Two new SeaWorld parks planned internationally, ‘concept development’ in progress
SeaWorld parent company United Parks & Resorts plans to open two additional international theme parks, having begun “concept development” for one of them.
Marc Swanson, CEO of United, expressed these plans during the company’s quarterly earnings call with investors on Nov. 7, 2025.
On our international opportunities, we are in active discussions with multiple potential partners. We signed one MOU during the quarter with an international partner and have since entered a development advisory agreement and have begun concept development work. We expect to sign at least one additional MOU in the coming months.
MOU refers to Memorandums of Understanding, or agreement between United Parks & Resorts and a potential international partner.
Back in August 2025, Swanson first revealed United was “in active discussions with multiple potential partners.”
Photo by Tharin White
Swanson later mentioned SeaWorld Abu Dhabi — which opened in 2023 and represents a partnership with Miral — as an example of what a future international park’s ownership and operations could look like.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is currently United’s only park outside the U.S. Its domestic properties include SeaWorld parks in Orlando, Fla.; San Antonio, Texas; and San Diego, Calif.; as well as a collection of Busch Gardens and Sesame Place theme parks and water parks.
Also during the August call, Swanson mentioned United’s plans for more intellectual property in its parks, shared an attendance update for SeaWorld Orlando in context to the opening of competitor park Epic Universe down the road, and expressed interest in a SeaWorld Orlando expansion.
More Attractions Magazine stories:
Follow us:
No matter where you want to go, our trusted partner MEI-Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations. Visit MEI-Travel for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
Lovliy
Sea World Orlando was on our “wish to see 1980” list for our yearly 2 weeks vacation to the USA. After a week to ride the waves, swin, walk on the sand of the famous Daytona Beach, we wish to see what’s under my oceanview.
Best place to see, learn and play, we add a day at Sea World on our 2nd week. Wow, I found in real what I ever saw in my child books about the marine animals, coral, fishs and more.
It was 45 years ago. My last visit to Sea World was during an event just before USA Thanksgiving week at Orlando Orange County Convention Center in 2023. It was a real pleasure to discover the parks with Xmas lights, colourfull trees, new rides, new food and more. Bonus: I saw penguins and bought a beautiful xmas tree ornement.
My wish is to visit Epic Universe when my doctors authorized a new visit to my must have vacation list. Guess what is my “Must have vacation object list”? Have fun in Orlando.
Instead of new parks they should pay their Zoological staff a living wage. They haven’t been given a wage increase of any kind since 2019. Experience is walking out because they aren’t getting paid enough to live. Instead they let them, then hire eager kids fresh out of school for $14 an hour and say “we can teach them”. Who? Who is going to teach them? We have all left.