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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and 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 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 reserves, income taxes, revenue recognition and reviews for potential impairment of long-lived assets. Estimates are based on various factors including current and historical trends, as well as other pertinent company and 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.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash held at financial institutions as well as operating cash onsite at each theme park to fund daily operations and amounts due from third-party credit card companies with settlement terms of less than four days. The amounts due from third-party credit card companies totaled $27.6 million and $18.6 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The cash balances in all accounts held at financial institutions are insured up to $250,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) through December 31, 2023. At times, cash balances may exceed federally insured amounts and potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk. Management believes that no significant concentration of credit risk exists with respect to these cash balances because of its assessment of the creditworthiness and financial viability of the respective financial institutions.

From time to time, the Company may invest in certain highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less. These instruments may include money market mutual funds, certificates of deposit or time deposits, among others, which may or may not qualify for FDIC insurance. The Company classifies any such instruments as cash and cash equivalents based on their short-term maturities.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash is recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Restricted cash as of December 31, 2022 consists primarily of advanced funds for which costs have yet to be incurred related to the Company’s international services agreements. See further discussion in Note 4–Revenues.


	December 31,		December 31,
	2023		2022
	(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	246,922	$	79,196
Restricted cash, included in prepaid expenses and other current assets		—		3,124
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	246,922	$	82,320

Accounts Receivable-Net

Accounts Receivable—Net

Accounts receivable are reported at net realizable value and consist primarily of amounts due from customers for the sale of admission products, including amounts due for admissions products purchased on monthly installment arrangements. The Company is not exposed to a significant concentration of credit risk. The Company records an allowance on trade accounts receivable with an offset to the provision for bad debt for estimated credit losses expected based on its history of uncollectible accounts. For all periods presented, the provision for bad debt was immaterial. The Company also records an allowance for estimated credit losses on amounts due from monthly installment arrangements based on historical default rates. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded $15.3 million and $13.8 million, respectively, as an allowance on its installment arrangements, which is included in accounts receivable, net, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, with a corresponding reduction to deferred revenue.

Inventories

Inventories are accounted for using the weighted average cost method and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories consist primarily of products for resale, including merchandise, culinary items and miscellaneous supplies. Obsolete or excess inventories are recorded at their estimated realizable value.

Property and Equipment-Net

Property and Equipment—Net

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. The cost of ordinary or routine maintenance, repairs, spare parts and minor renewals is expensed as incurred. Development costs associated with new attractions and products are generally capitalized after necessary feasibility studies have been completed and final concept or contracts have been approved. The cost of assets is depreciated using the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives:


Land improvements		10-40 years
Buildings		5-40 years
Rides, attractions and equipment		3-20 years
Animals		1-50 years

Certain costs related to animals exhibited in the theme parks are capitalized and amortized over their estimated lives (1-50 years). All costs to care for animals are expensed as incurred. Construction in progress assets consist primarily of new rides, attractions and infrastructure improvements that have not yet been placed in service. These assets are stated at cost and are not depreciated. Once construction of the assets is completed and placed into service, assets are reclassified to the appropriate asset class based on their nature and depreciated in accordance with the useful lives above. Debt interest is capitalized on all active construction projects. Total interest capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $11.1 million, $6.3 million and $7.3 million, respectively.

Computer System Development Costs

The Company capitalizes computer system development costs that meet established criteria and, once placed in service, amortizes those costs to expense on a straight-line basis over five years. Total capitalized costs related to computer system development costs, net of accumulated amortization, were $8.3 million and $2.0 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and are recorded in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Accumulated amortization was $14.7 million and $12.9 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Amortization expense of capitalized computer system development costs during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $1.8 million, $0.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively, and is recorded in depreciation and amortization in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Systems reengineering costs do not meet the proper criteria for capitalization and are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but instead reviewed for impairment at least annually during the fourth quarter, and as of an interim date should factors or indicators become apparent that would require an interim test, with ongoing recoverability based on applicable reporting unit overall financial performance and consideration of significant events or changes in the overall business environment or macroeconomic conditions. Such events or changes in the overall business environment could include, but are not limited to, significant negative trends or unanticipated changes in the competitive or macroeconomic environment.

In assessing goodwill for impairment, the Company may choose to initially evaluate qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The Company considers several factors, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, overall financial performance of the reporting unit, changes in management, strategy or customers, and relevant reporting unit specific events such as a change in the carrying amount of net assets, a more likely than not expectation of selling or disposing all, or a portion, of a reporting unit, and the testing of recoverability of a significant asset group within a reporting unit. If the qualitative assessment is not conclusive, then a quantitative impairment analysis for goodwill is performed at the reporting unit level. The Company may also choose to perform this quantitative impairment analysis instead of the qualitative analysis. The quantitative impairment analysis compares the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, determined using the income and/or market approach, to its recorded amount. If the recorded amount exceeds the fair value, then a goodwill impairment charge is recorded for the difference up to the recorded amount of goodwill.

The determination of fair value in the Company’s goodwill impairment analysis is based on an estimate of fair value for the relevant reporting unit utilizing known and estimated inputs at the evaluation date. Some of those inputs include, but are not limited to, estimates of future revenue and expense growth, estimated market multiples, expected capital expenditures, income tax rates and cost of invested capital.

The Company’s other indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of certain trade names/trademarks and other intangible assets which, after considering legal, regulatory, contractual, and other competitive and economic factors, are determined to have indefinite lives and are valued using the relief from royalty method. Trade names/trademarks are combined by brand as a unit of accounting when testing for impairment as the brand represents the highest and best use of the asset and drives the Company’s marketing strategy and international license agreements. Estimates required in this valuation method include estimated future revenues impacted by the trade names/trademarks, royalty rates, and appropriate discount rates. Projections are based on management’s best estimates given recent financial performance, market trends, strategic plans, brand awareness, operating characteristics by park, and other available information. See Note 9–Goodwill and Trade Names/Trademarks, Net, for further details.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

All long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. An impairment loss may be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset, including disposition, are less than the carrying value of the asset. The measurement of the impairment loss to be recognized is based upon the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying amounts of the assets.

Fair value is generally determined based upon a discounted cash flow analysis. In order to determine if an asset has been impaired, assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable independent cash flows are available (generally a theme park). See further discussion in Note 8–Property and Equipment, Net.

Self-Insurance Reserves

Reserves are recorded for the estimated amounts of guest and employee claims and expenses incurred each period that are not covered by insurance. Reserves are established for both identified claims and incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims. Such amounts are accrued for when claim amounts become probable and estimable. Reserves for identified claims are based upon the Company’s historical claims experience and third-party estimates of settlement costs. Reserves for IBNR claims are based upon the Company’s claims data history, actuarially determined loss development factors and qualitative considerations such as claims management activities. The Company maintains self-insurance reserves for healthcare, auto, general liability and workers’ compensation claims. Total claims reserves were $49.1 million at December 31, 2023, of which $2.1 million is recorded in accrued salaries, wages and benefits, $13.2 million is recorded in other accrued liabilities and the remaining long-term portion is recorded in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Total claims reserves were $37.0 million at December 31, 2022, of which $1.8 million is recorded in accrued salaries, wages and benefits, $8.6 million is recorded in other accrued liabilities and the remaining long-term portion is recorded in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. All reserves are periodically reviewed for changes in facts and circumstances and adjustments are made as necessary.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt and are included in long-term debt, net, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. See further discussion in Note 11–Long-Term Debt.

Share Repurchase Programs and Treasury Stock

From time to time, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) may authorize share repurchases of common stock. Shares repurchased under Board authorizations are currently held in treasury for general corporate purposes. The Company accounts for treasury stock on the trade date under the cost method. Treasury stock at December 31, 2023 and 2022 is reflected within stockholders’ deficit. See further discussion of the Company’s share repurchase programs in Note 18–Stockholders’ Deficit.

Revenue Recognition

The Company records revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contracts with customers; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies the performance obligations. ASC 606 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. Revenue is recorded net of sales-related taxes collected from guests and remitted or payable to government taxing authorities.

Admissions Revenue

Admissions revenue primarily consists of single-day tickets, annual or season passes or other multi-day or multi-park admission products. Admission products with similar characteristics are analyzed using a portfolio approach for each separate park as the Company expects that the effects on the consolidated financial statements of applying ASC 606 to the portfolio does not differ materially from applying the guidance to individual contracts within the portfolio. 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. The Company estimates redemption rates using historical and forecasted attendance trends by park for similar products. Attendance trends factor in seasonality and are adjusted based on actual trends periodically. These estimated redemption rates impact the timing of when revenue is recognized on these products. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates based on actual attendance patterns. Revenue is recognized on a pro-rata basis based on the estimated allocated selling price of the admission product. 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. For certain multi-day admission products, revenue is allocated based on the number of visits included in the pass and recognized ratably based on each admission into the theme park.

The Company has entered into agreements with certain external theme park, zoo and other attraction operators to jointly market and sell single and multi-use admission products. These joint products allow admission to both a Company park(s) and an external park, zoo or other attraction. The agreements with the external partners specify the allocation of revenue to Company parks from any jointly sold products. Whether the Company or the external partner sells the product, the Company’s portion of revenue is deferred until the first time the product is redeemed at one of the Company’s parks and recognized over its related use in a manner consistent with the Company’s other admission products.

Additionally, the Company barters theme park admission products and sponsorship opportunities for advertising, employee recognition awards, and various other services. The fair value of the products or services is recognized into admissions revenue and related expenses at the time of the exchange and approximates the estimated fair value of the goods or services provided or received, whichever is more readily determinable. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, amounts included within admissions revenue with an offset to either selling, general and administrative expenses or operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations related to bartered ticket transactions were $16.2 million, $14.8 million and $13.6 million, respectively.

Food, Merchandise and Other Revenue

Food, merchandise and other revenue primarily consists of food and beverage, retail, merchandise, parking, other in-park products and service fees, and other miscellaneous revenue, including online transaction fees and revenue from the Company’s international agreements, not necessarily generated in our parks, which is not significant in the periods presented. The Company recognizes revenue for food and beverage, merchandise and other in-park products when the related products or services are received by the guests. Certain admission products may also include bundled products at the time of purchase, such as food and beverage or merchandise items. The Company conducts an analysis of bundled products to identify separate distinct performance obligations that are material in the context of the contract. For those products that are determined to be distinct performance obligations and material in the context of the contract, the Company allocates a portion of the transaction price to each distinct performance obligation using each performance obligation’s standalone price. If the bundled product is related to a pass product and offered over time, revenue will be recognized over time accordingly.

See further discussion in Note 4–Revenues.

Advertising and Promotional Costs

Advertising production costs are deferred and expensed the first time the advertisement is shown. Other advertising and media costs are expensed as incurred and, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, totaled approximately $108.7 million, $104.3 million and $81.4 million, respectively, and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Equity-Based Compensation

In accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, the Company measures the cost of employee services rendered in exchange for equity-based compensation based upon the grant date fair market value. The cost is recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period unless service or performance conditions require otherwise. The Company recognizes equity compensation expense for its performance-vesting restricted awards ratably over the related performance period if the performance condition is probable of being achieved. If the probability of vesting changes for performance-vesting restricted awards in a subsequent period, all equity compensation expense related to those awards that would have been recorded, if any, over the requisite service period had the new percentage been applied from inception, will be recorded as a cumulative catch-up or reduction at such subsequent date. The Company recognizes the impact of forfeitures as they occur. The Company grants time-vesting restricted shares and units, time-vesting deferred stock units, performance-vesting restricted shares and units, and stock options. The Company uses the closing stock price on the date of grant to value its time-vesting and performance-vesting restricted share awards. The Company uses the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to value stock options at the date of grant.

On occasion, the Company may modify the terms or conditions of an equity award for its employees. If an award is modified, the Company evaluates the type of modification in accordance with ASC 718 to determine the appropriate accounting. See further discussion in Note 17–Equity-Based Compensation.

Leases

The Company leases land, warehouse and office space, and equipment, which are classified as either operating or finance leases. Under the provisions of ASC 842, Leases, lease liabilities and right of use assets are recognized at the lease commencement date on the basis of the present value of the future lease payments, with the right of use being adjusted by any prepaid or accrued rent, lease incentives, and initial direct costs. The lease term for each lease includes the noncancelable period plus any periods subject to an option for renewal when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The subsequent measurement of a lease is dependent on whether the lease is classified as an operating or finance lease. Operating leases have a straight-line expense pattern that is recognized as either operating expenses or selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Finance leases have a front-loaded expense recognition pattern that is comprised of amortization expense and interest expense that is included in depreciation and amortization and interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company initially evaluates the classification of its leases as of the lease commencement date and reevaluates the classification of its leases upon the occurrence of certain lease remeasurement events and when there is a lease modification that is not accounted for as a separate contract.

The present value of future lease payments is calculated using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, which reflects the rate of interest it would pay on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments under similar terms. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses incremental borrowing rates based on the information available at the lease commencement date, liability remeasurement date, or lease modification date in determining the present value of the lease payments. In calculating the incremental borrowing rates, the Company considered recent ratings from credit agencies, recent trading prices on the Company’s debt, and current lease demographic information. The Company applies the incremental borrowing rates at a portfolio level based on lease terms.

In accordance with the short-term lease recognition exemption of ASC 842, the Company does not recognize on its balance sheet leases with an initial lease term of 12 months or less. Lease expense for these short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Some of the Company’s leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from one to ten years or more. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion and the inclusion of the renewal options in the lease term would only occur when the Company concludes it is reasonably certain of exercising the option(s). Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property.

Certain of the Company’s lease agreements include rental payments based on a percentage of sales over contractual levels and others include rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation. These variable lease payments are typically recognized when the underlying event occurs and are included in operating expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations in the same line item as the expense arising from fixed lease payments. Additionally, fixed non-lease costs, for example common-area maintenance costs, are included in the measure of the right-of-use asset and lease liability as the Company does not separate lease and non-lease components. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees, material restrictive covenants or material variable lease costs other than those described in Note 13–Leases related to the Company’s land lease.

All long-lived assets, including right of use assets associated with leases, are reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. The measurement of an impairment loss to be recognized is based upon the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying amounts of the assets. Fair value is generally determined based upon a discounted cash flow analysis.

See further discussion in Note 13–Leases.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Realization is dependent on generating sufficient future taxable income or the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. The Company evaluates its tax positions by determining if it is more likely than not a tax position is sustainable upon examination, based upon the technical merits of the position, before any of the benefit is recorded for financial statement purposes. The benefit is measured as the largest dollar amount of the position that is more likely than not to be sustained upon settlement. Previously recorded benefits that no longer meet the more likely than not threshold are charged to earnings in the period that the determination is made. Interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits are charged to the provision for (benefit from) income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. See further discussion in Note 12–Income Taxes.

Contingencies

The Company accounts for contingencies in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies. For loss contingencies, such as potential legal settlements, the Company records an estimated loss when payment is considered probable and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company, the Company evaluates the perceived merits of the legal proceedings as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein. If a loss is considered probable but the best estimate of the loss can only be identified within a range and no specific amount within that range is more likely, then the minimum of the range is accrued. Legal and related professional services costs to defend litigation are expensed as incurred. Insurance recoveries related to potential claims are recognized up to the amount of the recorded liability when coverage is confirmed and the estimated recoveries are probable of payment. These recoveries are not netted against the related liabilities for financial statement presentation. Additionally, for any potential gain contingencies, the Company does not recognize the gain until the period that all contingencies have been resolved and the amounts are realizable. See further discussion in Note 14–Commitments and Contingencies.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement and is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. An entity is permitted to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period. The Company has not elected to use the fair value option for any of its financial assets and financial liabilities that are not already recorded at fair value. Carrying values of financial instruments classified as current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value, due to their short-term nature.

Fair Value Hierarchy—As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, fair value accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Fair value is determined for assets and liabilities, based upon significant levels of observable or unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1—Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

Determination of Fair Value—If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed valuation techniques that use, where possible, current market-based or independently sourced market parameters, such as interest and currency rates. Assets or liabilities valued using such internally generated valuation techniques are classified according to the lowest level input or value driver that is significant to the valuation. Thus, an item may be classified in Level 3 even though there may be some significant inputs that are readily observable. See further discussion in Note 15–Fair Value Measurements.

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”), 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 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.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

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

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures that requires disclosure of disaggregated income taxes paid, prescribes standard categories for the components of the effective tax rate reconciliation, and modifies other income tax-related disclosures. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures to enhance disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting guidance.