SeaWorld theme park chain to be renamed after 60 years

This 2017 photo shows the entrance to SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. In August 2017, the company sought a restraining order against three animal rights activists who disrupted an orca whale show in July at its San Diego park.

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. is to undergo a name change.

The Orlando-based theme park chain company announced Tuesday it will be known as United Parks & Resorts Inc., effective Feb. 12.

“The new name unites the company’s world-class portfolio of seven brands across 13 parks in the United States and Abu Dhabi,” according to a Tuesday press release.

SeaWorld’s stock ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange will also change from SEAS to PRKS, with trading as PRKS to begin Feb. 13.

The name change affects the name of the parent company — SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., according to the release. The company’s parks — SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place, Water Country USA, Adventure Island and Aquatica — will retain their respective park names.

“Our new company name, United Parks & Resorts Inc., better reflects that we have been, and will continue to be, a diverse collection of park brands and experiences,” SeaWorld CEO Marck Swanson said in the release.

“Each of our iconic parks, including the four SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego and Abu Dhabi, will continue to operate under the same names our guests know and love,” Swanson continued. “What also remains unchanged is our deep commitment to creating experiences that matter for our guests and inspiring them to help protect animals and the wild wonders of the world.”

Seaworld Entertainment, Inc. has 12 park locations across the U.S., and a 13th park, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, opened in the United Arab Emirates last year.

As part of the name change, the company’s main website and investors’ website domains will change to UnitedParks.com and UnitedParksInvestors.com on Feb. 13.