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is the private foundation representing the historic district of the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The district includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780 which made colonial Virginia's capital. The capital straddled the boundary of the original shires of Virginia —...
in the 1960s and 1970s. (Water Country USA
Water Country USA
Water Country USA is a water theme park in York County, Virginia, about 3 miles southeast of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. It is the Mid-Atlantic's largest water park, and it offers live entertainment, shops and restaurants, water rides, and other attractions, all of which have a 1950s or 1960s...
, a local water park
Water park
A waterpark is an amusement park that features waterplay areas, such as water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds , lazy rivers, or other recreational bathing, swimming, and barefooting environments...
, was acquired by A-B in the 1990s, and added to the company's theme park activities, which include a number of Sea World
Sea World
Sea World is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, and theme park located on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It includes rides, animal exhibits and other attractions, and promotes conservation through education and through the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. The...
properties in other states as well).
Both Winthrop Rockefeller, who died in 1973, and August Busch II, who died in 1989 have been credited by some historians with helping develop the Greater Williamsburg area into one of the top tourism destinations in the world. They apparently felt that augmenting the attractions of the Historic Triangle of Colonial Virginia (Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Yorktown) with other attractions which would help draw future families to the region, as well as help balance out the local ecomnomy. Since their respective deaths, other family members of both the Rockefeller and Busch families have carried on much of those priorities, although as a brewer, A-B found itself increasingly in tough competition in an increasingly global market.
In 2009, after initially resisting an unsolicited stock bid, A-B announced it had reached an agreement to be acquired by the even larger Belgium-based InBev
InBev
InBev is a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev. The company existed independently for several years - since the merger between Interbrew and AmBev and until the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch. InBev has operations in over 30 countries and sales in over 130 countries...
, the world's largest brewing company. The newer owners announced plans to sell-off the portions of A-B activities which were not part of the core beverage business as it worked to reduce debt incurred to fund the acquisition.
As A-B had been a major employer and strong community supporter for many years, there was widespread speculation and more than a little apprehension about who might ultimately acquire and control the theme parks, the resort, and other Busch developments in the region. Since then, the Blackstone Group
Blackstone Group
The Blackstone Group L.P. is an American-based alternative asset management and financial services company that specializes in private equity, real estate, and credit and marketable alternative investment strategies, as well as financial advisory services, such as mergers and acquisitions ,...
acquired the company's 10 theme parks, including two near Williamsburg. Some leaders and citizens of Williamsburg, as well as James City County
James City County, Virginia
James City County is a county located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. Its population was 67,009 , and it is often associated with Williamsburg, an independent city, and Jamestown which is within the...
and York County
York County, Virginia
York County is a county located on the north side of the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. Situated on the York River and many tributaries, the county seat is the unincorporated town of Yorktown...
have expressed both relief and optimism at the selections of Blackstone and Xanterra to operate the theme parks and resort respectively. While the key pieces of the future ownership and management of the brewery, both theme parks, and the resort subsequent to the InBev acquisition of all of A-B's properties and enterprises in the area have now been resolved, at least for the immediate future, the disposition of management of the Kinsgmill residential development's owner association and the several office and commercial property developments at McLaw's Circle in James City County and the Busch Corporate Center, an industrial park in York County, had not yet been announced as of July 2010.
Tourist Railways
Xanterra operates the Grand Canyon RailwayGrand Canyon Railway
The Grand Canyon Railway , is a passenger railroad which operates between Williams, Arizona, and Grand Canyon National Park South Rim.-Santa Fe Ownership:...
in Arizona on the line originally built by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
.Since their takeover of the operation, the line has retired its steam locomotives and historic ALCO FA diesels.
In May of 2010, Xanterra announced the American Railway Explorer "cruise train" which was to operate multi-day tours in four regions: Southwest (between California and New Mexico), Northwest (between California and Jackson, Wyoming with stops in several national parks), Transcontinental (between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.) and West Coast (between northern and southern California).However, plans for the train were cancelled in August of 2010.