SeaWorld corporate parent takes new name: United Parks & Resorts
Orlando-based SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. is undergoing a name change. As of Feb. 12, the company will be known as United Parks & Resorts Inc.
The move won’t affect the names of the company’s theme parks and attractions, including SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica water park and Discovery Cove in Central Florida. The company operates seven theme-park and water-park brands in 13 locations across the United States and, as of last year, in Abu Dhabi.
“Our new company name, United Parks & Resorts Inc., better reflects that we have been, and will continue to be, a diverse collection of park brands and experiences,” CEO Marc Swanson said in a news release Tuesday.
“What also remains unchanged is our deep commitment to creating experiences that matter for our guests and inspiring them to help protect animals and the wild wonders of the world,” Swanson said.
The publicly traded company’s stock ticker symbol on the New York York Stock Exchange will change from SEAS to PRKS. That will kick in Feb. 13; that’s also when the company’s main website will become UnitedParks.com.
Epic event: Universal Orlando drops details about new theme park
Epic Universe theme park will feature a dueling coaster named Starfall Racers in its Celestial Park area, a new Wizarding World of Harry Potter land, roaming monsters and “How to Train Your Dragon” attractions, Universal Orlando confirmed Tuesday.
The under-construction park is scheduled to open in 2025. Epic Universe was announced in 2019, but the company has shared details about the attractions sparingly.
Tuesday’s news release represents the first major bundle of park details, and it concentrated on Celestial Park, the first area that visitors will encounter at Epic. Universal said it will consist of gardens and waterways, Constellation Carousel, the Astronomica wet-play area, dining options and shopping establishments.
Celestial Park then will serve as a portal to four other lands, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World and Dark Universe, home of the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein. This announcement marks the first confirmation of the lands by the company.
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