SeaWorld Orlando General Updates

[UniversalRBLX]

This level of greed needs to be called out so the bigger parks don't get the same idea. Speak with your wallet and avoid purchasing food even if you are going to go to SO.

I would think (or hope) that Disney and Universal are smart enough not to pursue such a quick and easy money grab to implement. SeaWorld's advantage is that they don't get the press that Disney or Universal get.

As soon as there's any sort of overt economic downturn (I say overt because I think working class families are already hurting a lot but that's a thread for another forum), Sea World is going to get absolutely crushed... the Fun Spots will turn into apartments and SW will be the new Fun Spot.

It'll be interesting to see what happens in the summer with Epic and Disney offering great incentives. Locals in the area will have a new park to consider visiting and Disney's new entertainment offerings (yeah it's not as big as Epic, but it's a reason for locals to come visit again).

SeaWorld is debuting a motion simulator that would have marketed well 10 years ago.

 

[StarTrekGeek]

I am hearing from some on ParkFans Network that SeaWorld has backtracked on the 9% festival surcharge and is now 5% again. Can anyone confirm?

 

[GA-MBIT]

Went to SWO the other day. Apparently the President of the company has ordered that bags are not allowed into rides at all, and guests are required to purchase a locker and store it in there instead.

I believe lockers cost $12 for a movable all-day use, and $2 for a one-time use. No free alternative provided.

I was confronted by one of the ride ops employees at the front of a coaster queue about bringing my small Loungefly pack into the queue. I've never experienced this before at any theme park, and if it's ever been a requirement, then they at least provide a locker for free. This is all on top of every coaster in the park having relatively large storage cubbies installed for this exact purpose, and some having had those for 20+ years now. With some pretty mild questioning from myself, they ended up letting me through, saying to call my bag necessary for medical purposes if anyone else calls me out for it.

Really bad guest experience. That, alongside the actually insane pricing on food and merch items across the entire park (especially compared to the quality of those offerings imo), speaks to a park that is floundering and deeply desperate for cash. It doesn't matter how much goodwill from locals has to be burned to get it.

 

[Jake S]

I believe lockers cost $12 for a movable all-day use, and $2 for a one-time use. No free alternative provided.

Almost makes you nostalgic for the late 2000s Six Flags days, doesn't it?

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Went to SWO the other day. Apparently the President of the company has ordered that bags are not allowed into rides at all, and guests are required to purchase a locker and store it in there instead.

I believe lockers cost $12 for a movable all-day use, and $2 for a one-time use. No free alternative provided.

I was confronted by one of the ride ops employees at the front of a coaster queue about bringing my small Loungefly pack into the queue. I've never experienced this before at any theme park, and if it's ever been a requirement, then they at least provide a locker for free. This is all on top of every coaster in the park having relatively large storage cubbies installed for this exact purpose, and some having had those for 20+ years now. With some pretty mild questioning from myself, they ended up letting me through, saying to call my bag necessary for medical purposes if anyone else calls me out for it.

Really bad guest experience. That, alongside the actually insane pricing on food and merch items across the entire park (especially compared to the quality of those offerings imo), speaks to a park that is floundering and deeply desperate for cash. It doesn't matter how much goodwill from locals has to be burned to get it.

Are they still allowing cups and smaller items through?

SWO attendants are usually so swamped with guests since they’re understaffed that they don’t have time to notice every guest anyway.