SeaWorld owner and operator United Parks & Resorts has reported decreases in attendance and revenue for the first quarter of this year.
Attendance in the first quarter of 2025 was 3.4 million guests, a 1.7 percent drop compared to the first quarter of last year.
Despite the decline, attendance in April 2025 was up 8.1 percent compared to April 2024.
Revenue was $286.9 million, a decrease of $10.5m (3.5 percent) from the first quarter of 2024.
United Parks & Resorts has also reported a net loss of $16.1m, a $4.9m drop from the first quarter of 2024.
Additionally, adjusted EBITDA was $67.4m, a decrease of $11.7m or 14.8 percent from the first quarter of last year.
Marc Swanson, CEO of United Parks & Resorts, said: “We are pleased to report another quarter of strong financial results.”
Declines at SeaWorld parks due to calendar shift
Revenue and footfall in the first quarter were “negatively impacted by the timing of Easter and Spring Break holidays moving into the second quarter this year compared to being in the first quarter last year”, he said.
Looking ahead, United Parks & Resorts is “excited about the significant investments we have made across our parks and business”, Swanson added.
This year, the company is adding new rides, attractions and events to its parks.
These include the new Jewels of the Sea experience at SeaWorld San Diego and the Rescue Jr. realm at SeaWorld San Antonio.
SeaWorld Orlando opened Expedition Odyssey on 9 May, a new Arctic immersive experience using cutting-edge ride technology.
Coming to Busch Gardens Williamsburg is The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge, the longest family inverted coaster in North America.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will debut Wild Oasis, a new realm offering a reimagined drop tower.
Elsewhere, SeaWorld Yas Island in Abu Dhabi has introduced the new SeaSub attraction, providing a submersible experience inside its vast, multi-species aquarium.
Images courtesy of United Parks & Resorts
