United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS)

United Parks & Resorts Inc. operates as a leading theme park and entertainment company, providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of the world. The company owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, and Sesame Place. Over its more than 65-year history, United Parks & Resorts Inc. has developed a diversified portfolio of 13 differentiated theme parks grouped in key markets across the United States and in the United Arab Emirates, featuring zoological collections, thrill and family-friendly rides, educational presentations, shows, and other attractions with broad demographic appeal.

United Parks & Resorts Inc. generates revenue primarily from selling admission to its theme parks and from purchases of food, merchandise, and other items within its theme parks. The company also earns revenue from in-park offerings such as food and beverage services, merchandise retail, group events, corporate sponsorships, and strategic alliances. Additionally, United Parks & Resorts Inc. leverages its brands through consumer products and licensing arrangements, including partnerships with Sesame Street and Build-A-Bear, and incorporates characters like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ into park holiday programs under license agreements.

The company operates through the following segments:

• SeaWorld: This segment encompasses the marine-life theme parks under the SeaWorld brand, offering up-close interactive animal experiences, educational presentations, special dining, and a variety of thrill and family-friendly attractions. The SeaWorld portfolio includes SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld Orlando, and SeaWorld San Antonio, each featuring animal habitats, rides, and shows. These parks are known for their marine mammal care and rescue efforts, with attractions such as Mako, Emperor, and Arctic Rescue.

• Busch Gardens: This segment includes family-oriented theme parks designed to immerse guests in international geographic settings, renowned for thrill rides, entertainment, zoological offerings, and beautiful landscaping. The Busch Gardens portfolio consists of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg, featuring rides like Iron Gwazi, Pantheon, and The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge, along with animal habitats and seasonal events. These parks emphasize conservation education and high-energy theatrical productions.

• Aquatica: This segment comprises premium, family-oriented water parks in a South Seas-themed tropical setting, positioned as companions to SeaWorld theme parks. The Aquatica portfolio includes Aquatica Orlando and Aquatica San Antonio, featuring state-of-the-art water attractions, white-sand beaches, and innovative marine animal presentations. Attractions such as Riptide Race, Tassie's Underwater Twist, and Turi's Kid Cove are highlighted, with Aquatica Orlando ranked among the top attended water parks in North America.

• Discovery Cove: This segment operates a 58-acre, reservations-only, all-inclusive marine life theme park located next to SeaWorld Orlando, offering premium culinary offerings and intimate animal interactions. Discovery Cove provides guests with opportunities to interact with dolphins and sharks, snorkel with tropical fish, wade in lagoons with stingrays, and hand-feed birds in a free-flight aviary. The park was the first all-inclusive day resort in the U. S. to be designated a Certified Autism Center and emphasizes personalized, educational experiences.

• Sesame Place: This segment consists of theme parks entirely dedicated to the Sesame Street television show, sharing the company’s education and learning through entertainment philosophy. The Sesame Place portfolio includes Sesame Place Philadelphia and Sesame Place San Diego, featuring dry and water rides, play areas, meet-and-greets, shows, and parades themed to Sesame Street. Attractions such as Oscar's Wacky Taxi, Bert & Ernie's Splashy Shores, and 123 Playground are offered, with Sesame Place Philadelphia being the first theme park in the world to achieve Certified Autism Center designation.

• Water Country USA: This segment operates Virginia’s largest family water park on 222 acres, featuring a 1950s and 1960s surf theme with state-of-the-art water rides and attractions. Located near Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Water Country USA includes attractions such as High Tide Harbor, Nitro Racer: Supercharged, and Riptide Race, and was ranked among the top attended water parks in North America. The park emphasizes family-friendly experiences and seasonal events.

• Adventure Island: This segment features a 56-acre water park adjacent to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, incorporating a Key West theme with water rides, dining, and other attractions. Adventure Island includes attractions such as Castaway Falls, Rapids Racer, and Wahoo Remix, and was ranked among the top attended water parks in North America. The park complements the nearby Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme park with synchronized light and sound elements on select rides.

United Parks & Resorts Inc. holds a strong competitive position in the global theme park industry, benefiting from its powerful brands, extensive zoological collection, and valuable real estate assets. The company competes directly with major operators such as The Walt Disney Company, Universal Parks and Resorts, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Merlin Entertainments Ltd., and Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company. Its differentiated offerings, including unique animal encounters and educational programs, provide a complementary experience to fantasy-themed parks, supported by significant capital investments in attractions and infrastructure.

United Parks & Resorts Inc. serves a broad demographic base of guests, including regional visitors, domestic tourists, and international travelers across its theme parks in the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The company attracts families, teens, and thrill-seekers through its diverse mix of educational, family-friendly, and high-thrill attractions, with specific appeal to those interested in marine life, conservation, and character-based experiences from brands like Sesame Street.