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United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company in the United States leisure industry. The company operates under prominent brands such as SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, and Sesame Place. Offering exhilarating rides, thrilling roller coasters, and engaging wildlife presentations, United Parks & Resorts' parks promise fun and educational experiences for all ages.
In 2023, the company achieved record attendance and in-park spending despite weather challenges. For the full year, it saw near-record results and continued its trend of revenue growth, particularly in admissions per capita. This success is credited to effective revenue strategies and strong consumer spending within their parks. The company also expanded internationally by opening a SeaWorld park in Abu Dhabi, which has surpassed expectations.
United Parks & Resorts is deeply committed to animal welfare and has aided over 41,000 animals in need through its dedicated rescue teams. These efforts align with its mission to protect animals and their ecosystems by partnering with various governmental agencies.
Financially, the company reported significant growth in the fourth quarter of 2023, including record revenues and Adjusted EBITDA. Despite a slight decrease in admission per capita, in-park per capita spending improved due to price initiatives. The firm also announced a $500 million share buyback program, reflecting strong confidence in future performance.
In 2024, United Parks & Resorts has ambitious plans for new rides, attractions, and events across all parks, including celebrating SeaWorld's 60th anniversary with special events and new experiences. The company expects these investments to drive meaningful growth in attendance and revenue.
Recent news highlights include a successful national hiring event to fill over 5,000 positions, the announcement of the Mayhem sale for discounted Howl-O-Scream tickets, and the launch of SeaWorld's 60th anniversary celebrations. Additionally, the company continues its commitment to animal rescue and conservation, with plans for new and improved park venues and offerings.
United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS) reported Q3 2024 financial results with attendance of 7.0 million guests, down 1.4% from Q3 2023. Total revenue was $545.9 million, decreasing 0.4%, while net income fell 3.1% to $119.7 million. The company achieved record in-park per capita spending of $35.42, up 1.6%. Results were impacted by hurricanes Debby and Helene. For the first nine months of 2024, total revenue reached a record $1,340.9 million, up 0.2%, with net income increasing 2.8% to $199.6 million. The company repurchased 4.1 million shares for $211.7 million in Q3 and increased its revolving credit facility from $390 million to $700 million.
SeaWorld San Diego has announced that Jewels of the Sea: A Jellyfish Experience will open in Spring 2025, featuring three unique galleries with various jellyfish species. The park also revealed plans to reinvent Journey to Atlantis, their first coaster, with new water elements, visual effects, and show elements. The jellyfish exhibit will include a 10-foot-tall acrylic archway, an 18-foot-tall jelly cylinder, and an immersive virtual gallery with LED digital video panels. 2025 Annual Passes are now available with up to 20% off, offering benefits like free parking, guest tickets, and VIP access to new attractions.
SeaWorld's Howl-O-Scream has secured the #2 spot in USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for Best Theme Park Halloween Event. The event, taking place at SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Antonio, and San Diego, features haunted houses, scare zones, and signature shows.
Each location offers unique attractions: Orlando features five haunted houses and seven scare zones; San Diego introduces new attractions like Circus of the Damned and Monster Stomp; San Antonio boasts six horror-filled haunts and eight Terror-tories. A Final Frenzy Sale is currently ongoing for Orlando and San Diego locations, while the event is included with park admission in San Antonio.
Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream has been named the #1 Best Theme Park Halloween Event in USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The event, celebrating 25 years of fear, takes place at both Tampa Bay and Williamsburg locations, featuring haunted houses, scare zones, and shows.
Tampa Bay's event includes five haunted houses, including the new Shadows of Wonderland and enhanced Witch of the Woods, plus five new scare zones. Williamsburg's version offers five haunted houses, six terror-tories™, four shows, and six BOOze bars. Both parks offer nighttime thrill rides, including Williamsburg's new Loch Ness Monster: The Legend Lives On. A Final Frenzy Sale offers up to 60% off Tampa Bay tickets, while Williamsburg's event is included with park admission.
A collaborative effort between SeaWorld San Diego Rescue, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR), and Turtles Fly Too has successfully rehabilitated and released Moira, a loggerhead sea turtle, off the San Diego coast. The turtle was found cold-stunned in British Columbia in February 2024, with a core temperature of only 8°C. After months of rehabilitation, Moira, estimated to be 15-20 years old, was fitted with a satellite tracker before her release. This rescue marks only the second reported sighting of a loggerhead turtle in British Columbia, as these species typically inhabit tropical and subtropical waters.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Williamsburg are expanding their Military Annual Pass program to include veterans alongside active duty military personnel. This -time offer provides veterans with unlimited admission through 2025, including free parking and no blockout dates. The passes can be purchased online at WavesOfHonor.com or at select military bases.
As part of the Waves of Honor Program, the parks also offer complementary single-day admission for active duty military and discounted admission for their families. During Veterans Day weekend, both parks will host flag raising ceremonies and feature special music and veteran recognition throughout the day.
SeaWorld has expanded its Military Annual Pass program to include veterans alongside active duty military personnel for a time. The pass offers unlimited admission with no blockout dates and free parking through 2025. Available for purchase at WavesOfHonor.com or select military bases, the program includes complementary single-day admission for active duty military and discounted admission for family members.
As part of Veterans Day celebrations, all SeaWorld parks will host special patriotic events featuring music and celebrations. This initiative is part of the broader Waves of Honor Program recognizing U.S. military service members and their families.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is set to unveil North America's longest family inverted coaster, The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge, in 2025. This immersive attraction, located in the Octoberfest area, will be the park's eleventh coaster. Riders will experience 2,500 feet of track at speeds up to 40 mph, with a minimum height requirement of 42 inches (with companion) or 48 inches (without).
The coaster, manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, combines storytelling with family-friendly thrills in a Bavarian village setting. Park President Kevin Lembke emphasized the unique and immersive nature of the experience. The ride's name was chosen through a fan voting contest, honoring the legacy of a past attraction.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg will also celebrate its 50th year of operation in 2025 with various events throughout the year, including Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Food & Wine Festival, and Howl-O-Scream. Memberships for 2025 are now available, offering unlimited admission and exclusive benefits.
United Parks & Resorts is offering FREE admission to its parks for first responders and lineworkers following Hurricane Milton. First responders can redeem up to two free tickets online until October 31 at SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, valid for one-time use at these parks, Aquatica Orlando, and Adventure Island Tampa Bay. Lineworkers' tickets are being distributed through utilities companies and can be redeemed at various parks nationwide.
CEO Marc Swanson expressed gratitude for their efforts in ensuring a quick and safe return to normalcy. The offer allows recipients to enjoy new and exciting attractions, animal experiences, and shows while being inspired to protect wildlife. Free tickets for both groups are valid through December 31, 2024.
Five rehabilitated manatees were flown from Ohio to Florida, marking a significant conservation achievement. The manatees, rescued as orphaned calves in 2023, were cared for by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and SeaWorld Orlando. Two males, Nighthawk and Mr. Dobak, were transferred from Columbus Zoo to SeaWorld Orlando, while three females, Nolia, Amethyst, and Waffles, were moved from Cincinnati Zoo to ZooTampa.
The manatees were transported in custom-built containers via a DHL Express cargo plane. They will complete their final rehabilitation stages before being released into their home waters. Simultaneously, six young manatees were flown to Ohio for continued rehabilitation. This operation highlights the ongoing efforts of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) to protect and conserve this threatened species.
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