SeaWorld Owner Reports Urgent 2.4% Attendance Drop in Q3

UPDATE: United Parks & Resorts, the owner of SeaWorld and Sesame Place, has just reported a significant 2.4% drop in attendance for the third quarter of 2025, equating to 6.8 million guests. This decline, revealed in their financial results on November 6, 2025, is raising alarms in the amusement park industry, highlighting ongoing challenges as the sector struggles to recover from pandemic impacts.

The decline translates to approximately 240,000 fewer visitors compared to the same quarter in 2024. Alongside attendance drops, total revenue fell by $34.1 million to $511.9 million, with net income decreasing by 25.4% to $89.3 million. As consumers continue to face economic pressures, the overall spending per capita has begun to wane, raising concerns for the future of leisure spending.

CEO Marc Swanson attributed the downturn to several key factors, particularly the unfavorable timing of the 4th of July holiday, which fell on a Friday this year. Swanson stated, “We saw a decline in international visitation of approximately 90,000 guests during the quarter, which was a reversal of earlier trends we saw in the first half of the year.” He emphasized that the holiday’s timing negatively impacted attendance, creating a more standard three-day weekend instead of the anticipated four-day break when July 4 falls on a Thursday.

Moreover, Swanson pointed out that adverse weather conditions during peak holiday periods and a general decline in international visitors further compounded attendance issues. He noted the impact of a shift in the calendar, estimating that around 150,000 visits were lost due to these factors.

Despite the disappointing numbers, United Parks & Resorts remains optimistic. Swanson highlighted strong ticket sales for upcoming seasonal events like Howl-O-Scream in Orlando and San Diego, which are expected to draw larger crowds. “Looking forward, we are encouraged by forward-booking revenue trends into 2026 for our Discovery Cove property and our group business, both of which are up over 20% compared to this same time last year,” he stated.

In addition to the projected growth in future events, the company has initiated a $500 million share buyback program, already repurchasing 635,020 shares for a total of $32.2 million. This move aims to bolster stock prices and reinforce confidence in the company’s financial health.

Industry experts, including leading analyst Dennis Speigel, have echoed concerns regarding the challenges facing amusement parks. With the industry valued at $24.6 billion in 2025 and projected to grow to $29.2 billion by 2030, the path to recovery remains uncertain. Factors such as severe weather, tariff-driven uncertainties, and reduced consumer spending continue to hinder growth.

As the situation develops, all eyes will be on how United Parks & Resorts navigates these challenges and whether upcoming seasonal attractions can reverse the current trends. The company is banking on its award-winning Christmas events at SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place Langhorne to draw in visitors and rejuvenate attendance figures.

Stay tuned as this story unfolds and the amusement park industry seeks to adapt to shifting consumer habits and economic realities.