All guests can now feel the rush of the wind and the thrill of flight aboard North America's Tallest and Longest Inverted Family Coaster TAMPA, Fla., July 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay today announced the grand opening of Phoenix Rising, the most anticipated coaster of 2024. Now open to the public, guests can ride on the wings of the legendary phoenix aboard North America's tallest and longest inverted family coaster, only at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Phoenix Rising is the park's tenth rol ...

About United Parks & Resorts Inc. For those unable to participate in the live webcast, a replay will be available beginning at approximately 12 p.m. Eastern Time on August 7, 2024, 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 August 7, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 14, 2024, by dialing (877) 344-7529 from anywhere in the U.S., (855) 669- 9658 from anywhere in Canada, or (412) 31 ...

Aboard Phoenix Rising, riders will be immersed in an exciting, family-friendly adventure as they soar above Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's Serengeti Plain and navigate through thrilling twists and turns above the skies of Pantopia. Inspired by the legend of the phoenix, this suspended roller coaster offers surprises and speeds reaching 44 miles per hour. With a height requirement of just 42 inches, guests of all ages can let their imagination—and their adrenaline—soar as they feel the rush of the wind and the th ...

Core Insights - SeaWorld Orlando has launched a new attraction, Penguin Trek, which is a family launch coaster located in the newly developed Antarctica Realm [1][2] - The ride features innovative design elements, accommodating riders from 42 inches to 77 inches tall, and includes two powerful launches reaching speeds of up to 43 mph along a 3,020-foot track [2][3] - The Antarctica Realm also includes dining options and wildlife encounters, enhancing the overall guest experience [4] Company Developments - Penguin Trek is positioned as a significant addition to SeaWorld Orlando's coaster lineup, joining award-winning rides like Mako and Ice Breaker [3] - The new attraction emphasizes SeaWorld's commitment to animal care and conservation, culminating in an immersive penguin habitat experience [2][3] Guest Experience Enhancements - The Antarctica Realm features air-conditioned queue lines and unique snowmobile-styled ride cars, providing comfort and excitement for guests [2] - Dining options include South Pole Sips for beverages and the reopened Expedition Café, offering a diverse menu [4] Marketing and Promotions - Club Wyndham has partnered with SeaWorld to offer a themed suite inspired by the Antarctica Realm, with a portion of bookings supporting the SeaWorld Conservation Fund [5][7] - The Club Wyndham SeaWorld Suite includes amenities and themed experiences, available for reservations during specific dates [8][13] Annual Pass and Ticket Sales - SeaWorld is promoting its Annual Pass and Fun Card options, with discounts of up to 55% available until July 14, 2024 [10] - The Fun Card provides park admission through December 31, 2024, at a price of $99.99, making it an attractive option for frequent visitors [10]

DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES IMAGES HERE From going behind-the-scenes with sharks to experiencing thrilling rides inspired by the oceans' VIPs (Very Important Predators), there's "So Much More to Sea" at SeaWorld this year as its 60th Anniversary celebrations continue. Available for a limited time during the week-long shark celebration happening July 7th to 14th, this exclusive ticket offers guests the chance to encounter 21 different species and nearly 300 sharks that call SeaWorld home in Orlando, San Antonio and Sa ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record total revenue of $297.4 million for Q1 2024, an increase of $4.1 million or 1.4% compared to Q1 2023 [31] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $79.2 million, an increase of $6.7 million compared to the same period last year [36] - The net loss for Q1 2024 was $11.2 million, an improvement from a net loss of $16.5 million in Q1 2023 [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In-park per capita revenue, excluding certain one-time revenue, increased by 4% during the quarter, marking the 16th consecutive quarter of growth [9] - Attendance increased by approximately 72,000 guests or 2.1% compared to the prior year quarter [32] - Admission per capita decreased by 0.9% to $48.06, primarily due to the admissions product mix [34] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International visitation improved significantly compared to 2023, although it remains down compared to 2019 [11] - Group bookings are running well ahead of 2023, indicating strong demand in that segment [11] - Deferred revenue balance as of the end of April was $217.7 million, with a 1.4% increase compared to April 2023 [41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on cost management and efficiency, expecting $50 million in realized savings for 2024 [21] - Digital transformation initiatives are underway, including improvements to the mobile app, which has seen a 10% increase in total revenue generated compared to the prior year [22] - The company is exploring hotel opportunities across its portfolio, emphasizing a focus on ROI [25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving new records in revenue and adjusted EBITDA for 2024, despite challenges from weather and attendance shifts [12][31] - The company believes it has significant opportunities to drive attendance and per capita spending, with a strong lineup of new attractions and events planned for the year [12][14] - Management noted that the balance sheet remains strong, with a net total leverage ratio of 2.57 times and approximately $577 million in total available liquidity [27] Other Important Information - The company has initiated a $500 million share repurchase program, with $20.2 million spent on repurchasing shares in Q1 2024 [29] - The mobile app has been downloaded over 9.4 million times, with a 28% increase in average transaction value for food and beverage purchases made through the app [22] - The company is committed to animal rescue efforts, having aided 173 animals in need during the first quarter [45] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on per capita spending trends - Management indicated that pricing will continue to be a focus, with group business increasing but typically having a lower per capita spend [50] Question: Update on hotel investments - Management is focused on finding the right structure and ROI for hotel projects, emphasizing that they are taking the necessary time to ensure proper execution [54] Question: Underlying demand trends and weather impacts - Management noted that attendance was slightly positive when combining March and April, with weather being a significant factor in Q1 [59] Question: Consumer price sensitivity and spending trends - Management observed that in-park spending is up, indicating that consumers are willing to spend despite economic pressures [75] Question: Cost management and labor wage outlook - Management reported a successful focus on managing labor expenses, with a year-over-year decrease in labor rates [78] Question: Group and international attendance progress - Management confirmed that group attendance is up compared to both 2023 and 2019, while international attendance is improving but still down from 2019 levels [81] Question: Competitive landscape with new park openings - Management expressed confidence in their value proposition and competitive positioning in the market, despite the upcoming opening of Epic Universe [88]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2023, total revenue was $389.0 million, a decrease of $1.6 million or 0.4% compared to Q4 2022, primarily due to decreases in admission per capita [65] - Total revenue per capita decreased slightly to $78.42 from $79.10 in Q4 2022, with admission per capita down 2.6% to $44.46, while in-park per capita spending increased by 1.5% to a record $33.96 [67] - For the full year 2023, total revenue was $1.73 billion, a decrease of $4.7 million or 0.3% compared to 2022, with adjusted EBITDA at $713.5 million, down $14.8 million [70][76] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Attendance in Q4 2023 increased by approximately 23,000 guests compared to Q4 2022, driven by Halloween and Christmas events, despite adverse weather impacts [66] - For the full year, total attendance was approximately 21.6 million guests, a decrease of 1.5% versus 2022, with total revenue per capita reaching a record $79.91, up 1.3% from 2022 [70][71] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Attendance from group and international guests was down approximately 1.3 million guests or 30% from 2019 levels, indicating a significant opportunity for recovery [45] - The company is focusing on increasing group sales and international visitation, which are currently below pre-COVID levels [120] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to a disciplined capital allocation strategy, focusing on investing in the business, debt paydown, M&A, and returning capital to shareholders [28][32] - Plans for 2024 include new rides and attractions, with expectations for more normalized weather and a strong lineup of events to drive attendance [18][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to recover attendance levels to pre-COVID figures, particularly in international and group segments [16][120] - The company anticipates meaningful growth in revenue and adjusted EBITDA for 2024, driven by new attractions, pricing initiatives, and cost management [20][100] Other Important Information - The company has a strong balance sheet with approximately $618.5 million in total available liquidity and plans to spend approximately $225 million on capital expenditures in 2024 [77][86] - A new $500 million share buyback authorization was recommended by the Board of Directors, reflecting confidence in the company's undervalued shares [79][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Hotel Development Plans - Management clarified that they are exploring various options for hotel development, including partnerships, and emphasized the potential benefits of having hotels adjacent to parks [91][93] Question: Growth Drivers for 2024 - Key growth drivers include weather normalization, new attractions, pricing initiatives, and ongoing cost management efforts [95][100] Question: Weather Impact on Attendance - Management confirmed that the estimated weather-related attendance impacts were relative to 2022, with a total of over 370,000 visits lost due to adverse weather conditions [103][105] Question: Long-term Margin Potential - Management indicated that while margins have fluctuated, they expect to see improvements through attendance growth, pricing strategies, and cost management [109][111] Question: Group and International Visitation Recovery - Management is optimistic about the recovery of group visitation in the near term and is investing resources to stimulate international attendance [116][120]

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (SEAS) Q3 2023 Earnings Conference Call November 8, 2023 9:00 AM ET Company Participants Matthew Stroud - Investor Relations Marc Swanson - Chief Executive Officer James Forrester - Interim Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer Conference Call Participants Steven Wieczynski - Stifel James Hardiman - Citi Michael Swartz - SunTrust Chris Woronka - Deutsche Bank Thomas Yeh - Morgan Stanley Barton Crockett - Rosenblatt Lizzie Dove - Goldman Sachs Robert Aurand - KeyBanc Operator Good ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q2 2023 was $496.0 million, a decrease of $8.8 million or 1.7% compared to Q2 2022, primarily due to a 2.0% decrease in attendance, partially offset by a 0.3% increase in total revenue per capita [30][31] - Net income for Q2 2023 was $87.1 million, down from $116.6 million in Q2 2022, attributed to increased interest expenses [36] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2023 was $224.2 million, a decrease of $10.2 million compared to Q2 2022 [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In-park per capita spending increased by 0.6% to a record $36.84 in Q2 2023, despite adverse weather and construction delays impacting in-park spending [31][33] - Attendance at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi exceeded expectations since its opening, contributing positively to group booking revenue trends [10][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Attendance was negatively impacted by adverse weather conditions, including Canadian wildfires, which affected most markets during peak visitation periods [8][30] - Group bookings revenue for the first six months of 2023 exceeded 2019 levels, indicating strong demand [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on cost and efficiency improvements, raising its target savings to $60 million from $50 million [15] - Investments are being made to enhance guest experiences, including digital transformation initiatives and park-specific ROI investments [17][21] - The company plans to open its first hotels by 2026 and is exploring additional international opportunities [24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the significant impact of weather on attendance and revenue, expressing cautious optimism for upcoming popular events [52][54] - The company remains confident in its long-term strategy and ability to deliver improved operational and financial results [44][106] Other Important Information - The company reported a strong balance sheet with a net total leverage ratio of 2.61 times and approximately $518 million in total available liquidity [25][39] - Capital expenditures for Q2 2023 were $75.8 million, with expectations to spend approximately $260 million to $280 million in total CapEx for 2023 [40][41] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of weather on attendance - Management noted that weather significantly impacted attendance, with estimates suggesting attendance would have been up without these factors [46][47] Question: Changes in revenue and EBITDA outlook - Management removed previous language about 2023 potentially being a record year due to weather impacts, but expressed optimism for upcoming events [50][52] Question: Cost savings details - Management clarified that the target for cost savings is now $60 million, with ongoing efforts to drive efficiencies [56][57] Question: Performance of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi - Attendance at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has exceeded expectations, with a minor financial impact of around $700,000 for the quarter [60][61] Question: Attendance breakdown by group and international visitors - International attendance remains down approximately 50% compared to 2019, while domestic attendance has seen slight increases [96] Question: Capital allocation priorities - The company is focused on investing in park improvements and exploring options for debt repayment or share buybacks [90][92]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record total revenue of $293.3 million for Q1 2023, an increase of $22.7 million or 8.4% compared to Q1 2022 [32] - Total revenue per capita increased by 9.2% to a record $86.84, driven by improvements in both admissions per capita and in-park per capita spending [34] - The company generated a net loss of $16.5 million for Q1 2023, compared to a net loss of $9 million in Q1 2022, while adjusted EBITDA reached a record $72.4 million, an increase of $6.5 million from the previous year [38][39] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Attendance decreased by 0.7% primarily due to adverse weather conditions, particularly in California, impacting peak visitation periods [33] - Admission per capita increased by 9.4% to a record $48.51, while in-park per capita spending rose by 8.9% to a record $38.33 [34] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that international attendance was up in Q1 2023 compared to 2022 but still down over 40% compared to 2019 [83] - Group bookings are trending well ahead of 2022 levels and are close to pre-COVID levels [85] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is excited about the opening of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the first SeaWorld branded park outside the U.S., expected to contribute single-digit millions to EBITDA this year [10][54] - Strategic initiatives include cost and efficiency improvements targeting $30 million to $50 million in savings, digital transformation efforts, and enhancing guest experiences through new rides and attractions [20][21][25][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver meaningful growth and new records in revenue and adjusted EBITDA for 2023, despite challenges such as adverse weather [31][50] - The company is optimistic about group booking trends and the upcoming summer season, anticipating a busy period with new attractions opening [9][10] Other Important Information - The company has a strong balance sheet with a net total leverage ratio of 2.7 times and approximately $426.4 million in total available liquidity [30][42] - The company plans to spend approximately $250 million to $275 million in CapEx for 2023, focusing on high-conviction growth and ROI projects [44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Weather impact on attendance - Management indicated that adverse weather in California resulted in a loss of over 100,000 in attendance, which could have shifted attendance from down 1% to potentially up low-single digits without the weather impact [51][52] Question: Financial impact of Abu Dhabi park - The Abu Dhabi park is expected to deliver low to mid-single-digit millions in EBITDA this year, with potential for growth as the park becomes operational [54][56] Question: Deferred revenue and pass sales - Management noted a nice increase in pass sales between March and April, with deferred revenue up 2% at the end of Q1 [58][61] Question: Group bookings and international visitation - Group bookings are performing well compared to 2022 and are close to pre-COVID levels, while international visitation remains down compared to 2019 [83][85] Question: Operating expenses and cost management - Management is targeting low single-digit expense growth while focusing on cost-saving initiatives to manage operating expenses effectively [80][81] Question: Hotel financing and attendance recovery - Management is excited about the hotel projects but has not finalized financing details, and they believe investments in parks and new attractions will help recover attendance [66][70] Question: Ride construction timing - The timing of new ride openings is more traditional this year compared to last year, with several anticipated rides set to open in the coming weeks [78][110]