Although first quarter attendance and revenue at United Parks & Resort theme parks fell, company executives remain optimistic for a record 2025 record 2025 at Sea World Orlando and its sister attractions.
United theme parks reported 3.4 million guests in the quarter, down 1.7% from the previous year, with revenues dropping 3.5% to $286.9 million. This was partly due to the calendar year in the first quarter of 2024, where there was a prominent travel period, Easter.
United CEO Mark Swanson said attendance in April, part of the company’s second quarter, was up 8.1% compared to April 2024.
“We are also encouraged to book in 2025 Discovery Cove Properties, 2025 Group Reservations, and 2025 Bookings for International Ticket Sales in 2025.
At first glance: Seaworld’s expedition Odyssey fly across the Arctic
United Parks’ new attractions include Wild Oasis, a new area of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Big Bad Wolf: Bush Gardens Williamsburg wolf revenge reversal roller coaster. 45th birthday celebration at Sesame Place in Philadelphia. Rescue Jr., a child-driven area at SeaWorld San Antonio. SeaWorld Orlando opened the Expedition Odyssey earlier this month, a wide screen charm that is bound by Arctic scenes and animals.
United Parks & Resort is based in Orlando. It operates 13 attractions in the United States and Abu Dhabi.
During a conference call with market analysts this week, Swanson mentioned the company’s land holdings.
“We own over 2,000 acres of valuable property in the desired location, including approximately 400 acres of undeveloped land adjacent to the park, including important developments in Orlando,” he said. “We continue to discuss with a variety of potential partners as we explore ways to unlock this invaluable real estate value.”
He said there are several options on the land and lists the possibilities of hotels, homes, rides and attractions.
“We just want to make sure that it’s best for shareholders and in the best and best structure for the company,” Swanson said.
The second quarter is expected to feature a grand opening of Universal Orlando’s grand space theme, a few miles from Sea World Orlando, as well as ongoing travel and trade uncertainty. Epic debut on May 22nd.
“I believe having something grand in town will bring more people to Orlando, and we like the idea that good, compelling assets will come to the area,” Swanson said. “So we need to take advantage of it. We think of it as an opportunity and something we’ve been working on for a while to do it. And we have our own strategy.”
Disney World is setting a date for 2025 for a less sensible Halloween party
Swanson said 90% of park visitors live in the United States. They are mainly people who are at a distance of charm. United have not emphasized international attendance, he said.
“That market will probably soften as many people say, so you know – not ideal…but I don’t think it will have a big impact on us,” Swanson said.
Epic Universe: Exec Blend Art, Engineering the Role of Theme Parks
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: May 14th, 2025, 8:29am EDT
