Guide to United Parks & Resorts

United Parks & Resorts operates eight theme parks, four water parks, and one marine park. This includes two Busch Gardens theme parks, four SeaWorld locations, and two Sesame Place parks.

Busch Gardens’ history dates back to March 31, 1959, when Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was opened to promote the Anheuser-Busch brand. SeaWorld’s history dates back to the opening of SeaWorld San Diego on March 21, 1964, by four UCLA graduates.

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United Parks & Resorts Properties

1. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay — Park Rovers Guide to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

   • Tampa, Florida

   • Opening date: March 31, 1959

   • Area: 365 acres

   • Water park: Adventure Island

2. Busch Gardens Williamsburg — Park Rovers Guide to Busch Gardens Williamsburg

   • Williamsburg, Virginia

   • Opening date: May 16, 1975

   • Area: 389 acres

   • Water park: Water Country USA

3. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi — Park Rovers Guide to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

   • Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

   • Opening date: May 24, 2023

   • Area: 166 acres

4. SeaWorld Orlando — Park Rovers Guide to SeaWorld Orlando

   • Orlando, Florida

   • Opening date: December 15, 1973

   • Area: 200 acres

   • Water park: Aquatica

   • Marine park: Discovery Cove

5. SeaWorld San Antonio — Park Rovers Guide to SeaWorld San Antonio

   • San Antonio, Texas

   • Opening date: May 27, 1988

   • Area: 255 acres

   • Water park: Aquatica

6. SeaWorld San Diego — Park Rovers Guide to SeaWorld San Diego

   • San Diego, California

   • Opening date: March 21, 1964

   • Area: 189 acres

7. Sesame Place Philadelphia — Park Rovers Guide to Sesame Place Philadelphia

   • Langhorne, Pennsylvania

   • Opening date: July 30, 1980

   • Area: 14 acres

8. Sesame Place San Diego — Park Rovers Guide to Sesame Place San Diego

   • San Diego, California

   • Opening date: May 31, 1997 (as Whitewater Canyon)

   • Area: 17 acres

Former United Parks & Resorts Properties

1. Boardwalk and Baseball

   • Haines City, Florida

   • Purchased by Busch Entertainment Corporation in September 1989 and closed in January 1990

2. Busch Gardens Houston

   • Houston Texas

   • Years operated: 1971 – 1972

3. Busch Gardens Los Angeles

   • Los Angeles, California

   • Years operated: 1964 – 1979

4. Cypress Gardens

   • Winter Haven, Florida

   • Years operated by SeaWorld: 1989 – 2009

   • Sold to Merlin Entertainments in 2010

5. Pasadena’s Busch Gardens

   • Pasadena, California

   • Years operated: 1905 – 1937

6. Port Aventura (joint venture)

   • Salou, Spain

   • Years operated: 1995 – 1998

   • Sold to Universal Parks & Resorts

7. SeaWorld Ohio

   • Aurora, Ohio

   • Years operated: 1970 – 2000

   • Sold to Six Flags

8. Sesame Place

   • Irving, Texas

   • Years operated: 1982 – 1984