As SeaWorld Orlando gets ready to introduce its first on-site hotels and become a true resort, parent company SeWorld Entertainment is changing its name to United Parks & Resorts.
Orlando's SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc the parent company of local parks, Seaworld Orlando, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Adventure island has announced that its changing its name!
The company that owns seven brands across 13 parks in the United States and Abu Dhabi. will change its name to United Parks & Resorts Inc., effective Feb. 12, 2024.
The name change affects only the name of the parent company – SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. The Company’s award-winning portfolio of parks – SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place, Water Country USA, Adventure Island, and Aquatica – retain their respective park names.
“Our new company name, United Parks & Resorts Inc., better reflects that we have been, and will continue to be, a diverse collection of park brands and experiences. Each of our iconic parks, including the four SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego and Abu Dhabi, will continue to operate under the same names our guests know and love. What also remains unchanged is our deep commitment to creating experiences that matter for our guests and inspiring them to help protect animals and the wild wonders of the world,” said Marc Swanson, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
As part of the name change, the Company’s main website and investors website domains will change to UnitedParks.com and UnitedParksInvestors.com on Feb. 13, 2024.
The name change appears to be a nod to plans to build hotels within the companies theme parks, here in Orlando, plans have been filed with Orange County for two hotels in Orlando, one at Seaworld Orlando and another at Discovery Cove. Adding resorts to the parent companies name will better reflect the move to becoming multi-day resorts.
So what are the hotel plans?
SeaWorld Orlando Hotel
SeaWorld Orlando filed an application to Orange County with plans to develop a 15-story, 504 room hotel adjacent to its main theme park, SeaWorld Orlando near the intersection of International Drive and Central Florida Parkway.
The nearly 30-acre project, dubbed "Starboard," would include direct access to the theme park close to the Nautilus Theater, and would include a restaurant, rooftop bar and terrace, ballroom, conference center, fitness center, together with multiple pools and lounging areas. The hotel would also include parking for over 700 cars.
Discovery Cove Hotel
An application has been submitted to Orange County to develop a six-story, 250-room hotel with direct access to Discovery Cove off Central Florida Parkway.
The nearly 50-acre project, dubbed "Canopy," would sit on land that is currently a car park for Discovery Cove. The hotel would include a guest walkway to Discovery Cove, and would include a "Treetops" restaurant, bar, gift shop, spa, reception area, meeting rooms, bungalows and other amenities.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment CEO Marc Swanson commented on bringing hotels to SeaWorld in the companies most recent earnings call.
"On the hotel front, we also continue to make progress on our plans. As we mentioned last quarter, we are refining our design, planning on our first hotels and we expect to begin opening in 2026. We identified two locations of the first two hotels and we'll be offering more details about these properties soon."
In addition to the hotels, this year SeaWorld Orlando will debut it's eighth rollercoaster, Penguin Trek, an immersive multi-lunch family coaster.
Penguin Trek at SeaWorld Orlando is an unforgettable family launch coaster adventure where you will board your snowmobile and race along with your expedition team at up to 43 miles per hour, navigating twists and turns and narrowly escaping the crumbling hazards of an icy cavern.
This new indoor/outdoor family ride set to open in Spring 2024, and is the most immersive addition to the Coaster Capital of Orlando, and with a height requirement of just 42”, it’s the perfect journey for families to share.
Featuring two exhilarating launches and a maze of twists and turns, this unforgettable coaster moves at speeds of up to 43 mph across a 3,020-foot track that traverses both indoors and outside. Yet, what sets this experience apart as truly extraordinary is its unparalleled finale: as the coaster comes to a halt, guests find themselves not in a simulated penguin colony, but in the very heart of SeaWorld Orlando's own penguin habitat.
Over at Aquatica Orlando, Tassie's Underwater Twist will also debut in 2024, an all-new immersive waterslide will transform the guest ride experience into an awe-inspiring journey through Australia's Shark Bay seagrass meadow.
Manufactured by WhiteWater West Industries, the enhanced slide measures 129 feet in length and features a super-bowl element enjoyed by riders on a two-person innertube. As the rider reaches the unique bowl of the slide they’ll begin to circle around the basin and find themselves surrounded by lush seagrass meadows, schools of colorful fish, and even the occasional shark. To enhance the immersive experience, Tassie's Underwater Twist will feature a synchronized video display and a captivating orchestral score. The video projections will bring the underwater world to life, while the music will evoke a sense of wonder and excitement. In addition to being an exhilarating waterslide ride.
With so much planned for SeaWorld Orlando, you better hold on tight and enjoy the ride!
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