Feasibility, DPRs & investment advisory
Know whether the project works before you commit capital
Feasibility studies, detailed project reports (DPRs) and business cases for amusement parks, theme parks, water parks, FECs and leisure destinations in India. Written by people who have run parks, not just modelled them.
Who this is for
What our feasibility studies cover, from market to financial viability
A feasibility study should tell you what could go wrong, not just what could go right. Ours cover:
- Market and catchment: who lives within reach, what they spend on leisure and how far they will travel
- Competition: existing parks and every other way families spend a day out
- Product mix and capacity: the right rides and attractions for the site, sized for your busiest day
- CAPEX and operating assumptions: capital cost, staffing, power, water, maintenance and marketing, built from operating reality
- Financial projections: footfall, ticket pricing, spend per guest, cash flow, payback and project viability
- Risks and phasing: what could go wrong, and how to phase the build to reduce it
Detailed project reports (DPRs)
When a project moves from idea to funding, banks, investors and approval authorities need a DPR. We prepare DPRs for amusement parks, theme parks, water parks and FECs, covering:
- Project concept, site and layout
- Rides, attractions and equipment
- Capital costs and funding plan
- Operating plan, manpower and costs
- Financial projections and returns
- Implementation schedule
A second look at an existing study or business case
Already have a feasibility study, a DPR or a supplier's projections? We review the assumptions an operator would question first: footfall, pricing, spend per guest, staffing and maintenance costs. It is the cheapest point in a project to find a problem.
Investor advisory and project evaluation
For investors looking at a park or attraction before committing capital: project evaluation, business case review, a view on the operator and the plan, and an honest read of the risks.
How we work
4 steps, one team
- BriefWe understand the site, the investors and the ambition.
- ResearchMarket, catchment, competition and site visits.
- ModelProduct mix, capacity, CAPEX, operating costs and financials.
- ReportA clear recommendation, a DPR if needed, and the risks.
Led by Shirish Deshpande, former CEO of EsselWorld and Water Kingdom and former President of IAAPI. Advice from people who have run the parks.
Questions we are often asked
Frequently asked questions
What does a feasibility study for a water park or amusement park cover?
Market and catchment, competing destinations, the right product mix and capacity for the site, expected footfall and seasonality, ticket and spend pricing, CAPEX and operating costs, and a financial model with clear assumptions. A good study also sets out the risks and how to phase the project to reduce them.
Who can prepare or review a water park feasibility study and business case in India?
SDA prepares feasibility studies and business cases for water parks, amusement parks, theme parks and FECs, and reviews existing ones. Our studies are led by Shirish Deshpande, former CEO of EsselWorld and Water Kingdom, so the operating assumptions come from running parks.
What is a DPR for an amusement park, and when do I need one?
A detailed project report sets out the project concept, layout, equipment, capital costs, operating plan, financial projections and implementation schedule. It is usually needed when you approach banks, investors or approval authorities. SDA prepares DPRs for amusement parks, water parks and FECs.
How much land do I need for a water park?
There is no single number. It depends on how many guests you expect on your busiest day, the mix of rides and pools, whether you add a resort or restaurants, and parking. That is why land size is one of the first things a feasibility study works out.
Can an investor get an amusement park project evaluated before committing capital?
Yes. We evaluate projects for investors before they commit: the market, the business case, the CAPEX and operating assumptions, the operator and the risks.
Related insights
Read more
Amusement, Entertainment and Leisure: 3 Businesses, Not 1
What will your guest be doing at 4 o'clock in the afternoon? The answer tells you which business you're really in, and where to spend, how to price and who to hire.
Theme Parks Were Flat. Water Parks Grew.
What the TEA Global Experience Index says about water parks, and why India's next step is building them as destinations.
Tell us about your project
Where you are, what you are trying to do and where you are stuck. Shirish reads every message.