United Parks & Resorts reported lower first-quarter attendance and revenue, partly offset by higher in-park guest spending.
United Parks Q1 2026 results showed weaker attendance and revenue for the three months to 31 March 2026. The Orlando-based operator reported the figures on 11 May, citing unfavourable weather and lower international visitation as the main pressures.
United Parks & Resorts Inc. recorded attendance of 3.2 million guests. That was down by about 171,000 guests, or 5.0%, against the first quarter of 2025. Total revenue fell 3.0% to $278.3m.
The company reported a net loss of $34.1m. That compared with a net loss of $16.1m in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA reached $58.0m, down $9.5m year on year.
The key operational signal came from guest spend. Total revenue per capita rose 2.1% to $86.43. In-park per capita spending increased 5.3% to $40.62, which the company described as a record.
Admission per capita moved the other way. It declined 0.5% to $45.81. United Parks said this reflected lower realised pricing on some admission products and a different admissions mix.
Marc Swanson, chief executive officer of United Parks & Resorts Inc., said: ‘First quarter results fell short of our expectations primarily due to unfavorable weather.’ He said attendance lost about 140,000 guests due to weather and 80,000 due to lower international visitation.
The same update gave a clearer view of early-season demand. Swanson said paid pass sales rose about 10% during the quarter. He added that paid pass sales were up about 12% through 30 April 2026.
Capital allocation also featured in the United Parks Q1 2026 results. The company repurchased about 2.6 million shares for roughly $92.7m during the quarter. It bought a further 1.8 million shares for about $64.8m through 8 May.
United Parks also confirmed its 2026 park investment pipeline. Listed additions include Barracuda Strike at SeaWorld San Antonio, Shark Encounter at SeaWorld San Diego, Lion & Hyena Ridge at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Verbolten – Forbidden Turn at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Expedition Odyssey at SeaWorld Orlando.
Image: United Parks
