Attraction sees jump in numbers
SeaWorld’s recent financial turnaround continues to make a big splash as more people visit.
The financial turnaround at SeaWorld is still gaining momentum as the company reported a projected 10 percent attendance jump for the third quarter.
The numbers, which are preliminary and haven’t been approved yet, were released last week by SeaWorld because of a potential debt refinancing transaction.
Attendance is expected to be up by 700,000 guests for the third quarter which ended Sept. 30, the release said.
Total revenues are expected to rise $41 million, or about 9 percent compared with the same time period in 2017, it also said.
So far for the entire year, 1.4 million more people have visited the parks compared to 2017 and revenues are up by about $90 million.
A SeaWorld spokesman said he was unable to comment beyond the release. The company has not said when it will officially release the third quarter results, although in 2017, the news was out in early November.
The Orlando-based company owns 12 theme parks across the country.
For years, SeaWorld has struggled with declining attendance and revenues as it faced backlash over the anti-whale captivity documentary “Blackfish” and fell further behind in the theme park competition to Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort.
But so far this year, the company’s books are improving.
Attendance has grown as the company added new beer festivals and late-night shows and vowed to build more attractions or events at each park every year to compete and draw more visitors.
The company is also trying to move past the “Blackfish” controversy.
In September, the company and ex-CEO James Atchison settled fraud charges for $5 million with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over their statements that mislead investors about how much much the documentary film hurt the company financially.
At SeaWorld Orlando, it’s a much anticipated time. Company leaders celebrated the grand opening Infinity Falls, a rapids raft ride that was delayed over the summer but is finally open to the public.
Tourist tax up, misses projections
Orange County’s collection of tourist development taxes in August fell short of projections but still jumped 7.5 percent over last year, comptroller Phil Diamond said last week.
The $18.8 million collected in August on short-term rentals — mostly hotels and motels — failed to reach projections by 2 percent, but the total still represented a $1.3 million jump over last year.
“It was recently reported in the Orlando Sentinel that Orange County’s average hotel room rate has exceeded $100 per night,” Diamond said in a news release. “With increasing rates and Orange County’s expanding supply of hotel rooms, it is not surprising that Orange County’s TDT collec-
tion significantly increased in August.”
Data provided by the hotel industry observer STR showed that the average room in Central Florida in August cost travelers more than $100 a night for the first time since records have been kept.
Year-to-date hotel collections through August have jumped 9.2 percent over last year, from $235.4 million to $257.2 million.
Universal teases new Harry Potter coaster
Universal is teasing new art for the new Harry Potter roller coaster opening next year at its Islands of Adventure theme park.
Universal has not provided many details about what the ride will be like or given a more specific opening date in 2019. More information will be coming in early 2019, Universal said recently.
“The new experience will become Universal’s most highly-themed coaster yet – immersing guests in an all-new adventure that is the next installment of the Wizarding World brought to life at Universal Orlando Resort,” a press release said.
The roller coaster will be built where the Dueling Dragons/Dragon Challenge ride stood for 18 years.
The Harry Potter franchise has been a game changer for Universal and created a heated competition among Orlando’s theme parks.
In 2019, Walt Disney World will be opening a Star Wars-themed land in Hollywood Studios while SeaWorld Orlando debuts its kid-friendly Sesame Street Land.
Legoland Florida offers new pass
Legoland Florida is selling a new seasonal pass to give visitors access to the park for last three months of the year.
The “seasonal play pass,” which is for Florida residents only, costs $54.99 plus tax and is available for a limited time only, the theme park said.
The pass is valid through Dec. 21 and blackout dates apply, including special event weekends. The majority of the weekends showed blackout dates were in effect, according to Legoland’s website.