United Parks & Resorts has revealed it will introduce “globally recognized IP” to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens theme parks, but its hotel plans are delayed.
The new intellectual property (IP) will feature in new rides, attractions and “exciting activations”, Marc Swanson, CEO of United Parks & Resorts, said during a quarterly earnings call on 26 February.
“We are in discussions with various partners to bring globally recognized IP to our parks via new rides, attractions and/or exciting activations,” he said.
United’s hotels to open after 2026
During the call, Swanson also discussed United’s hotel plans. In 2023, the company filed plans for a 504-room hotel near its Orlando theme park. It then revealed proposals for another hotel at Discovery Cove.
United Parks expected to begin opening its new hotels in 2026, but Swanson has now said: “We are taking our time to make sure we optimize the outcome here and no longer expect to have our first hotel opened in 2026.”
Unlike Disney, Universal and Legoland resorts in Florida, SeaWorld Orlando does not have a hotel. Its other theme parks across the US do not offer accommodation, either.
As for United’s financial results, these have been reported for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024.
In the fourth quarter, attendance was 4.9 million guests, a decrease of around 79,000 guests from Q4 2023.
Total revenue was $384.4 million, a decrease of $4.6m from the fourth quarter of 2023. Net income was $27.9m, a decrease of $12.2m.
Adjusted EBITDA was $144.5m, a decline of $6m.
Financial results for Q4 and fiscal 2024
In 2024, attendance was 21.5 million guests, a decrease of around 0.3 percent from fiscal 2023.
Total revenue was $1.7 billion, down 0.1 percent from 2023, and net income was $227.5m, a drop of $6.7m.
Adjusted EBITDA was down 1.9 percent to $700m compared to fiscal 2023.
Images courtesy of United Parks & Resorts
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