Sea World Orlando: 11/29/24

They are definitely too big to fail but in my humble opinion the parks as we knew them ended when Anheuser-Busch sold to Blackstone.

You're right. They also survived Blackfish. Sea World parks have had a bad time for a while now. I just don't understand how they are getting guests for repeat visits when the quality of the experience is so abysmal.

For myself, as much as I would like to stop going to their parks, I don't really have any other options without traveling unless I was willing to give up riding a bunch of coaster types. In the early 2000's, I had some horrible trips to Great Adventure. They were so bad that I stayed away from the park for 5 years but had other options like Dorney and Hershey. B&M inverts are one of my favorite coaster models and didn't mind giving up Batman The Ride with Talon and Great Bear so close. Here I can't do that.

I also think it's the lower cost that helps. People who can't afford hundreds of dollars for a Disney or Universal pass may be able to afford a Fun Card for SWO that is under $100 on sale.

The cost cutting continues as well, now for 2025 BGT and SWO no longer allow combining park bucks even if they were from the same pass holder.

^^^ We agree. The parks were great when they were under Anheiser Busch and done nothing but go down hill since they've changed hands.

^^ The guest experience has suffered since the change in ownership, and it has gotten worse. Our last few visits to Sea World haven't been great, but with low crowds we've been able to ride without paying to skip the line.

^ We've been the same way. This season was our first visit to Great Adventure in years and I'm happy we did now that i know Kingda Ka is done. We got our last front row lap on that visit.

We didn't go to Dorney for about the same amount of time, and enjoyed our visit this season and Iron Menace.

We agree it seems that it's the fun card and the cheaper season pass options that keep them going in Orlando. It's also the reason I feel that they are getting repeat visits even though the experience isn't great. We can still ride roller-coasters with a short wait if you hit the parks at the right time. I wish someone would buy the chain to turn them around, but I just think it's wishful thinking.

Universal’s Aquatic Universe?

Six Whales?