, /PRNewswire/ -- United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS) announced today that it will release its second quarter financial results before the market opens on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. In conjunction with the release, the Company has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the internet on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The release and the conference call can be accessed via the Company's website at www.UnitedParksInvestors.com.
For those unable to participate in the live webcast, a replay will be available beginning at approximately 12 p.m. Eastern Time on August 4, 2026, under the "Events & Presentations" tab of www.UnitedParksInvestors.com. A replay of the call can also be accessed telephonically from approximately 12 p.m. Eastern Time on August 4, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 11, 2026, by dialing (800) 770-2030 from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, or (609) 800-9909 from other international locations and entering the conference code 5841517.
About United Parks & Resorts Inc.
United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS) is a global theme park and entertainment company that owns or licenses a diverse portfolio of award-winning park brands and experiences, including SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens®, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place®, Water Country USA, Adventure Island, and Aquatica®. The Company's seven world-class brands span 13 parks in seven markets across the United States and Abu Dhabi, offering experiences that matter with exhilarating thrill and family-friendly rides, coasters, and experiences, inspiring up-close and educational presentations with wildlife, and other various special events throughout the year. In addition, the Company collectively cares for one of the largest zoological collections in the world, is a global leader in animal welfare, training, and veterinary care, and is one of the leading marine animal rescue organizations in the world with a legacy of rescuing and caring for animals that spans over 60 years, including coming to the aid of over 43,000 animals in need. To learn more, visit www.UnitedParks.com.
Copies of this and other news releases as well as additional information about United Parks & Resorts Inc. can be obtained online at www.unitedparks.com. Shareholders and prospective investors can also register to automatically receive the Company's press releases, SEC filings and other notices by e-mail by registering at that website.
Contact:
Investor Relations Inquiries:
Matthew Stroud
Investor Relations
888-410-1812
[email protected]
Media Inquiries:
AnneMarie Iturrizaga
United Parks & Resorts Inc.
[email protected]
United Parks and Resorts is rated "BUY," supported by improving forward indicators and trading at a 10.7x forward P/E, below its historical peak. Despite a weak 1Q26 due to adverse weather and lower international visitors, PRKS grew in-park per capita spending by 5.3% year-over-year. Management guides for accelerated revenue and EBITDA growth in 2H26, driven by new attractions and a rebound in international tourism.
Guests Can Save Up to 55% on Tickets, Fun Cards, Passes and Memberships While Enjoying Patriotic Celebrations, Summer Events, New Attractions and Waterpark Fun
, /PRNewswire/ -- Busch Gardens is celebrating America's 250th birthday with its biggest savings event of the year. For a limited time, guests can take advantage of the Fourth of July Sale at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Adventure Island, Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA, unlocking exceptional savings and access to an unforgettable lineup of summer events, world-class attractions, award-winning entertainment and family fun.
Guests visiting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay can save up to 55% on tickets, Fun Cards and Annual Passes. Plus, for a limited time, guests who purchase a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Fun Card for $99.99 will receive an Adventure Island Fun Card free, enjoying unlimited visits to both parks. At Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA, guests can save up to 50% on tickets, Fun Cards and Memberships. Membership benefits include unlimited visits, free guest tickets, free parking, discounts on food, beverages and merchandise, Busch Bucks and access to seasonal events throughout the year.
Busch Gardens parks, Adventure Island and Water Country USA are also proudly honoring the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. military active-duty and veterans and their families by inviting them to enjoy a day at the parks for FREE. Eligible U.S military veterans and retirees can register for complimentary single-day ticket(s) for themselves PLUS receive THREE additional free tickets for dependents, valid for visits through July 5, registry required by June 21 at www.WavesofHonor.com.
With patriotic celebrations, new attractions, immersive entertainment and exciting waterpark experiences taking place throughout the summer, guests won't want to miss these limited-time savings.
Celebrating America's 250th Birthday
Busch Gardens parks are honoring America's semiquincentennial with patriotic entertainment, specialty culinary offerings and memorable Fourth of July experiences.
At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, the 250th Celebration, now through July 5, features extended evening hours, special military appreciation experiences, Americana-inspired food and beverages, summer treats and the patriotic Wild Skies Drone & Fireworks Show.
At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, guests can celebrate from June 29 through July 5 with family-friendly entertainment, limited-edition merchandise, specialty food and beverage offerings and park-wide recognition of active-duty military members and veterans. On July 4, guests can enjoy the Skies of Wonder drone show and a special patriotic fireworks presentation.
Summer Thrills and New Attractions
At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Summer Nights bring extended hours and an exciting lineup of entertainment. Guests can experience the all-new Beach Bash show, the return of the Boom Box Dance Party and fan-favorite indoor productions including Cirque Electric, Animal Tales, Icons and Rhythm of Nature. Beginning July 10, an all-new Busch Gardens-exclusive drone spectacular joins the Wild Skies Drone Show & Fireworks Spectacular.
Coming soon, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will debut Lion and Hyena Ridge, the park's largest and most immersive animal habitat in more than a decade. The new realm will feature five young male lions and a pair of hyenas surrounded by expansive viewing areas, water features and elevated rocky overlooks.
In a toast to summer, guests ages 21 and older can enjoy one complimentary seven-ounce beer per visit, while Annual Pass Members receive two complimentary beers per visit.
At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, guests can experience the all-new Verbolten: Forbidden Turn, the Mid-Atlantic's first and only drop-track roller coaster. The reimagined family thrill coaster features a new storyline, immersive special effects and surprises around every turn as riders race through the Black Forest at speeds up to 53 miles per hour before encountering a surprise drop-track element and an 88-foot descent toward the Rhine River.
The park's Summer of Wonder celebration returns nightly from June 26 through July 30, featuring award-winning entertainment, world-class coasters and exciting nighttime experiences. Highlights include Celtic Fyre®, the all-new Across the Pond: Legends of the UK, Kinetix: The Next Generation stunt spectacular and a breathtaking drone show featuring more than 400 synchronized drones.
To cool off from the summer heat, Members, Annual Pass Holders and Military Pass Holders ages 21 and older can enjoy one complimentary seven-ounce beer daily from June 22 through July 30. In addition, all guests ages 21 and older can purchase two seven-ounce beers for just 50 cents each.
Food lovers can also enjoy the final weeks of Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Food & Wine Festival through June 21, featuring more than 135 international flavors across 17 themed food and beverage locations, including new offerings inspired by Puerto Rico.
Cool Off at Adventure Island and Water Country USA
Adventure Island and Water Country USA offer the perfect way to beat the summer heat with award-winning water attractions and family-friendly fun.
Adventure Island, Tampa Bay's premier waterpark, features exhilarating slides, a 17,000-square-foot wave pool, children's play areas and attractions including Rapids Racer, Wahoo Remix, Solar Vortex®, Vanish Point™, Colossal Curl™ and Castaway Falls. Through Aug. 8, guests can experience AquaGlow, a separately ticketed neon-themed nighttime event featuring foam parties, laser effects, glowing light tunnels and immersive entertainment.
Water Country USA, Virginia's largest waterpark, offers more than 40 rides and attractions, including Riptide Race, Cutback Water Coaster and Hubba Hubba Highway. Younger guests can explore High Tide Harbor, an interactive multi-level play structure featuring more than 100 water elements. AquaGlow returns for its second season on select Fridays and Saturdays beginning June 19, transforming the park into a vibrant after-dark experience filled with music, lights and family fun.
Take Advantage of the Fourth of July Sale
The Fourth of July Sale is available for a limited time at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Adventure Island, Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA.
For more information and the latest summer offerings, visit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Adventure Island Tampa Bay and Water Country USA. Follow along on social media for the latest summer announcements and event details: @BuschGardens, @BuschGardensVA, @AdventureIslandTampa and @WaterCountryUSA.
About Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure, offering 300 acres of fascinating attractions based on exotic explorations around the world. Busch Gardens is a unique blend of thrilling rides, an AZA accredited zoo with over 16,000 animals representing more than 200 species, and exciting seasonal events all year providing unrivaled experiences for guests of every age. For more information, visit BuschGardensTampa.com. Busch Gardens is owned by United Parks & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: PRKS), a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world.
About Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens® Williamsburg is an action-packed European-themed adventure park with 17th-century charm and 21st-century technology, boasting more than 100 acres of family fun. Home to top-rated roller coasters, more than 50 rides and attractions, award-winning entertainment, and signature events throughout the year. Busch Gardens is part of the United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PRKS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit UnitedParks.com.
Media Contacts:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Guests Can Save Big on Tickets, Passes and Summer Adventures at SeaWorld Parks Across the Country for a Limited Time
, /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of America's 250th birthday, SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, as well as Aquatica waterparks in Orlando and San Antonio, are launching the Fourth of July Sale, offering guests the best values of the year on tickets, passes and unforgettable summer experiences.
Beginning today for a limited time, guests can take advantage of exclusive offers at SeaWorld parks, including:
SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando: Save up to 55% on tickets, Fun Cards and Annual Passes. SeaWorld San Diego: Purchase a single-day ticket and receive a second visit free, plus purchase one Annual Pass and receive a second Annual Pass free. SeaWorld San Antonio and Aquatica San Antonio: Purchase a SeaWorld Pass and receive Aquatica admission free for as low as $99.99, plus purchase a two-day, two-park ticket for only $30 per day. SeaWorld and Aquatica parks are also proudly honoring the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. military active-duty and veterans and their families by inviting them to enjoy a day at the parks for FREE. Eligible U.S military active-duty and veterans can register for complimentary single-day ticket(s) for themselves PLUS receive THREE additional free tickets for dependents, valid for visits through July 5, registry required by June 21 at www.WavesofHonor.com.
Across the country, SeaWorld parks are offering a packed lineup of Fourth of July celebrations, summer entertainment, thrilling attractions and animal experiences.
Celebrating America's 250th Birthday
SeaWorld Orlando hosts a Fourth of July Celebration, featuring family-friendly activities, a spectacular patriotic fireworks display and amazing drone show. Beginning July 4, guests can also experience Red, White & BBQ, featuring regional barbecue favorites, live music and patriotic entertainment through Aug. 23.
At SeaWorld San Diego, a special Fourth of July Celebration takes place on July 4 with a celebratory spectacular fireworks display. In addition, each morning on July 3 – 5, guests can participate in a meaningful Flag Ceremony honoring the brave members of our military. The weekend of July 13 – 14, the park hosts their monthly Military Appreciation Weekend allowing families to come together to show support and gratitude to our military members and veterans.
Independence Day at SeaWorld San Antonio features a Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, honoring America's 250th birthday on both July 4 and 5. The birthday celebration also includes the United States Air Force Band of the West performing special concerts on June 26 and July 5, the only holiday appearance by the prestigious band in Texas.
Summer Thrills and New Attractions
At SeaWorld Orlando, guests can enjoy Electric Ocean, the park's premier nighttime event featuring three ALL-NEW nighttime animal presentations, vibrant light and music environments, Club SeaGlow dance experiences, the cirque-style Hydro Surge show, an all-new Electric Drone Show and the return of the IGNITE Fireworks Spectacular. Beyond the summer festivities, guests can soar above icy glaciers and fiery volcanic eruptions on Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice, an immersive Arctic flying theater experience. Guests ages 21 and older can also enjoy one complimentary seven-ounce draft beer daily, while Pass Members receive two beers per visit.
At SeaWorld San Diego, guests can dive into an thrilling lineup of summer entertainment featuring two ALL-NEW daytime animal presentations; the debut of three ALL-NEW nighttime animal presentations; and the park's first ever, show‑stopping Ocean of Dreams drone spectacular lighting up the night sky. Fan-favorite productions return alongside the highly anticipated Summer Concert Series, where iconic chart-topping artists from the 90s and early‑2000s bring unforgettable energy, nostalgia and nonstop summer vibes to the stage. The ALL-NEW Shark Encounter invites guests to come face to fin with jaw-dropping sharks from 11 remarkable species in an immersive, interactive experience that journeys from shallow coastal waters to the mysterious depths of the ocean. Through Aug. 18, guests ages 21 and older can enjoy refreshing seven-ounce ice cold beer for just $1 at High Tide Brews.
At SeaWorld San Antonio, the summer comes alive at night with Electric Ocean, including the colorful RhythMotion Ocean Parade, two ALL-NEW nighttime animal presentations, the action-packed Hydropower: Xtreme FX waterski stunt show and the breathtaking SeaWorld Illuminight Drone Finale featuring 400 synchronized drones. Guests can also experience the ALL-NEW Barracuda Strike, the tallest inverted family coaster in North America.
Cool Off at Aquatica Orlando and Aquatica San Antonio
At Aquatica Orlando, guests can cool off at the nation's #1 outdoor water park, where guests can see rare Commerson's dolphins. The park is home to some of the world's most thrilling water rides, featuring 50 slides, rivers and lagoons and 84,000 square feet of sparkling white, sandy beaches. Two large play areas just for kids make Aquatica the perfect spot for family fun. The excitement continues after dark with AquaGlow, a neon-themed splash party featuring dance events, laser light shows and high-energy entertainment on select nights.
Aquatica San Antonio, Texas' best water park, is the best place to beat the heat this summer. The park features a full lineup of thrilling slides, relaxing pools and family-friendly attractions, including a 15,000-square-foot water playground with over 100 water play elements, four water dumping buckets and three kid-friendly slides. The action continues into the night with AquaGlow, the ultimate neon-themed splash party featuring a dazzling light tunnel, a glowing tree trail, foam party and nighttime thrill rides. Guests can enjoy nighttime fun at Aqua Glow on select nights through September 5.
SeaWorld's Fourth of July Sale begins today and is available for a limited time. For park-specific offers, event schedules and details, visit SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego or SeaWorld San Antonio. Follow along on social media for the latest summer announcements and event details: @SeaworldOrlando, @SeaWorldSanDiego and @SeaWorldSanAntonio.
About SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life-themed rides and attractions, special events and exciting entertainment. For more than 60 years SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of marine life in and outside its parks through science, education and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, helping more than 43,000 animals to date. The SeaWorld Conservation Fund has provided more than $20 million to nearly 1,400 organizations to advance critical research on every continent. SeaWorld parks are located in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego and Abu Dhabi, UAE. SeaWorld is part of United Parks & Resorts (NYSE: PRKS).
Media Contacts:
SeaWorld Orlando: [email protected]
SeaWorld San Diego: [email protected]
SeaWorld San Antonio: [email protected]
Industry Veteran to Lead Park During More Than $100 Million Investment in New Attractions and Park Enhancements
CLICK HERE FOR HIGH-RES MEDIA ASSETS
, /PRNewswire/ -- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay today announced the appointment of Jon Vigue as the park's new President, ushering in a new era of growth and innovation at one of America's most iconic theme parks in the midst of a more than $100 million investment in new attractions and park enhancements.
Jon Vigue, a respected industry veteran with nearly 30 years of experience, joins Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as its new park president in the midst of a more than $100 million investment in new attractions and park enhancements. A respected attractions industry leader with nearly 30 years of experience, Vigue joins Busch Gardens Tampa Bay following his long-term tenure at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Georgia, where he led transformational operational strategies and development initiatives designed to elevate the guest experience and position the park for sustained growth.
His appointment comes at an exciting time for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as it continues to make significant investments in new attractions, immersive animal experiences, and the guest experience, including food and beverage and entertainment offerings, all designed to enhance every visit from day to night. Recent major new additions include Wild Oasis, the immersive new family adventure area that debuted in 2025. Opening this year, the all-new Lion and Hyena Ridge represents the park's largest and most immersive animal habitat in more than a decade. The dynamic new realm features five young male lions and a pair of hyenas surrounded by expansive 270-degree viewing areas, water features and elevated rocky overlooks that bring guests closer than ever before.
"We are strategically focused on enhancing every aspect of the guest experience at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Jon's extensive industry experience makes him the ideal leader to help guide that vision forward," said Kyle Miller, Co-Chief Parks Operations Officer at United Parks & Resorts, Busch Gardens' parent company. "As we continue making meaningful investments across the park, we are confident Jon's leadership, operational excellence and passion for innovation will help drive our next chapter of growth."
Throughout his career, Vigue has built a strong reputation for operational leadership, team development and creating memorable guest experiences. Prior to Wild Adventures, he spent nearly two decades at Lake Compounce Theme Park, where he played a key role in the property's revitalization and long-term success. Beyond park operations, Vigue has been actively involved with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) since 2007, most recently serving as Chair of the Food & Beverage Committee for North America.
"I'm incredibly honored to join the talented team at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and help lead one of the most iconic theme parks in the country," said Vigue. "The park has an extraordinary legacy of combining world-class thrills, inspiring animal experiences and immersive entertainment unlike anywhere else. I look forward to working alongside our passionate ambassadors as we continue building on that legacy, investing in the future and creating unforgettable experiences for guests and families across Tampa Bay and beyond."
The park's momentum continues this summer with significant new additions and expanded offerings. Guests can experience the return of the park's popular Summer Nights event, taking place through Aug. 9, featuring all-new entertainment, extended evening hours and spectacular nighttime productions. Highlights include the debut of the new Beach Bash show featuring retro-inspired music and high-energy performances, the return of fan-favorite Boom Box Dance Party and complimentary beer offerings for guests 21 and older. Indoor entertainment offerings including shows: Cirque Electric, Animal Tales, Icons and Rhythm of Nature, provide guests additional ways to stay cool while being entertained.
As night falls, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's skyline transforms with the return of Wild Skies: Drone Show & Fireworks Spectacular. On select nights, guests can experience two all-new nighttime spectaculars featuring 400 synchronized drones, breathtaking fireworks and immersive music. The season begins with a patriotic production honoring America's 250th Birthday, followed by a new Busch Gardens-exclusive drone spectacular debuting July 10.
"I'm thrilled to be here and extremely excited about the future of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay," added Vigue. "I look forward to meeting our valued guests and annual passholders."
About Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure, offering 300 acres of fascinating attractions based on exotic explorations around the world. Busch Gardens is a unique blend of thrilling rides, an AZA accredited zoo with over 16,000 animals representing more than 200 species, and exciting seasonal events all year providing unrivaled experiences for guests of every age. For more information, visit BuschGardensTampa.com. Busch Gardens is owned by United Parks & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: PRKS), a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world.
Christopher L. Finazzo, Chief Commercial Officer of United Parks & Resorts Inc. (PRKS +1.66%), disclosed the sale of 8,000 directly held common shares for a transaction value of approximately $294,000, according to a SEC Form 4 filing.
Transaction summaryMetricValueShares sold (direct)8,000Transaction value$294,000Post-transaction shares (direct)130,285Post-transaction value (direct ownership)~$4.79 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average purchase price ($36.76); post-transaction value based on May 22, 2026 market close ($36.78).
Key questionsHow material was this sale in the context of Finazzo's holdings?
This transaction represented 5.79% of Finazzo's direct common stock position, a moderate reduction that leaves the executive with approximately $4.79 million in directly held common shares.Is this transaction consistent with Finazzo's recent insider activity?
Recent years show a pattern of periodic open-market sales by Finazzo, with this trade's size (~8,000 shares) falling below his historical maximums; the continuing reduction in trade size matches the declining share inventory after prior sales.Did the sale reflect any indirect or derivative interests?
No; all shares involved were held directly.What is the broader context for United Parks & Resorts Inc. at the time of this transaction?
As of May 22, 2026, the company's share price was $36.78 at market close, representing a 10.37% year-over-year increase.Company overviewMetricValuePrice (as of market close 5/22/26)$36.76Revenue (TTM)$1.65 billionNet income (TTM)$150.42 million1-year price change10.37%* 1-year price change calculated using May 22, 2026 as the reference date.
Company snapshotPRKS operates theme and water parks across the United States under brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, Water Country USA, Adventure Island, and Sesame Place.The firm generates revenue primarily from park admissions, in-park spending (food, beverage, and merchandise), and ancillary services such as exclusive experiences and reservations-only attractions.It targets families, tourists, and group visitors seeking entertainment and leisure experiences in major U.S. travel destinations.United Parks & Resorts Inc. is a leading U.S. leisure and entertainment company with a diversified portfolio of theme and water parks. The company leverages well-known brands and strategic park locations across the United States, offering a diversified portfolio of leisure attractions. Its scale and operational history provide a competitive advantage in the consumer cyclical sector, positioning it as a prominent player in the domestic leisure market.
What this transaction means for investorsThis sale looks more like routine portfolio management than a warning sign. Finazzo has sold shares periodically in recent years, and this latest transaction still left him with a sizeable ownership position. Taken together, that is a far different signal than an executive making a wholesale exit.
The bigger story for investors is whether United Parks can translate improving guest spending into renewed attendance growth. First-quarter attendance fell 5% year over year to 3.2 million guests, contributing to a 3% revenue decline to $278.3 million and a net loss of $34.1 million. Adjusted EBITDA slipped 14% to $58 million.
Management argued the quarter was hurt by factors largely outside its control. CEO Marc Swanson said unfavorable weather reduced attendance by roughly 140,000 guests, while lower international visitation accounted for another 80,000 guests. Encouragingly, in-park spending reached a record $40.62 per guest and paid pass sales rose about 10% during the quarter.
The company is also putting capital behind its confidence, repurchasing roughly $157.5 million of stock through early May. For long-term investors, that may be more telling than a relatively modest insider sale. The key question is whether new attractions, stronger bookings, and growing season-pass demand can help attendance recover during the critical summer season.
Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends United Parks & Resorts. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Life Time Group (NYSE:LTH – Get Free Report) and United Parks & Resorts (NYSE:PRKS – Get Free Report) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability and analyst recommendations.
Institutional & Insider Ownership 79.4% of Life Time Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 13.3% of Life Time Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of United Parks & Resorts shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Life Time Group and United Parks & Resorts, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Life Time Group 0 2 6 1 2.89 United Parks & Resorts 2 7 3 0 2.08 Life Time Group presently has a consensus price target of $40.13, indicating a potential upside of 49.14%. United Parks & Resorts has a consensus price target of $47.00, indicating a potential upside of 43.89%. Given Life Time Group’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Life Time Group is more favorable than United Parks & Resorts.
Valuation & Earnings This table compares Life Time Group and United Parks & Resorts”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Life Time Group $3.00 billion 1.99 $373.67 million $1.66 16.21 United Parks & Resorts $1.66 billion 0.96 $168.35 million $3.05 10.71 Life Time Group has higher revenue and earnings than United Parks & Resorts. United Parks & Resorts is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Life Time Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Risk & Volatility Life Time Group has a beta of 1.69, indicating that its share price is 69% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, United Parks & Resorts has a beta of 1.18, indicating that its share price is 18% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Profitability This table compares Life Time Group and United Parks & Resorts’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Life Time Group 12.51% 10.20% 3.89% United Parks & Resorts 10.13% -41.63% 6.32% Summary Life Time Group beats United Parks & Resorts on 13 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Life Time Group (Get Free Report)
Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. provides health, fitness, and wellness experiences to a community of individual members in the United States and Canada. It primarily engages in designing, building, and operating of sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation, and spa centers in a resort-like environment, principally in suburban and urban locations of metropolitan areas. The company also offers fitness floors with equipment, locker rooms, group fitness studios, indoor and outdoor pools, bistros, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, LifeSpa, LifeCafe, and childcare and Kids Academy learning spaces. In addition, its Life Time Digital provides live streaming fitness classes, remote goal-based personal training, nutrition and weight loss support, curated award-winning health, and fitness and wellness content. The company is also involved in media activities, conducting athletic events, and provision of related services. It operates various centers, including ground leases. The company was formerly known as LTF Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. in June 21, 2021. Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Chanhassen, Minnesota.
About United Parks & Resorts (Get Free Report)
United Parks & Resorts, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the ownership and operation of theme parks. Its portfolio includes SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place, and Sea Rescue. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Orlando, FL.
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Player rosters officially announced, highlighting the top-ranked boys and girls high school athletes competing in a premier showcase at SeaWorld San Diego
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, /PRNewswire/ -- SeaWorld San Diego and Ballislife are thrilled to unveil the official player rosters for the 12th annual Ballislife All-American Game. On April 24–25, SeaWorld San Diego will transform into an unexpected hub for high‑level hoops as the nation's top high school talent arrives to compete. Guests can catch rising stars showcasing their skills in a dunk contest, 1‑on‑1 battles, three-point contest and the marquee All-American Game. This year kicks off what is anticipated to be a long‑running, multi‑year partnership between SeaWorld and Ballislife, delivering elite basketball excitement and a premier national event to both the park and the city of San Diego.
Ballislife and SeaWorld High School All-American Game Players Announced The following roster highlights the elite high school athletes selected to compete, including their national ranking, current high schools and chosen colleges:
Girls Team
Rank #2, Oliviyah Edwards, Lincoln High School (Tacoma, WA), uncommitted Rank #8, Jordyn Jackson, The St. James Academy (Washington, DC), committed to Maryland Rank #9, Jacy Abii, Legion Prep Academy (Plano, TX), committed to Notre Dame Rank #11, Trinity Jones, Naperville Central High School (Naperville, IL), committed to Clemson University Rank #13, Autumn Fleary, Sidwell Friends (Baltimore, MD), committed to Duke Rank #18, Bella Flemings, William J. Brennan High School (San Antonio, TX), committed to Duke Rank #23, Cydnee Bryant, Centennial High School (Corona, CA), committed to Kansas Rank #28, Jenica Lewis, Johnston High School (Johnston, IA), committed to Notre Dame Rank #29, GiGi Battle, DME Academy (Edison, NJ), committed to Indiana University Rank #30, Kelsi Andrews, IMG Academy (Goodman, MS), committed to South Carolina Rank #34, Kimora Fields, Bradley Central High School (Cleveland, TN), committed to Clemson University Rank #36, Ariyana Cradie, Spire Academy (Columbus, OH), committed to Louisville Rank #43, Reiyan DeSouze, Legion Prep Academy (Dallas, TX), committed to Texas A&M Rank #47, Amalia Holguin, Sage Hill High School (West Covina, CA), committed to University of Texas Rank #51, Amayah Garcia, Faith Family Academy (Fort Worth, TX), committed to University of Washington Rank #56, Chikae Desdunes, DME Academy (Daytona Beach, FL), committed to Rutgers Boys Team
Rank #7, Jason Crowe, Inglewood High School (Inglewood, CA), committed to Missouri Rank #8, Babatunde Oladotun, James Hubert Blake High School (Silver Spring, MD), committed to Maryland Rank #22, Abdouramane (Abdou) Toure, Notre Dame High School (West Haven, CT), committed to Arkansas Rank #26, DaKari Spear, Dynamic Prep (The Colony, TX), committed to Texas Tech Rank #31, Colben Landrew, Wheeler High School (Atlanta, GA), committed to University of Connecticut Rank #33, Tarris Bouie III, Spire Academy (Charlotte, NC), committed to University of Alabama Rank #34, Latrell Allmond, Petersburg High School (Petersburg, VA), committed to Oklahoma State Rank #36, Tajh Ariza, Link Academy (Los Angeles, CA), committed to University of Oregon Rank #39, Marcis Ponder, Gillion Academy (Miami, FL), committed to Bowling Green University Rank #43, Junior County, Wasatch Academy (Highland, UT), committed to University of Connecticut Rank #50, Cameron Holmes, Millennium High School (Goodyear, AZ), committed to University of Arizona Rank #51, Luca Foster, Link Academy (Branson, MO), committed to Gonzaga Rank #58, Katrelle Harmon, Wasatch Academy (Lynwood, WA), committed to Creighton University Rank #68, Jonathan Sanderson, La Lumiere School (La Porte, IN), committed to Notre Dame Rank #79, Dean Rueckert, Timpview High School (Provo, UT), committed to BYU Rank #81, Trey Beamer, IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL), committed to Boston College Rank #85, Trent Perry, Link Academy (Branson, MO), committed to Kansas Unranked Boys (NR):
Christian Kennard (NR) – Blake High School (Silver Spring, MD); Undecided Jaron Saulsberry (NR) – Wheeler High School (Atlanta, GA); Committed to Ole Miss KJ Torbert (NR) – East Lansing High School (East Lansing, MI); Committed to Bowling Green University The event schedule is subject to change, but is scheduled as follows:
Friday, April 24 – Skills & 1v1 Showcase
3:00PM Doors Open at Nautilus Amphitheater 4:00PM 3 Point Contest 5:00PM Dunk Contest 6:00PM 1v1 Series Highlighting Top Talent Saturday, April 25 All-American Games (Boys & Girls)
1:00PM Doors Open at Nautilus Amphitheater 1:50 PM National Anthem 2:00PM Boys All-American Game 4:00PM Girls All-American Game This milestone event marks Ballislife's debut high school all-star game in San Diego in partnership with SeaWorld San Diego, uniting the nation's most exciting rising stars for a competitive weekend unlike anything the park has seen before with a basketball court built in Nautilus Amphitheater. Representing the next generation of the game, these athletes arrive with national recognition, elite skillsets, and momentum as they prepare to take the next step in their basketball careers to prestigious college basketball programs
Included with park admission, guests can purchase tickets on the SeaWorld San Diego website at https://seaworld.com/san-diego/events/ballislife/ and enjoy exclusive Ballislife offers. Guests onsite will feel the excitement in an unforgettable venue which will include additional entertainment from a DJ, local pop-ups and more, while audiences at home can stream all the action live on Ballislife's Facebook and YouTube channels.
Before and after each game, guests can experience everything SeaWorld San Diego has to offer—from animal encounters and educational presentations to award-winning rides and attractions—making each date a full day of entertainment.
Exclusive Ticket Offers
For those attending the two-day event, SeaWorld is offering exclusive Ballislife ticket offers on the website for the two-day event. The best value for those visiting again and again is to purchase and Annual Pass for unlimited admission year-round with no blockout dates and access to events including Seven Seas Food Festival, Viva La Música, Summer Spectacular, and more. Additional benefits include free parking, guest tickets, special savings on food and merchandise, and exclusive Pass Member events starting as low as $11 a month for a limited time.
For park hours and ticket information, visit www.seaworldsandiego.com. Follow SeaWorld on Facebook and Instagram for the latest concert and event updates.
About Ballislife
Founded in 2005, Ballislife is a leading digital media and lifestyle brand dedicated to the culture of basketball at every level of the game. Based in Southern California, the company has grown from a grassroots "mixtape" platform into a trusted authority in high school and grassroots basketball coverage, amplifying the stories of emerging talent and the communities that shape the sport. Ballislife reaches millions of fans worldwide through premium video, editorial content and nationally recognized live events. Its content has generated hundreds of millions of views across platforms and has been featured by major outlets including The New York Times and on broadcasts such as ESPN's SportsCenter. Ballislife is home to the long-standing FAB 50 National Team Rankings and produces marquee events including the Ballislife All-American Game, Ballislife Jr. All-American Camp and the Nesquik Creator Court. Through storytelling, competition and community engagement, Ballislife continues to influence and elevate the next generation of basketball culture.
About SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life themed rides and attractions, special events and exciting entertainment. For more than 60 years SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of marine life in and outside its parks through science, education, and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, helping more than 42,000 animals to date. The SeaWorld Conservation Fund, a non-profit foundation established in 2003, has provided more than $20 million to nearly 1,400 organizations to advance critical research on every continent. A portion of park proceeds goes toward supporting these longstanding conservation commitments. SeaWorld parks are in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). SeaWorld is part of the United Parks & Resorts (NYSE: PRKS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit us at SeaWorld.com.
, /PRNewswire/ -- United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS) announced today that it will release its first quarter financial results before the market opens on Monday, May 11, 2026. In conjunction with the release, the Company has scheduled a conference call, which will be broadcast live over the internet on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. The release and the conference call can be accessed via the Company's website at www.UnitedParksInvestors.com.
For those unable to participate in the live webcast, a replay will be available beginning at approximately 12 p.m. Eastern Time on May 11, 2026, under the "Events & Presentations" tab of www.UnitedParksInvestors.com. A replay of the call can also be accessed telephonically from approximately 12 p.m. Eastern Time on May 11, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 18, 2026, by dialing (800) 770-2030 from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, or (609) 800-9909 from other international locations and entering the conference code 5823876.
About United Parks & Resorts Inc.
United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS) is a global theme park and entertainment company that owns or licenses a diverse portfolio of award-winning park brands and experiences, including SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens®, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place®, Water Country USA, Adventure Island, and Aquatica®. The Company's seven world-class brands span 13 parks in seven markets across the United States and Abu Dhabi, offering experiences that matter with exhilarating thrill and family-friendly rides, coasters, and experiences, inspiring up-close and educational presentations with wildlife, and other various special events throughout the year. In addition, the Company collectively cares for one of the largest zoological collections in the world, is a global leader in animal welfare, training, and veterinary care, and is one of the leading marine animal rescue organizations in the world with a legacy of rescuing and caring for animals that spans over 60 years, including coming to the aid of over 42,000 animals in need. To learn more, visit www.UnitedParks.com.
Copies of this and other news releases as well as additional information about United Parks & Resorts Inc. can be obtained online at www.unitedparks.com. Shareholders and prospective investors can also register to automatically receive the Company's press releases, SEC filings and other notices by e-mail by registering at that website.
Contact:
Investor Relations Inquiries:
Matthew Stroud
Investor Relations
888-410-1812
[email protected]
Media Inquiries:
AnneMarie Iturrizaga
United Parks & Resorts Inc.
[email protected]
Pass Members will be the first to come face‑to‑fin with the ocean's most fascinating predators at the can't-miss Southern California, immersive attraction
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, /PRNewswire/ -- SeaWorld San Diego is excited to announce that Shark Encounter, the all-new experience that brings the wonders of sharks to life through a dynamic and engaging exhibit, will open on May 22. This underwater adventure, featuring enhanced visuals and state-of-the-art multimedia, immerses guests in the power and beauty of sharks while dispelling long-held myths. Shark Encounter is the only shark exhibit on the West Coast where guests can upgrade their day for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to feed a variety of large shark species right over the water.
SeaWorld San Diego's new Shark Encounter opens May 22. SeaWorld Pass Members will receive exclusive early access to Shark Encounter on select dates ahead of opening day—one of the many benefits of being an Annual Pass Member, which also includes unlimited visits with no blockout dates. Guests can get up close to 11 different species, including sand tiger sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and the endangered Australian leopard shark.
"The all-new Shark Encounter is an awe-inspiring experience that brings guests face-to-face with some of the ocean's most powerful and misunderstood predators," said Tyler Carter, SeaWorld San Diego park president. "From above-water viewing to the immersive shark tunnel, this dynamic habitat offers a deeper appreciation for these incredible animals while reinforcing our commitment to marine education, conservation, and inspiring the next generation of ocean advocates."
All-New Encounter: What Guests Will Experience
Shark Encounter immediately immerses guests in an interactive journey from sunny shores to the deep, open ocean, beginning with a newly designed entrance framed by lush foliage that opens into a vibrant coastal beach scene. At the surface level, guests can observe sharks from above while discovering fun and informative facts throughout the sandy setting. Educational signage and photo opportunities provide insights into shark behavior, habitats, and conservation. As visitors move deeper into the winding exhibit, the environment transforms into a breathtaking underwater perspective where sharks glide overhead.
Two signature moments await within the underwater caverns. The first is the shark tunnel—a moving walkway that carries guests through a transparent passage beneath a sweeping habitat, creating the unforgettable sensation of being surrounded by sharks in a 180-degree underwater world. The journey concludes at a stunning floor-to-ceiling glass wall, where vibrant marine life is paired with dynamic LED multimedia technology that brings the story of sharks to life.
Exclusive VIP Experience
Guests seeking an even closer encounter can elevate their visit with the Shark Up Close Experience—Southern California's only opportunity to safely feed sharks while enjoying an intimate behind-the-scenes look at their care. Participants will observe feeding practices, learn about shark behavior and diet, and discover the critical role sharks play in ocean ecosystems.
The true wonder of Shark Encounter lies in the animals themselves. Several species featured in the exhibit are listed as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), underscoring the importance of shark conservation worldwide.
"Sharks play a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of our ocean ecosystems, yet many species face growing threats in the wild," said Danielle Castillo, Zoological Curator of Aquariums at SeaWorld San Diego. "Through engaging encounters and up-close viewing opportunities, Shark Encounter allows guests to better understand shark biology, behavior, their importance as apex predators, and the actions we can all take to help protect them and the oceans they call home."
Shark Encounter goes beyond a traditional animal exhibit by inviting guests to challenge common misconceptions about sharks, including the myth that they are dangerous to humans. By educating guests and dispelling fear-based narratives, the exhibit reinforces SeaWorld's commitment to marine conservation and advancing public understanding of these remarkable animals.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) recently announced that SeaWorld San Diego was granted accreditation by AZA's independent Accreditation Commission. This recognition highlighted the shark animal care teams efforts, paired with SeaWorld San Diego, to support these animals and provide them optimal care while sharing their story with SeaWorld guests.
Dive into Summer with Savings
With summer on the horizon, SeaWorld has a lot more in store, so now is the perfect time to visit SeaWorld San Diego and experience all the park has to offer! For a limited time, guests can take advantage of a special advance purchase ticket starting at just $65.99. This exclusive deal is available for purchase now through May 10 and valid for visits through August 31, making it easier than ever to plan the ultimate summer outing. The best way to visit SeaWorld endless times in a year is to become an Annual Pass Member. Pass Members can visit year-round with unlimited access to events including Viva La Música, Summer Spectacular, and more. Additional benefits include free parking, guest tickets, special savings on food and merchandise, and exclusive Pass Member events. For a limited time, Annual passes are as low as $11/month with up 40% off.
Don't miss your chance to dive into this one-of-a-kind adventure! Visit SeaWorldSanDiego.com to plan your visit and take advantage of these limited-time savings.
For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit www.seaworldsandiego.com. Follow SeaWorld on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and information.
About SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life themed rides and attractions, special events and exciting entertainment. For more than 60 years SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of marine life in and outside its parks through science, education, and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, helping more than 42,000 animals to date. The SeaWorld Conservation Fund, a non-profit foundation established in 2003, has provided more than $20 million to nearly 1,400 organizations to advance critical research on every continent. A portion of park proceeds goes toward supporting these longstanding conservation commitments. SeaWorld parks are in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). SeaWorld is part of the United Parks & Resorts (NYSE: PRKS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit us at SeaWorld.com.
AiRWA (NASDAQ:YYAI – Get Free Report) and United Parks & Resorts (NYSE:PRKS – Get Free Report) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, earnings, risk and analyst recommendations.
Institutional & Insider Ownership 4.0% of AiRWA shares are owned by institutional investors. 13.8% of AiRWA shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of United Parks & Resorts shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.
Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent recommendations for AiRWA and United Parks & Resorts, as reported by MarketBeat.
Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AiRWA 1 0 0 0 1.00 United Parks & Resorts 3 5 4 0 2.08 United Parks & Resorts has a consensus price target of $47.50, indicating a potential upside of 40.38%. Given United Parks & Resorts’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe United Parks & Resorts is more favorable than AiRWA.
Profitability This table compares AiRWA and United Parks & Resorts’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AiRWA -6.12% -0.40% -0.37% United Parks & Resorts 10.13% -41.63% 6.32% Valuation & Earnings This table compares AiRWA and United Parks & Resorts”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio AiRWA $12.82 million 2.69 $3.49 million $2.90 0.28 United Parks & Resorts $1.66 billion 0.99 $168.35 million $3.05 11.09 United Parks & Resorts has higher revenue and earnings than AiRWA. AiRWA is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than United Parks & Resorts, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Volatility and Risk AiRWA has a beta of -1.74, meaning that its share price is 274% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, United Parks & Resorts has a beta of 1.18, meaning that its share price is 18% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Summary United Parks & Resorts beats AiRWA on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.
About AiRWA (Get Free Report)
Connexa Sports Technologies Inc. engages in the sports equipment and technology business in the United States. The company offers Slinger Launcher, a portable padel tennis ball launcher and pickleball launcher; and Slinger Bag Launcher, a ball launcher built into transport wheeled trolley bag. It also provides Gameface, AI technology and performance analytics for sports. Connexa Sports Technologies Inc. is based in Windsor Mill, Maryland.
About United Parks & Resorts (Get Free Report)
United Parks & Resorts, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the ownership and operation of theme parks. Its portfolio includes SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place, and Sea Rescue. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Orlando, FL.
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Active-Duty U.S. Military and Families Can Also Enjoy a Complimentary Visit to any SeaWorld Park
, /PRNewswire/ -- SeaWorld's three U.S. parks are celebrating Military Appreciation Month with free one-day admission for U.S. military veterans and up to three guests as a thank you for their service. Veterans can register for this offer now through May 10 and have until June 30 to visit SeaWorld Orlando, San Diego or San Antonio with their complimentary admission. Veterans can also receive 50% off a single-day ticket for up to six guests.
Through its Waves of Honor program that offers special pricing and promotions throughout the year for members of the U.S. military, active-duty military and their guests continue to enjoy one-day complimentary admission all year long. In addition, active-duty military receive 50% off a single-day ticket for up to six guests.
"We are incredibly grateful to all members of our military for their commitment and dedication to serving our country," said Marc Swanson, CEO of United Parks & Resorts, SeaWorld's parent company. "The Waves of Honor program extends a small token of our appreciation to those who are serving or who have served. We look forward to welcoming military service members, veterans and their families for a fun-filled day in one of our parks."
For more than 25 years, the company has been proud to provide complimentary park access to members of the United States military, and as a result, more than 10 million guests – active-duty military members, veterans and their families – have enjoyed free admission through the Waves of Honor program. Whether it's educational animal experiences or thrilling attractions, military families are invited to the parks for a day of family fun.
Eligible U.S military veterans can register for complimentary single-day ticket(s) for themselves and up to three dependents by May 10 at www.WavesofHonor.com. After registering, all tickets must be redeemed by June 30. Service members and their direct dependents must have a valid active military ID to participate.
Any U.S. active-duty military member, including activated reservists and National Guard members, can also take advantage of one complimentary admission for themselves and up to three dependents per year to SeaWorld. Additional discounts and offers are available for active military and veterans through MWR and ITT offices on U.S. military bases and online at www.WavesofHonor.com. These offers are available year-round and may differ by park.
For those veterans and active military who want to visit SeaWorld multiple times throughout the year, a new Military Silver Annual Pass is available. It offers unlimited admission with no block-out dates for 12 months, free admission to popular events, three free guest tickets, up to 20% off in-park discounts and more.
For more information on SeaWorld, visit www.seaworld.com.
About SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life themed rides and attractions, special events and exciting entertainment.
For more than 60 years SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of marine life in and outside its parks through science, education, and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, helping more than 42,000 animals to date. The SeaWorld Conservation Fund, a non-profit foundation established in 2003, has provided more than $20 million to nearly 1,400 organizations to advance critical research on every continent. A portion of park proceeds goes toward supporting these longstanding conservation commitments. SeaWorld parks are in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). SeaWorld is part of the United Parks & Resorts (NYSE:PRKS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit us at SeaWorld.com.
Active-Duty U.S. Military and Families Can Also Enjoy a Complimentary Visit to Busch Gardens
, /PRNewswire/ -- This Military Appreciation Month, Busch Gardens proudly opens its gates to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans, inviting them and their families to enjoy a well-deserved day of fun and adventure. Busch Gardens' two parks in Tampa and Williamsburg, VA, are celebrating Military Appreciation Month with free one-day admission for U.S. military veterans and up to three guests. Veterans can register for this offer now through May 10 and have until June 30 to visit with their complimentary admission. Veterans can also receive 50% off a single-day ticket for up to 6 guests.
Through its Waves of Honor program that offers special U.S. military pricing and promotions throughout the year, active-duty military and their guests continue to enjoy one-day complimentary park admission all year long. In addition, active military receive 50% off a single-day ticket for up to six guests.
"Busch Gardens is extending its heartfelt gratitude to the brave men and women who have served in the U.S. military," said Marc Swanson, CEO of United Parks & Resorts, Busch Gardens' parent company. "The Waves of Honor program extends a small token of our appreciation to those who are serving or who have served. We look forward to welcoming military service members, veterans and their families for a fun-filled day in one of our parks."
For more than 25 years, the company has been proud to provide complimentary park access to members of the United States military, and as a result, more than 10 million guests – active-duty military members, veterans and their families – have enjoyed free admission through the Waves of Honor program. Whether it's educational animal experiences or thrilling attractions, military families are invited to the parks for a day of family fun.
Eligible U.S military veterans can register for complimentary single-day ticket(s) for themselves and up to three dependents by May 10 at www.WavesofHonor.com. After registering, all tickets must be redeemed by June 30. Service members and their direct dependents must have a valid active military ID to participate.
Any U.S. active-duty military member, including activated reservists or National Guard members, can also take advantage of one complimentary admission for themselves and up to three dependents per year to Busch Gardens. Additional discounts and offers are available for active military and veterans through MWR and ITT offices on U.S. military bases and online at www.WavesofHonor.com. These offers are available year-round and may differ by park.
For those veterans and active military who want to visit the park multiple times throughout the year, a new Military Silver Annual Pass is available at Busch Gardens Tampa and a Military Membership at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Each offers unlimited admission with no block-out dates for 12 months, free admission to popular events, three free guest tickets, up to 20% off in-park discounts and more.
For more information on the parks, visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay or Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
About Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure, offering 300 acres of fascinating attractions based on exotic explorations around the world. Busch Gardens is a unique blend of thrilling rides, an AZA accredited zoo with over 16,000 animals representing more than 200 species, and exciting seasonal events all year providing unrivaled experiences for guests of every age. For more information, visit BuschGardensTampa.com. Busch Gardens is owned by United Parks & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: PRKS), a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world.
About Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens® Williamsburg is an action-packed European-themed adventure park with 17th-century charm and 21st-century technology, boasting more than 100 acres of family fun. Home to top-rated roller coasters, more than 50 rides and attractions, award-winning entertainment, and signature events throughout the year. Busch Gardens is part of the United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PRKS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit UnitedParks.com.
The market expects United Parks & Resorts (PRKS - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended March 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on May 11, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis theme park operator is expected to post quarterly loss of $0.36 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -24.1%.
Revenues are expected to be $277.41 million, down 3.3% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 8.85% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for United Parks & Resorts?For United Parks & Resorts, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -32.07%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #5.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that United Parks & Resorts will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that United Parks & Resorts would post earnings of $0.46 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.28, delivering a surprise of -39.13%.
The company has not been able to beat consensus EPS estimates in any of the last four quarters.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
United Parks & Resorts doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAnother stock from the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry, Expedia (EXPE - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.41 per share for the quarter ended March 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +252.5%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $3.34 billion, up 11.9% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Expedia has been revised 0.3% down to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +10.04%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate.
When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP indicates that Expedia will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
The upcoming report from United Parks & Resorts (PRKS - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly loss of -$0.36 per share, indicating a decline of 24.1% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $277.41 million, representing a decline of 3.3% year over year.
Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been adjusted downward by 8.9% to its current level. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.
Before a company reveals its earnings, it is vital to take into account any changes in earnings projections. These revisions play a pivotal role in predicting the possible reactions of investors toward the stock. Multiple empirical studies have consistently shown a strong association between trends in earnings estimates and the short-term price movements of a stock.
While investors usually depend on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to assess the business performance for the quarter, delving into analysts' forecasts for certain key metrics often provides a more comprehensive understanding.
In light of this perspective, let's dive into the average estimates of certain United Parks & Resorts metrics that are commonly tracked and forecasted by Wall Street analysts.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Net revenues- Food, merchandise and other' will reach $128.46 million. The estimate indicates a change of -1.8% from the prior-year quarter.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Net revenues- Admissions' at $150.99 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -3.3%.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Admissions per capita' will reach $46.04 . Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $46.04 in the same quarter of the previous year.
Analysts predict that the 'Attendance' will reach 3,279 . Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 3,391 in the same quarter of the previous year.
The consensus estimate for 'Total revenue per capita' stands at $85.20 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $84.62 .
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'In-Park per capita spending' should come in at $39.16 . The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $38.58 .
View all Key Company Metrics for United Parks & Resorts here>>>
Shares of United Parks & Resorts have demonstrated returns of +1.5% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +11.4% change. With a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), PRKS is expected to lag the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
All Three Parks Debut Dazzling ALL-NEW Drone Shows, Nighttime Animal Shows and More
, /PRNewswire/ -- SeaWorld parks across the country are set to deliver their best summer lineup ever, featuring ALL-NEW nighttime drone shows, exciting nighttime animal shows, special events and family-friendly entertainment. From Florida to California to Texas, SeaWorld's signature summer programming brings together animal experiences, immersive shows, fun-filled dance parties and so much more designed for guests of all ages.
For the first time ever this summer, SeaWorld San Diego and SeaWorld San Antonio will debut state-of-the-art drone shows while SeaWorld Orlando will introduce an all-new drone show. For the first time ever, SeaWorld San Diego and SeaWorld San Antonio will debut state-of-the-art drone shows and SeaWorld Orlando will introduce an all-new drone show.
"This summer, SeaWorld is raising the bar across the country—combining really enjoyable and fun nighttime shows and presentations, cutting-edge drone displays, exciting new experiences and nonstop family fun," said Marc Swanson, CEO of United Parks & Resorts, SeaWorld's parent company. "From coast to coast, we're bringing together animal experiences, immersive entertainment and high-energy celebrations that offer something for every guest and create lasting memories."
SeaWorld Orlando: Summer Shines with Bigger Than Ever Fun
SeaWorld Orlando shines with their biggest and best attractions, events and animal encounters. Taking center stage is Electric Ocean, a premier summer nighttime event beginning June 12. As the sun sets, guests can dive into the long-awaited return of nighttime animal shows, incredible environments of light and music with friendly DJ dance parties, witness the incredible cirque spectacular show, Hydro Surge, and close the night with an all-new drone and fireworks spectacular.
Electric Ocean includes:
Hydro Surge: Cirque Spectacular Show is a pulse-pounding cirque spectacular where the power of the ocean meets industrial grit. Featuring high-energy acrobatics, dynamic dancers and a live drummer, this immersive show pulls guests into a tidal rush. Club SeaGlow: An Electrifying DJ Party features music, lights and dancing, creating an electrifying atmosphere glowing with excitement. Guests can enjoy dancers and high-energy atmospheric acts to get the party going. An All-New Drone Spectacle lights up the night sky with hundreds of synchronized drones forming glowing sea creatures, rolling waves and luminous ocean-inspired scenes set to the pulse of "Feeling Electric." Ignite: A Fireworks Spectacular returns with an enhanced blend of fireworks, fountains, lighting and music. This 360-degree celebration transforms the skies above SeaWorld Orlando into a radiant tribute to the colors and energy of the sea. Also beginning June 12, SeaWorld Orlando introduces three all-new nighttime animal presentations, blending fun, education and energy:
Shamu Celebration: Light Up The Night features vibrant lighting, music, and high-energy choreography that celebrates the power and beauty of killer whales in a festival-style atmosphere. Sea Lions Tonite brings even more laughs, personality, and fast-paced comedy as SeaWorld's beloved sea lions take center stage with all-new surprises. Dolphins: Touch the Sky features playful bottlenose dolphins, inspiring storytelling and an energetic soundtrack that celebrates the connection between humans and the natural world. In addition, SeaWorld Orlando will open Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice this summer where guests join a scientific mission exploring the most powerful forces that shape one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Finally, the park will soon announce the debut of an exciting all-new animal presentation. Stay tuned for more exciting details and opening dates.
For more information, visit SeaWorld Orlando. Follow SeaWorld Orlando on Facebook and Instagram for the latest summer details and information.
SeaWorld San Diego: Get Ready for a Blockbuster Summer
Kicking off May 22, SeaWorld San Diego promises its most dynamic summer yet with a vibrant slate of day‑into‑night excitement, including the debut of new nighttime animal experiences; a first ever, show‑stopping drone spectacular; the grand opening of Shark Encounter; launch of Dolphin Adventures; and the return of its highly anticipated Summer Concert Series headlined by top artists from 90s and early‑2000s hip hop and R&B for an unforgettable musical journey featuring R&B, hip-hop and rap hits from the '90s and early 2000s.
All-new summer offerings, beginning May 22, include:
Ocean of Dreams Drone Show is a groundbreaking, first ever 12-minute, immersive experience that lights up the night sky with 600 fully synchronized drones set to a soaring soundtrack, celebrating the beauty of the ocean and its incredible marine life. Shark Encounter invites guests to come face to face with jaw-dropping sharks from 11 remarkable species in a refreshed, interactive, immersive experience that journeys from sunlit shores to the depths of the ocean. Dolphin Adventures features a cast of scene stealers—including dolphins, pilot whales, and the ever-playful next generation of dolphins, bursting with personality from beginning to end. The Wonders of North American Wildlife highlights the incredible diversity of native wildlife across North America, comparing and contrasting species from different regions while sharing inspiring rescue and rehabilitation stories. Deep Sea Disco invites guests to dance the night away under the glow of SkyTower lights as the Rhythm of the Reef dancers bring high-energy fun to the ocean floor. SeaWorld San Diego summer happenings continue on June 12 with three all-new nighttime animal presentations blending fun, education, and energy:
Shamu Celebration: Light Up The Night showcases the power, beauty, and grace of killer whales in a way that captivates audiences of all ages and inspires them to take an interest in wildlife and conservation. Sea Lions Tonite brings even more laughs, personality, and fast-paced comedy as SeaWorld's beloved sea lions take center stage with all-new surprises. Dolphins: Touch the Sky features playful bottlenose dolphins, inspiring storytelling and an energetic soundtrack that celebrates the connection between humans and the natural world. And returning fan-favorite shows include:
BMX Blast! Powered by BODYARMOR Stunt Show celebrates the history of extreme sports in Southern California. Pirates Ahoy! The Battle for Mermaid Cove where sword-swinging pirates make their grand return for an even more action-packed escapade this summer. Get ready for a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas with this spectacular water stunt, Pirates Ahoy! The 2026 Summer Concert Series takes place every Saturday beginning for an unforgettable musical journey featuring R&B, hip-hop and rap hits from the '90s and early 2000s.
For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit www.seaworldsandiego.com. Follow SeaWorld on Facebook and Instagram for the latest Summer Spectacular details and information.
SeaWorld San Antonio: Summer Sizzles with Hot, Hot, Hot Shows and Attractions
SeaWorld San Antonio is turning up the heat this summer with an all-new nighttime celebration, drone show, exciting parade, animal presentations and its family-friendly thriller, Barracuda Strike.
All the fun begins on May 22 with the debut of Electric Ocean, the park's premier nighttime offering, including:
RhythMotion Ocean Parade featuring vibrant floats, dynamic dancers, and whimsical characters. Guests can dance along as it winds through the park, setting the tone for an evening of celebration. Hydropower: Xtreme FX blends live music, high-flying water stunts, pyrotechnics, lasers and edge-of-your-seat excitement for a high-adrenaline waterski stunt show like no other. SeaWorld Illuminight Drone Finale takes to the sky in an aerial display that transforms the night into a canvas of light and motion. Featuring a fleet of 400 synchronized drones and a soaring soundtrack, this innovative show creates stunning shapes and animations, all inspired by marine life. Also beginning May 22, SeaWorld San Antonio introduces two all-new nighttime animal presentations:
Shamu Celebration: Light Up the Night showcases the power, beauty, and grace of killer whales in a way that captivates audiences of all ages and inspires them to take an interest in wildlife and conservation. Sea Lions Tonite brings even more laughs, personality, and fast-paced comedy as SeaWorld's beloved sea lions take center stage with all-new surprises. Guests can also experience the all-new thrill ride, Barracuda Strike, the tallest inverted family coaster in North America. The one-of-a-kind attraction invites guests of all ages to dive into the deep and experience the ocean's most agile predator like never before. With every twist, drop, and tight turn, Barracuda Strike delivers a rush of excitement that's bold enough for thrill-seekers, yet built for the whole family.
For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit SeaWorld San Antonio. Follow SeaWorld on Facebook and Instagram for the latest summer details and information.
Best Way to Play – Unlimited Visits and Summer Fun with an Annual Pass
The best way to play and experience all the summer happenings in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio is with a SeaWorld Annual Pass. Pass Members receive unlimited visits for a year with benefits including special savings on merchandise, Quick Queue, reserved seating and more.
About SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life themed rides and attractions, special events and exciting entertainment.
For more than 60 years SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of marine life in and outside its parks through science, education, and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, helping more than 42,000 animals to date. The SeaWorld Conservation Fund, a non-profit foundation established in 2003, has provided more than $20 million to nearly 1,400 organizations to advance critical research on every continent. A portion of park proceeds goes toward supporting these longstanding conservation commitments. SeaWorld parks are in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). SeaWorld is part of the United Parks & Resorts (NYSE:PRKS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit us at SeaWorld.com.
, /PRNewswire/ -- United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS), a leading theme park and entertainment company, today reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2026.
First Quarter 2026 Highlights
Attendance was 3.2 million guests, a decrease of approximately 171,000 guests from the first quarter of 2025. Total revenue was $278.3 million, a decrease of $8.7 million from the first quarter of 2025. Net loss was $34.1 million, a decrease of $17.9 million from the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA[1] was $58.0 million, a decrease of $9.5 million from the first quarter of 2025. Total revenue per capita[2] increased 2.1% to $86.43 from the first quarter of 2025. Admission per capita[2] decreased 0.5% to $45.81 while in-park per capita spending[2] increased 5.3% to a record $40.62 from the first quarter of 2025. Other Highlights
In the first quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 2.6 million shares for an aggregate total of approximately $92.7 million. Subsequent to the end of the quarter through May 8, 2026, the Company has repurchased an additional approximately 1.8 million shares for an aggregate total of approximately $64.8 million. During the first quarter of 2026, the Company came to the aid of 211 animals in need in the wild. The total number of animals the Company has helped over its history is more than 43,000. "First quarter results fell short of our expectations primarily due to unfavorable weather (including unfavorable weather in San Diego and Florida in January and February, and again in Florida and Texas during their peak Spring Break periods) and a decline in international attendance. Attendance in the first quarter was negatively impacted by approximately 140,000 guests due to weather and approximately 80,000 guests due to declines in international visitation. Adjusting for these impacts, attendance would have increased more than 1% for the quarter," said Marc Swanson, Chief Executive Officer of United Parks & Resorts Inc.
"We delivered another quarter of strong in park execution, growing our in-park per capita and producing another quarter of record results. We also saw strong pass sales performance during the quarter with paid pass sales up approximately 10% during the quarter and up approximately 12% through April 30, 2026. Looking ahead, our advanced bookings revenue for Discovery Cove and our group business both currently outpacing 2025 levels with Discovery Cove up a double-digit percentage."
"We continue to strongly believe our stock is materially undervalued and, as such, continued to repurchase shares in the first quarter buying approximately 2.6 million shares for nearly $93 million. This action emphasizes the strong cash flow generation of this company, our long-standing commitment to returning excess cash to our shareholders and our belief that our shares are materially undervalued."
"As a reminder, for 2026, we have a truly great lineup of new rides, shows and attractions, an updated events calendar, an expanded concert lineup, and new and upgraded food and retail locations. All of this is supported by a revamped and enhanced marketing plan and strategy. We are confident these planned investments will drive attendance and guest spending across our parks."
"Despite the headwinds in the first quarter, we are encouraged by our forward indicators and remain committed to delivering strong financial performance and growth in revenue and Adjusted EBITDA in 2026. I want to thank our ambassadors, whose preparation and hard work are vital as we soon enter the busy summer period," concluded Swanson.
For 2026, the Company has something new and exciting across its parks. The Company's new rides and attractions include the following:
SeaWorld San Antonio opened Barracuda Strike, Texas' First Inverted Family Coaster in March. This one-of-a-kind attraction invites guests of all ages to dive into the deep and experience the ocean's most agile predator like never before. With every twist, drop, and tight turn, Barracuda Strike will deliver a rush of excitement that's bold enough for thrill-seekers, yet built for the whole family. SeaWorld San Diego will debut an all new Shark Encounter this May. Guests will encounter mesmerizing new shark species alongside a vibrant array of marine life—including additional sharks and colorful fish—as the expanded exhibit transforms into a dynamic underwater adventure. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will soon open the all-new Lion & Hyena Ridge, an extraordinary new addition to the park's award-winning animal population and the most ambitious new habitat in more than a decade. This reimagined area of the park expands the existing space to more than double its previous size, creating nearly 35,000 square feet of dynamic savanna terrain where a pride of five young male lions and a pair of playful hyenas will live and thrive. Busch Gardens Williamsburg will soon open Verbolten - Forbidden Turn a re-imagined indoor/outdoor multi-launch roller coaster with new immersive storytelling and special effects. This family-friendly roller coaster delivers surprises at every turn as it transports visitors through the Black Forest, soon discovering all is not what it seems. SeaWorld Orlando will soon open a completely revamped and upgraded Expedition Odyssey, with an all new themed experience where guests will soar through an immersive exploration of Fire & Ice. [1]
This earnings release includes Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow which are financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the U.S. ("GAAP"). See "Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Metrics" section and the financial statement tables for the definitions of Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow and the reconciliation of these measures for historical periods to their respective most comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
[2]
This earnings release includes key performance metrics such as total revenue per capita, admissions per capita and in-park per capita spending. See "Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Metrics" section for definitions and further details.
First Quarter 2026 Results
In the first quarter of 2026, the Company hosted approximately 3.2 million guests, generated total revenues of $278.3 million, net loss of $34.1 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $58.0 million. Attendance for the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 171,000 guests when compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease in attendance was due to unfavorable weather conditions across most of the Company's markets and a decline in visitation from international markets compared with the prior-year quarter.
The decrease in total revenue of $8.7 million compared to the first quarter of 2025 was primarily a result of a decrease in attendance, partially offset by an increase in total revenue per capita. Admission per capita decreased primarily due to lower realized pricing on certain admission products and the net impact of the admissions product mix when compared to the prior year quarter. In park per capita spending improved primarily an increase in demand across many in-park offerings when compared to the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA was negatively impacted by a decrease in total revenue.
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Change
2026
2025
%
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share and per capita amounts)
Total revenues
$
278.3
$
286.9
(3.0)
%
Net loss
$
(34.1)
$
(16.1)
(111.2)
%
Net loss per share, diluted
$
(0.69)
$
(0.29)
(137.9)
%
Adjusted EBITDA
$
58.0
$
67.4
(14.1)
%
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
66.8
$
25.7
159.8
%
Attendance
3.22
3.39
(5.0)
%
Total revenue per capita
$
86.43
$
84.62
2.1
%
Admission per capita
$
45.81
$
46.04
(0.5)
%
In-Park per capita spending
$
40.62
$
38.58
5.3
%
Share Repurchases
In the first quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 2.6 million shares for an aggregate total of approximately $92.7 million. Subsequent to the end of the quarter through May 8, 2026, the Company has repurchased an additional approximately 1.8 million shares for an aggregate total of approximately $64.8 million.
Rescue Efforts
In the first quarter of 2026, United Parks' rescue teams aided 211 animals in need across the country. To date, the Company has helped more than 43,000 animals in its decades-long commitment to wildlife welfare.
United Parks & Resorts is recognized as a leader in animal rescue, working in close partnership with local, state, and federal agencies. Its expert teams are on call 24/7, 365 days a year, ready to mobilize at a moment's notice -- often traveling hundreds of miles to provide urgent care to sick, injured, orphaned, or stranded wildlife. The goal: rehabilitate and return animals to their natural habitats whenever possible, in line with United Parks' mission to protect animals and the ecosystems they call home.
Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call today, Monday, May 11, 2026, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its first quarter 2026 financial results. The conference call will be broadcast live on the Internet and the earnings release and conference call can be accessed via the Company's website at www.UnitedParksInvestors.com. For those unable to participate in the live webcast, a replay will be available beginning at approximately 12 p.m. Eastern Time on May 11, 2026, under the "Events & Presentations" tab of www.UnitedParksInvestors.com. A replay of the call can also be accessed telephonically from 12 p.m. Eastern Time on May 11, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 18, 2026, by dialing (800) 770-2030 from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, or (609) 800-9909 from other international locations and entering the conference code 5823876.
Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This earnings release and accompanying financial statement tables include several non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow. Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are not recognized terms under GAAP, should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for a measure of financial performance or liquidity prepared in accordance with GAAP and are not indicative of net income or loss or net cash provided by operating activities as determined under GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow and other non-GAAP financial measures have limitations that should be considered before using these measures to evaluate a company's financial performance or liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA, Covenant Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to varying methods of calculation.
Management believes the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate as it eliminates the effect of certain non-cash and other items not necessarily indicative of the Company's underlying operating performance. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA in connection with certain components of its executive compensation program. In addition, investors, lenders, financial analysts and rating agencies have historically used EBITDA-related measures in the Company's industry, along with other measures, to estimate the value of a company, to make informed investment decisions and to evaluate companies in the industry.
Management believes the presentation of Covenant Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months is appropriate as it provides additional information to investors about the calculation of, and compliance with, certain financial covenants in the Company's credit agreement governing its Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the indentures governing its Senior Notes and First-Priority Senior Secured Notes (collectively, the "Debt Agreements"). Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of these covenants.
Management believes that Free Cash Flow is useful to investors, equity analysts and rating agencies as a liquidity measure. The Company uses Free Cash Flow to evaluate its ability to generate cash flow from business operations. Free Cash Flow does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures, as it excludes certain expenditures such as mandatory debt service requirements, which are significant. Free Cash Flow is not defined by GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities or other financial data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Free Cash Flow as defined above may differ from similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
This earnings release includes several key performance metrics including total revenue per capita (defined as total revenue divided by attendance), admission per capita (defined as admissions revenue divided by attendance) and in-park per capita spending (defined as food, merchandise and other revenue divided by attendance). These performance metrics are used by management to assess the operating performance of its parks on a per attendee basis and to make strategic operating decisions. Management believes the presentation of these performance metrics is useful and relevant for investors as it provides investors the ability to review financial performance in the same manner as management and provides investors with a consistent methodology to analyze revenue between periods on a per attendee basis. In addition, investors, lenders, financial analysts and rating agencies have historically used similar per-capita related performance metrics to evaluate companies in the industry.
About United Parks & Resorts Inc.
United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS) is a global theme park and entertainment company that owns or licenses a diverse portfolio of award-winning park brands and experiences, including SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens®, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place®, Water Country USA, Adventure Island, and Aquatica®. The Company's seven world-class brands span 13 parks in seven markets across the United States and Abu Dhabi, offering experiences that matter with exhilarating thrill and family-friendly rides, coasters, and experiences, inspiring up-close and educational presentations with wildlife, and other various special events throughout the year. In addition, the Company collectively cares for one of the largest zoological collections in the world, is a global leader in animal welfare, training, and veterinary care, and is one of the leading marine animal rescue organizations in the world with a legacy of rescuing and caring for animals that spans nearly 60 years, including coming to the aid of over 42,000 animals in need. To learn more, visit www.UnitedParks.com.
Copies of this and other news releases as well as additional information about United Parks & Resorts Inc. can be obtained online at www.unitedparks.com. Shareholders and prospective investors can also register to automatically receive the Company's press releases, SEC filings and other notices by e-mail by registering at that website.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this press release contains statements relating to future results (including certain projections and business trends) that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The Company generally uses the words such as "might," "will," "may," "should," "estimates," "expects," "continues," "contemplates," "anticipates," "projects," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "intends," "believes," "forecasts," "future," "guidance," "targeted," "goal" and variations of such words or similar expressions in this press release and any attachment to identify forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this press release, including statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, expectations, beliefs, business strategies, future events, business conditions, results of operations, financial position, business outlook, earnings guidance, business trends and other information are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon current expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections, and various assumptions, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond management's control. All expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections are expressed in good faith and the Company believes there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections will result or be achieved and actual results may vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond management's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including among others: various factors beyond the Company's control adversely affecting attendance and guest spending at the Company's theme parks, including, but not limited to, weather, natural disasters, labor shortages, inflationary pressures, supply chain delays or shortages, foreign exchange rates, consumer confidence, the potential spread of travel-related health concerns including pandemics and epidemics, travel related concerns, adverse general economic related factors including increasing interest rates, economic uncertainty, and recent geopolitical events outside of the United States, and governmental actions; failure to retain and/or hire employees; a decline in discretionary consumer spending or consumer confidence, including any unfavorable impacts from Federal Reserve interest rate actions and inflation which may influence discretionary spending, unemployment or the overall economy; the ability of Hill Path Capital LP and its affiliates to significantly influence the Company's decisions and their interests may conflict with ours or yours in the future; increased labor costs, including minimum wage increases, and employee health and welfare benefit costs; complex federal and state regulations governing the treatment of animals, which can change, and claims and lawsuits by activist groups before government regulators and in the courts; activist and other third-party groups and/or media can pressure governmental agencies, vendors, partners, guests and/or regulators, bring action in the courts or create negative publicity about us; incidents or adverse publicity concerning the Company's theme parks, the theme park industry and/or zoological facilities; a significant portion of the Company's revenues have historically been generated in the States of Florida, California and Virginia, and any risks affecting such markets, such as natural disasters, closures due to pandemics, severe weather and travel-related disruptions or incidents; technology interruptions or failures that impair access to the Company's websites and/or information technology systems; cyber security risks to us or the Company's third-party service providers, failure to maintain or protect the integrity of internal, employee or guest data, and/or failure to abide by the evolving cyber security regulatory environment; inability to compete effectively in the highly competitive theme park industry; interactions between animals and the Company's employees and the Company's guests at attractions at the Company's theme parks; animal exposure to infectious disease; high fixed cost structure of theme park operations; seasonal fluctuations in operating results; changing consumer tastes and preferences; inability to grow the Company's business or fund theme park capital expenditures; inability to realize the benefits of developments, restructurings, acquisitions or other strategic initiatives, and the impact of the costs associated with such activities; the effects of public health events on the Company's business and the economy in general; adverse litigation judgments or settlements; inability to protect the Company's intellectual property or the infringement on intellectual property rights of others; the loss of licenses and permits required to exhibit animals or the violation of laws and regulations; unionization activities and/or labor disputes; inability to maintain certain commercial licenses; restrictions in the Company's debt agreements limiting flexibility in operating the Company's business; inability to retain the Company's current credit ratings; the Company's leverage and interest rate risk; inadequate insurance coverage; inability to purchase or contract with third party manufacturers for rides and attractions, construction delays or impacts of supply chain disruptions on existing or new rides and attractions; environmental regulations, expenditures and liabilities; suspension or termination of any of the Company's business licenses, including by legislation at federal, state or local levels; delays, restrictions or inability to obtain or maintain permits; inability to remediate an identified material weakness; financial distress of strategic partners or other counterparties; tariffs or other trade restrictions; actions of activist stockholders; the policies of the U.S. President and his administration or any changes to tax laws; changes or declines in the Company's stock price, as well as the risk that securities analysts could downgrade the Company's stock or the Company's sector; risks associated with the Company's capital allocation plans and share repurchases, including the risk that the Company's share repurchase program could increase volatility and fail to enhance stockholder value, uncertainties and factors set forth in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recently available Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risks, uncertainties and factors may be updated in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Although the Company believes that these statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it cannot guarantee future results and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's opinions only as of the date of this press release. There can be no assurance that (i) the Company has correctly measured or identified all of the factors affecting its business or the extent of these factors' likely impact, (ii) the available information with respect to these factors on which such analysis is based is complete or accurate, (iii) such analysis is correct or (iv) the Company's strategy, which is based in part on this analysis, will be successful. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise. Readers are advised to review the Company's filings with the SEC (which are available from the SEC's EDGAR database at www.sec.gov and via the Company's website at www.unitedparksinvestors.com).
CONTACT:
Investor Relations:
Matthew Stroud
United Parks & Resorts Inc.
888-410-1812
[email protected]
Media:
AnneMarie Iturrizaga
United Parks & Resorts Inc.
[email protected]
UNITED PARKS & RESORTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Change
2026
2025
#
%
Net revenues:
Admissions
$
147,503
$
156,115
$
(8,612)
(5.5)
%
Food, merchandise and other
130,791
130,834
(43)
(0.0)
%
Total revenues
278,294
286,949
(8,655)
(3.0)
%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and other revenues
21,647
22,959
(1,312)
(5.7)
%
Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization
shown separately below)
171,242
161,270
9,972
6.2
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
48,068
44,137
3,931
8.9
%
Severance and other separation costs(a)
763
—
763
NM
Depreciation and amortization
45,067
41,695
3,372
8.1
%
Total costs and expenses
286,787
270,061
16,726
6.2
%
Operating income
(8,493)
16,888
(25,381)
(150.3)
%
Other (income) expense, net
(234)
(23)
(211)
(917.4)
%
Interest expense
31,735
34,107
(2,372)
(7.0)
%
Loss before income taxes
(39,994)
(17,196)
(22,798)
(132.6)
%
Benefit from income taxes
(5,926)
(1,063)
(4,863)
(457.5)
%
Net loss
$
(34,068)
$
(16,133)
$
(17,935)
(111.2)
%
Loss per share:
Net loss per share, basic
$
(0.69)
$
(0.29)
Net loss per share, diluted
$
(0.69)
$
(0.29)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic
49,418
55,017
Diluted (b)
49,418
55,017
UNITED PARKS & RESORTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands)
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Change
Last Twelve
Months
Ended
March 31,
2026
2025
#
%
2026
Net (loss) income
$
(34,068)
$
(16,133)
$
(17,935)
(111.2)
%
$
150,418
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
(5,926)
(1,063)
(4,863)
(457.5)
%
53,321
Interest expense
31,735
34,107
(2,372)
(7.0)
%
131,768
Depreciation and amortization
45,067
41,695
3,372
8.1
%
177,846
Equity-based compensation expense (c)
5,418
4,333
1,085
25.0
%
18,850
Loss on impairment or disposal of assets and certain non-
cash expenses(d)
5,664
1,091
4,573
419.2
%
33,580
Business optimization, development and strategic initiative
costs (e)
6,747
1,264
5,483
433.8
%
20,601
Certain investment costs and other taxes
52
3
49
1633.3
%
1,975
Other adjusting items (f)
3,261
2,143
1,118
52.2
%
7,293
Adjusted EBITDA (g)
$
57,950
$
67,440
$
(9,490)
(14.1)
%
$
595,652
Items added back to Covenant Adjusted EBITDA as defined
in the Debt Agreements:
Estimated cost savings (h)
30,000
Other adjustments as defined in the Debt Agreements (i)
11,977
Covenant Adjusted EBITDA (j)
$
637,629
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
Change
2026
2025
#
%
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
66,798
$
25,715
$
41,083
159.8
%
Capital expenditures
69,632
56,903
12,729
22.4
%
Free Cash Flow (k)
$
(2,834)
$
(31,188)
$
28,354
90.9
%
UNITED PARKS & RESORTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET DATA
(In thousands)
As of March 31, 2026
As of December 31,
2025
Cash and cash equivalents
$
28,942
$
99,762
Total assets
$
2,607,502
$
2,616,274
Deferred revenue
$
203,818
$
143,325
Long-term debt, including current maturities:
Term B-3 Loans
$
1,519,163
$
1,523,019
Revolving Credit Facility
30,000
—
Senior Notes
725,000
725,000
Total long-term debt, including current maturities
$
2,274,163
$
2,248,019
Total stockholders' deficit
$
(557,229)
$
(435,806)
UNITED PARKS & RESORTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES DATA
(In thousands)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
Change
2026
2025
#
%
Capital Expenditures:
Core(l)
62,662
49,851
12,811
25.7
%
Expansion/ROI projects(m)
6,970
7,052
(82)
(1.2)
%
Capital expenditures, total
$
69,632
$
56,903
$
12,729
22.4
%
UNITED PARKS & RESORTS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED OTHER DATA
(In thousands, except per capita amounts)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
Change
2026
2025
#
%
Attendance
3,220
3,391
(171)
(5.0)
%
Total revenue per capita (n)
$
86.43
$
84.62
$
1.81
2.1
%
Admission per capita (o)
$
45.81
$
46.04
$
(0.23)
(0.5)
%
In-Park per capita spending (p)
$
40.62
$
38.58
$
2.04
5.3
%
NM-Not meaningful.
(a) Reflects restructuring and other separation costs and/or adjustments.
(b) There were approximately 1.9 million and 1.3 million potentially dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive due to the Company's net loss in those periods.
(c) Reflects non-cash equity compensation expenses and related payroll taxes associated with the grants of equity-based compensation.
(d) For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 and for the twelve months ended March 31, 2026, includes non-cash expenses related to asset write-offs and costs related to certain rides and equipment which were removed from service. Also includes approximately $3.7 million and $21.2 million related to non-cash self-insurance reserve adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and twelve months ended March 31, 2026, respectively.
(e) For the three months ended March 31, 2026, reflects business optimization, development and other strategic initiative costs primarily related to: (i) $3.5 million related to the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system; (ii) $2.1 million of other business optimization costs and strategic initiative costs and (iii) $0.8 million of severance and other separation costs. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, reflects business optimization, development and other strategic initiative costs primarily related to $1.2 million of other business optimization costs and strategic initiative costs. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2026, reflects business optimization, development and other strategic initiative costs primarily related to: (i) $10.3 million related to the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system; (ii) $6.2 million of other business optimization costs and strategic initiative costs; (iii) $2.5 million of severance and other separation costs and (iv) $1.6 million of third-party consulting costs.
(f) Reflects the impact of expenses, net of insurance recoveries and adjustments, incurred primarily related to certain matters, which we are permitted to exclude under the credit agreement governing our Senior Secured Credit Facilities due to the unusual nature of the items. Certain amounts relating to prior period results were reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications have not changed the results of operations of the prior period.
(g)Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net (loss) income before income tax expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, as further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash, and other items as described above.
(h) The Company's Debt Agreements permit the calculation of certain covenants to be based on Covenant Adjusted EBITDA, as defined above, for the last twelve month period further adjusted for net annualized estimated savings the Company expects to realize over the following 24 month period related to certain specified actions, including restructurings and cost savings initiatives. These estimated savings are calculated net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period. These estimated savings are a non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA add-back item only as defined in the Debt Agreements and does not impact the Company's reported GAAP net (loss) income.
(i) The Debt Agreements permit the Company's calculation of certain covenants to be based on Covenant Adjusted EBITDA as defined above, for the last twelve-month period further adjusted for certain costs as permitted by the Debt Agreements including recruiting and retention expenses, public company compliance costs and litigation and arbitration costs, if any.
(j) Covenant Adjusted EBITDA is defined in the Debt Agreements as Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve-month period further adjusted for net annualized estimated savings among other adjustments as described in footnote (h) and (i) above.
(k) Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.
(l) Reflects capital expenditures during the respective period for park rides, attractions and maintenance activities. Certain amounts relating to prior period results were reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications have not changed the results of operations of the prior period.
(m) Reflects capital expenditures during the respective period for park expansion, new properties, revenue and/or expense return on investment ("ROI") projects. Certain amounts relating to prior period results were reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications have not changed the results of operations of the prior period.
(n) Calculated as total revenues divided by attendance.
(o) Calculated as admissions revenue divided by attendance.
(p) Calculated as food, merchandise and other revenue divided by attendance.
United Parks & Resorts (PRKS - Free Report) came out with a quarterly loss of $0.69 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.36. This compares to a loss of $0.29 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -89.98%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this theme park operator would post earnings of $0.46 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.28, delivering a surprise of -39.13%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has not been able to surpass consensus EPS estimates.
United Parks & Resorts, which belongs to the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry, posted revenues of $278.29 million for the quarter ended March 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.32%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $286.95 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
United Parks & Resorts shares have added about 8% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.1%.
What's Next for United Parks & Resorts?While United Parks & Resorts has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for United Parks & Resorts was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.55 on $487.85 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $3.55 on $1.67 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Leisure and Recreation Services is currently in the bottom 21% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
One other stock from the same industry, Vail Resorts (MTN - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended April 2026.
This ski resort operator is expected to post quarterly earnings of $9.06 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -14%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.1% higher over the last 30 days to the current level.
Vail Resorts' revenues are expected to be $1.22 billion, down 5.8% from the year-ago quarter.
United Parks & Resorts (PRKS - Free Report) reported $278.29 million in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, representing a year-over-year decline of 3%. EPS of -$0.69 for the same period compares to -$0.29 a year ago.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of +0.32% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $277.41 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being -$0.36, the EPS surprise was -89.98%.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how United Parks & Resorts performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Admissions per capita: $45.81 versus $46.04 estimated by two analysts on average.Attendance: 3,220 versus 3,279 estimated by two analysts on average.Total revenue per capita: $86.43 versus $85.20 estimated by two analysts on average.In-Park per capita spending: $40.62 versus the two-analyst average estimate of $39.16.Net revenues- Food, merchandise and other: $130.79 million compared to the $128.46 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of 0% year over year.Net revenues- Admissions: $147.5 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $150.99 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -5.5%.View all Key Company Metrics for United Parks & Resorts here>>>
Shares of United Parks & Resorts have returned +5.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +9.1% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Management said underlying demand trends remained healthy despite the softer quarter. Shares traded lower following the earnings release.
• United Parks & Resorts stock is taking a hit today. What’s behind PRKS decline?
Earnings and Attendance PressureThe company reported a net loss of 69 cents per diluted share, compared with a loss of 29 cents a year earlier, missing estimates for a 30-cent loss.
Revenue fell 3% year over year to $278.3 million, below the $279.951 million analyst estimate. Adjusted EBITDA declined 14.1% to $58 million from $67.4 million.
Attendance dropped 5% to 3.22 million guests from 3.39 million, hurt by weather and lower international visitation.
Revenue per capita increased 2.1% to $86.43, driven by a record 5.3% rise in in-park spending to $40.62, while admission per capita slipped 0.5% to $45.81.
CEO Commentary"First quarter results fell short of our expectations primarily due to unfavorable weather (including unfavorable weather in San Diego and Florida in January and February, and again in Florida and Texas during their peak Spring Break periods) and a decline in international attendance,” CEO Marc Swanson said.
He added that attendance would have increased by more than 1% even without those impacts.
“Looking ahead, our advanced bookings revenue for Discovery Cove and our group business both currently outpacing 2025 levels with Discovery Cove up a double-digit percentage.”
Cost Structure and Cash FlowAdmissions revenue fell 5.5% to $147.5 million, while food, merchandise, and other revenue remained flat at $130.8 million. Operating expenses increased 6.2% to $171.2 million, and SG&A expenses rose 8.9% to $48.1 million.
Operating cash flow climbed to $66.8 million from $25.7 million a year earlier, while free cash flow improved to negative $2.8 million from negative $31.2 million.
Capital expenditures increased 22.4% to $69.6 million. Cash and equivalents totaled $28.9 million, with long-term debt at $2.27 billion. Deferred revenue rose to $203.8 million from $143.3 million at year-end 2025.
Share Repurchases and OutlookUnited Parks repurchased about 2.6 million shares for $92.7 million during the quarter and another 1.8 million shares for $64.8 million through May 8.
Paid pass sales increased about 10% during the quarter and were up about 12% through April 30, while Discovery Cove bookings and group business trends exceeded 2025 levels.
Management said it expects revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth in 2026, supported by new rides, attractions, and expanded entertainment offerings, while citing risks including tariffs, inflationary pressures, and macroeconomic uncertainty.
PRKS Price Action: United Parks & Resorts shares were trading 7.64% lower at $36.20 at the time of publication on Monday.
Photo: Busch Gardens, Tampa, Courtesy United Parks & Resorts
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Pre-Market Stock Futures: The futures are trading lower on Tuesday, but another week and another set of new highs for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq, as AI fever overshadowed Iran’s peace counteroffer dismissal on Monday. The stock market opened lower on the rejection of President Trump’s peace offering, but buyers once again circled the wagons. Positive earnings and a tidal wave of momentum for all things AI and technology were enough to lift the major indexes higher by noon, and by the close, all finished higher. The Russell 2000, the leading index this year, closed up 0.25% on Monday to 2,868. The S&P 500 finished the day up 0.27% at 7,419, its first close ever over 7,400, while the Nasdaq closed just barely higher, up 0.10 % at 26,274. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also posted a winning day, up 0.10% to 49,657.
Treasury Bonds: After a solid end to the week last Friday, the bond market saw sellers come in on Monday as rates rose across the entire yield curve, with the bulk of the move in the belly and on the long end. Traders cited the Iranian situation, the fact that inflation continues to run hotter than the Federal Reserve’s target, and the possibility that hopes for a rate cut this year may be dashed as reasons for the selling at the start of the week. The 30-year long bond closed the session at 4.98%, while the benchmark 10-year note was last seen at 4.41%.
Oil and Gas: Needless to say, all the oil bulls needed was the President to reject Iran’s counter, and the oil benchmarks took off higher. By the end of the day, Brent Crude was higher by 2.96% and closed at $104.30, while West Texas Intermediate finished the session at $98.30, up 3.02%. Natural gas closed up 5.84% at $2.92.
Gold: Gold followed through on last week’s strength, posting a solid start to the week. By the closing bell, the precious metal was last seen at $4,733, up 0.42%, while Silver, which was on fire Friday, closed the session at $85.76, up 6.91%.
Crypto: Bitcoin held firm above $81,000, trading near $81,561 as it attempted to climb back toward its weekend highs. The leading cryptocurrency demonstrated resilience amid fresh geopolitical uncertainty, including Iran’s rejection of a U.S. peace framework. Meanwhile, smaller cryptocurrencies mostly declined, with investors growing cautious ahead of potential regulatory developments tied to the proposed “Clarity Act.” At 8 AM EDT, Bitcoin was trading at $80,700, while Ethereum was quoted at $2,285.
24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports daily to identify new investment ideas for both investors and traders. Some of these daily analyst calls cover stocks to buy. Other calls cover stocks to sell or avoid. Remember that no single analyst call should ever be used as a basis to buy or sell a stock.
Here are some of the top Wall Street analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Upgrades:
Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK | ADSK Price Prediction) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Bank of America, with a $300 target price. Celanese (NYSE: CE) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan, which stays with a $68 target price for the shares. FormFactor (NASDAQ: FORM) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Craig-Hallum, which has a $175 target price. Lowe’s Companies (NYSE: LOW) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Citigroup, with a $286 target price for the big box retail giant. Matador Resources (NYSE: MTDR) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Truist Financial, which bumped the target price for the stock to $67 from $60. Downgrades: GitLab (NASDAQ: GTLB) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Raymond James, without a target price. Lenz Therapeutics (NASDAQ: LENZ) was downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Piper Sandler, Toast (NYSE: TOST) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Rothschild & Co Redburn, with a $35 target price. United Parks & Resorts (NYSE: PRKS) was cut to Hold from Buy at Stifel, which trimmed the target price for the stock to $40 from $42. Initiations: DexCom (NASDAQ: DXCM) was initiated with a Buy rating at Benchmark, with a $77 target price. Insulet (NASDAQ: PODD) was initiated with a Buy rating at Benchmark, with a $250 price target. MaxLinear (NYSE: MXL) was reinstated with a Buy rating at Benchmark, which has set a $28 target price. MiniMed Group (NASDAQ: MMED) was started with a Buy rating at Benchmark with a $20 target price. Versant Media Group (NASDAQ: VSNT) was initiated with a Neutral rating at JPMorgan, with a $43 target price.
United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PRKS) on Monday reported downbeat first-quarter 2026 results.
The company reported a net loss of 69 cents per diluted share, compared with a loss of 29 cents a year earlier, missing estimates for a 30-cent loss.
Revenue fell 3% year over year to $278.3 million, below the $279.951 million analyst estimate. Adjusted EBITDA declined 14.1% to $58 million from $67.4 million.
“First quarter results fell short of our expectations primarily due to unfavorable weather (including unfavorable weather in San Diego and Florida in January and February, and again in Florida and Texas during their peak Spring Break periods) and a decline in international attendance," CEO Marc Swanson said.
United Parks & Resorts shares fell 2% to trade at $35.80 on Tuesday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on United Parks & Resorts following earnings announcement.
Stifel analyst Steven Wieczynski downgraded United Parks & Resorts from Buy to Hold and lowered the price target from $43 to $40. Mizuho analyst Ben Chaiken maintained the stock with an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $47 to $48. Considering buying PRKS stock? Here’s what analysts think:
Photo via Shutterstock
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United Parks & Resorts NYSE: PRKS reported first-quarter results that management said fell short of expectations, as unfavorable weather and weaker international visitation weighed on attendance and revenue. Executives on the company’s earnings call said they remain confident in growth for the full year, citing stronger pass sales, improved deferred revenue, new attractions and cost-saving efforts.
Chief Executive Officer Marc Swanson said the company’s first-quarter performance was hurt by poor weather in San Diego and Florida in January and February, as well as weather challenges in Florida and Texas during peak spring break periods. He also said international attendance declined in line with broader U.S. international tourism trends tied to “geopolitical and other dynamics.”
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Swanson said attendance was negatively impacted by about 140,000 guests due to weather and about 80,000 guests due to declines in international visitation. Adjusting for those factors, he said attendance would have increased more than 1% in the quarter.
Revenue Declines as Attendance Falls Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer James W. Forrester Jr. said first-quarter revenue totaled $278.3 million, down $8.7 million from the first quarter of 2025. Attendance decreased by about 171,000 guests compared with the prior-year period, primarily due to unfavorable weather and lower international visitation.
Total revenue per capita increased 2.1% in the quarter. Admission per capita declined 0.5%, which Forrester attributed to lower realized pricing on certain admission products and the net impact of admissions product mix. In-park per capita spending rose 5.3% to a record $40.62, driven by increased demand across many in-park offerings.
The company reported a net loss of $34.1 million for the quarter, compared with a net loss of $16.1 million in the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA was $58 million, down $9.5 million year over year. Forrester said the EBITDA decline was driven by lower revenue and a modest increase in expenses.
Operating expenses increased $10 million compared with the prior-year quarter. Forrester said the increase was primarily due to a roughly $3.7 million increase in non-cash self-insurance adjustments and about $3.3 million in one-time consulting and other costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses rose $3.9 million, largely due to a non-cash $3.1 million increase in information technology costs tied mainly to amortization of a new enterprise resource planning system.
Pass Sales and Deferred Revenue Provide Forward Indicators Despite the weaker first-quarter results, management pointed to several metrics it said support a more favorable outlook. Swanson said paid pass sales rose approximately 10% during the quarter and were up approximately 12% through April 30, 2026.
Forrester said the company’s deferred revenue balance at the end of March was $203.8 million, up approximately 4.1% from March 2025. He said the increase reflects a “healthy outlook” for ticketing, group business and ancillary products. Deferred revenue includes ticketing, vacation packages, annual and seasonal passes, group sales and ancillary products.
Swanson said advanced booking revenue for Discovery Cove and the company’s group business are both outpacing 2025 levels, with Discovery Cove bookings up by a double-digit percentage. He also noted that Discovery Cove was named Newsweek’s No. 1 best theme park for 2026 in the publication’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Management Reiterates Confidence in 2026 Growth Swanson said United Parks remains committed to delivering growth in revenue and adjusted EBITDA in 2026, despite first-quarter headwinds. He cited the company’s lineup of new rides, shows and attractions, an updated events calendar, expanded concerts, upgraded food and retail locations, and a revamped marketing plan.
During the question-and-answer portion of the call, Stifel analyst Steven Wieczynski asked about management’s confidence in EBITDA growth given the first-quarter shortfall and uncertainty around weather and international visitation. Swanson said most of the company’s attendance and revenue remain ahead in the year, and he pointed to new attractions, potential weather comparisons, improved pass sales, deferred revenue growth, Discovery Cove bookings and group sales as reasons for confidence.
Swanson also said the company expects to begin lapping some of the international attendance decline later in the year, noting that the decline was more of a second-half factor in 2025.
Asked about April and May trends, Swanson said the Easter calendar shift moved some days from the second quarter into the first quarter and created an expected headwind in April. He said weather was mixed, with better conditions in Williamsburg but some poor weather in Florida after Easter. He added that May is “such a backloaded month” that it was too early to draw many conclusions.
Cost Savings, Technology and Sponsorships Remain Priorities Swanson said the company continues to make progress toward its $50 million gross cost savings target for 2026. He said the company is pursuing technology initiatives including AI-powered camera technology, autonomous cleaning robots, additional digital ordering kiosks, automated front turnstiles and automated parking tools.
Forrester said the company did “an exceptional job” managing hourly labor and theme park labor during the quarter despite headwinds, and pointed to efforts to reduce claims and introduce technology to lower labor costs.
On sponsorships, Swanson said United Parks entered into two sponsorship agreements with high-quality brands during the first quarter and expects to sign several more in coming months. He said the company expects to realize more than $15 million in sponsorship revenue in 2026 and continues to expect sponsorships to become at least a $30 million business line in future years.
Swanson also provided updates on several strategic initiatives. He said the company has received multiple formal proposals related to its real estate portfolio and is evaluating them with advisors. On international development, he said United Parks remains in discussions with multiple partners. On intellectual property partnerships, he said the company is in active discussions to bring “compelling and well-recognized IP” into its parks, with announcements expected later this year related to 2026, 2027 and beyond.
Share Repurchases Continue United Parks continued to repurchase stock during and after the quarter. Swanson and Forrester said the company repurchased 2.6 million shares for approximately $92.7 million during the first quarter. After quarter-end, it repurchased an additional 1.8 million shares for approximately $64.8 million.
Forrester said the company had approximately $198 million remaining under the $500 million stock repurchase authorization approved in 2025. Swanson said management continues to believe the company’s shares are materially undervalued and expects to repurchase shares as long as the stock trades at levels it finds attractive.
Swanson said that if the company reaches a limit on repurchases, management and the board would consider other forms of capital return, including regular or special dividends, debt paydown and other investment opportunities. He said the company is comfortable with its leverage ratio and expects cash generation to improve as the business enters its traditionally busier season.
For capital expenditures, Forrester said United Parks spent $69.6 million in the first quarter, including about $62.7 million on core CapEx and about $7.0 million on expansion and return-on-investment projects. For 2026, the company expects to spend approximately $175 million to $200 million on core CapEx and about $50 million on growth and ROI projects.
Swanson closed the call by highlighting the company’s animal rescue work, saying United Parks came to the aid of 211 animals in need during the first quarter and has helped more than 43,000 animals over its history.
About United Parks & Resorts NYSE: PRKSUnited Parks & Resorts, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the ownership and operation of theme parks. Its portfolio includes SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place, and Sea Rescue. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Orlando, FL.
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Orphaned California Sea Lion Pup Rescued in Carlsbad, Calif. Represents the 43,000th Animal Rescued
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, /PRNewswire/ -- SeaWorld through its SeaWorld Rescue team has surpassed the milestone of rescuing 43,000 injured, sick and orphaned animals, underscoring the continuing need to help animals in the wild. Early in May, SeaWorld Rescue in San Diego rescued six birds, along with a young, orphaned California sea lion pup that was found on the back stairs of a beach house in Carlsbad, Calif.
Upon assessment and intake at the SeaWorld Rescue Center, the almost one-year old female pup was emaciated and dehydrated. The sea lion pup is being provided fluids and formula as she's learning to eat fish on her own. The team continues to monitor her and she has been placed with other sea lion pups. To watch a video of SeaWorld's rescue milestone, click here.
SeaWorld rescue teams, located in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, are on call 24x7, 365 days a year. The more than 43,000 animals rescued span diverse species such as aquatic birds, pinnipeds, turtles, manatees, whales, dolphins, otters and a wide range of other mammals and fish. Each and every rescue is done in coordination with the appropriate local, state and national officials, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
In the first few months of 2026, SeaWorld Rescue teams in Florida provided medical assistance and rehabilitation to 21 manatees and a baby dolphin, along with nearly 40 turtles/reptiles and several birds. SeaWorld Orlando has the largest manatee rescue operation in the U.S., and one of only five critical care centers in the U.S. Its five-acre rescue center can care for up to 60 manatees at a time. One of those success stories from earlier this year was Melby, the manatee rescued from a storm drain in Melbourne Beach, Fla. Melby was rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando and released back to his natural habitat on April 7 after gaining more than 100 pounds.
At SeaWorld San Diego, in the first five months of the year, the team has rescued more than 40 pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), a dolphin and nearly 150 birds.
"Our rescue teams, like all of our zoological professionals, are made up of compassionate and skilled animal care specialists who devote countless hours to helping animals in need," said Dr. Chris Dold, Chief Zoological Officer at United Parks & Resorts, SeaWorld's parent company. "Rescue and rehabilitation can save the lives of individual animals, and in some cases supports the preservation of endangered and threatened species, like the Florida manatee. That is why we do this work, and why it is so important for accredited zoos and aquariums like ours to continue efforts to help animals that cannot survive on their own."
SeaWorld has passionately dedicated time, energy, and resources to help a wide range of animal species since its first rescue of a beached Dall's porpoise in 1965. SeaWorld is a professionally accredited zoo and one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world. A portion of proceeds from SeaWorld tickets and in park purchases goes toward funding rescue and rehabilitation.
Providing Long Term Care to Rescued Animals that Cannot Survive on their Own
SeaWorld's goal is always to return rescued animals to their natural environments. However, certain health conditions can make survival without human care unlikely or impossible. In those instances, wildlife authorities determine whether an animal can be returned and if not, zoos and aquariums like SeaWorld provide long-term care and permanent homes.
For example, each SeaWorld park has a sea turtle habitat that includes rescued sea turtles, each deemed non-releasable by wildlife authorities. SeaWorld San Diego is also a forever home to five southern sea otters initially stranded and rescued as part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program and deemed by wildlife authorities to be non-returnable. Providing long-term care to non-returnable animals enables guests in the parks to learn more about the specific challenges they faced in the wild.
It Takes a Community and Often Involves Threatened and Endangered Species
Many types of animals helped by SeaWorld are threatened or endangered such as six of the seven kinds of sea turtles, many species of coral, Florida manatees, California sea otters, and Guadalupe fur seals. Rescue and rehabilitation efforts can help mitigate species extinction.
Marine animal rescue is a community effort. SeaWorld is part of a large network that includes state and federal wildlife agencies (NOAA, USFWS), non-government animal rescue organizations, and other zoos and aquariums that work together to protect marine animals and their habitats.
For more information, visit SeaWorld. Follow SeaWorld on Facebook and Instagram for the latest summer details and information.
About SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences ranging from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life-themed rides, special events, and live entertainment. For more than 60 years, SeaWorld has advanced marine conservation through science, education, and exceptional animal care. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, having helped more than 43,000 animals to date. SeaWorld parks are in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). SeaWorld is part of the United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit SeaWorld.com.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg Kick Off Summer with Incredible Family Fun and the Best Deals of the Season During the Memorial Day Sale Happening Now!
, /PRNewswire/ -- Summer is bigger and more thrilling than ever at Busch Gardens parks. Both Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg today unveiled their exciting summer lineups packed with immersive entertainment, electrifying drone shows, world-class thrills, seasonal festivals, complimentary beer and unforgettable family fun.
Guests can also take advantage of limited-time Memorial Day Sale offers with savings of up to 55% on tickets, Fun Cards, Annual Passes and Memberships.
New drone shows debut at Busch Gardens parks in Tampa Bay and Williamsburg this summer. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Summer Nights Bigger Than Ever
Summer Nights returns to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay nightly from May 22 – Aug. 9 with extended park hours, thrilling nighttime rides and all-new entertainment experiences.
Highlights include:
All-New Wild Skies Drone Show & Fireworks Spectacular featuring 400 synchronized drones and fireworks during two all-new nighttime spectaculars Fridays – Sundays throughout the summer. All-New Lion and Hyena Ridge, the park's largest and most immersive animal habitat in more than a decade, features five young male lions and a pair of hyenas with expansive 270-degree viewing areas, water features and elevated rocky lookouts. All-New Beach Bash show filled with retro high energy in Gwazi Plaza and the return of the energetic Boom Box Dance Party in Stanleyville. Returning fan-favorite indoor shows to beat the heat including Cirque Electric, Animal Tales, Icons and Rhythm of Nature. The return of Free Beer* for guests 21+ at the Serengeti Overlook restaurant from May 22 – Aug. 9. From May 22 – July 5, America's 250th Celebration at Busch Gardens offers all-American excitement throughout the park; including special military appreciation offerings, patriotic merchandise and festive summer treats. To cap it off, a dazzling patriotic-themed drone show will captivate audiences.
Military Appreciation Weekend takes place on Memorial Day Weekend, May 22 – 25 featuring patriotic entertainment, a Field of Flags display, military recognition experiences and special offers for active-duty service members and veterans.
Pass Members will also enjoy an exclusive Pass Member Appreciation Weekend May 30 – 31 with early ride time, special events, animal encounters and exclusive perks.
Guests can continue the summer celebration during Bier Fest Brews & BBQ, weekends from July 24 – Aug. 30, featuring seasonal brews, beer-inspired BBQ dishes and live entertainment.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Summer at the World's Most Beautiful Theme Park
Busch Gardens Williamsburg, the world's most beautiful theme park, continues its popular Food & Wine Festival Thursdays to Sundays through June 21, plus Memorial Day, featuring more than 135 international flavors and headlining concerts from artists including Hoobastank and Skillet.
Later in June, the park debuts an immersive summer lineup with the return of Summer of Wonder beginning June 26 – July 30, alongside new thrills, award-winning shows and nighttime entertainment.
Highlights include:
All-New Verbolten: Forbidden Turn features an exciting new storyline, immersive effects and thrilling surprises aboard the Mid-Atlantic's first drop-track roller coaster, opening May 30. All-New electrifying drone show celebrates the uniqueness and beauty of Busch Gardens. All-New Across the Pond: Legends of the UK, a dynamic show featuring legendary sounds from British icons like The Beatles, Elton John and Queen. All-New Kinetix: The Next Generation offers a unique live experience combining powerhouse vocalists and a world-class roster of acrobats, aerialists and more. The return of Free Beer* offerings for Members, Annual Pass Holders and Military Pass Holders from June 22 – July 30. Busch Gardens Williamsburg will also honor America's 250th Celebration from June 29 – July 5 with patriotic entertainment, specialty food and beverage offerings, fireworks on July 4 and Military Appreciation Week festivities recognizing those who serve and have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Bier Fest Brews & BBQ returns weekends from July 31 – Sept. 7 with seasonal brews, new beer-inspired culinary creations and festive entertainment.
The Best Way to Experience Summer
Annual Passes and Memberships offer the best value for guests looking to experience all the summer excitement with unlimited visits, free parking, exclusive discounts, special rewards and access to seasonal events throughout the year.
For more information and the latest summer offers, visit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Follow along on social media for the latest summer announcements and event details: @BuschGardens and @BuschGardensVA.
*Beer offerings and promotional details vary by park and are subject to change.
About Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure, offering 300 acres of fascinating attractions based on exotic explorations around the world. Busch Gardens is a unique blend of thrilling rides, an AZA accredited zoo with over 16,000 animals representing more than 200 species, and exciting seasonal events all year providing unrivaled experiences for guests of every age. For more information, visit
BuschGardensTampa.com. Busch Gardens is owned by United Parks & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: PRKS), a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world.
About Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Recognized by the National Amusement Park Historical Association as the Most Beautiful Park for 35 consecutive years, Busch Gardens® Williamsburg is a European-themed adventure park combining 17th-century charm with 21st-century thrills, featuring more than 50 rides and attractions, world-class coasters, and year-round events. Busch Gardens is a part of United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS). Learn more at UnitedParks.com.
