SeaWorld's efforts to turn its fortunes around have suffered another setback.
The theme park operator has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade. Once synonymous with killer whale performances, SeaWorld has increasingly positioned itself as a destination for roller coasters and family attractions following years of controversy over its treatment of marine animals.
The shift began in earnest after the release of Blackfish in 2013. Three years later, SeaWorld announced an end to its orca breeding program and plans to phase out theatrical killer whale shows.
Its Orlando location has since introduced several major rides, including Pipeline: The Surf Coaster in 2023, Penguin Trek in 2024, and Expedition Odyssey in 2025. The company also changed its corporate name to United Parks & Resorts in 2024.
However, attracting visitors remains a challenge. United Parks, which also operates Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, and Sesame Place, welcomed 21.2 million guests in 2025, down 1.8% from the previous year. Annual revenue also declined by 3.6%.
Now, another round of disappointing financial results has coincided with bad news for SeaWorld Orlando guests.
SeaWorld Loses Hundreds of Thousands of Visitors
United Parks & Resorts has reported its third consecutive quarterly attendance decline, with visitor numbers falling by 4.7% between July and September 2026.
According to financial results released on November 5, approximately 6.47 million guests visited the company's parks during the third quarter, compared to 6.79 million during the same period last year.
That's roughly 320,000 fewer visitors in just three months.
The decline follows a 5% drop during the first quarter of 2026 and a further 2.9% decrease during the second. Altogether, United Parks has welcomed 670,000 fewer guests during the first nine months of 2026 than in 2025.
The financial consequences are becoming increasingly apparent. Third-quarter revenue fell by 1.1% to $506.5 million, while net income dropped by 10.5% to $80 million.
Interestingly, guests are actually spending more once inside the parks. Average in-park spending increased by 4.4% to a record $37.39 per person, helping to offset some of the losses from declining admissions.
United Parks CEO Marc Swanson blamed the attendance decline on unfavorable weather, calendar changes, and reduced international tourism.
According to Swanson, these factors accounted for approximately 325,000 lost visits. The company's decision to reduce promotional admissions also cost it more than 100,000 visits.
However, the figures cover United Parks' entire portfolio rather than SeaWorld Orlando specifically. The company hasn't disclosed how many visitors its flagship Florida park lost.
Despite the disappointing results, there are some positive developments. Quarterly pass sales increased by nearly 8%, while the number of customers holding passes specifically for 2027 was up more than 15% as of October 31.
Unfortunately, those planning to visit SeaWorld Orlando before the end of 2026 will have one fewer new attraction to experience.
SeaWorld Orlando Pushes Major New Ride Into 2027
SeaWorld Orlando has officially postponed the opening of SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, its highly anticipated underwater dark ride.
Originally announced for 2026, the attraction is now expected to welcome its first guests sometime in 2027.
A SeaWorld representative confirmed the revised timeline to Attractions Magazine on October 31, stating, “We are saying 2027.”
The delay was subsequently reinforced in United Parks' November 5 earnings announcement, which included SEAQuest among its upcoming attractions for 2027.
First revealed in September 2025, SEAQuest promises an underwater expedition aboard suspended, submarine-style vehicles. Developed with Dutch manufacturer Vekoma, the attraction will take guests through elaborate marine environments featuring shipwrecks, unusual sea creatures, and immersive lighting effects.
Unlike SeaWorld Orlando's increasingly extensive roller coaster collection, SEAQuest will be a fully indoor dark ride. Its vehicles will swing and rotate through themed environments, with onboard audio helping create the illusion of traveling beneath the ocean.
The ride was originally announced for a newly expanded section of the park. Its innovative ride system also earned Vekoma an IAAPA Brass Ring Award for Best New Product.
However, SeaWorld has yet to explain why construction or development has taken longer than anticipated. An exact opening date in 2027 hasn't been announced, either.
The attraction is already being promoted to prospective 2027 Fun Card holders, with SeaWorld listing SEAQuest among the reasons to purchase admission for next year. These cards also include access for the remainder of 2026, subject to blockout dates.
Elsewhere in the United Parks portfolio, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is preparing to introduce Return to Corkscrew Hill in 2027. The new motion theater attraction will revive the name of an experience that operated between 2001 and 2009.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is also preparing to reveal another attraction later this month.
But for SeaWorld Orlando, the postponement means another year without its promised new dark ride. The park has invested heavily in new attractions to compete with Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, particularly following the latter's opening of Epic Universe in 2025.
SEAQuest would have given SeaWorld something different to promote in 2026, particularly to families looking for experiences beyond roller coasters.
With attendance already declining across its parent company's parks, delivering that attraction in 2027 will be especially important. For now, guests hoping to explore SeaWorld's newest underwater adventure will have to adjust their plans.
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