by Joe Tracy, editor of Theme Park Magazine
Falcon’s Beyond Global, Inc. announced the acquisition of Oceaneering Entertainment Systems (OES) from Oceaneering International Inc. on May 15, 2025. This move brings together two longtime collaborators in the theme park industry, combining Falcon’s storytelling expertise with OES’s technical capabilities.
The Deal at a Glance
This strategic transaction for Falcon’s Beyond encompasses several critical components:
- Core Assets & Intellectual Property: Acquisition of OES’s comprehensive global portfolio, featuring its valuable patented technologies and proprietary engineering processes.
- Enhanced Infrastructure & Capabilities: Assumption of the lease for a significant 106,000+ square-foot facility. This space is earmarked to bolster Falcon’s research, development, testing, and integration services.
- Integration of Key Talent: Essential members of the OES team, bringing with them decades of specialized experience, have transitioned to join Falcon’s Beyond.
- Future Inventory Option: Falcon’s has secured an option, exercisable on or before July 23, 2025, to acquire certain OES inventory.
This acquisition finalizes a letter of intent that was first announced on November 19, 2024. It’s noteworthy that Falcon’s Beyond itself completed the purchase, rather than Infinite Acquisitions Partners LLC, which was initially named in connection with the letter of intent.
Bringing Together Creative Vision and Technical Expertise
For over 25 years, OES has built a reputation as a trusted provider to the world’s top theme park developers and operators. The company has received roughly a dozen prestigious Thea Awards from the Themed Entertainment Association for its ride and show systems.
Some of OES’s award-winning projects include The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and Transformers: The Ride 3D at Universal Orlando Resort, Justice League: Battle for Metropolis at Six Flags, and the Shuttle Launch Experience at Kennedy Space Center.
According to Cecil D. Magpuri, CEO and Co-Founder of Falcon’s Beyond:
“The powerful combination of Falcon’s innovation with OES’s technical and engineering expertise is a game changer. OES has been behind some of the best attractions and experiences in the world. Together, we’re ushering in a new era for the global experience economy.”
A History of Collaboration
The acquisition builds on a collaborative relationship spanning more than two decades. Falcon’s and OES have worked together on numerous themed entertainment projects around the world.
Their first partnership dates back to 2006 with Curse of DarKastle at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, which earned OES a Thea Award. More recently, the companies collaborated on Katmandu Park in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where OES provided ride systems for attractions including Legend of the Desirata and Voyage of the Fathom Wanderer.
Strategic Growth for Falcon’s Attractions
The acquisition significantly enhances Falcon’s Attractions as a vertically integrated global provider of advanced entertainment systems. Strategically, this move expands Falcon’s service offerings, diversifies its client portfolio, and creates new revenue streams.
Dave Mauck, former Vice President and General Manager of OES and now President of Falcon’s Attractions, highlighted the strength of the combined team:
“Falcon’s Attractions has onboarded a deep bench of the top entertainment systems experts in the industry. I’ve worked with some of these team members for decades, and their collective experience is truly remarkable.”
With this acquisition, Falcon’s gains the ability to offer an end-to-end solution for themed entertainment projects. The company can now handle everything from creative design and IP development to the engineering and manufacturing of complex ride systems.
Continuity for Existing Clients
Falcon’s has committed to providing support for all legacy OES products. This ensures continuity with the same personnel and technology that OES provided as the original equipment manufacturer.
This approach aims to maintain relationships with OES’s existing clients, which include major theme park operators worldwide. These clients can continue working with the same trusted team while potentially gaining access to Falcon’s additional creative capabilities.
Looking Ahead
The acquisition positions Falcon’s to better serve both its own destination developments and third-party clients with comprehensive next-generation attractions. It underscores the company’s strategic vision to become a leading platform in the experience economy where storytelling, design, and technology converge.
The themed entertainment industry has been moving toward more vertically integrated companies that can handle all aspects of a project in-house. This acquisition follows that trend, potentially giving Falcon’s a competitive edge in securing major theme park projects.
For Oceaneering International, the sale of OES appears to align with a strategic shift toward its core energy and industrial markets.
The combined strengths of Falcon’s creative storytelling and OES’s technical expertise create a powerful entity in the themed entertainment landscape. This integration will likely lead to more innovative and cohesive attractions as the company continues to expand its global footprint.
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- Official Website: Falcon’s Beyond
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About Joe Tracy
Joe Tracy, the creator, and editor of Theme Park Magazine, is a lifetime enthusiast of theme parks and immersive experiences. The publication was launched under his leadership on June 1, 2021, as a manifestation of his deep-seated love for all things themed. Joe has amassed over 20 years of expertise in both traditional print and online publishing.
