ABC Scenic and Wildlife Attractions, Inc., also known as ABC Attractions, was a business segment of the American Broadcasting Company which focused on amusement parks. The division owned and operated Silver Springs, Weeki Wachee Springs, and Wild Waters in Florida, Smithville in New Jersey, The Wildlife Preserve in Maryland, and Seven Seas Marine Life Park in Texas.
History
On May 1, 1962, it was reported ABC-Paramount was in talks to acquire the Silver Springs destination in Florida. On May 29, representatives confirmed the reports of the sale, and it was completed on October 31, 1962.
In 1973, ABC took over Ross Perot's plans for building a safari park in Prince George's County, Maryland. After buying the land Perot intended for his Wild World of Animals park, ABC went on to acquire an additional adjoining the planned park.
Despite the looming oil crisis, on November 27, 1973, ABC announced they would be investing $2-million into expanding and remodeling the Silver Springs facility in Florida. They also revealed they intended to invest a total of $5-million into the property between 1973 and 1976.
With expansion the goal, on February 12, 1974, it was announced that ABC had obtained a one-year option to buy the historic New Jersey town of Smithville for $9-million. Similar to Colonial Williamsburg, the restored town contained three inns, and about 60 shops and buildings on , located from Atlantic City.
After a year of construction, The Wildlife Preserve was nearing completion in Largo, Maryland, and its opening date began being advertised as July 1. The 280-acre park was to contain a 45-minute drive through animal safari portion, a Circle-Vision-style film entitled Trace of Life which would present this history of life on earth and nature's battle of survival, in addition to a petting zoo. As the opening date grew closer, the team at The Wildlife Preserve were struggling with fighting between the lions. To correct this, the park's 20 lions were sent to animal behaviorist Jim Fowler, in Clermont, Florida, so he could evaluate which lions were compatible, prior to them arriving at the park. Ron Bugosh, the wildlife manager at the park and the one with the responsibility of breaking up lion fights, was aiming for three-prides, with about nine lions in each one. The lions were all kept in the same area, and the ones that immediately fought were separated. It was through trial and error the lions were broken up into three prides. "Lions have personality clashes just like people," Fowler said. "Some are aggressive, some are docile. By mixing and marching, we eventually end up with groups that are compatible." The planned opening was delayed to July 15, due to "delays in building power equipment and by bad weather," according to John E. Campbell, president of ABC Scenic and Wildlife.
Throughout 1974, ABC experienced disappointing prime-time ratings and although they denied it was the cause, the company experienced an executive shake-up in October. Walter S. Schwartz was appointed president of the newly created ABC Leisure Group II, which oversaw the divisions: ABC Theaters, ABC Scenic and Wildlife Attractions, and the Silver Springs Bottled Water Company.
In April 1974, ABC announced Smithville would open its 2,400 seat outdoor music theater for a nine-week season.
From 1974 to 1978, ABC expanded development at Silver Springs and the surrounding area. In 1974 they started to renovate a island. Cypress Island opened as an attraction in November 1974, with formal opening in the spring. Developments included the Cypress Gift Shop and an open-air beer pavilion. Activities and exhibits on the island included a new facility for the Ross Allen Reptile Institute, with three large wooden amphitheaters for reptile shows, and some animal exhibits. The Jungle Cruise loading dock was moved to the island.
During ABC's 1975 second quarter it's net income fell 22%, from $17.5 million to $13.6 million. ABC revealed that's third quarter net would be down because of, "the softness of the television-advertising marketplace and the continuing high cost of restructuring the company." But the company did say the Florida scenic attractions had improved revenue results, unfortunately "...attendance levels were very disappointing at The Wildlife Preserve in Largo, MD, and at Historic Smithville." In September, ABC cited the 1973 year as profitable prior to the start of the 1973 oil crisis in October, and that the crisis was to blame for poor attendance.