Update September 2025: It appears the strategy may have worked as United Parks (SeaWorld parent company) announced that SeaWorld Orlando’s attendance was up in the 2nd quarter of 2025 post Epic Universe’s opening. It’s rare that United Parks announces park specific performance, so it’s obvious they were trying to make a point. CEO Marc Swanson said, “Our attendance at our SeaWorld Orlando park has been up in attendance since Epic opened on May 22,” he said. “It was up for the full second quarter, and it was up if you measured from the date Epic opened through the end of the second quarter. It continues to be up quarter to date in the third quarter through Aug. 6 on a day-to-day basis.” Swanson also said attendance was up at its Aquatica Orlando water park and Discovery Cove, and revenue also was up in Orlando.

“Our attendance at our SeaWorld Orlando park has been up in attendance since Epic opened on May 22,” he said. “It was up for the full second quarter, and it was up if you measured from the date Epic opened through the end of the second quarter. It continues to be up quarter to date in the third quarter through Aug. 6 on a day-to-day basis.

Marc Swanson – United Parks (SeaWorld) CEO

Epic Universe opens May 22, 2025 and its near literal neighbor in SeaWorld Orlando no doubt has been planning for this for some time. It can be said a rising tide raises all boats, so while more people coming to the Orlando area is a positive, there is also competition for people’s limited vacation days and dollars. If you go to SeaWorld’s site you’ll see two things dominantly displayed, the new Expedition Odyssey ride and free beer!

 “Expedition Odyssey” opened earlier this Month, taking over the park’s former “Wild Arctic” simulator ride building. This is a flying theater concept similar to Disney’s Soarin’ rides, but incorporating an animal encounter at the end. The ride allows guests to soar, dive, twist and glide through the Arctic using real footage captured on an actual expedition. SeaWorld worked with Mack Rides on the attraction are are using their new Airific flying theater model. The ride has reviewed pretty well as not necessarily being groundbreaking, but a great addition to the park, especially being indoors on hot or rainy Florida afternoons.

Free beer is also back! Guests  aged 21 and older can enjoy one complimentary 7 oz ice-cold draft beer and SeaWorld Orlando Pass Members will receive two free 7-ounce samples, per day at the Waterway Grill Patio. Free beer will be available from noon until 1 hour before park close each day with the Waterway Grill Patio being located near the Infinity Falls water ride. In past years there were usually a couple of choices for the free beer, often a domestic paired with a craft beer or cider. The staff will simply scan your ticket or pass and you’ll walk away with free beer.

So SeaWorld is trying to give people a couple of great reasons to visit the park the next couple months. Epic Universe will get a bunch of press, but no doubt it will be both busy and potentially sell out some days. A new indoor ride, some free beer and some discounted tickets may be perfect to convince locals and some visitors to visit the park for a day.