M&A Deal Summary

Apollo Global Management and KSL Capital Partners Acquire Great Wolf Resorts

On March 13, 2012, asset manager Apollo Global Management and private equity firm KSL Capital Partners acquired leisure company Great Wolf Resorts for 703M USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Apollo Global Management’s 1st and KSL Capital Partners’ 12th transaction in the Leisure sector.
  • This is Apollo Global Management’s 42nd and KSL Capital Partners’ 3rd largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is Apollo Global Management’s 24th and KSL Capital Partners’ 10th transaction in the United States.
  • This is Apollo Global Management’s 3rd and KSL Capital Partners’ 1st transaction in Illinois.
Investment Fate
  • Great Wolf Resorts was sold to a consortium of financial buyers in 2015.
  • Great Wolf Resorts was sold to a consortium of financial buyers in 2019.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2012-03-13
Target Great Wolf Resorts
Sector Leisure
Buyer(s) Apollo Global Management
KSL Capital Partners
Deal Type Going Private
Deal Value 703M USD
Advisor(s) Deutsche Bank Corporate & Investment Banking (Financial)
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (Legal)

Target

Great Wolf Resorts

Chicago, Illinois, United States
Great Wolf Resorts provides safe and immersive entertainment experiences for families in all seasons and all weather conditions across 18 resorts, or “lodges”, in the United States and Canada. Every Great Wolf lodge contains a full-service hotel, expansive indoor waterpark, recreational activities including game rooms, ropes courses, and family bowling alleys, various food & beverage offerings, and themed experiences with proprietary characters unique to Great Wolf. Great Wolf Resorts was founded in 1992 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Search 215,058 Deals Now

SEARCH BY

  • Buyer Type (PE or Strategic)
  • Deal Size ($10M to $10B+)
  • Sector (60 Sectors)
  • Deal Type
  • Geography
  • & More

Try Free

Buyer(S) 2

Buyer

Apollo Global Management

New York, New York, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Asset Manager
Founded 1990
PE ASSETS 72.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Apollo Global Management is a global alternative investment firm. The Firm segments its activity between private equity, capital markets, real estate, and publicly traded investment funds. Within private equity, Apollo targets traditional buyouts, distressed situations, as well as minority investments to help companies make acquisitions or fund other needs. Sectors of interest include chemicals, commodities, consumer/retail, distribution, transportation, financial services, business services, manufacturing, industrial, media/cable/leisure, packaging, and satellite/wireless. Apollo's geographic coverage spans Europe, North America, and Asia. Apollo manages publicly traded Apollo Investment Corporation, which provides equity and junior capital to middle-market companies, as well as Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. Apollo Global Management was formed in 1990 and is based in New York City.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 30 of 152
Sector: Leisure M&A 1 of 4
Type: Going Private M&A Deals 9 of 31
State: Illinois M&A 3 of 8
Country: United States M&A 24 of 108
Year: 2012 M&A 1 of 2
Size (of disclosed) 42 of 51
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2012-02-08 Caesars Entertainment

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Caesars Entertainment is a diversified casino entertainment provider with casinos and resorts in the US, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. In addition to casinos, Caesars' facilities typically include hotel and convention space, restaurants, and non-gaming entertainment facilities. Caesars Entertainment Corp. was established in 1937 and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2012-05-21 Federal Broach & Machine Co.

Harrison, Michigan, United States

Federal Broach & Machine Company is a manufacturer of specialized broach machines and broach tools.

Sell -
Buyer

KSL Capital Partners

Denver, Colorado, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 2005
PE ASSETS 23.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Focused
DESCRIPTION

KSL Capital Partners is a specialist private equity firm that makes investments in travel and leisure businesses. Areas of interest include hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services. KSL is a hands-on investor, with a strong interest in pursuing under-managed or under-capitalized businesses where the firm can unlock hidden value. KSL Capital Partners is the successor investment vehicle to KSL Recreation Corporation, a former portfolio company of KKR. KSL Capital Partners was founded in 2005 and is based at Denver, Colorado with additional offices in New York, New York and London, United Kingdom.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 12 of 55
Sector: Leisure M&A 12 of 49
Type: Going Private M&A Deals 1 of 2
State: Illinois M&A 1 of 1
Country: United States M&A 10 of 42
Year: 2012 M&A 1 of 4
Size (of disclosed) 3 of 8
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2011-05-23 Montelucia Resort &

Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Inspired by the rich history, white-washed villages and sun-drenched hills of Spain’s Andalusia region, Montelucia Resort & Spa brings the essence of Europe to the heart of Scottsdale. With arching entryways, splashing fountains, floral walkways, and a collection of antiquities hidden throughout the property, Montelucia is an enchanting resort destination that boasts 293 luxuriously appointed guestrooms, the Moroccan-inspired Joya Spa, six tempting dining options including the critically-acclaimed Prado restaurant, a myriad of radiant pools and breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2012-04-10 The Grove Park Inn Resort &

Asheville, North Carolina, United States

The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C., is one of the country's most celebrated resorts. Built in 1913 with granite stones mined from Sunset Mountain, the Inn overlooks the city of Asheville and provides majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Pure mountain air, impeccable service, and unparalleled cuisine have attracted visitors by the score. Noted for its understated elegance and southern charm, ten U.S. Presidents and countless luminaries from the worlds of art, entertainment, sports and politics have stayed at this National Register of Historic Places hotel.

Buy -