News Marc Swanson Discusses Indoor Attractions, Hotels, and Epic Universe

[Mr. Porkchop]

During the earnings call on November 7th, Marc Swanson discussed indoor attractions, hotels, and Epic Universe. Here are a couple of excerpts from two Attraction Magazine articles written by Blake Taylor.

Indoor attractions and hotels:

Swanson said that SeaWorld Orlando leadership is “trying to do more indoor attractions” to provide guests with more options during rainy periods. Additionally, he said the park’s teams are actively building more shade structures and rolling out drink programs to help with concerns of the Florida heat.

Turning from attractions to the potential of onsite SeaWorld-owned hotels (as opposed to nearby partner hotels owned by other companies), Swanson noted, “We are excited about the opportunity to monetize … unused land holdings and have hotels integrated into our properties.”

The executive continued, “We have a lot of land. We have land in desirable areas. You could use that for hotels or other things. We recognize there are ways to monetize or at least ways that we should consider how to use that land.”

Source: SeaWorld Orlando's future: 'more indoor attractions,' onsite hotel

Epic Universe:

“We’re aware that there’s a new park coming to Orlando next year,” the Swanson said. He continued, “We welcome more people to town. I’m sure there’s gonna be days when Epic [Universe] is doing very well and is crowded … We’re gonna feel that a little bit” in terms of potentially lower attendance at SeaWorld Orlando.

Still, the executive shared SeaWorld’s corporate viewpoint on new parks opening is mostly positive: “That’s going to be good for the market. … It will bring more people to the Orlando area.” At the same time, though, SeaWorld Orlando can’t sit idly on the sidelines and hope more guests will flock to its gates just because Epic Universe is open. “We need to execute on our plans to drive more people to our parks.”

“We have a differentiated product,” the Swanson said, emphasizing how the upcoming flying theater ride at SeaWorld Orlando will be “SeaWorld-centric” with “animal components” that set it apart from neighboring parks. He called it the unnamed ride “unique to an experience you get at SeaWorld.”

“We have a value proposition that we feel really good about, especially with our season passes and our multi-day tickets,” Swanson explained.

The executive said SeaWorld Orlando expects “more international attendance next year, which seems reasonable with Epic [Universe] opening.”

“You think about all the parks that have come online since we opened in the early 1970s,” Swanson noted. He continued, “We’ve already demonstrated we can grow when there’s competition in this market.”

Source: How SeaWorld Orlando is preparing for Epic Universe opening

 

[GAcoaster]

SWO just rolled out a year long drink bottle for $60, which is a decent price for a full year of drinks.

 

[paintervision]

Good to hear about hotels. No surprises about Epic Universe competiton.

Swanson said that SeaWorld Orlando leadership is “trying to do more indoor attractions” to provide guests with more options during rainy periods. Additionally, he said the park’s teams are actively building more shade structures and rolling out drink programs to help with concerns of the Florida heat.

Amen. BGT needs some love here too. I would love to see these parks tackle an indoor coaster (read: not a DarKoaster clone) in the near future.

 

[Mattatee]

SWO just rolled out a year long drink bottle for $60, which is a decent price for a full year of drinks.
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I'd rather pay extra and get this than those plastic all season dinning souvenir cups. Hate those neon plastic bottles.

 

[chrissy8567]

My home park, SeaWorld San Antonio has added the all season drink bottle too!