Revenue Recognition

9 Months Ended

Sep. 25, 2022

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition:

As disclosed within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), revenues are generated from sales of (1) admission to our amusement parks and water parks, (2) food, merchandise and games both inside and outside the parks, and (3) accommodations, extra-charge products, and other revenue sources. Admission revenues include amounts paid to gain admission into our parks, including parking fees. Revenues related to extra-charge products, including premium benefit offerings such as front-of-line products, and online transaction fees charged to customers are included in "Accommodations, extra-charge products and other".

The following table presents net revenues disaggregated by revenues generated within the parks and revenues generated from out-of-park operations less amounts remitted to outside parties under concessionaire arrangements for the periods presented. The nine month results are not comparable due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

	Three months ended				Nine months ended
(In thousands)	September 25, 2022		September 26, 2021		September 25, 2022		September 26, 2021
In-park revenues	$	770,428	$	692,013	$	1,322,950	$	882,679
Out-of-park revenues	97,302		83,074		173,416		134,054
Concessionaire remittance	(24,667)		(21,683)		(44,977)		(29,450)
Net revenues	$	843,063	$	753,404	$	1,451,389	$	987,283

Due to our highly seasonal operations, a substantial portion of our revenues typically are generated during an approximate 130- to 140-day operating season. Most revenues are recognized on a daily basis based on actual guest spend at our properties. Revenues from multi-use products, including season-long products for admission, dining, beverage and other products, are recognized over the estimated number of uses expected for each type of product. The estimated number of uses is reviewed and may be updated periodically during the operating season prior to the ticket or product expiration, which generally occurs no later than the close of the operating season. The number of uses is estimated based on historical usage adjusted for current period trends. For any bundled products that include multiple performance obligations, revenue is allocated using the retail price of each distinct performance obligation and any inherent discounts are allocated based on the gross margin and expected redemption of each performance obligation. We do not typically provide for refunds or returns.

Many products, including season-long products, are sold to customers in advance, resulting in a contract liability ("deferred revenue"). Deferred revenue is typically at its highest immediately prior to the peak summer season, and at its lowest at the beginning of the calendar year following the close of our parks' operating seasons. Season-long products represent most of the deferred revenue balance in any given period.

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we extended the validity of our 2020 season-long products through the 2021 operating season in order to ensure our season pass holders received a full season of access to our parks. The extended validity of the 2020 season-long products resulted in a significant amount of revenue deferred from 2020 into 2021. All 2020 and 2021 season-long product revenue had been recognized as of December 31, 2021 except for season-long product extensions into 2022 at two parks. Knott's Berry Farm offered a further day-for-day extension into calendar year 2022 for 2020 and 2021 season-long products for every day the park was closed in 2021. The extension for the 2020 and 2021 season-long products at Knott's Berry Farm concluded and all related revenue had been recognized by the end of the second quarter of 2022. Canada's Wonderland extended its 2020 and 2021 season-long products through September 5, 2022. All Canada's Wonderland 2020 and 2021 season-long product revenue had been recognized by the end of the third quarter of 2022. In order to calculate revenue

recognized on these extended season-long products, management made significant estimates regarding the estimated number of uses expected for these season-long products for admission, dining, beverage and other products, including during interim periods.

Of the $187.6 million of current deferred revenue recorded as of January 1, 2022, 91% was related to season-long products. The remainder was related to deferred online transaction fees charged to customers, advanced ticket sales, prepaid games cards, advanced resort reservations, marina deposits and other deferred revenue. Approximately $156 million of the current deferred revenue balance as of January 1, 2022 was recognized during the nine months ended September 25, 2022.

Most deferred revenue is classified as current within the balance sheet. However, a portion of deferred revenue is typically classified as non-current during the third quarter related to season-long products sold in the current season for use in the subsequent season. Season-long products are typically sold beginning in August of the year preceding the operating season. Season-long products may subsequently be recognized 12 to 16 months after purchase depending on the date of sale. We estimate the number of uses expected outside of the next twelve months for each type of product and classify the related deferred revenue as non-current within "Other Liabilities" in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of September 25, 2022 and September 26, 2021, $8.5 million and $13.9 million of the total non-current deferred revenue balance, respectively, represented redemptions expected to occur and be recognized outside of the twelve months following the end of each period. As of September 25, 2022 and September 26, 2021, we had recorded $16.8 million and $24.0 million of total non-current deferred revenue, respectively, which largely represented the non-current portion of season-long products purchased for the subsequent operating season and prepaid lease payments for a portion of the California's Great America parking lot. The prepaid lease payments are being recognized through 2027 following the sale of the land under California's Great America; see Note 4. Prior to the sale, the prepaid lease payments were being recognized through 2039.

Payment is due immediately on the transaction date for most products. Our receivable balance includes outstanding amounts on installment purchase plans which are offered for season-long products, and includes sales to retailers, group sales and catering activities which are billed. Installment purchase plans vary in length from three monthly installments to 12 monthly installments. Payment terms for billings are typically net 30 days. Receivables in a typical operating year are highest in the peak summer months and lowest in the winter months. We are not exposed to a significant concentration of customer credit risk. As of September 25, 2022, December 31, 2021 and September 26, 2021, we recorded a $19.7 million, $5.7 million and $14.4 million allowance for doubtful accounts, respectively, representing estimated defaults on installment purchase plans. The default estimate is calculated using historical default rates adjusted for current period trends. The allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded as a reduction of deferred revenue to the extent revenue has not been recognized on the corresponding season-long products.