UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021

or

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to            

Commission File Number: 001-35883

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	27-1220297
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6240 Sea Harbor Drive  Orlando, Florida	32821
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (407) 226-5011

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	SEAS	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
Emerging growth company	☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

The registrant had outstanding 79,062,182 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share as of May 3, 2021.

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page No.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		1
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	3
Item 1.	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	3
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	3
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss	4
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity	5
	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	6
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	20
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	30
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	31
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	32
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	32
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	32
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	32
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	32
Item 5.	Other Information	32
Item 6.	Exhibits	33
	Signatures	34

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, beliefs, business strategies, future events, business conditions, our results of operations, financial position and our business outlook, business trends and other information, may be forward-looking statements. Words such as “might,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “estimates,” “expects,” “continues,” “contemplates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “intends,” “believes,” “forecasts,” “future,” “targeted,” “goal” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon our current expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections, and various assumptions, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Our expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections will result or be achieved and actual results may vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements.

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, the risks, uncertainties and factors set forth under “Item 1A.  Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Annual Report on Form 10-K”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and under “Part II, Item 1A., Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, including this report, and are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, including the following:

• the effects of the global Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, or any related mutations of the virus, on our business and the economy in general;

• complex federal and state regulations governing the treatment of animals, which can change, and claims and lawsuits by activist groups before government regulators and in the courts;

• activist and other third-party groups and/or media can pressure governmental agencies, vendors, partners, and/or regulators, bring action in the courts or create negative publicity about us;

• various factors beyond our control adversely affecting attendance and guest spending at our theme parks, including, but not limited to, weather, natural disasters, foreign exchange rates, consumer confidence, the potential spread of travel-related health concerns including pandemics and epidemics, travel related concerns, and governmental actions;

• incidents or adverse publicity concerning our theme parks, the theme park industry and/or zoological facilities;

• a decline in discretionary consumer spending or consumer confidence;

• a significant portion of our revenues have historically been generated in the States of Florida, California and Virginia, and any risks affecting such markets, such as natural disasters, closures due to pandemics, severe weather and travel-related disruptions or incidents;

• seasonal fluctuations in operating results;

• inability to compete effectively in the highly competitive theme park industry;

• interactions between animals and our employees and our guests at attractions at our theme parks;

• animal exposure to infectious disease;

• high fixed cost structure of theme park operations;

• changing consumer tastes and preferences;

• cyber security risks and failure to maintain the integrity of internal or guest data;

• technology interruptions or failures that impair access to our websites and/or information technology systems;

• increased labor costs, including minimum wage increases, and employee health and welfare benefits;

• inability to grow our business or fund theme park capital expenditures;

• adverse litigation judgments or settlements;

• inability to protect our intellectual property or the infringement on intellectual property rights of others;

• the loss of licenses and permits required to exhibit animals or the violation of laws and regulations;

• loss of key personnel;

• unionization activities and/or labor disputes;

• inability to meet workforce needs;

• inability to realize the benefits of developments, restructurings, acquisitions or other strategic initiatives, and the impact of the costs associated with such activities;

• inability to maintain certain commercial licenses;

1

• restrictions in our debt agreements limiting flexibility in operating our business;

• changes in the method for determining LIBOR and the potential replacement of LIBOR may affect our cost of capital;

• inability to retain our current credit ratings;

• our substantial leverage;

• inadequate insurance coverage;

• inability to purchase or contract with third party manufacturers for rides and attractions or construction delays;

• environmental regulations, expenditures and liabilities;

• suspension or termination of any of our business licenses, including by legislation at federal, state or local levels;

• delays, restrictions or inability to obtain or maintain permits;

• financial distress of strategic partners or other counterparties;

• changes to immigration, foreign trade, investments and/or other policies;

• inability to realize the full value of our intangible assets;

• changes in tax laws;

• tariffs or other trade restrictions;

• actions of activist stockholders;

• the ability of Hill Path Capital LP to significantly influence our decisions;

• changes or declines in our stock price, as well as the risk that securities analysts could downgrade our stock or our sector; and

• risks associated with our capital allocation plans and share repurchases, including the risk that our share repurchase program could increase volatility and fail to enhance stockholder value.

We caution you that the risks, uncertainties and other factors referenced above may not contain all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that are important to you. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results, benefits or developments that we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our business in the way expected. There can be no assurance that (i) we have correctly measured or identified all of the factors affecting our business or the extent of these factors’ likely impact, (ii) the available information with respect to these factors on which such analysis is based is complete or accurate, (iii) such analysis is correct or (iv) our strategy, which is based in part on this analysis, will be successful. All forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q apply only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or as of the date they were made or as otherwise specified herein and, except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” or “SeaWorld” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q mean SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. 

Website and Social Media Disclosure

We use our websites (www.seaworldentertainment.com and www.seaworldinvestors.com) and our corporate Twitter account (@SeaWorld) as channels of distribution of Company information.  The information we post through these channels may be deemed material.  Accordingly, investors should monitor these channels, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.  In addition, you may automatically receive e-mail alerts and other information about SeaWorld when you enroll your e-mail address by visiting the “E-mail Alerts” section of our website at www.seaworldinvestors.com. The contents of our website and social media channels are not, however, a part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Trademarks, Service Marks and Trade Names

We own or have rights to use a number of registered and common law trademarks, service marks and trade names in connection with our business in the United States and in certain foreign jurisdictions, including SeaWorld Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, SeaWorld^®, Shamu^®, Busch Gardens^®, Aquatica^®, Discovery Cove^®, Sea Rescue^® and other names and marks that identify our theme parks, characters, rides, attractions and other businesses. In addition, we have certain rights to use Sesame Street^® marks, characters and related indicia through our license agreement with Sesame Workshop.

Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks, and trade names referred to hereafter in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors to these trademarks, service marks, and trade names. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain additional trademarks, service marks and trade names of others, which are the property of their respective owners. All trademarks, service marks and trade names appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are, to our knowledge, the property of their respective owners.

2

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	March 31,			December 31,
	2021			2020
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	430,567		$	433,909
Accounts receivable, net		52,978			30,410
Inventories		28,850			30,700
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		19,908			12,418
Total current assets		532,303			507,437
Property and equipment, at cost		3,289,307			3,272,705
Accumulated depreciation		(1,646,260	)		(1,611,745	)
Property and equipment, net		1,643,047			1,660,960
Goodwill		66,278			66,278
Trade names/trademarks, net		157,000			157,000
Right of use assets-operating leases		134,846			136,572
Deferred tax assets, net		24,442			22,847
Other assets, net		15,451			15,264
Total assets	$	2,573,367		$	2,566,358
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	102,803		$	105,369
Current maturities of long-term debt		15,505			15,505
Operating lease liabilities		3,287			3,757
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits		15,027			10,781
Deferred revenue		193,374			130,759
Other accrued liabilities		41,348			50,950
Total current liabilities		371,344			317,121
Long-term debt, net		2,174,978			2,177,137
Long-term operating lease liabilities		119,003			120,144
Deferred tax liabilities, net		11,595			15,772
Other liabilities		42,239			41,987
Total liabilities		2,719,159			2,672,161
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders’ Deficit:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value—authorized, 100,000,000 shares, no shares issued    or outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020		—			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized, 1,000,000,000 shares; 94,858,445 and 94,652,248 shares issued at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively		948			946
Additional paid-in capital		685,253			680,360
Accumulated deficit		(416,684	)		(371,800	)
Treasury stock, at cost (16,260,248 shares at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020)		(415,309	)		(415,309	)
Total stockholders’ deficit		(145,792	)		(105,803	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	2,573,367		$	2,566,358

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020
Net revenues:
Admissions	$	95,780		$	90,506
Food, merchandise and other		76,140			63,055
Total revenues		171,920			153,561
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and other revenues		14,942			13,104
Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown    separately below)		107,772			132,999
Selling, general and administrative expenses		31,464			26,954
Severance and other separation costs		86			65
Depreciation and amortization		36,558			38,013
Total costs and expenses		190,822			211,135
Operating loss		(18,902	)		(57,574	)
Other expense (income), net		174			(12	)
Interest expense		30,956			19,153
Loss before income taxes		(50,032	)		(76,715	)
Benefit from income taxes		(5,148	)		(20,196	)
Net loss	$	(44,884	)	$	(56,519	)
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized income on derivatives, net of tax		—			704
Comprehensive loss	$	(44,884	)	$	(55,815	)
Loss per share:
Net loss per share, basic	$	(0.57	)	$	(0.72	)
Net loss per share, diluted	$	(0.57	)	$	(0.72	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		78,458			78,213
Diluted		78,458			78,213

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY

(In thousands, except share amounts)

	Shares of Common Stock			Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income		Treasury Stock, at Cost			Total Stockholders' Deficit
Balance at December 31, 2020		94,652,248		$	946	$	680,360		$	(371,800	)	$	—	$	(415,309	)	$	(105,803	)
Equity-based compensation		—			—		4,473			—			—		—			4,473
Vesting of restricted shares		130,834			1		(1	)		—			—		—			—
Shares withheld for tax withholdings		(41,271	)		—		(1,971	)		—			—		—			(1,971	)
Exercise of stock options		116,634			1		2,392			—			—		—			2,393
Net loss		—			—		—			(44,884	)		—		—			(44,884	)
Balance at March 31, 2021		94,858,445		$	948	$	685,253		$	(416,684	)	$	—	$	(415,309	)	$	(145,792	)

	Shares of Common Stock			Common Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income			Treasury Stock, at Cost			Total Stockholders' Equity
Balance at December 31, 2019		94,044,203		$	940		$	673,893		$	(59,479	)	$	(1,559	)	$	(402,903	)	$	210,892
Equity-based compensation		—			—			(3,601	)		—			—			—			(3,601	)
Unrealized gain on derivatives, net of tax expense of $254		—			—			—			—			704			—			704
Vesting of restricted shares		410,807			4			(4	)		—			—			—			—
Shares withheld for tax withholdings		(121,089	)		(1	)		(3,159	)		—			—			—			(3,160	)
Exercise of stock options		11,096			—			203			—			—			—			203
Adjustments to previous dividend declarations		—			—			1			—			—			—			1
Repurchase of 469,785 shares of treasury stock, at cost		—			—			—			—			—			(12,406	)		(12,406	)
Net loss		—			—			—			(56,519	)		—			—			(56,519	)
Balance at March 31, 2020		94,345,017		$	943		$	667,333		$	(115,998	)	$	(855	)	$	(415,309	)	$	136,114

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net loss	$	(44,884	)	$	(56,519	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		36,558			38,013
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts		1,717			822
Deferred income tax benefit		(5,773	)		(20,805	)
Equity-based compensation		4,473			(3,601	)
Other, including loss on sale or disposal of assets, net		487			(594	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(28,548	)		7,005
Inventories		1,854			(1,459	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(2,533	)		(9,586	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(2,226	)		13,720
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits		4,246			(3,156	)
Deferred revenue		66,386			25,875
Other accrued liabilities		(11,887	)		(28,349	)
Right of use assets and operating lease liabilities		115			133
Other assets and liabilities		(1,592	)		(2,266	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		18,393			(40,767	)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures		(15,298	)		(49,249	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(15,298	)		(49,249	)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Repayments of long-term debt		(3,876	)		(3,876	)
Proceeds from draws on revolving credit facility		—			272,500
Repayments of revolving credit facility		—			(10,000	)
Purchase of treasury stock		—			(12,406	)
Payment of tax withholdings on equity-based compensation through shares withheld		(1,971	)		(3,160	)
Exercise of stock options		2,393			203
Debt issuance costs		—			(234	)
Other financing activities		(2,158	)		(208	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(5,612	)		242,819
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents, including Restricted Cash		(2,517	)		152,803
Cash and Cash Equivalents, including Restricted Cash—Beginning of period		435,225			40,925
Cash and Cash Equivalents, including Restricted Cash—End of period	$	432,708		$	193,728
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
Capital expenditures in accounts payable	$	15,763		$	41,208
Other financing arrangements	$	4,239		$	—

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Description of the Business

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. (“SEA”) (collectively, the “Company”), owns and operates twelve theme parks within the United States. The Company operates SeaWorld theme parks in Orlando, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; and San Diego, California; and Busch Gardens theme parks in Tampa, Florida; and Williamsburg, Virginia. The Company operates water park attractions in Orlando, Florida (Aquatica); San Antonio, Texas (Aquatica); San Diego, California (Aquatica); Tampa, Florida (Adventure Island); and Williamsburg, Virginia (Water Country USA). The Company also operates a reservations-only theme park in Orlando, Florida (Discovery Cove) and a seasonal park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania (Sesame Place).

Impact of Global COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and in compliance with government restrictions, the Company temporarily closed all of its theme parks effective March 16, 2020. Beginning in June 2020, the Company began the phased reopening of some of its parks with enhanced health, safety and cleaning measures, capacity limitations and modified/limited operations, which at times included reduced hours and/or reduced operating days.  By August 2020, the Company had reopened 10 of its 12 parks on a limited basis. The Company was unable to reopen its Aquatica water park in California and its Water Country USA water park in Virginia for the 2020 operating season but currently expects to open both parks for their 2021 operating season.  

The Company’s SeaWorld park in California initially reopened in August 2020 on a limited basis, following the State of California’s guidance for reopening zoos.  In compliance with revised guidance issued late in the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company once again had to close this park effective December 7, 2020.  On January 15, 2021, the Company introduced a limited time drive-through only experience for guests at this park. Based on updated State of California guidance, the Company reopened this park on February 6, 2021 on a limited basis, once again following California guidance for reopening zoos. Subsequently, on April 12, 2021, in accordance with California guidance, this park resumed operations as a theme park with restricted capacity.

Attendance for the Company’s Busch Gardens park in Virginia has also been significantly impacted by state restrictions. Initially the State of Virginia had a state mandated capacity restriction of 1,000 guests at a time. On October 29, 2020, the state revised its theme park guidance and modified the methodology for calculating capacity at theme parks.  As a result, capacity at this park increased from 1,000 guests to approximately 4,000 guests at a time. On February 1, 2021, in consultation with the State of Virginia, the Company further increased capacity to approximately 6,000 guests at a time based on further revisions to the methodology for calculating restricted capacity at theme parks.  The Company was able to further increase capacity for this park on April 1, 2021 to approximately 13,000 guests.

The Company continues to operate all of its open parks with capacity limitations and modified/limited operations in accordance with local laws applicable to each park. The Company continuously monitors guidance from federal, state and local authorities and engages with governmental authorities as well as medical/scientific consultants. The Company may adjust its plans accordingly as laws change and new information and guidance becomes available.  The COVID-19 pandemic, resulting park closures and limited park reopenings have had, and are likely to continue to have, a material impact on the Company’s financial results.  

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Therefore, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2020 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.  The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In the opinion of management, such unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods, but are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2021 or any future period due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s operations.  Based upon historical results, the Company typically generates its highest revenues in the second and third quarters of each year and incurs a net loss in the first and fourth quarters, in part because seven of its theme parks were historically only open for a portion of the year.  However, during the first quarter of 2021, the Company added additional operating days for three of these parks.  In particular, the Company began year-round operations at its SeaWorld park in Texas and began to operate on select days at its Busch Gardens park in Virginia and its Sesame Place park in Pennsylvania.

7

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which ultimately led to temporary park closures effective on March 16, 2020. The timing of these park closures fell during historically high-volume spring break weeks for most of the Company’s parks. The Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due in part to capacity limitations and modified/limited operations.  

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including SEA. All intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, the accounting for self-insurance, deferred tax assets and liabilities, deferred revenue, equity compensation, and the valuation of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. Estimates are based on various factors including current and historical trends, as well as other pertinent industry data.  The Company regularly evaluates this information to determine if it is necessary to update the basis for its estimates and to adjust for known changes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. Based on the uncertainty relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to the extent, duration and impact of government restrictions, capacity limitations due to social distancing guidelines, public sentiment on social gatherings, travel and attendance patterns, travel restrictions, effectiveness and adoption of vaccines, potential supply chain disruptions and additional actions which could be taken by government authorities to manage the pandemic, the Company is not certain of the ultimate impact the COVID-19 pandemic could have on its estimates, business or results of operations.

Segment Reporting

The Company maintains discrete financial information for each of its twelve theme parks, which is used by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), identified as the Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent role, as a basis for allocating resources and assessing performance. Each theme park has been identified as an operating segment and meets the criteria for aggregation due to similar economic characteristics. In addition, all of the Company’s theme parks provide similar products and services and share similar processes for delivering services. The theme parks have a high degree of similarity in the workforces and target similar consumer groups. Accordingly, based on these economic and operational similarities and the way the CODM monitors and makes decisions affecting the operations, the Company has concluded that its operating segments may be aggregated and that it has one reportable segment.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash is recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Restricted cash consists primarily of funds received from strategic partners for use in approved marketing and promotional activities.

	March 31,		December 31,
	2021		2020
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	430,567	$	433,909
Restricted cash, included in prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,141		1,316
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	432,708	$	435,225

Revenue Recognition

Admissions revenue primarily consists of single-day tickets, annual or season passes or other multi-day or multi-park admission products.  For single-day tickets, the Company recognizes revenue at a point in time, upon admission to the park.  Annual passes, season passes, or other multi-day or multi-park passes allow guests access to specific parks over a specified time period. For these pass and multi-use products, revenue is deferred and recognized over the terms of the admission product based on estimated redemption rates for similar products and is adjusted periodically. For pass products purchased on an installment plan that have met their initial commitment period and have transitioned to a month-to-month basis, monthly charges are recognized as revenue as payments are received each month, with the exception of payments received during the temporary park closures (see further discussion which follows).

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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company estimates future redemption and recognition patterns for admission pass products, which impacts the timing of when revenue is recognized on these products. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates depending on the ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  As a result of the temporary park closures due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, the Company upgraded some of its pass products and extended pass expiration dates for at least the equivalent period the related parks were closed.  As a result, the Company adjusted its estimated redemption and recognition patterns on these products to reflect the fact that there was no attendance during the park closures and accordingly the Company did not recognize revenue from these admission products while the parks were closed. For passes under installment plans that had transitioned to a month-to-month basis, the Company temporarily paused monthly charges when the related parks reopened for the equivalent period the respective parks were closed.  Accordingly, payments received during the closure period were recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue once the respective parks reopened, which may not necessarily reflect attendance patterns for these guests.  

Food, merchandise and other revenue primarily consists of culinary, merchandise and other in-park products and also includes other miscellaneous revenue which is not significant in the periods presented.  The Company recognizes revenue for food, merchandise and other in-park products when the related products or services are received by the guests.  

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the long-term portion of deferred revenue included in other liabilities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets primarily relates to the Company’s international agreement, as discussed in the following section.

The following table reflects the Company’s deferred revenue balance as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:   

	March 31,		December 31,
	2021		2020
	(In thousands)
Deferred revenue, including long-term portion	$	208,157	$	144,187
Less: Deferred revenue, long-term portion, included in other liabilities		14,783		13,428
Deferred revenue, short-term portion	$	193,374	$	130,759

International Agreements

The Company has received $10.0 million in deferred revenue recorded in other liabilities related to a nonrefundable payment received from a partner in connection with a project in the Middle East to provide certain services pertaining to the planning and design of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, a marine life themed park on Yas Island (“the Middle East Project”), with funding received expected to offset internal expenses. The Company receives additional funds from its partner related to agreed-upon services and reimbursements of costs incurred by the Company on behalf of the Middle East Project. Approximately $6.6 million and $5.9 million of costs incurred related to the Middle East Project are recorded in other assets in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.  The Company has recognized an asset for the costs incurred to fulfill the contract as the costs are specifically identifiable, enhance resources that will be used to satisfy performance obligations in the future and are expected to be recovered. The related deferred revenue and expense will begin to be recognized when substantially all of the services have been performed. The Company continually monitors performance on the contract and will make adjustments, if necessary. Construction for the Middle East Project is on track and scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022. There is no assurance that the Middle East Project will be completed or open to the public. 

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The Company reviews new accounting pronouncements as they are issued or proposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).

Recently Implemented Accounting Standards

On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted the following Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) which had no material impact on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures:  

• ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), provides optional transition guidance to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), with optional expedients related to the application of GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The provisions of this ASU are effective upon issuance and can be applied prospectively through December 31, 2022. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosure.

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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

• ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, simplifies various aspects related to accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and clarifying certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistency among reporting entities. ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2021. Most amendments within this ASU are required to be applied on a prospective basis, while certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

3. LOSS PER SHARE

Loss per share is computed as follows:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021								2020
	Net Loss			Shares		Per Share Amount			Net Loss			Shares		Per Share Amount
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic loss per share	$	(44,884	)		78,458	$	(0.57	)	$	(56,519	)		78,213	$	(0.72	)
Effect of dilutive incentive-based awards					—								—
Diluted loss per share	$	(44,884	)		78,458	$	(0.57	)	$	(56,519	)		78,213	$	(0.72	)

In accordance with the Earnings Per Share Topic of the ASC, basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period (excluding treasury stock and unvested restricted stock awards). Unvested restricted stock awards are eligible to receive dividends; if any, however, dividend rights will be forfeited if the award does not vest.  Accordingly, only vested shares of formerly restricted stock are included in the calculation of basic loss per share. The weighted average number of repurchased shares during the period, if any, which are held as treasury stock, are excluded from shares of common stock outstanding.

Diluted loss per share is determined using the treasury stock method based on the dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock and certain shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of stock options. There were approximately 2,366,000 and 1,700,000 potentially dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net loss in those periods. Approximately 1,240,000 and 1,696,000 of the Company’s outstanding performance-vesting restricted awards as of March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, are considered contingently issuable shares and are excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share until the performance measure criteria is met as of the end of the reporting period.  

4. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense or benefit is recognized based on the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate which is based upon the tax rate expected for the full calendar year applied to the pretax income or loss of the interim period. The Company’s consolidated effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was 10.3% and 26.3%, respectively, and differs from the effective statutory federal income tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to state income taxes, valuation allowance adjustments on federal and state net operating loss carryforwards, a valuation adjustment on certain federal tax credits and charitable contributions, changes in state tax rates, and other permanent items including equity-based compensation.

Due to the uncertainty of realizing the benefit from deferred tax assets, tax positions are reviewed at least quarterly by assessing future expected taxable income from all sources.  Realization of deferred tax assets, primarily arising from net operating loss carryforwards and charitable contribution carryforwards, is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of the carryforwards, which may include the reversal of deferred tax liability components.  Based on its analysis, the Company believes that some of its deferred tax assets may not be realized. Therefore, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, the Company recorded valuation allowances of approximately $24.5 million and $39.5 million for federal net operating loss carryforwards, approximately $12.9 million and $15.0 million, net of federal tax benefit, for certain state net operating loss carryforwards, approximately $7.3 million and $7.1 million for federal tax credits, and approximately $4.6 million and $4.0 million for charitable contributions.

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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company has determined that there are no positions currently taken that would rise to a level requiring an amount to be recorded or disclosed as an unrecognized tax benefit. If such positions do arise, it is the Company’s intent that any interest or penalty amount related to such positions will be recorded as a component of the income tax provision (benefit) in the applicable period.

The computation of the estimated annual effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the forecasted pre-tax income or loss for the year, projections of the proportion of income and/or loss earned and taxed in respective jurisdictions, permanent and temporary differences, and the likelihood of the realizability of deferred tax assets generated in the current year. The volatile global economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacts of which are difficult to predict, may cause fluctuations in the Company’s forecasted pre-tax income or loss for the year, which could create volatility in its estimated annual effective tax rate. The estimates used to compute the provision or benefit for income taxes may change as new events occur, additional information is obtained or as the Company’s tax environment changes. To the extent that the estimated annual effective tax rate changes, the effect of the change on prior interim periods is included in the income tax provision in the period in which the change in estimate occurs. The Company’s valuation allowances, in part, also rely on estimates and assumptions related to future financial performance. Given the macroeconomic environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainties regarding the related impact on financial performance, the Company’s valuation allowances may need to be further adjusted in the future.

5. OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Other accrued liabilities at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, consisted of the following:

	March 31,		December 31,
	2021		2020
	(In thousands)
Accrued interest	$	16,906	$	23,422
Accrued taxes		6,633		10,518
Self-insurance reserve		7,540		7,540
Other		10,269