According to a financial report released Thursday, attendance at SeaWorld Orlando attractions rose in the second quarter, but revenues from parent company United Parks fell.
In a rare move, CEO Mark Swanson singled out the company’s Orlando results to address performance after the opening of the nearby epic Universe Theme Park by Universal Orlando in the Quarter.
“I have been attending SeaWorld Orlando Park since Epic opened on May 22nd,” he said. “It was the entire second quarter and when measured from the grand dates opened by the end of the second quarter, it rose. It continues to be extended from the third quarter to August 6th from the daily quarter.”
Swanson said he was attending Aquatica Orlando Water Park and Discovery Cove at Day Resort.
“We expect attendance for the rest of this segment to rise as well,” he told analysts on a conference call after the results were announced.
He said revenues also rose in Orlando without revealing certain numbers.
NBC will be airing special about the epic universe theme park
All United park attendance was 6.2 million guests, up 0.8% from the second quarter of 2024. Total revenue was $490.2 million, down 1.5% from the second quarter, and net income fell 12.1% from the second quarter of 2024.
Orlando-based United Parks & Resort operates 13 parks across the United States and Abu Dhabi, including Bush Gardens Tampa Bay.
“We were a little disappointed and perhaps we could have done a better job of actively managing some of our park labor and operating expenses in the face of bad weather that had affected demand,” Swanson said. “We’ve added resources to help strengthen and improve our processes and help us better manage these areas in the future.”
On Wednesday, Walt Disney Company reported record third quarter revenue at Walt Disney World, and in late July, Universal Orlando’s parent company Comcast Corp. said theme park revenues rose 18.9% in the second quarter.
United Parks doesn’t see trends in consumers with a “value awareness,” Swanson said.
Create a havoc icon for Halloween events SeaWorld Orlando
“Our pass sales improved in July… Our early Howl-o-scream sales are also a plus,” Swanson said. “What I really think is Discovery Cove here in Orlando. This is our most expensive park. That park is at a record-breaking attendance pace here. So if you see any consumer pullbacks, I’m sure I’ve seen it before.”
Please email dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Bluesky: @themeparksdb. Thread account: @dbevil. X Account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
Original issue: August 7, 2025 9:55am EDT
