SeaWorld Orlando's Future Plans

[Thatguyoverwhere]

I remember when the food at the SEAS/PRKS was actually one of their strengths and arguably better than Disney and Universal. Unfortunately, the company has been steadily increasing prices and decreasing quality on basically everything since maybe 2018/2019. It seems to me like a ploy to get locals to upgrade to a pass and to make one-time guests pay for the discounts the pass holders receive. The solution for pass holders is to simply avoid buying anything in the parks unless it's free or close to free, but for everyone else I imagine that's not possible, and I worry that over time those bad experiences and word of mouth are going to erode the company's entire non-pass holder customer base.

 

[HandsomePete]

I remember when the food at the SEAS/PRKS was actually one of their strengths and arguably better than Disney and Universal. Unfortunately, the company has been steadily increasing prices and decreasing quality on basically everything since maybe 2018/2019. It seems to me like a ploy to get locals to upgrade to a pass and to make one-time guests pay for the discounts the pass holders receive. The solution for pass holders is to simply avoid buying anything in the parks unless it's free or close to free, but for everyone else I imagine that's not possible, and I worry that over time those bad experiences and word of mouth are going to erode the company's entire non-pass holder customer base.

Exactly - and not even just the food. The amount of money I spent on BOGO happy hour when beers were $10 vastly exceeds the amount I spent on $12.99 + tip + 5% surcharge beers. And now they're up to $15.49. Pretty sure that would be the most expensive drink I've ever ordered, excluding a $27 quadruple mixed drink at a Cirque show in Vegas.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I remember when the food at the SEAS/PRKS was actually one of their strengths and arguably better than Disney and Universal. Unfortunately, the company has been steadily increasing prices and decreasing quality on basically everything since maybe 2018/2019. It seems to me like a ploy to get locals to upgrade to a pass and to make one-time guests pay for the discounts the pass holders receive. The solution for pass holders is to simply avoid buying anything in the parks unless it's free or close to free, but for everyone else I imagine that's not possible, and I worry that over time those bad experiences and word of mouth are going to erode the company's entire non-pass holder customer base.

Smokehouses used to be good, almost a staple of the park, now its just trash unfortunately.

Thankful that they still have decent portion sizes for food festivals... but lanyards are starting to get pricey.

 

[wutisgood]

Smokehouses used to be good, almost a staple of the park, now its just trash unfortunately.

Thankful that they still have decent portion sizes for food festivals... but lanyards are starting to get pricey.

Those lanyards are also priced to be the best deals for passholders. It seems the portion sizes have gone down to epcot sized though. Sea world is still a good deal for passholders compared to other festivals, but there was a time it was a runaway slam dunk. Very sad about the smokehouses. A long time ago when I worked in Williamsburg trappers was great. It seems like they have pretty much gotten the bbq down to the bare minimum time to cook and nothing is tender enough anymore,

I do still think sea world festival food is good though. And like I said sea world multi park deals can be cheaper than the list day rate for a single park. No one is getting that deal at a single Disney or universal park.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Anyone else a SeaWorld/Busch Gardens AP planning on cancelling (or giving the parks a break) this year? The value just isn't there anymore with how the parks are being run (especially the reconfigured parking lot at SWO that makes zero sense) nowadays.

The shows are lackluster, attraction ops have significantly declined over the past few year, and it looks like Electric Ocean/Summer Celebration (Ignite) won't be a thing this year? Huge loss for me as Ignite is arguably the 2nd best nighttime show in Orlando.

They still have the best Christmas event, so will be back for that, but they keep making it difficult to renew an AP.

Excited for Penguin Trek, but probably cancelling my AP on the way out of the park after AP previews lol

 

[jarmor]

I pay 13.75 a month for a platinum pass with access to all the parks. I will never let that go lol, EVER!

 

[GAcoaster]

Same— I pay $11.50 for mine. All I have to do is park in preferred once a month and it’s worthwhile to keep!

 

[Eckert]

I pay 13.75 a month for a platinum pass with access to all the parks. I will never let that go lol, EVER!

How is my Platinum Pass $30+??

 

[GAcoaster]

How is my Platinum Pass $30+??

You didn't buy it 20 years ago.

 

[wutisgood]

Cancelling a decent summer event would be an absolutely insane choice.

 

[SeventyOne]

Anyone else a SeaWorld/Busch Gardens AP planning on cancelling (or giving the parks a break) this year? The value just isn't there anymore with how the parks are being run (especially the reconfigured parking lot at SWO that makes zero sense) nowadays.

The shows are lackluster, attraction ops have significantly declined over the past few year, and it looks like Electric Ocean/Summer Celebration (Ignite) won't be a thing this year? Huge loss for me as Ignite is arguably the 2nd best nighttime show in Orlando.

They still have the best Christmas event, so will be back for that, but they keep making it difficult to renew an AP.

Excited for Penguin Trek, but probably cancelling my AP on the way out of the park after AP previews lol

Let it lapse last year. If a friend hooks me up with a TM 50% discount I probably would renew, but can't say I've missed it the past 6 months. The 5% surcharge (not a dime of which goes to TMs) and the backsliding on Howl-O-Scream did it for me.

 

[OrlLover]

What are their next plans?

 

[UNIrd]

What are their next plans?

Penguin Trek, which doesn't have an opening date as of yet right?

Man, I remember when every park's target opening date for Summer opening was Memorial Day Weekend but now no one is ever ready by then.

 

[OrlLover]

Penguin Trek, which doesn't have an opening date as of yet right?

Man, I remember when every park's target opening date for Summer opening was Memorial Day Weekend but now no one is ever ready by then.

Aren’t they usually a little more proactive about releasing info on their future plans/attractions?

 

[ParkRumors]

Cancelling a decent summer event would be an absolutely insane choice.

They’ve just added Ignite/Club SeaGlow to the schedule for this summer. Starts May 24th!

Ignite Fireworks | Shows | SeaWorld Orlando

Join us for a fireworks and fountains spectacular that brings the brilliant colors of the sea to the skies above the park. This mesmerizing display can be witnessed from all around SeaWorld’s central lake!

seaworld.com

Club SeaGlow | Shows | SeaWorld Orlando

For an unforgettable night filled with music, lights, dancing and more, join us at Club SeaGlow, at Bayside Stadium.

seaworld.com

 

[GAcoaster]

Seems like it's a new Mack flying theater coming...

 

[Thatguyoverwhere]

Seems like it's a new Mack flying theater coming...

Please please please let this be what we're getting. The park needs it sooo badly and I'm tired of whining about it lol.

 

[IzzyB]

Please please please let this be what we're getting. The park needs it sooo badly and I'm tired of whining about it lol.

Agreed, they need more indoor rides or I guess any indoor ride lol

 

[wutisgood]

"if you can't beat 'em, join 'em"​

Sea world should be focused on every effort they can to bring epic universe guests in to add a day at sea world. They should offer ticket discounts to epic universe guests and even free transit if possible where guests could go to Sea World easily from epic universe or nearby. Universal is going to be upgraded to a whole stay for many people. Disney will simply not drop one day prices for universal guests nor offer anything to entice them at all beyond trying to make them chose Disney for the whole vacation. Sea world should be an attractive offering with the increase in tourism at universal as an add on park or parks to fill out a week. Universal is going to be slammed at their water park or have high prices which leaves an opening for Aquatica to take on increased guests as well, especially being closer to the epic universe hotels.

Building a family coaster this year and a flying theater next year makes sense if they want to attract more of the epic universe market which will be more family friendly. I think they need to continue to expand at reasonable cost for a few more additional years.

I will add for me personally especially if they keep the buss to Busch gardens it will become increasingly less likely I buy a Disney pass over a universal+ sea world parks pass. I drive and universal is just so convenient without a car compared to Disney especially with new transit coming in.

 

[GAcoaster]

While at the Panera next to SeaWorld the other day I noticed there's a lot of excavation going on on their vacant land next to Aquatica which had been listed as a potential hotel site. I assume this is probably the relocation of some of the retention ponds on the SeaWorld side of I-Drive to accommodate the new hotel site next to the park.