How did United Parks & Resorts (NYSE:PRKS) perform in Q1 2026?

United Parks reported total revenue of $278.3 million, down 3% year-over-year, mainly due to a 5% decline in attendance to 3.22 million visitors. The company posted a net loss of $34.1 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, while adjusted EBITDA reached $58 million.

What caused the drop in attendance for United Parks?

Management cited adverse weather in key markets and weaker international visitation as the primary factors behind the 5% year-over-year decline in guest attendance.

Did United Parks generate more revenue per visitor despite lower attendance?

Yes. Total revenue per capita increased 2.1% to $86.43. In-park per capita spending reached a record $40.62 (up 5.3%), which offset a slight 0.5% decline in admission per capita.

How did operational cash flow perform?

Cash flow improved to $66.8 million, providing sufficient liquidity to support ongoing operations and the company’s aggressive capital return strategy.

What capital return activities did United Parks undertake?

The company repurchased approximately 2.6 million shares for $92.7 million in Q1 2026. Through May 8, 2026, an additional 1.8 million shares were repurchased for $64.8 million.

United Parks attendance dips on weather woes as in-park spending hits record

Written by Liezl GambePublished May. 11 2026Last Updated May. 11 2026

United Parks & Resorts (NYSE:PRKS) posted first-quarter 2026 total revenue of $278.3 million, a 3% decline compared to the prior-year period.

The drop followed a 5% year-over-year decrease in attendance, which fell to 3.22 million visitors.

Management attributed the lower foot traffic primarily to adverse weather across key markets and a continued lag in international visitation.

Despite the headcount decline, the company successfully extracted more value per visitor.

Total revenue per capita rose 2.1% to $86.43.

This growth was fueled by a record $40.62 in in-park per capita spending—a 5.3% increase—which compensated for a marginal 0.5% slip in admission per capita.

The company reported a net loss of $34.1 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, for what is traditionally its seasonally weakest quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA stood at $58 million.

On the operational front, cash flow improved to $66.8 million, providing the company with the liquidity to continue its aggressive capital return strategy.

United Parks remained highly active in the open market, repurchasing approximately 2.6 million shares for $92.7 million during the first quarter.

The momentum continued into the second quarter, with an additional 1.8 million shares repurchased for $64.8 million through May 8, 2026.