SeaWorld’s Strategy: Theme Park Moving Indoors to Weather Florida’s Storms

Florida’s theme parks have faced a tough year when it comes to hurricanes, but SeaWorld Orlando is adapting with a forward-thinking solution: shifting its focus indoors.

Credit: Jamie S., Disney Fanatic

Located in a hurricane-prone region, Florida is no stranger to annual storms, with the height of hurricane season typically from June to November. 2024 has been no different, bringing its share of challenges to the parks.

Hurricanes and Florida’s Theme Parks in 2024

This year, Hurricanes Helene and Milton disrupted operations. In September, Helene led to the cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World Resort and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort. SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens also temporarily closed to ensure the safety of guests and staff.

Credit: Disney

Weeks later, Milton made its way to Central Florida, forcing all of Orlando’s theme parks to close for at least a day, with visitors sheltering at their resorts.

There is unfortunately a pretty large hole on the backside of JTA from the strong winds of Milton

There is unfortunately a pretty large hole on the backside of JTA from the strong winds of Milton pic.twitter.com/MBhGlgHofa

— Seaworld History (@SeaworldH) October 14, 2024

Minor damage was reported at Disney World, with some hotels like Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Polynesian Village Resort suffering flooding and roof damage, the latter forcing evacuations mid-hurricane. SeaWorld Orlando also saw damage, with photos showing a hole ripped into the iconic Journey to Atlantis attraction.

The Impact of Hurricanes on Attendance and Revenue

As expected, hurricanes have a significant effect on attendance and revenue. During a November 7 earnings call, SeaWorld Orlando revealed that the storms contributed to lower-than-expected attendance in the third quarter of 2024.

Credit: SeaWorld

This issue isn’t new—poor weather conditions have historically impacted profits and attendance, and with climate change on the rise, extreme weather events like storms and heatwaves are likely to increase in frequency, posing ongoing challenges for theme parks.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Strategy for Hurricane-Proofing Its Parks

While theme parks can’t control the weather, SeaWorld has found a way to mitigate the impact. CEO Marc Swanson shared during the call that SeaWorld plans to invest in more indoor attractions to offer guests alternatives during storms or extreme temperatures.

Currently, most of the park’s major rides—such as Manta, Kraken, Mako, and the newly opened Penguin Trek—are outdoors, meaning any storm forces the park to close its attractions.

Credit: SeaWorld

Swanson emphasized that SeaWorld is “trying to do more indoor attractions” to provide guests with more options during bad weather (via Attractions Magazine). He also mentioned ongoing efforts to increase shaded areas and drink programs to help guests cope with Florida’s intense heat.

One example of SeaWorld’s indoor plans is its upcoming flying theater ride, which simulates a journey over the Arctic. Set to open in 2025, this attraction takes inspiration from SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, where the entire park is indoors (plus 100% orca-free) to combat the region’s extreme heat.

A Shift in Focus at SeaWorld Orlando

Over the past few years, SeaWorld has really ramped up its focus on new attractions, particularly roller coasters. In fact, the park now markets itself as the “Coaster Capital of Orlando.”

Credit: SeaWorld

This shift comes in the wake of criticism over the park’s use of marine mammals for entertainment, spurred by the 2013 documentary Blackfish. Since then, all three U.S. SeaWorld parks have seen a decline in attendance, prompting the company to focus on a broader range of experiences for guests.

With hurricanes and extreme weather events becoming more frequent, the question remains: should more theme parks prioritize indoor attractions to ensure guests can continue enjoying the fun, no matter the weather?