Hotel delayed until at least 2027 from SeaWorld owner United Parks
United Parks & Resorts no longer plans to open its first hotel in 2026 near a SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, or Sesame Place park.
The first onsite hotel at a United theme park (as opposed to nearby partner hotels owned by other companies) won’t open until at least 2027, United executives shared on the company’s quarterly earnings call on Feb. 26, 2025.
That being said, onsite hotel accommodations remain a long-term goal for United, which owns SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place theme parks across the U.S.
A slide titled “Strategic Initiatives Update” during the Feb. 26 presentation included the following information:
Hotels
Excited about the opportunity to integrate hotels into our properties
Taking our time to ensure we optimize our outcome
No longer plan to open first hotel in 2026
Ultimate decision will be in the best interest of the company and its stakeholders
Continuing internal analysis, including discussions with various development, management, and brand partners
Executives on the call did not name a specific location for the hotel, but the company previously filed permits for two separate hotel projects connected to SeaWorld Orlando and its next-door boutique park, Discovery Cove, under the codenames “Project Starboard” and “Project Canopy.”
During a previous earnings call in November 2024, United CEO Marc Swanson stated, “We are excited about the opportunity to monetize … unused land holdings and have hotels integrated into our properties.”
What would you like to see happen at a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens hotel?
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.
j
