This local theme park giant may enter the hotel game

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. may finally navigate into uncharted waters of new revenue: hotels.

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The Orlando-based marine theme park giant, during its Feb. 28 fourth-quarter 2022 earnings report, hinted at new progress on a plan to build hotels near its theme parks. SeaWorld operates several theme parks around the U.S. — with a first international park opening this year in Abu Dhabi — including Central Florida’s SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica, Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

“We continue to make progress with our plans to build hotels and complement our park offerings,” SeaWorld CEO Marc Swanson said during the call. “Based on current plans and expectations, we expect to have our first hotel opened in 2025, followed by our second hotel in 2026. We are working on design and planning for these 2 hotels and on-site selection for additional hotels across our park portfolio. We look forward to sharing more specifics in future quarters.”

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