SeaWorld Orlando's Future Plans

[Magic-Man]

Agreed, their entertainment is really good. The amount of street shows and theater shows and at high quality is really nice. The park has been clean, but their bathrooms do not get enough checks. Toilet paper, paper towels, and soap was missing several times when I visited. They need air blowers in all bathrooms because paper towels was the worst. Soap I could find, just had to try a couple different ones. Toilet paper was end of evening in some stalls.

Coaster operations is just PAINFUL. I do not understand why they move SOOOOO slowly and those workers just don't seem to want to be there. Now I will say I did a buyout event once there and the employees were MUCH more friendly. I will also say they do care about safety. It sure slowed down the pipeline loading, but they did double check something that was "off" and the guy said, lets do this again just in case. They also pulled and measured kids. So they do seem to get paid enough to care about safety. Just not friendly and fast.

Some employees seem to care more, some really don't care. Some are super nice and friendly and others are just grumpy. Some are 100% rule followers and others just Meh their way thru it. The one lady misunderstood what I was asking in the AP lounge and gave me something I shouldn't have had. She said, "You really need to do this, but I am too tired to care, here you go". Worked in my favor, as I didn't have to come back to the lounge at my next visit, but was pretty funny. But I had other people in the lounge be PITAs and super strict about scanning and not giving me the $10 for all parties unless all parties come up to counter.

It's due to the pay. They get paid around 11 dollars an hour there, which is 6 whole dollars less than Universal and 7 less than Disney. I've also heard less than stellar things from people who have worked there relating to scheduling and management. Being a ride op isn't easy to begin with.

 

[IzzyB]

It's due to the pay. They get paid around 11 dollars an hour there, which is 6 whole dollars less than Universal and 7 less than Disney. I've also heard less than stellar things from people who have worked there relating to scheduling and management. Being a ride op isn't easy to begin with.

That is the issue SW has to pay less because they are in financial trouble. But then when they pay less then Customer Service goes down making less people want to come and it is a bad circle to be in. Universal honestly used to have similar (not as bad) issues until HP. I think this hotel could be good for SW because it can pull in much needed revenue they need badly. I don't really know what the answer is for SW but it is a good park and so I hope they figure it out.

 

[Magic-Man]

That is the issue SW has to pay less because they are in financial trouble. But then when they pay less then Customer Service goes down making less people want to come and it is a bad circle to be in. Universal honestly used to have similar (not as bad) issues until HP. I think this hotel could be good for SW because it can pull in much needed revenue they need badly. I don't really know what the answer is for SW but it is a good park and so I hope they figure it out.

But yet they're willing to shell out dozens of millions of dollars a year for new additions across the parks. Financial trouble is no excuse when it comes to that.

 

[Nick]

That is the issue SW has to pay less because they are in financial trouble. But then when they pay less then Customer Service goes down making less people want to come and it is a bad circle to be in. Universal honestly used to have similar (not as bad) issues until HP. I think this hotel could be good for SW because it can pull in much needed revenue they need badly. I don't really know what the answer is for SW but it is a good park and so I hope they figure it out.

The issue is no one wants to work for SeaWorld. They legitimately have an incredibly tough time finding people willing to work there and turnover is high as people can’t afford to work there in Orlando with how expensive rent is.

 

[IzzyB]

But yet they're willing to shell out dozens of millions of dollars a year for new additions across the parks. Financial trouble is no excuse when it comes to that.

Well if they don't add new stuff people won't come.

The issue is no one wants to work for SeaWorld. They legitimately have an incredibly tough time finding people willing to work there and turnover is high as people can’t afford to work there in Orlando with how expensive rent is.

I mean I agree they need to pay more. I am not arguing that point. I am saying I don't think they can pay Uni or Disney level and still be financially stable. But they need to raise their rates, $6 below is not acceptable. My only point was that it is a circle for them and they need to figure a way out of that circle of doom like Uni did with HP. But keep in mind only reason they could is because Comcast themselves could afford it. They really need new owners. These owners will never get them out of this circle.

 

[Magic-Man]

Well if they don't add new stuff people won't come.

I mean I agree they need to pay more. I am not arguing that point. I am saying I don't think they can pay Uni or Disney level and still be financially stable. But they need to raise their rates, $6 below is not acceptable. My only point was that it is a circle for them and they need to figure a way out of that circle of doom like Uni did with HP. But keep in mind only reason they could is because Comcast themselves could afford it. They really need new owners. These owners will never get them out of this circle.

Other parks only add stuff once every couple of years. SeaWorld Orlando can survive not opening a coaster for the third year in a row.

 

[Speed]

Employee morale was always low when I worked at a SEAs park. You can only work full time for $13 an hour while being understaffed, disrespected by guest, with not much help from management for so long.

 

[Nick]

Well if they don't add new stuff people won't come.

I mean I agree they need to pay more. I am not arguing that point. I am saying I don't think they can pay Uni or Disney level and still be financially stable. But they need to raise their rates, $6 below is not acceptable. My only point was that it is a circle for them and they need to figure a way out of that circle of doom like Uni did with HP. But keep in mind only reason they could is because Comcast themselves could afford it. They really need new owners. These owners will never get them out of this circle.

SeaWorld could easily go a year without opening a new ride and instead set a budget to increase minimum wages at the company and spend a year cleaning up the park’s operations and the quality of guest service that is there (and just cleaning up the park in general).

 

[GA-MBIT]

Surprisingly the only branch of the company that hasn't been affected too much has been the entertainment side of things. They still pull off great shows and provide lots of streetmosphere.

I will admit, went to the park on Friday and found the park's condition to be pretty clean and somewhat well-maintained now. Operations are still horrendous, but far better than last year.

I'm glad to hear that it seems that way from the outside. I've got many many friends who work SWO entertainment / costuming and they seem to be constantly understaffed, overbudget, trying to bite off more than they can chew with the amount of offerings they try to have, while also not treating workers very well at all and not offering the same level of security as Disney and Universal. When you are working with the same pool of talent as Disney and Uni, it's no wonder why people choose them over Seaworld.

Certain M&G Character Escorts didn't have Walkies for longgggg time. Workers being consistently left out on set because management just forgot to grab them for their breaks. Adding show dates at the final hour when no one can work. Lots of Brand Integrity violations that just get unnoticed. I remember in 2021 when they put billboards up outside of SWO not advertising HOS, but that you could apply to work at HOS. They also put a audio blurb in the Orca pre-show saying "Have you ever wanted to scareact?". They don't even attempt to work around other parks entertainment schedules, meaning that if you work at SWO Entertainment seasonally you either have to juggle a bum schedule where you have to take off constantly or only work at one event at a time. Which is one thing if they paid great, but you cannot afford gas, food, and rent on an Orlando Theme park performer paycheck if you work at just one park chain. This means less people are able to work for them, which results in understaffing, which cuts down on the amount of the huge entertainment offerings that can actually happen. It's a vicious cycle for them.

 

[alomar]

SeaWorld could easily go a year without opening a new ride and instead set a budget to increase minimum wages at the company and spend a year cleaning up the park’s operations and the quality of guest service that is there (and just cleaning up the park in general).

But, someone needs to think about the executives!! Those poor poor people.
/s

 

[OLSinFLA]

The issue is no one wants to work for SeaWorld. They legitimately have an incredibly tough time finding people willing to work there and turnover is high as people can’t afford to work there in Orlando with how expensive rent is.

Ironically when I applied I was turned down. "Too much experience" WTF? Oh well

 

[Jake S]

Ironically when I applied I was turned down. "Too much experience" WTF? Oh well

"This guy knows what it's like to work somewhere that doesn't stink! We can't let him tell the others about this."

 

[Magic-Man]

Even a single 2 dollar minimum wage increase would do wonders for morale. It definitely did at Universal!

 

[IzzyB]

SeaWorld could easily go a year without opening a new ride and instead set a budget to increase minimum wages at the company and spend a year cleaning up the park’s operations and the quality of guest service that is there (and just cleaning up the park in general).

I agree. I think the issue is they need that family coaster to be more well rounded and Pipeline was bought pre-Covid and Ice Breaker opening was pushed back. I don't think the original plan was 3 years in a row. I do think after this next one they should skip a year and get their ducks in a row while building this hotel that should produce good revenue for them.

But I agree with everyone they need to raise wages. They need to find a way in their budget. But they also need to get their finances in check. They for sure seem to be struggling the most of the 3.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I'm glad to hear that it seems that way from the outside. I've got many many friends who work SWO entertainment / costuming and they seem to be constantly understaffed, overbudget, trying to bite off more than they can chew with the amount of offerings they try to have, while also not treating workers very well at all and not offering the same level of security as Disney and Universal. When you are working with the same pool of talent as Disney and Uni, it's no wonder why people choose them over Seaworld.

Certain M&G Character Escorts didn't have Walkies for longgggg time. Workers being consistently left out on set because management just forgot to grab them for their breaks. Adding show dates at the final hour when no one can work. Lots of Brand Integrity violations that just get unnoticed. I remember in 2021 when they put billboards up outside of SWO not advertising HOS, but that you could apply to work at HOS. They also put a audio blurb in the Orca pre-show saying "Have you ever wanted to scareact?". They don't even attempt to work around other parks entertainment schedules, meaning that if you work at SWO Entertainment seasonally you either have to juggle a bum schedule where you have to take off constantly or only work at one event at a time. Which is one thing if they paid great, but you cannot afford gas, food, and rent on an Orlando Theme park performer paycheck if you work at just one park chain. This means less people are able to work for them, which results in understaffing, which cuts down on the amount of the huge entertainment offerings that can actually happen. It's a vicious cycle for them.

Oh I know, management there is not great at all. Security rarely feels like they care (due to understaffing) about safety, would always see people go through the side path just because nobody there (not even a sign) is there to say this is an exit only.

I've also noticed a decline at the food booths during seasonal events, not sure if it's pricing or the fact that there's a food festival every day of the year, but I'd imagine they're not happy with that either.

It's just perplexing to see SeaWorld operate like this, meanwhile, they have Orlando's two best holiday shows and a better nighttime spectacular than any Universal (Ignite) has produced.

 

[IzzyB]

Oh I know, management there is not great at all. Security rarely feels like they care (due to understaffing) about safety, would always see people go through the side path just because nobody there (not even a sign) is there to say this is an exit only.

I've also noticed a decline at the food booths during seasonal events, not sure if it's pricing or the fact that there's a food festival every day of the year, but I'd imagine they're not happy with that either.

It's just perplexing to see SeaWorld operate like this, meanwhile, they have Orlando's two best holiday shows and a better nighttime spectacular than any Universal (Ignite) has produced.

The food booth pricing is INSANE. I would never pay those prices. However, Sea World hands me free samples all the time as an AP. I got one per pass this past weekend and one per pass the weekend before that. But then that inflates the lines and so even the people who would pay those prices would never actually wait in those lines. I mean I am not complaining about free food.

But I agree. They have amazing holiday shows and shows in general. Outside of that AWFUL summer show, most of their shows are hits. It is a real shame that management and execs can't get their acts together. They have a good path of coaster/entertainment park with a good resort/conference center. I think they have a path to do better if they tried.

 

[Thatguyoverwhere]

Haven't been on here in a while but excited to see they're finally moving forward with the first hotel! Long overdue and would've been even better if they could've opened it in time for Epic Universe, but the CEO's comments echo my thoughts exactly about the business case and potential benefits.
The next question is, where would the second hotel go? Part of me suspects it'll also be in Orlando (maybe it'll be the Port hotel lol) but I think BGT probably needs it more than any other location in the whole chain with how awful the lodging options are in Temple Terrace.

 

[ParkRumors]

The second hotel is a much smaller hotel located very very close to Discovery Cove - “Project Canopy” - still waiting on the DRC files to be uploaded for that one but should be any day now.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Hoping for an updated park entrance in the next few years - I love Pipeline but they pretty much left up all of the construction walls for it, which has now created an awkward park entrance. They're upgrading the parking lot (hoping for a better exit route) so hopefully its a phased project.

 

[GAcoaster]

I think it's in the "pipeline"-- all parks are upgrading their entrance plazas with the changes in ticketing. There's no need for so many ticket booths, and enhanced security screening is here to stay, so it's time to fix the admission process to reflect that.

It looks like they're getting ready to reconfigure the parking lot since they removed those "islands"-- maybe they'll make the preferred and VIP parking more permanent.