SeaWorld Orlando Adapting to Hurricanes By Moving Indoors

Florida’s theme parks are no strangers to hurricanes, and 2024 has proven to be another challenging year. With hurricanes such as Helene and Milton impacting operations, the effects of extreme weather are taking a significant toll on both attendance and revenue. That’s why SeaWorld Orlando is taking proactive measures to adapt to these changing conditions.

Florida’s geography makes it a hurricane hotspot, with the peak of the season running from June to November. Hurricanes and tropical storms have the potential to disrupt theme park operations, especially when storms move into the state with little warning.

Credit: Jamie S., Disney Fanatic

This year, hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread closures and disruptions at many of Florida’s major theme parks. In September, Helene forced the cancellation of popular events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort. Both SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens had to temporarily close their gates for safety.

A few weeks later, Milton brought more disruption, heading straight for Central Florida. In response, all Orlando theme parks shut down for at least a day. Guests at these parks were asked to shelter at their resorts until the storm passed. Minor damage occurred at Disney World, such as flooding at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and roof damage at the Polynesian Village Resort, impacting weeks’ worth of reservations.

Credit: SeaWorld

SeaWorld Orlando also experienced some damage. Photos later surfaced showing a hole in the side of its iconic Journey to Atlantis attraction – although, fortunately, the damage only seemed to be cosmetic.

The impact of these storms isn’t just about physical damage—attendance and revenue are also affected. In a recent earnings call, SeaWorld Orlando reported that hurricanes were a major factor in their lower-than-expected attendance for the third quarter of 2024.

This is not an isolated issue; climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and theme parks are feeling the pressure. In addition to hurricanes, extreme heat also poses a growing challenge for parks in the region.

Credit: SeaWorld

SeaWorld’s response to these ongoing weather challenges is a strategic shift toward more indoor attractions. Currently, many of the park’s major rides, including Manta, Kraken, and the recently opened Penguin Trek, are outdoor rides that must close during heavy rain, wind, or lightning.

This means that in the event of a storm or extreme weather, most of the park’s rides become inaccessible, forcing the park to close its doors to guests. To combat this issue, SeaWorld is investing in indoor attractions that can remain operational during adverse weather conditions.

Marc Swanson, CEO of United Parks & Resorts, which operates both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, discussed the park’s plans to expand its indoor offerings. According to Swanson, SeaWorld is “trying to do more indoor attractions” to provide guests with more options during rainy or hot weather (via Attractions Magazine). The park is also focusing on building shaded areas and offering enhanced drink programs to help guests cope with the Florida heat.

Credit: SeaWorld

One notable addition to the park’s lineup is an indoor flying theater ride scheduled to open in 2025. This ride will simulate a journey over the Arctic, offering a cool escape from the summer heat. The ride takes inspiration from a similar attraction at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, where the entire park is designed to be indoors, specifically to combat the extreme heat of the UAE.

SeaWorld’s shift toward indoor attractions marks a significant departure from its previous focus on outdoor thrill rides. The change comes in the wake of criticism over the use of marine mammals, particularly killer whales, for entertainment. Since the release of the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which criticized SeaWorld for keeping orcas in captivity, all three U.S. SeaWorld parks have seen a decline in attendance.

Credit: SeaWorld

As climate change continues to affect the theme park industry, SeaWorld’s indoor attraction strategy may serve as a model for other parks facing similar challenges. Whether more theme parks will follow suit remains to be seen, but it’s clear that investing in indoor options could be a crucial part of future-proofing these entertainment hubs.

What do you think of SeaWorld’s strategy?