SeaWorld Plans 2024 Opening Of New Exhibit

San Diego’s SeaWorld thinks you’re ready for this jelly.

As part of the opening of several attractions at its venues across the country, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment will debut an immersive, interactive jellyfish exhibit at its Mission Bay-headquartered theme park next year.

“Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience” is the first-of-its-kind exhibit at SeaWorld parks, a new aquarium experience featuring three unique galleries with a wide range of jellyfish. SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment will also be unveiling new coasters at its parks in Orlando, Florida, and Austin, Texas.

“We are continuously investing in the park, whether that be rides, exhibits, park enhancements, food and beverage, etc., with the goal of providing a broad offering for our guests and having something for everyone at every age group,” said Jim Lake, park president, SeaWorld San Diego and Sesame Place San Diego. “We’re very excited about our new Jellyfish Experience… we recognize that the marine exhibits are core to our mission and our business, and it has been a few years since we opened a new aquarium at the park.”

SeaWorld San Diego, which first opened in 1964, has been working overtime to bounce back since the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was forced to close for five months in 2020, was unable to operate its indoor aquarium, rides and attractions for a year and then had capacity limitations with government protocols once cleared to reopen.

Record Revenue

In 2022, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) reported record revenue and attendance numbers of 21.9 million guests (an 8.6% increase over 2021), revenue of $1.73 billion (15% increase over 2021) and net income of $291.2 million (13.5% increase from 2021).

In August of this year, SeaWorld Entertainment reported financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 that included attendance at 6.1 million guests (a decrease of about 0.1 million guests from the second quarter of 2022), total revenues of $496 million (an $8.8 million decrease from Q2 2022) and net income of $87.1 million (a $29.6 million or 25.3% decrease from Q2 2022).

Its report comparing the first six months of 2023 to the first six months of 2022 showed attendance at 9.5 million guests (a decrease of 0.1 million guests from the first six months of 2022) while net income was $70.6 million (a decrease of $37 million or 34.4% from the first six months of 2022).

However, the strongest progressive news for SeaWorld Entertainment when comparing the first six months of this year to last year, was that its total revenue was $789.4 million – an increase of $13.9 million or 1.8% from the first six months of 2022.

“From a year-over-year standpoint, despite weather conditions impacting the beginning of the year, we are doing well,” Lake said of SeaWorld San Diego. “Last year we came out of COVID and were uncertain on what the future could hold so our main focus was getting the business operational after the COVID closure. This year, we approached it as a big rebuilding year for us. We were able to bring back elements we haven’t used in quite some time and reactivate them in 2023.”

He said examples include a staged show in the venue’s outdoor Bayside Amphitheater, a daily parade and an increase in interactions with SeaWorld’s costumed characters. SeaWorld also now has 16 rides to go along with its presentations that include Orca Encounter and Dolphin Adventures. The venue’s Sea Lion and Otter Spotlight is temporarily closed.

Marine Life Education

Lake said that with every new opening, the company concentrates on educating guests about marine life with the goal to inspire them to learn more and take action.

“This is implemented in every new attraction/exhibit we open and will continue into future projects,” he said.

The jellyfish exhibit will expose guests to species that include Moon Jellyfish, Pacific Sea Nettles, Upside-Down Jellyfish and Comb Jellies.

According to the American Oceans Campaign, there are more than 2,000 known species of jellyfish, divided into four classes, but it has been reported that there are more than 300,000 species of jellies that remain unseen.

“Visiting the new Jellyfish Experience is an amazing opportunity like no other – a chance for our guests to see up close the spectacular details of these underwater marvels and witness how they live their lives in astonishing clarity,” said Dr. Chris Dold, Chief Zoological Officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Guests will walk through striking habitats and view vivid displays to learn more about these wonderful creatures. This new exhibit aligns with our mission of educating and inspiring guests to learn more about our oceans and the world around us.”

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

FOUNDED: 1964 (San Diego)
CEO: Marc G. Swanson
HEADQUARTERS: Orlando, Florida
BUSINESS: Theme Park
REVENUE: $1.73B
STOCK: SEAS:NYSE
EMPLOYEES: 20,000+
WEBSITE: seaworld.com
CONTACT: 619-222-4732 (San Diego)
SOCIAL IMPACT: SeaWorld provides financial and scientific support to organizations that focus on animal rescue and rehabilitation, conservation education, habitat protection and species research.
NOTABLE: SeaWorld has rescued and rehabilitated more than 40,000 ill, injured or orphaned animals since 1964 and is one of the world’s largest marine animal rescue organizations.