New Leadership at Busch Gardens Amid $100 Million Investment
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 18 2026
0mins
Source: PRnewswire
- New President Appointment: Jon Vigue has been appointed as the new President of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, bringing nearly 30 years of industry experience to lead the park's growth and innovation amid a significant investment exceeding $100 million.
- Major Investment Initiative: The park is undergoing over $100 million in investments aimed at enhancing guest experiences through new attractions, immersive animal experiences, and enriched food and entertainment offerings, thereby improving overall visitor satisfaction.
- New Attraction Launch: The Lion and Hyena Ridge will represent the park's largest and most immersive animal habitat in over a decade, featuring five young male lions and a pair of hyenas, complete with expansive 270-degree viewing areas and water features to enhance guest interaction.
- Summer Events Return: The park's popular Summer Nights event will run until August 9, featuring new entertainment like the Beach Bash show and nighttime fireworks, which are expected to attract more families and enhance the park's appeal and competitive position in the market.
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Analyst Views on PRKS
Wall Street analysts forecast PRKS stock price to fall
9 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 47.190
Low
28.00
Averages
44.01
High
62.00
Current: 47.190
Low
28.00
Averages
44.01
High
62.00
About PRKS
United Parks & Resorts Inc. is a theme park and entertainment company. The Company owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands, including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, and Sesame Place. The Company has developed a portfolio of approximately 13 differentiated theme parks that are grouped in markets across the United States and the United Arab Emirates. Many of its theme parks showcase the Company's zoological collection and feature a diverse array of both thrill and family-friendly rides, educational presentations, shows and/or other attractions with demographic appeal. SeaWorld owns and operates sea theme parks, including SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld Orlando, and SeaWorld San Antonio. The Company owns and operates Busch Gardens theme parks, including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. SeaWorld Theme Parks owns and operates the separately gated Aquatica-branded theme parks such as Aquatica Orlando and Aquatica San Antonio.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
United Parks Executive Sells 8,000 Shares Amidst Market Growth
- Executive Share Sale: Christopher L. Finazzo, Chief Commercial Officer of United Parks & Resorts, sold 8,000 shares for approximately $294,000, representing 5.79% of his direct holdings, leaving him with about $4.79 million in shares, indicating a cautious approach to market conditions.
- Market Performance Review: As of May 22, 2026, the company's stock price was $36.78, reflecting a 10.37% year-over-year increase, despite a 5% decline in first-quarter attendance leading to a 3% revenue drop, highlighting challenges in the market environment.
- Investor Confidence: While Finazzo's sale may raise concerns, he retains a significant ownership stake, and the company has repurchased approximately $157.5 million in stock, signaling management's confidence in future growth prospects.
- Future Outlook: The company is working to recover attendance through new attractions and increased season pass demand, with the critical question being whether it can deliver strong performance during the summer season to counteract first-quarter challenges.
See More
PRKS Executive Sells 8,000 Shares for $294,000
- Executive Stock Sale: Christopher L. Finazzo, Chief Commercial Officer of United Parks & Resorts, sold 8,000 shares on May 22, 2026, for approximately $294,000 at an average price of $36.76 per share, reducing his direct holdings to 130,285 shares valued at about $4.79 million.
- Ownership Change: This sale represented nearly 6% of Finazzo's direct common stock, and while it reduced his stake, he still retains a significant ownership position, indicating that this transaction appears to be routine portfolio management rather than a sign of executive exit.
- Financial Performance: United Parks experienced a 5% year-over-year decline in first-quarter attendance to 3.2 million guests, contributing to a 3% revenue drop to $278.3 million and a net loss of $34.1 million, with management attributing these challenges to external factors.
- Share Buyback Program: The company repurchased approximately $157.5 million in stock through early May, demonstrating confidence in future growth, and investors should monitor whether new attractions, strong bookings, and increasing season-pass demand can help recover attendance during the critical summer season.
See More
New Leadership at Busch Gardens Amid $100 Million Investment
- New President Appointment: Jon Vigue has been appointed as the new President of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, bringing nearly 30 years of industry experience to lead the park's growth and innovation amid a significant investment exceeding $100 million.
- Major Investment Initiative: The park is undergoing over $100 million in investments aimed at enhancing guest experiences through new attractions, immersive animal experiences, and enriched food and entertainment offerings, thereby improving overall visitor satisfaction.
- New Attraction Launch: The Lion and Hyena Ridge will represent the park's largest and most immersive animal habitat in over a decade, featuring five young male lions and a pair of hyenas, complete with expansive 270-degree viewing areas and water features to enhance guest interaction.
- Summer Events Return: The park's popular Summer Nights event will run until August 9, featuring new entertainment like the Beach Bash show and nighttime fireworks, which are expected to attract more families and enhance the park's appeal and competitive position in the market.
See More
Busch Gardens Appoints New President Amid $100 Million Investment in Enhancements
- New President Appointment: Busch Gardens has appointed Jon Vigue, an industry veteran with nearly 30 years of experience, as the new president, aiming to lead the park through a period of growth and innovation amid a more than $100 million investment in new attractions and enhancements.
- Significant Investment Plan: The park is making over $100 million in investments focused on new attractions, immersive animal experiences, and improved food and entertainment offerings, all designed to enhance the overall guest experience and ensure memorable visits.
- New Attractions Unveiled: Major new additions include the Wild Oasis family adventure area launched in 2025 and the upcoming Lion and Hyena Ridge habitat, which represents the park's largest and most immersive animal habitat in over a decade, featuring five young male lions and a pair of hyenas to enhance guest interaction.
- Summer Events Return: The park's popular Summer Nights event will run through August 9, featuring new entertainment like the Beach Bash show and the Wild Skies drone and fireworks show, significantly enhancing the park's nighttime appeal and visitor engagement.
See More
Busch Gardens Appoints New President Amid $100 Million Investment
- New Leadership: Jon Vigue has been appointed as the new President of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, bringing nearly 30 years of industry experience to lead the park's growth and innovation amid a more than $100 million investment.
- Significant Investment: The park is undergoing over $100 million in investments aimed at enhancing new attractions and animal experiences, significantly improving the overall guest experience, particularly in food and entertainment offerings.
- New Attractions Unveiled: The Lion and Hyena Ridge represents the park's largest animal habitat in over a decade, featuring five young male lions and a pair of hyenas, with 270-degree viewing areas that greatly enhance guest interaction.
- Summer Events Return: The park's popular Summer Nights event will run until August 9, featuring new Beach Bash performances and a nighttime drone show, attracting more visitors and further enhancing the park's appeal.
See More
SeaWorld Celebrates America's 250th Birthday with Major Discounts
- Fourth of July Promotions: SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio are launching a Fourth of July sale offering the best ticket and pass deals, which is expected to significantly boost summer visitor numbers as families celebrate the holiday together.
- Military Free Admission: The parks are honoring U.S. active-duty military and veterans by providing complimentary single-day tickets, with registration required by June 21, a move that not only shows respect for military service but also enhances brand loyalty and corporate social responsibility.
- Summer Celebration Events: SeaWorld locations will host a variety of summer celebrations, including fireworks displays and live music, which are anticipated to attract family visitors and enhance overall park experience and customer satisfaction.
- New Attractions and Entertainment: SeaWorld Orlando is introducing the all-new Electric Ocean nighttime event and the immersive Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice flying theater experience, which are expected to draw in younger audiences and further strengthen the park's competitive position in the market.
See More
United Parks Executive Sells 8,000 Shares Amidst Market Growth
- Executive Share Sale: Christopher L. Finazzo, Chief Commercial Officer of United Parks & Resorts, sold 8,000 shares for approximately $294,000, representing 5.79% of his direct holdings, leaving him with about $4.79 million in shares, indicating a cautious approach to market conditions.
- Market Performance Review: As of May 22, 2026, the company's stock price was $36.78, reflecting a 10.37% year-over-year increase, despite a 5% decline in first-quarter attendance leading to a 3% revenue drop, highlighting challenges in the market environment.
- Investor Confidence: While Finazzo's sale may raise concerns, he retains a significant ownership stake, and the company has repurchased approximately $157.5 million in stock, signaling management's confidence in future growth prospects.
- Future Outlook: The company is working to recover attendance through new attractions and increased season pass demand, with the critical question being whether it can deliver strong performance during the summer season to counteract first-quarter challenges.
See More
PRKS Executive Sells 8,000 Shares for $294,000
- Executive Stock Sale: Christopher L. Finazzo, Chief Commercial Officer of United Parks & Resorts, sold 8,000 shares on May 22, 2026, for approximately $294,000 at an average price of $36.76 per share, reducing his direct holdings to 130,285 shares valued at about $4.79 million.
- Ownership Change: This sale represented nearly 6% of Finazzo's direct common stock, and while it reduced his stake, he still retains a significant ownership position, indicating that this transaction appears to be routine portfolio management rather than a sign of executive exit.
- Financial Performance: United Parks experienced a 5% year-over-year decline in first-quarter attendance to 3.2 million guests, contributing to a 3% revenue drop to $278.3 million and a net loss of $34.1 million, with management attributing these challenges to external factors.
- Share Buyback Program: The company repurchased approximately $157.5 million in stock through early May, demonstrating confidence in future growth, and investors should monitor whether new attractions, strong bookings, and increasing season-pass demand can help recover attendance during the critical summer season.
See More
New Leadership at Busch Gardens Amid $100 Million Investment
- New President Appointment: Jon Vigue has been appointed as the new President of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, bringing nearly 30 years of industry experience to lead the park's growth and innovation amid a significant investment exceeding $100 million.
- Major Investment Initiative: The park is undergoing over $100 million in investments aimed at enhancing guest experiences through new attractions, immersive animal experiences, and enriched food and entertainment offerings, thereby improving overall visitor satisfaction.
- New Attraction Launch: The Lion and Hyena Ridge will represent the park's largest and most immersive animal habitat in over a decade, featuring five young male lions and a pair of hyenas, complete with expansive 270-degree viewing areas and water features to enhance guest interaction.
- Summer Events Return: The park's popular Summer Nights event will run until August 9, featuring new entertainment like the Beach Bash show and nighttime fireworks, which are expected to attract more families and enhance the park's appeal and competitive position in the market.
See More
Busch Gardens Appoints New President Amid $100 Million Investment in Enhancements
- New President Appointment: Busch Gardens has appointed Jon Vigue, an industry veteran with nearly 30 years of experience, as the new president, aiming to lead the park through a period of growth and innovation amid a more than $100 million investment in new attractions and enhancements.
- Significant Investment Plan: The park is making over $100 million in investments focused on new attractions, immersive animal experiences, and improved food and entertainment offerings, all designed to enhance the overall guest experience and ensure memorable visits.
- New Attractions Unveiled: Major new additions include the Wild Oasis family adventure area launched in 2025 and the upcoming Lion and Hyena Ridge habitat, which represents the park's largest and most immersive animal habitat in over a decade, featuring five young male lions and a pair of hyenas to enhance guest interaction.
- Summer Events Return: The park's popular Summer Nights event will run through August 9, featuring new entertainment like the Beach Bash show and the Wild Skies drone and fireworks show, significantly enhancing the park's nighttime appeal and visitor engagement.
See More
Busch Gardens Appoints New President Amid $100 Million Investment
- New Leadership: Jon Vigue has been appointed as the new President of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, bringing nearly 30 years of industry experience to lead the park's growth and innovation amid a more than $100 million investment.
- Significant Investment: The park is undergoing over $100 million in investments aimed at enhancing new attractions and animal experiences, significantly improving the overall guest experience, particularly in food and entertainment offerings.
- New Attractions Unveiled: The Lion and Hyena Ridge represents the park's largest animal habitat in over a decade, featuring five young male lions and a pair of hyenas, with 270-degree viewing areas that greatly enhance guest interaction.
- Summer Events Return: The park's popular Summer Nights event will run until August 9, featuring new Beach Bash performances and a nighttime drone show, attracting more visitors and further enhancing the park's appeal.
See More
SeaWorld Celebrates America's 250th Birthday with Major Discounts
- Fourth of July Promotions: SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego, and San Antonio are launching a Fourth of July sale offering the best ticket and pass deals, which is expected to significantly boost summer visitor numbers as families celebrate the holiday together.
- Military Free Admission: The parks are honoring U.S. active-duty military and veterans by providing complimentary single-day tickets, with registration required by June 21, a move that not only shows respect for military service but also enhances brand loyalty and corporate social responsibility.
- Summer Celebration Events: SeaWorld locations will host a variety of summer celebrations, including fireworks displays and live music, which are anticipated to attract family visitors and enhance overall park experience and customer satisfaction.
- New Attractions and Entertainment: SeaWorld Orlando is introducing the all-new Electric Ocean nighttime event and the immersive Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice flying theater experience, which are expected to draw in younger audiences and further strengthen the park's competitive position in the market.
See More
