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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 
x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934	
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014
or
 
¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934	
For the transition period from              to             
Commission File Number: 001-35883

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
			
Delaware	 	27-1220297	
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)	 	(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)	
9205 South Park Center Loop, Suite 400
Orlando, Florida 32819
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(407) 226-5011
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x     No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   x     No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	 	¨	  	Accelerated filer	 	¨	
				
Non-accelerated filer	 	x   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	  	Smaller reporting company	 	¨	
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x
The registrant had outstanding 89,997,624 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share as of November 10, 2014.

 

Table of Contents
SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

 	 	 	  	Page No.	 	
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	  	 	1	  	
			
PART I.	 	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	  				
			
Item 1.	 	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	  				
			
	 	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	  	 	3	  	
			
	 	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	  	 	4	  	
			
	 	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity	  	 	5	  	
			
	 	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	  	 	6	  	
			
	 	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	  	 	7	  	
			
Item 2.	 	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	  	 	24	  	
			
Item 3.	 	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	  	 	36	  	
			
Item 4.	 	Controls and Procedures	  	 	37	  	
			
PART II.	 	OTHER INFORMATION	  				
			
Item 1.	 	Legal Proceedings	  	 	37	  	
			
Item 1A.	 	Risk Factors	  	 	38	  	
			
Item 2.	 	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	  	 	39	  	
			
Item 3.	 	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	  	 	39	  	
			
Item 4.	 	Mine Safety Disclosures	  	 	40	  	
			
Item 5.	 	Other Information	  	 	40	  	
			
Item 6.	 	Exhibits	  	 	40	  	

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 SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. All statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, beliefs, business strategies, future events, business conditions, our results of operations, financial position and our business outlook, business trends and other information, may be forward-looking statements. Words such as “might,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “estimates,” “expects,” “continues,” “contemplates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “intends,” “believes,” “forecasts,” “future” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon our current expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections, and various assumptions, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Our expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates and projections will result or be achieved and actual results may vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements.
There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ include, among others, the risks, uncertainties and factors set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and in this report, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, and are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov , including the following:
 
 	•	 	a decline in discretionary consumer spending or consumer confidence;	
 
 	•	 	various factors beyond our control adversely affecting attendance and guest spending at our theme parks;	
 
 	•	 	inability to protect our intellectual property or the infringement on intellectual property rights of others;	
 
 	•	 	incidents or adverse publicity concerning our theme parks;	
 
 	•	 	featuring animals at our theme parks;	
 
 	•	 	the loss of licenses and permits required to exhibit animals;	
 
 	•	 	significant portion of revenues generated in the States of Florida, California and Virginia and the Orlando market;	
 
 	•	 	inability to compete effectively;	
 
 	•	 	loss of key personnel;	
 
 	•	 	increased labor costs;	
 
 	•	 	unionization activities or labor disputes;	
 
 	•	 	inability to meet workforce needs;	
 
 	•	 	inability to fund theme park capital expenditures;	
 
 	•	 	high fixed cost structure of theme park operations;	
 
 	•	 	inability to maintain certain commercial licenses;	
 
 	•	 	changing consumer tastes and preferences;	
 
 	•	 	restrictions in our debt agreements limiting flexibility in operating our business;	
 
 	•	 	our substantial leverage;	
 
 	•	 	seasonal fluctuations;	
 
 	•	 	inability to realize the benefits of acquisitions or other strategic initiatives;	
 
 	•	 	adverse litigation judgments or settlements;	
 
 	•	 	inadequate insurance coverage;	
 
 	•	 	inability to purchase or contract with third party manufacturers for rides and attractions;	
 
 	•	 	environmental regulations, expenditures and liabilities;	
 
 	•	 	cyber security risks;	
 
 	•	 	suspension or termination of any of our business licenses;	
 
 	•	 	our limited operating history as a standalone company; and	
 
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 	•	 	the ability of affiliates of The Blackstone Group L.P. to significantly influence our decisions.	
We caution you that the risks, uncertainties and other factors referenced above may not contain all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that are important to you. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results, benefits or developments that we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences or affect us or our business in the way expected. There can be no assurance that (i) we have correctly measured or identified all of the factors affecting our business or the extent of these factors’ likely impact, (ii) the available information with respect to these factors on which such analysis is based is complete or accurate, (iii) such analysis is correct or (iv) our strategy, which is based in part on this analysis, will be successful. All forward-looking statements in this report apply only as of the date of this report or as of the date they were made and, except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Company” or “SeaWorld” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q mean SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Website and Social Media Disclosure
We use our website ( www.seaworldentertainment.com ) and our corporate Twitter account ( @Seaworld ) as channels of distribution of company information. The information we post through these channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these channels, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. In addition, you may automatically receive e-mail alerts and other information about SeaWorld when you enroll your e-mail address by visiting the “Email Alerts” section of our website at www.seaworldinvestors.com . The contents of our website and social media channels are not, however, a part of this report.
Trademarks, Service Marks and Tradenames
We own or have rights to use a number of registered and common law trademarks, service marks and trade names in connection with our business in the United States and in certain foreign jurisdictions, including SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. SM , SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment ® , SeaWorld ® , Shamu ® , Busch Gardens ® , Aquatica SeaWorld’s Waterpark ® , Discovery Cove ® , Sea Rescue™ and other names and marks that identify our theme parks, characters, rides, attractions and other businesses. In addition, we have certain rights to use Sesame Street ® marks, characters and related indicia through certain license agreements with Sesame Workshop (f/k/a Children’s Television Workshop).
Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks, and trade names referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors to these trademarks, service marks, and trade names. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain additional trademarks, service marks and trade names of others, which are the property of their respective owners. All trademarks, service marks and trade names appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are, to our knowledge, the property of their respective owners.
 
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 PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 Item 1.	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	
 SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 	  	September 30,
2014	 	 	December 31,
2013	 	
Assets	  				 				
Current assets:	  				 				
Cash and cash equivalents	  	$	115,192	  	 	$	116,841	  	
Accounts receivable, net	  	 	43,631	  	 	 	41,509	  	
Inventories	  	 	36,766	  	 	 	36,209	  	
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	  	 	18,096	  	 	 	19,613	  	
Deferred tax assets, net	  	 	8,085	  	 	 	28,887	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total current assets	  	 	221,770	  	 	 	243,059	  	
Property and equipment, at cost	  	 	2,580,453	  	 	 	2,485,805	  	
Accumulated depreciation	  	 	(829,280	) 	 	 	(714,305	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Property and equipment, net	  	 	1,751,173	  	 	 	1,771,500	  	
Goodwill	  	 	335,610	  	 	 	335,610	  	
Trade names, net	  	 	164,552	  	 	 	163,508	  	
Other intangible assets, net	  	 	25,356	  	 	 	27,843	  	
Other assets	  	 	32,956	  	 	 	35,890	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	$	2,531,417	  	 	$	2,577,410	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	  				 				
Current liabilities:	  				 				
Accounts payable	  	$	80,305	  	 	$	98,500	  	
Current maturities on long-term debt	  	 	14,050	  	 	 	14,050	  	
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	  	 	12,401	  	 	 	23,996	  	
Deferred revenue	  	 	92,264	  	 	 	82,945	  	
Dividends payable	  	 	18,647	  	 	 	17,939	  	
Other accrued expenses	  	 	30,685	  	 	 	15,264	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total current liabilities	  	 	248,352	  	 	 	252,694	  	
Long-term debt	  	 	1,592,369	  	 	 	1,632,531	  	
Deferred tax liabilities, net	  	 	50,230	  	 	 	25,670	  	
Other liabilities	  	 	20,349	  	 	 	18,488	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total liabilities	  	 	1,911,300	  	 	 	1,929,383	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)	  				 				
Stockholders’ Equity:	  				 				
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value—authorized, 100,000,000 shares, no shares issued or outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	
Common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized, 1,000,000,000 shares; 89,981,272 shares issued at September 30, 2014 and 89,900,453 shares issued at December 31, 2013	  	 	900	  	 	 	899	  	
Additional paid-in capital	  	 	655,108	  	 	 	689,394	  	
Accumulated other comprehensive income	  	 	18	  	 	 	11	  	
Retained earnings	  	 	58,962	  	 	 	1,886	  	
Treasury stock, at cost (3,250,000 shares at September 30, 2014 and 1,500,000 shares at December 31, 2013)	  	 	(94,871	) 	 	 	(44,163	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total stockholders’ equity	  	 	620,117	  	 	 	648,027	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	  	$	2,531,417	  	 	$	2,577,410	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
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 SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 	  	For the Three Months Ended
September 30,	 	 	For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,	 	
 	  	2014	 	 	2013	 	 	2014	 	 	2013	 	
Net revenues:	  				 				 				 				
Admissions	  	$	306,495	  	 	$	340,183	  	 	$	693,144	  	 	$	747,610	  	
Food, merchandise and other	  	 	189,339	  	 	 	198,206	  	 	 	420,131	  	 	 	440,681	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	  	 	495,834	  	 	 	538,389	  	 	 	1,113,275	  	 	 	1,188,291	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Costs and expenses:	  				 				 				 				
Cost of food, merchandise and other revenues	  	 	38,219	  	 	 	40,422	  	 	 	88,630	  	 	 	93,224	  	
Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	  	 	200,891	  	 	 	202,625	  	 	 	557,993	  	 	 	573,892	  	
Selling, general and administrative	  	 	50,438	  	 	 	47,426	  	 	 	154,078	  	 	 	149,581	  	
Termination of advisory agreement	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	50,072	  	
Secondary offering costs	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	747	  	 	 	—  	  	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	44,371	  	 	 	42,322	  	 	 	128,733	  	 	 	124,154	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	333,919	  	 	 	332,795	  	 	 	930,181	  	 	 	990,923	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating income	  	 	161,915	  	 	 	205,594	  	 	 	183,094	  	 	 	197,368	  	
Other income, net	  	 	(56	) 	 	 	(13	) 	 	 	(84	) 	 	 	(193	) 	
Interest expense	  	 	20,857	  	 	 	20,211	  	 	 	61,087	  	 	 	70,439	  	
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs	  	 	461	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	461	  	 	 	29,858	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income before income taxes	  	 	140,653	  	 	 	185,396	  	 	 	121,630	  	 	 	97,264	  	
Provision for income taxes	  	 	53,477	  	 	 	64,656	  	 	 	46,265	  	 	 	32,375	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	  	$	87,176	  	 	$	120,740	  	 	$	75,365	  	 	$	64,889	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other comprehensive income:	  				 				 				 				
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, net of tax	  	 	1,087	  	 	 	(1,127	) 	 	 	7	  	 	 	1,453	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Comprehensive income	  	$	88,263	  	 	$	119,613	  	 	$	75,372	  	 	$	66,342	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Earnings per share:	  				 				 				 				
Net income per share, basic	  	$	1.01	  	 	$	1.35	  	 	$	0.86	  	 	$	0.75	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income per share, diluted	  	$	1.00	  	 	$	1.34	  	 	$	0.86	  	 	$	0.74	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	  				 				 				 				
Basic	  	 	86,715	  	 	 	89,610	  	 	 	87,329	  	 	 	86,867	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Diluted	  	 	87,024	  	 	 	90,206	  	 	 	87,648	  	 	 	87,531	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash dividends declared per share:	  				 				 				 				
Cash dividends declared per share	  	$	0.21	  	 	$	0.20	  	 	$	0.62	  	 	$	0.40	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
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 SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 	  	Shares of
Common
Stock Issued	 	 	Common
Stock	 	  	Additional
Paid-In
Capital	 	 	Retained
Earnings	 	 	Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income	 	  	Treasury
Stock, at
Cost	 	 	Total
Stockholders’
Equity	 	
Balance at December 31, 2013	  	 	89,900,453	  	 	$	899	  	  	$	689,394	  	 	$	1,886	  	 	$	11	  	  	$	(44,163	) 	 	$	648,027	  	
Equity-based compensation	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	1,905	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	1,905	  	
Unrealized gain on derivatives, net of tax expense of $4	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	7	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	7	  	
Vesting of restricted shares	  	 	84,969	  	 	 	1	  	  	 	(1	) 	 	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	
Shares withheld for tax withholdings	  	 	(4,150	) 	 	 	—  	  	  	 	(134	) 	 	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(134	) 	
Cash dividends declared to stockholders ($0.62 per share)	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	(36,056	) 	 	 	(18,289	) 	 	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(54,345	) 	
Repurchase of 1,750,000 shares of treasury stock, at cost	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	(50,708	) 	 	 	(50,708	) 	
Net income	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	75,365	  	 	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	 	 	75,365	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance at September 30, 2014	  	 	89,981,272	  	 	$	900	  	  	$	655,108	  	 	$	58,962	  	 	$	18	  	  	$	(94,871	) 	 	$	620,117	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
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 SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

 	  	For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,	 	
 	  	2014	 	 	2013	 	
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:	  				 				
Net income	  	$	75,365	  	 	$	64,889	  	
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	  				 				
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	128,733	  	 	 	124,154	  	
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts	  	 	7,068	  	 	 	8,508	  	
Loss on sale or disposal of assets	  	 	1,694	  	 	 	8,129	  	
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs	  	 	461	  	 	 	29,858	  	
Deferred income tax provision	  	 	45,356	  	 	 	32,375	  	
Equity-based compensation	  	 	1,905	  	 	 	4,704	  	
Changes in assets and liabilities:	  				 				
Accounts receivable	  	 	(3,091	) 	 	 	(13,432	) 	
Inventories	  	 	(557	) 	 	 	(1,299	) 	
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	  	 	1,890	  	 	 	(67	) 	
Accounts payable	  	 	(3,746	) 	 	 	(4,029	) 	
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	  	 	(11,595	) 	 	 	(11,788	) 	
Deferred revenue	  	 	9,191	  	 	 	16,259	  	
Other accrued expenses	  	 	14,162	  	 	 	15,168	  	
Other assets and liabilities	  	 	3,103	  	 	 	(445	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net cash provided by operating activities	  	 	269,939	  	 	 	272,984	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:	  				 				
Capital expenditures	  	 	(122,809	) 	 	 	(125,852	) 	
Change in restricted cash	  	 	(373	) 	 	 	49	  	
Acquisition of intangible assets	  	 	(1,900	) 	 	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net cash used in investing activities	  	 	(125,082	) 	 	 	(125,803	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:	  				 				
Repayment of long-term debt	  	 	(42,025	) 	 	 	(185,742	) 	
Repayment of note payable	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(3,000	) 	
Proceeds from draw on revolving credit facility	  	 	40,000	  	 	 	35,000	  	
Repayment of revolving credit facility	  	 	(40,000	) 	 	 	(35,000	) 	
Purchase of treasury stock	  	 	(50,708	) 	 	 	—  	  	
Dividends paid to stockholders	  	 	(53,639	) 	 	 	(18,124	) 	
Payment of tax withholdings on equity-based compensation through shares withheld	  	 	(134	) 	 	 	—  	  	
Redemption premium payment	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(15,400	) 	
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	  	 	—  	  	 	 	1,455	  	
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of underwriter commissions	  	 	—  	  	 	 	253,800	  	
Debt issuance costs	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(10,635	) 	
Offering costs	  	 	—  	  	 	 	(4,694	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	  	 	(146,506	) 	 	 	17,660	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	  	 	(1,649	) 	 	 	164,841	  	
Cash and Cash Equivalents—Beginning of period	  	 	116,841	  	 	 	45,675	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and Cash Equivalents—End of period	  	$	115,192	  	 	$	210,516	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Supplemental Disclosures of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities	  				 				
Capital expenditures in accounts payable	  	$	13,616	  	 	$	24,449	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Dividends declared, but unpaid	  	$	18,647	  	 	$	18,223	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
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Table of Contents
 SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Description of the Business
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. (“SEA”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), owns and operates eleven theme parks within the United States. Prior to December 1, 2009, the Company did not have any operations. Prior to its initial public offering on April 24, 2013, the Company was owned by ten limited partnerships (the “Partnerships” or the “selling stockholders”), ultimately owned by affiliates of The Blackstone Group L.P. (“Blackstone”) and certain co-investors.
The Company operates SeaWorld theme parks in Orlando, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; and San Diego, California, and Busch Gardens theme parks in Tampa, Florida, and Williamsburg, Virginia. The Company operates water park attractions in Orlando, Florida (Aquatica); San Diego, California (Aquatica); Tampa, Florida (Adventure Island); and Williamsburg, Virginia (Water Country USA). The Company also operates a reservations-only attraction offering interaction with marine animals (Discovery Cove) and a seasonal park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania (Sesame Place).
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Therefore, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC as well as the information contained under the heading “Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements” which follows. The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K except as discussed under the heading “Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements” which follows.
In the opinion of management, such unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods, but are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2014 or any future period due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s operations. Based upon historical results, the Company typically generates its highest revenues in the second and third quarters of each year and incurs a net loss in the first and fourth quarters, in part because six of its theme parks are only open for a portion of the year.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements 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 unaudited condensed 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, deferred tax assets, deferred revenue, equity compensation and the valuation of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Segment Reporting
The Company maintains discrete financial information for each of its eleven theme parks, which is used by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), identified as the Chief Executive Officer, as a basis for allocating resources. 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 the operations, the Company has concluded that its operating segments may be aggregated and that it has one reportable segment.
Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements
In the third quarter of 2014, the Company conducted an internal review of its application of the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 470-50, Debt-Modifications and Extinguishments, to its accounting for certain debt transactions in 2013, 2012 and 2011. As a result of this review and analysis, the Company determined that it had incorrectly applied the accounting guidance in ASC 470-50 and inappropriately accounted for certain fees as a result of modifications and prepayments in certain years. In accordance with ASC 250 (SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 99, Assessing Materiality ), the Company concluded that the correction of the errors was not material to any of its previously issued annual or interim financial statements. The Company has revised its previously issued financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to correct the effect of these immaterial errors for the corresponding periods.
The following table presents the impact of these corrections on affected unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income line items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013:

 	  	For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2013	 	  	For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013	 	
 	  	As Previously
Reported	 	  	Adjustments	 	 	As Revised	 	  	As Previously
Reported	 	  	Adjustments	 	 	As Revised	 	
Selected Statements of Comprehensive Income Data:	  				  				 				  				
Operating expenses	  	$	202,625	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	202,625	  	  	$	570,559	  	  	$	3,333	  	 	$	573,892	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest expense	  	$	21,018	  	  	$	(807	) 	 	$	20,211	  	  	$	72,550	  	  	$	(2,111	) 	 	$	70,439	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	  	$	32,429	  	  	$	(2,571	) 	 	$	29,858	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income before income taxes	  	$	184,589	  	  	$	807	  	 	$	185,396	  	  	$	95,915	  	  	$	1,349	  	 	$	97,264	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Provision for income taxes	  	$	64,390	  	  	$	266	  	 	$	64,656	  	  	$	31,930	  	  	$	445	  	 	$	32,375	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	  	$	120,199	  	  	$	541	  	 	$	120,740	  	  	$	63,985	  	  	$	904	  	 	$	64,889	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Earnings per share:	  				  				 				  				  				 				
Net income per share, basic	  	$	1.34	  	  	$	0.01	  	 	$	1.35	  	  	$	0.74	  	  	$	0.01	  	 	$	0.75	  	
Net income per share, diluted	  	$	1.33	  	  	$	0.01	  	 	$	1.34	  	  	$	0.73	  	  	$	0.01	  	 	$	0.74	  	
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
The following table presents the impact of these corrections on affected unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows line items for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

 	  	For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013	 	
 	  	As
Previously
Reported	 	  	Adjustments	 	 	As Revised	 	
Selected Statements of Cash Flows Data:	  				  				 				
Net cash provided by operating activities	  	$	276,317	  	  	$	(3,333	) 	 	$	272,984	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net cash provided by financing activities	  	$	14,327	  	  	$	3,333	  	 	$	17,660	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
The following table presents the impact of these corrections on affected unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet line items as of December 31, 2013:

 	  	As of December 31, 2013	 	
 	  	As
Previously
Reported	 	  	Adjustments	 	 	As Revised	 	
Selected Balance Sheet Data:	  				
Other assets	  	$	40,753	  	  	$	(4,863	) 	 	$	35,890	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total assets	  	$	2,582,273	  	  	$	(4,863	) 	 	$	2,577,410	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Long-term debt	  	$	1,627,183	  	  	$	5,348	  	 	$	1,632,531	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Deferred tax liabilities, net	  	$	29,776	  	  	$	(4,106	) 	 	$	25,670	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Retained earnings	  	$	7,991	  	  	$	(6,105	) 	 	$	1,886	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total stockholders’ equity	  	$	654,132	  	  	$	(6,105	) 	 	$	648,027	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	  	$	2,582,273	  	  	$	(4,863	) 	 	$	2,577,410	  	

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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
The following tables present the impact of these corrections for other previously issued periods as indicated:

 	 	For the Year Ended December 31, 2013	 	 	For the Year Ended December 31, 2012	 	 	For the Year Ended December 31, 2011	 	
 	 	As
Previously
Reported	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	As
Revised	 	 	As
Previously
Reported	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	As
Revised	 	 	As
Previously
Reported	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	As
Revised	 	
Selected Statements of Comprehensive Income Data:	  	
Operating expenses	 	$	739,989	  	 	$	3,333	  	 	$	743,322	  	 	$	726,509	  	 	$	4,073	  	 	$	730,582	  	 	$	687,999	  	 	$	4,326	  	 	$	692,325	  	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest expense	 	$	93,536	  	 	$	(2,914	) 	 	$	90,622	  	 	$	111,426	  	 	$	(861	) 	 	$	110,565	  	 	$	110,097	  	 	$	(12,356	) 	 	$	97,741	  	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs	 	$	32,429	  	 	$	(2,571	) 	 	$	29,858	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	2,053	  	 	$	2,053	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	15,129	  	 	$	15,129	  	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income before income taxes	 	$	75,482	  	 	$	2,152	  	 	$	77,634	  	 	$	116,926	  	 	$	(5,265	) 	 	$	111,661	  	 	$	32,541	  	 	$	(7,099	) 	 	$	25,442	  	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Provision for income taxes	 	$	25,004	  	 	$	710	  	 	$	25,714	  	 	$	39,482	  	 	$	(2,042	) 	 	$	37,440	  	 	$	13,428	  	 	$	(2,775	) 	 	$	10,653	  	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	 	$	50,478	  	 	$	1,442	  	 	$	51,920	  	 	$	77,444	  	 	$	(3,223	) 	 	$	74,221	  	 	$	19,113	  	 	$	(4,324	) 	 	$	14,789	  	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Earnings per share:	  	
Net income per share, basic	 	$	0.58	  	 	$	0.01	  	 	$	0.59	  	 	$	0.94	  	 	$	(0.04	) 	 	$	0.90	  	 	$	0.23	  	 	$	(0.05	) 	 	$	0.18	  	
Net income per share, diluted	 	$	0.57	  	 	$	0.02	  	 	$	0.59	  	 	$	0.93	  	 	$	(0.04	) 	 	$	0.89	  	 	$	0.23	  	 	$	(0.05	) 	 	$	0.18	  	
Selected Statements of Cash Flows Data:	  	
Net cash provided by operating activities	 	$	289,794	  	 	$	(3,333	) 	 	$	286,461	  	 	$	303,513	  	 	$	(4,073	) 	 	$	299,440	  	 	$	268,249	  	 	$	(4,326	) 	 	$	263,923	  	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net cash used in financing activities	 	$	(52,252	) 	 	$	3,333	  	 	$	(48,919	) 	 	$	(120,183	) 	 	$	4,073	  	 	$	(116,110	) 	 	$	(99,967	) 	 	$	4,326	  	 	$	(95,641	) 	

																									
 	 	For the Three Months Ended
June 30, 2014	 	 	For the Three Months Ended
June 30, 2013	 	
 	 	As Previously
Reported	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	As Revised	 	 	As Previously
Reported	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	As Revised	 	
Selected Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Data:	 				
Operating expenses	 	$	189,190	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	189,190	  	 	$	194,674	  	 	$	3,333	  	 	$	198,007	  	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest expense	 	$	20,638	  	 	$	(112	) 	 	$	20,526	  	 	$	22,926	  	 	$	(694	) 	 	$	22,232	  	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs	 	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	32,429	  	 	$	(2,571	) 	 	$	29,858	  	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income (loss) before income taxes	 	$	59,994	  	 	$	112	  	 	$	60,106	  	 	$	(24,268	) 	 	$	(68	) 	 	$	(24,336	) 	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	 	$	22,658	  	 	$	42	  	 	$	22,700	  	 	$	(8,414	) 	 	$	(22	) 	 	$	(8,436	) 	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income (loss)	 	$	37,336	  	 	$	70	  	 	$	37,406	  	 	$	(15,854	) 	 	$	(46	) 	 	$	(15,900	) 	
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Earnings (loss) per share:	 				 				 				 				 				 				
Net income (loss) per share, basic	 	$	0.43	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	0.43	  	 	$	(0.18	) 	 	$	—  	  	 	$	(0.18	) 	
Net income (loss) per share, diluted	 	$	0.43	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	0.43	  	 	$	(0.18	) 	 	$	—  	  	 	$	(0.18	) 	
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 	  	For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2014	 	 	For the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2013	 	
 	  	As Previously
Reported	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	As Revised	 	 	As Previously
Reported	 	 	Adjustments	 	 	As Revised	 	
Selected Statements of Comprehensive Loss Data:	  				 				 				 				 				 				
Interest expense	  	$	20,046	  	 	$	(342	) 	 	$	19,704	  	 	$	28,606	  	 	$	(610	) 	 	$	27,996	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loss before income taxes	  	$	(79,471	) 	 	$	342	  	 	$	(79,129	) 	 	$	(64,406	) 	 	$	610	  	 	$	(63,796	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Benefit from income taxes	  	$	(30,040	) 	 	$	128	  	 	$	(29,912	) 	 	$	(24,046	) 	 	$	201	  	 	$	(23,845	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net loss	  	$	(49,431	) 	 	$	214	  	 	$	(49,217	) 	 	$	(40,360	) 	 	$	409	  	 	$	(39,951	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loss per share:	  				 				 				 				 				 				
Net loss per share, basic	  	$	(0.56	) 	 	$	—  	  	 	$	(0.56	) 	 	$	(0.49	) 	 	$	0.01	  	 	$	(0.48	) 	
Net loss per share, diluted	  	$	(0.56	) 	 	$	—  	  	 	$	(0.56	) 	 	$	(0.49	) 	 	$	0.01	  	 	$	(0.48	) 	
2. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Company reviews new accounting pronouncements as they are issued or proposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). The Company is not aware of any new accounting pronouncements that will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition . This ASU 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. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The effective date will be annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 using one of two retrospective application methods. The Company is evaluating the accounting and disclosure requirements on its consolidated financial statements but does not currently anticipate a material impact to the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
3. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share is computed as follows:

 	  	Three Months Ended September 30,	 	  	Nine Months Ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2014	 	  	2013	 	  	2014	 	  	2013	 	
 	  	Net
Income	 	  	Shares	 	  	Per
Share
Amount	 	  	Net
Income	 	  	Shares	 	  	Per
Share
Amount	 	  	Net
Income	 	  	Shares	 	  	Per
Share
Amount	 	  	Net
Income	 	  	Shares	 	  	Per
Share
Amount	 	
Basic earnings per share	  	$	87,176	  	  	 	86,715	  	  	$	1.01	  	  	$	120,740	  	  	 	89,610	  	  	$	1.35	  	  	$	75,365	  	  	 	87,329	  	  	$	0.86	  	  	$	64,889	  	  	 	86,867	  	  	$	0.75	  	
Effect of dilutive incentive-based awards	  				  	 	309	  	  				  				  	 	596	  	  				  				  	 	319	  	  				  				  	 	664	  	  				
	  				  	 	 	 	  				  				  	 	 	 	  				  				  	 	 	 	  				  				  	 	 	 	  				
Diluted earnings per share	  	$	87,176	  	  	 	87,024	  	  	$	1.00	  	  	$	120,740	  	  	 	90,206	  	  	$	1.34	  	  	$	75,365	  	  	 	87,648	  	  	$	0.86	  	  	$	64,889	  	  	 	87,531	  	  	$	0.74	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
In accordance with the Earnings Per Share Topic of the ASC, basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period (excluding unvested restricted stock). The shares of unvested restricted stock are eligible to receive dividends; however, dividend rights will be forfeited if the award does not vest. Accordingly, only vested shares of outstanding restricted stock are included in the calculation of basic earnings per share. The weighted average number of repurchased shares during the period that are held as treasury stock are excluded from common stock outstanding.
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Diluted earnings per share is determined based on the dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock probable of vesting using the treasury stock method. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, there were approximately 27,000 and 21,000 antidilutive shares of common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, there were no antidilutive shares of common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.
4. INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense is recognized based on the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate which is based upon the tax rate expected for the full calendar year applied to the pre-tax income or loss of the interim period. The Company’s consolidated effective tax rate for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 38.0%, and differs from the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to state income taxes and other permanent items. The Company’s consolidated effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 34.9% and 33.3%, respectively, and differs from the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to certain tax credits and state income taxes.
The Company has determined that there are no positions currently taken that would rise to a level requiring an amount to be recorded or disclosed as an uncertain tax position. If such positions do arise, it is the Company’s intent that any interest or penalty amount related to such positions will be recorded as a component of tax expense to the applicable period.
5. OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES
Other accrued expenses at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, consisted of the following:

 	  	September 30,
2014	 	  	December 31,
2013	 	
Accrued property taxes	  	$	10,952	  	  	$	2,113	  	
Accrued interest	  	 	9,756	  	  	 	2,636	  	
Self-insurance reserve	  	 	7,800	  	  	 	7,800	  	
Other	  	 	2,177	  	  	 	2,715	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Total other accrued expenses	  	$	30,685	  	  	$	15,264	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
6. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of the following:

 	  	September 30,
2014	 	 	December 31,
2013	 	
Term B-2 Loans	  	$	1,355,950	  	 	$	1,397,975	  	
Revolving credit agreement	  	 	—  	  	 	 	—  	  	
Senior Notes	  	 	260,000	  	 	 	260,000	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total long-term debt	  	 	1,615,950	  	 	 	1,657,975	  	
Less discounts	  	 	(9,531	) 	 	 	(11,394	) 	
Less current maturities	  	 	(14,050	) 	 	 	(14,050	) 	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total long-term debt, net of current maturities	  	$	1,592,369	  	 	$	1,632,531	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
SEA is the borrower under the senior secured credit facilities, as amended pursuant to a credit agreement dated as of December 1, 2009 (“Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). Also on December 1, 2009, SEA issued $400,000 aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due December 1, 2016 (the “Senior Notes”). In conjunction with the Company’s initial public offering completed on April 24, 2013, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds received from the offering to repay $37,000 of the outstanding indebtedness under the then existing Term B Loan and to redeem $140,000 aggregate principal amount of its Senior Notes at a redemption price of 111.0%, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. See further discussion in Note 12- Stockholders’ Equity.
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization and amounts written-off for early extinguishment of debt, were $21,788 and $27,453 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Deferred financing costs are being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the term of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities or the Senior Notes and are included in other assets in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
As of September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all covenants in the provisions contained in the documents governing the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and in the indenture governing the Senior Notes.
Senior Secured Credit Facilities
As of September 30, 2014, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities consisted of a $1,355,950 senior secured term loan facility (the “Term B-2 Loans”), which will mature on May 14, 2020 and a $192,500 senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which was not drawn upon at September 30, 2014. The Revolving Credit Facility will mature on the earlier of (a) April 24, 2018 and (b) the 91st day prior to the earlier of (1) the maturity date of Senior Notes with an aggregate principal amount greater than $50,000 outstanding and (2) the maturity date of any indebtedness incurred to refinance any of the term loans or the Senior Notes.
The Term B-2 Loans were borrowed in an aggregate principal amount of $1,405,000. Borrowings under the Secured Credit Facilities bear interest, at SEA’s option, at a rate equal to a margin over either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the higher of (1) the Bank of America’s prime lending rate and (2) the federal funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1% or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the British Bankers Association (“BBA”) LIBOR rate, or the successor thereto if the BBA is no longer making a LIBOR rate available, for the interest period relevant to such borrowing. The applicable margin for the Term B-2 Loans is 1.25%, in the case of base rate loans, and 2.25%, in the case of LIBOR rate loans, subject to a base rate floor of 1.75% and a LIBOR floor of 0.75%. The applicable margin for the Term B-2 Loans (under either a base rate or LIBOR rate) is subject to one 25 basis point step-down upon achievement by SEA of a certain total leverage ratio. At September 30, 2014, the Company selected the LIBOR rate (interest rate of 3.00% at September 30, 2014).
The applicable margin for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility is 1.75%, in the case of base rate loans, and 2.75%, in the case of LIBOR rate loans. The applicable margin (under either a base rate or LIBOR rate) is subject to one 25 basis point step-down upon achievement by SEA of certain corporate credit ratings. At September 30, 2014, SEA selected the LIBOR rate and achieved the corporate credit ratings for an applicable margin of 2.50%.
In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, SEA is required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder. SEA is also required to pay customary letter of credit fees.
The Term B-2 Loans amortize in equal quarterly installments in an aggregate annual amount equal to 1.0% of the original principal amount of the Term B-2 Loans on May 14, 2013, with the first payment due and paid on September 30, 2013 and the balance due on the final maturity date, of May 14, 2020. SEA may voluntarily repay amounts outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans. On September 30, 2014, the Company made a voluntary principal repayment of approximately $31,500 on the Term B-2 Loans with available cash on hand.
SEA may also increase and/or add one or more incremental term loan facilities to the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and/or increase commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $350,000. SEA may also incur additional incremental term loans provided that, among other things, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the incurrence of such incremental term loans, the first lien secured leverage ratio, as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility, is no greater than 3.50 to 1.00.
As of September 30, 2014, the Company had approximately $16,100 of outstanding letters of credit, leaving approximately $176,400 available for borrowing.
On April 5 and May 14, 2013, the Company entered into Amendments No. 4 and 5 to its Senior Secured Credit Facilities. As a result of Amendment No. 5 and certain syndicate members ceasing their participation in the syndicate or having a substantial modification of their debt, approximately $8,100 of debt issuance costs were written off and included as loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, pursuant to the guidance outlined in ASC 470-50. In addition, approximately
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
$3,900 of third party debt issuance costs were expensed on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, pursuant to the guidance outlined in ASC 470-50 as certain syndicate members had modifications that resulted in debt instruments that were not substantially different. As a result of Amendments No. 4 and 5, the Company capitalized fees totaling approximately $9,400 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Senior Notes
The Senior Notes interest rate is 11.0% per annum. Interest is paid semi-annually in arrears. The obligations under the Senior Notes are guaranteed by the same entities as those that guarantee the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. Prior to December 1, 2014, SEA may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. The “Applicable Premium” is defined as the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Senior Notes at December 1, 2014 plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Senior Notes through December 1, 2014 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points over (b) the principal amount of the Senior Notes. On or after December 1, 2014, the Senior Notes may be redeemed at 105.5% and 102.75% of the principal balance beginning on December 1, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Restricted Covenants
The Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the Senior Notes contain a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict SEA’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain restricted payments (as defined in the applicable agreement), including dividend payments and share repurchases. In particular, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the indenture permit restricted payments in an aggregate amount per annum not to exceed the greater of (1) 6% of initial public offering net proceeds received by SEA or (2) (a) $90,000, so long as, on a pro forma basis (as defined in the applicable agreement) after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio, (as defined in the applicable agreement), is no greater than 5.00 to 1.00 and greater than 4.50 to 1.00, (b) $120,000, so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio is no greater than 4.50 to 1.00 and greater than 4.00 to 1.00, (c) the greater of (A) $120,000 and (B) 7.5% of market capitalization, so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio is no greater than 4.00 to 1.00 and greater than 3.50 to 1.00 and (d) an unlimited amount, so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio is no greater than 3.50 to 1.00. As of September 30, 2014, the Total Leverage Ratio as calculated under the Senior Notes was 4.41 to 1.00 and as calculated under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities was 4.09 to 1.00, which results in the Company having a $120,000 capacity for restricted payments in fiscal 2014. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company has used approximately $104,900 of its available restricted payments capacity. As a result, the Company currently has the ability to declare dividends or make certain other restricted payments in an aggregate amount of up to approximately $15,100 for the remainder of calendar year 2014. The amount available for dividend declarations, share repurchases and certain other restricted payments under the covenant restrictions in the debt agreements will be reset on January 1, 2015 as set forth above.
Long-term debt at September 30, 2014, is repayable as follows:

Years Ending December 31,	 	
2014	  	$	3,513	  	
2015	  	 	14,050	  	
2016	  	 	274,050	  	
2017	  	 	14,050	  	
2018	  	 	14,050	  	
Thereafter	  	 	1,296,237	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Total	  	$	 1,615,950	  	

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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
On August 23, 2012, SEA executed two interest rate swap agreements (the “Interest Rate Swap Agreements”) to effectively fix the interest rate on $550,000 of the then existing Term B Loans. Each interest rate swap had a notional amount of $275,000; was scheduled to mature on September 30, 2016; required the Company to pay a fixed rate of interest of 1.247% per annum; paid swap counterparties a variable rate of interest based upon three month BBA LIBOR; and had interest settlement dates occurring on the last day of December, March, June and September through maturity. SEA had designated such interest rate swap agreements as qualifying cash flow hedge accounting relationships.
As a result of an amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facilities in May 2013, the Interest Rate Swap Agreements were restructured into two interest rate swaps totaling $550,000 to match the refinanced debt. Each restructured interest rate swap has a notional amount of $275,000; matures on September 30, 2016; requires the Company to pay a fixed rate of interest between 1.049% and 1.051% per annum; pays swap counterparties a variable rate of interest based upon the greater of 0.75% or three month BBA LIBOR; and has interest settlement dates occurring on the last day of December, March, June and September through maturity.
In March 2014, the Company executed a new interest rate swap agreement to effectively fix the interest rate on $450,000 of the Term B-2 Loans. The new interest rate swap has an effective date of March 31, 2014; has a notional amount of $450,000; matures on September 30, 2016; requires the Company to pay a fixed rate of interest of 1.051% per annum; pays swap counterparties a variable rate of interest based upon the greater of 0.75% or three month BBA LIBOR; and has interest settlement dates occurring on the last day of December, March, June and September through maturity.
SEA designated the interest rate swap agreements above as qualifying cash flow hedge accounting relationships as further discussed in Note 7- Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities which follows.
Cash paid for interest relating to the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, the Senior Notes and the interest rate swap agreements was $49,133 and $59,685 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
7. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s borrowings.
As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any derivatives outstanding that were not designated in hedge accounting relationships.
Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had three outstanding interest rate swaps with a combined notional value of $1,000,000 that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. In connection with Amendment No. 5 to the Senior Secured Credit Facility on May 14, 2013, the Company restructured two of its then existing interest rate swaps to match the refinanced debt. The restructuring of the interest rate swaps required a re-designation of the hedge accounting relationship. The re-designation is expected to result in the recognition of a minimal amount of ineffectiveness throughout the remaining term of the interest rate swaps.
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, there was no ineffective portion recognized in earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. During the next 12 months, the Company estimates that an additional $2,901 will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.
Tabular Disclosure of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on the Balance Sheet
The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014:

 	  	As of September 30, 2014	 	
 	  	Asset Derivatives	 	  	Liabilities Derivatives	 	
	  	Balance Sheet
Location	  	Fair Value	 	  	Balance Sheet
Location	  	Fair Value	 	
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:	  		  				  		  				
Interest rate swaps	  	Other assets	  	$	—  	  	  	Other liabilities	  	$	148	  	
	  		  	 	 	 	  		  	 	 	 	
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	  		  	$	—  	  	  		  	$	148	  	
	  		  	 	 	 	  		  	 	 	 	
The unrealized gain on derivatives is recorded net of a tax expense of $664 and $4 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and is included within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013:

 	  	As of December 31, 2013	 	
 	  	Asset Derivatives	 	  	Liabilities Derivatives	 	
 	  	Balance Sheet
Location	 	  	Fair Value	 	  	Balance Sheet
Location	 	  	Fair Value	 	
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:	  				  				  				  				
Interest rate swaps	  	 	Other assets	  	  	$	71	  	  	 	Other liabilities	  	  	$	—  	  	
	  				  	 	 	 	  				  	 	 	 	
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	  				  	$	71	  	  				  	$	—  	  	
	  				  	 	 	 	  				  	 	 	 	
Tabular Disclosure of the Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Comprehensive Income
The table below presents the pre-tax effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:

 	  	Three Months Ended
September 30,	 	 	Nine Months Ended
September 30,	 	
 	  	2014	 	  	2013	 	 	2014	 	 	2013	 	
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:	  				  				 				 				
Gain (loss) related to effective portion of derivatives recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	  	$	1,005	  	  	$	(1,380	) 	 	$	(1,868	) 	 	$	3,338	  	
Gain (loss) related to effective portion of derivatives reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense	  	$	746	  	  	$	(422	) 	 	$	1,879	  	 	$	(1,144	) 	
Gain (loss) related to ineffective portion of derivatives recognized in other income (expense)	  	$	—  	  	  	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	 	$	—  	  	
Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features
The Company has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations.
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
As of September 30, 2014, the termination value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $121. As of September 30, 2014, the Company has posted no collateral related to these agreements. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at September 30, 2014, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $121.
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The following table reflects the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, net of tax:

 	  	Gains
(Losses) on
Cash Flow
Hedges	 	
Accumulated other comprehensive income:	  				
Balance at December 31, 2013	  	$	11	  	
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	  	 	(1,189	) 	
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense	  	 	1,196	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Unrealized gain on derivatives, net of tax	  	 	7	  	
	  	 	 	 	
Balance at September 30, 2014	  	$	18	  	
	  	 	 	 	
8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement is required to be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. 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 (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).
The Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative financial instruments using the income approach fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company uses readily available market data to value its derivatives, such as interest rate curves and discount factors. ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, also requires consideration of credit risk in the valuation. The Company uses a potential future exposure model to estimate this credit valuation adjustment (“CVA”). The inputs to the CVA are largely based on observable market data, with the exception of certain assumptions regarding credit worthiness which make the CVA a Level 3 input. Based on the magnitude of the CVA, it is not considered a significant input and the derivatives are classified as Level 2. Of the Company’s long-term obligations, the Term B-2 Loans are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the term loans as of September 30, 2014 approximates their carrying value due to the variable nature of the underlying interest rates and the frequent intervals at which such interest rates are reset. The Senior Notes are classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and have been valued using significant inputs that are not observable in the market including a discount rate of 10.48% and projected cash flows of the underlying Senior Notes.
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. The Company did not have any assets measured at fair value as of September 30, 2014. The following table presents the Company’s estimated fair value measurements and related classifications as of September 30, 2014:

 	  	Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets and
Liabilities
(Level 1)	 	  	Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)	 	  	Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)	 	  	Balance at
September 30,
2014	 	
Liabilities:	  				  				  				  				
Derivative financial instruments (a)	  	$	—  	  	  	$	148	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	148	  	
Long-term obligations (b)	  	$	—  	  	  	$	1,355,950	  	  	$	267,187	  	  	$	1,623,137	  	
 
(a)	Reflected at fair value in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as other liabilities of $148.	
(b)	Reflected at carrying value in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as current maturities on long-term debt of $14,050 and long-term debt of $1,592,369 as of September 30, 2014.	
There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the year ended December 31, 2013. The following table presents the Company’s estimated fair value measurements and related classifications as of December 31, 2013:

 	  	Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets and
Liabilities
(Level 1)	 	  	Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)	 	  	Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)	 	  	Balance at
December 31,
2013	 	
Assets:	  				  				  				  				
Derivative financial instruments (a)	  	$	—  	  	  	$	71	  	  	$	—  	  	  	$	71	  	
Liabilities:	  				  				  				  				
Long-term obligations (b)	  	$	—  	  	  	$	1,397,975	  	  	$	264,781	  	  	$	1,662,756	  	
 
(a)	Reflected at fair value in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as other assets of $71.	
(b)	Reflected at carrying value in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as current maturities on long-term debt of $14,050 and long-term debt of $1,632,531 as of December 31, 2013.	
9. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Prior to April 2013, certain affiliates of Blackstone provided monitoring, advisory, and consulting services to the Company under an advisory fee agreement (the “2009 Advisory Agreement”), which was terminated on April 24, 2013, in connection with the completion of the initial public offering (see Note 12 – Stockholders’ Equity). Fees related to these services, which were based upon a multiple of Adjusted EBITDA as defined in the 2009 Advisory Agreement, amounted to $2,799 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. There were no fees related to these services in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2014 due to the termination of the 2009 Advisory Agreement in April 2013.
In connection with the completion of the initial public offering in April 2013 (see Note 12 – Stockholders’ Equity), the 2009 Advisory Agreement between the Company and affiliates of Blackstone was terminated (except for certain provisions relating to indemnification and certain other provisions, which survived termination). In connection with such termination, in April 2013, the Company paid a termination fee of $46,300 to Blackstone using a portion of the net proceeds from the offering and wrote off $3,772 of the 2013 prepaid advisory fee. The combined expense of $50,072 was recorded as termination of advisory agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
In March 2014, the Board declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share to all common stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2014. In May and September 2014, the Board declared a cash dividend of $0.21 per share to all common stockholders of record at the close of business on June 20 and September 29, 2014, respectively (see Note 12 - Stockholders’ Equity). In connection with these dividend declarations, certain affiliates of Blackstone were paid dividends in the amount of $7,849, $4,252 and $4,095 on April 1, July 1, and October 6, 2014, respectively.
The Company repurchased shares of its common stock from the selling stockholders concurrently with the closing of the respective secondary offerings in December 2013 and April 2014. See further discussion in Note 12 - Stockholders’ Equity.
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Securities Class Action Lawsuit
On September 9, 2014, a purported stockholder class action lawsuit consisting of purchasers of the Company’s common stock during the periods between April 18, 2013 to August 13, 2014, captioned Baker v. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., et al., Case No. 14-CV-02129-MMA (KSC), was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California (the “Court”) against the Company, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, certain of our executive officers and Blackstone (the “Defendants”). The complaint alleges that the prospectus and registration statements filed contained materially false and misleading information in violation of the federal securities laws and seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. On October 10, 2014, the Court entered an Order Granting Joint Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Complaint (the “Order”). The Order provides that (i) the Defendants need not respond to the complaint until a lead plaintiff is appointed, lead plaintiff’s counsel is approved, and the lead plaintiff files an amended complaint; (ii) within fifteen (15) days of the Court’s appointment of lead plaintiff and lead counsel, counsel for the Defendants and counsel for the lead plaintiff shall meet and confer regarding scheduling; and (iii) within five (5) days of the meet and confer, the parties shall submit a joint motion for the Court’s approval with the parties’ proposed schedule for the filing of an amended complaint, and the filing of a motion to dismiss or other response to the amended complaint. The Company believes that the class action lawsuit is without merit and intends to defend the lawsuit vigorously; however, there can be no assurance regarding the ultimate outcome of this lawsuit.
Other Matters
The Company is a party to other various claims and legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. Matters where an unfavorable outcome to the Company is probable and which can be reasonably estimated are accrued. Such accruals, which are not material for any period presented, are based on information known about the matters, the Company’s estimate of the outcomes of such matters, and the Company’s experience in contesting, litigating, and settling similar matters. Matters that are considered reasonably possible to result in a material loss are not accrued for, but an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss is disclosed, if such amount or range can be determined. Management does not expect any known claims or legal proceedings to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
11. EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
In accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, the Company measures the cost of employee services rendered in exchange for share-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.
Employee Units Surrendered for Common Stock
Prior to April 18, 2013, the Company had an Employee Unit Incentive Plan (“Employee Unit Plan”). Under the Employee Unit Plan, the Partnerships granted employee units to certain key employees of SEA (“Employee Units”). The Employee Units that were granted were accounted for as equity awards and were divided into three tranches, Time Vesting Units (“TVUs”), 2.25x Performance Vesting Units (“PVUs”) and 2.75x PVUs. Separately, certain members of management in 2011 also purchased Class D Units of the Partnerships (“Class D Units”).
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Prior to the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering, on April 18, 2013, the Employee Units and Class D Units held by certain of the Company’s directors, officers, employees, and consultants were surrendered to the Partnerships and such individuals received an aggregate of 4,165,861 shares of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock from the Partnerships. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock received by such individuals from the Partnerships was determined in a manner intended to replicate the economic value to each equity holder immediately prior to the transaction. The Class D Units and vested Employee Units were surrendered for an aggregate of 949,142 shares of common stock. The unvested Employee Units were surrendered for an aggregate of 3,216,719 unvested restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, which are subject to vesting terms substantially similar to those applicable to the unvested Employee Units immediately prior to the transaction. These unvested restricted shares consisted of Time Restricted shares (the “Time Restricted shares”), and 2.25x and 2.75x Performance Restricted shares, (collectively, the “Performance Restricted shares”), which, for accounting purposes, were removed from the Company’s issued and outstanding shares until their restrictions are met.
TVUs and Time Restricted Shares
The shares of stock received upon surrender of the Employee Units contain substantially identical terms, conditions and vesting schedules as the previously outstanding Employee Units. Compensation expense related to the Time Restricted share awards was $248 and $774 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Total combined compensation expense relating to the TVU and Time Restricted share awards was $606 and $1,537 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Equity compensation expense is included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Total unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested Time Restricted shares, expected to be recognized over the remaining vesting term was $539 as of September 30, 2014.
2.25x and 2.75x PVUs and Performance Restricted Shares
The Performance Restricted shares received upon surrender of the Employee Unit PVUs contain substantially the same terms and conditions as the previously outstanding Employee Unit PVUs. The 2.25x Performance Restricted shares vest if the employee is employed by the Company when and if certain investment funds affiliated with Blackstone receive cash proceeds (not subject to any clawback, indemnity or similar contractual obligation) in respect of their Partnerships units equal to (x) a 20% annualized effective compounded return rate on such funds’ investment and (y) a 2.25x multiple on such funds’ investment. The 2.75x Performance Restricted shares vest if the employee is employed by the Company when and if such funds receive cash proceeds (not subject to any clawback, indemnity or similar contractual obligation) in respect of their Partnerships units equal to (x) a 15% annualized effective compounded return rate on such funds’ investment and (y) a 2.75x multiple on such funds’ investment. The Performance Restricted shares have no termination date other than termination of employment from the Company and there are no service or period vesting conditions associated with the Performance Restricted shares other than employment at the time the benchmark was reached. No compensation expense will be recorded related to the Performance Restricted shares until their vesting is probable, accordingly, no compensation expense has been recorded during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2014 or 2013 related to these PVUs or Performance Restricted share awards. Total unrecognized compensation expense as of September 30, 2014, was approximately $27,734 and $18,584 for these 2.25x and 2.75x Performance Restricted shares, respectively.
2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan
In 2013, the Company reserved 15,000,000 shares of common stock for future issuance under the Company’s new 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan”). The 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the Board, and provides that the Company may grant equity incentive awards to eligible employees, directors, consultants or advisors in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and other stock-based and performance compensation awards. If an award under the 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan terminates, lapses, or is settled without the payment of the full number of shares subject to the award, the undelivered shares may be granted again under the 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
On April 19, 2013, 494,557 shares of restricted stock were granted to the Company’s directors, officers and employees under the 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The shares granted were in the form of time vesting restricted shares (“Time Restricted Omnibus shares”), 2.25x performance restricted shares (“2.25x Performance Restricted Omnibus shares”) and 2.75x performance restricted shares (“2.75x Performance Restricted Omnibus shares”).
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Equity compensation expense related to time restricted shares awarded under the 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan was $321 and $1,131 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $1,876 and $3,167 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2014, unrecognized compensation expense related to the time restricted shares awarded under the 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan was $1,083 to be recognized over the remaining requisite service period. There is no compensation expense recorded related to the Performance Restricted Omnibus shares until their issuance is probable. Total unrecognized compensation expense as of September 30, 2014 was approximately $4,902 and $3,709 for the 2.25x Performance Restricted Omnibus shares and 2.75x Performance Restricted Omnibus shares, respectively.
Based on cash proceeds previously received by certain investment funds affiliated with Blackstone from the Company’s initial public offering and subsequent secondary offerings of stock, the Company’s repurchase of shares and the cumulative dividends paid by the Company through November 1, 2014, if such funds receive additional future cash proceeds of approximately $17,000, and other vesting conditions are satisfied, the 2.25x Performance Restricted shares and 2.25x Performance Restricted Omnibus shares will vest. Similarly, if such funds receive additional future cash proceeds of approximately $444,000, and other vesting conditions are satisfied, the 2.75x Performance Restricted shares and the 2.75x Performance Restricted Omnibus shares will vest. As receipt of these future cash proceeds will be primarily related to liquidity events, such as secondary offerings of stock, the shares are not considered probable of vesting until such events are consummated.
As of September 30, 2014, there were 14,521,774 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the Company’s 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
As of September 30, 2014, 89,981,272 shares of common stock were issued on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet, which excludes 3,266,721 unvested shares of common stock held by certain participants in the Company’s equity compensation plans (see Note 11 – Equity-Based Compensation).
Stock Split
On April 7, 2013, the Board authorized an eight-for-one split of the Company’s common stock which was effective on April 8, 2013. The Company retained the current par value of $0.01 per share for all shares of common stock after the stock split, and accordingly, stockholders’ equity on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity reflects the stock split. The Company’s historical share and per share information has been retroactively adjusted to give effect to this stock split.
Contemporaneously with the stock split, the Board approved an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock to 1 billion shares. Additionally, upon the consummation of the initial public offering, the Board authorized 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock at a par value of $0.01 per share.
Initial Public Offering and Use of Proceeds
On April 24, 2013, the Company completed its initial public offering of its common stock in which it offered and sold 10,000,000 shares of common stock and the selling stockholders of the Company offered and sold 19,900,000 shares of common stock including, 3,900,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. The common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SEAS”.
The Company’s initial public offering generated net proceeds of approximately $245,400 to the Company after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, expenses and transaction costs. The Company did not receive any proceeds from shares sold by the selling stockholders. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds received in the offering to redeem (1) $140,000 in aggregate principal amount of its Senior Notes at a redemption price of 111.0% plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and (2) to repay $37,000 of the outstanding indebtedness under the then existing Term B Loan. In addition, the Company used approximately $46,300 of the net proceeds received from the offering to make a one-time payment to an affiliate of Blackstone in connection with the termination of the 2009 Advisory Agreement (see Note 9 – Related-Party Transactions).
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Secondary Offerings and Concurrent Share Repurchases
On December 17, 2013, the selling stockholders completed an underwritten secondary offering of 18,000,000 shares of common stock. The selling stockholders received all of the net proceeds from the offering and no shares were sold by the Company. The Company incurred fees and expenses of $1,407 in connection with this secondary offering which was shown as secondary offering expenses on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2013.
On April 9, 2014, the selling stockholders completed an underwritten secondary offering of 17,250,000 shares of common stock, including 2,250,000 shares pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. The selling stockholders received all of the net proceeds from the offering and no shares were sold by the Company. In the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company incurred fees and expenses of $747 in connection with this secondary offering which is shown as secondary offering expenses on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
Concurrently with the closing of the secondary offering in December 2013 and April 2014, the Company repurchased 1,500,000 and 1,750,000 shares, respectively, of its common stock directly from the selling stockholders in private, non-underwritten transactions at a price per share equal to the price per share paid to the selling stockholders by the underwriters in the respective secondary offerings. All of the repurchased shares are recorded as treasury stock at a total cost of $44,163 and $94,871 as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively, and are reflected as a reduction to stockholders’ equity on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and unaudited condensed consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity.
Dividends
The Board has adopted a policy to pay, subject to legally available funds, a regular quarterly dividend. The payment of cash dividends is within the discretion of the Board and depends on many factors, including, but not limited to, the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, level of indebtedness, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, restrictions in its debt agreements and in any preferred stock, business prospects and other factors that the Board may deem relevant. In the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Board declared or paid quarterly cash dividends to all common stockholders of record as follows:

Record Date	  	Payment Date	  	Cash Dividend
per Common
Share	 	
December 20, 2013	  	January 3, 2014	  	$	0.20	  	
March 20, 2014	  	April 1, 2014	  	$	0.20	  	
June 20, 2014	  	July 1, 2014	  	$	0.21	  	
September 29, 2014	  	October 6, 2014	  	$	0.21	  	
As the Company had an accumulated deficit at the time the June 20 and March 20, 2014 dividends were declared, these dividends were accounted for as a return of capital and recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. Dividends paid to common stockholders were $53,639 in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The Company expects that for tax purposes, a portion of these dividends will be treated as a return of capital to stockholders. Distributions that qualify as a return of capital are not considered “dividends” for tax purposes only.
As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $18,647 of cash dividends recorded as dividends payable in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. Approximately $18,200 was paid on October 6, 2014. The remainder of the dividends payable relates to unvested restricted shares which carry dividend rights and therefore the dividends are paid as the shares vest in accordance with the underlying stock compensation grants. These dividend rights will be forfeited if the shares do not vest.
Dividends on the 2.25x and 2.75x Performance Restricted shares, including the 2.25x and 2.75x Performance Restricted Omnibus shares (collectively the “Performance Restricted shares”), were approximately $1,770 for each tranche and will accumulate and be paid only if and to the extent the Performance Restricted shares vest in accordance with their terms. The Company has not recorded a payable related to these dividends as the vesting of the Performance Restricted shares is not probable.
 
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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Share Repurchase Program
On August 12, 2014, the Board authorized a share repurchase program of up to $250.0 million of the Company’s common stock beginning on January 1, 2015. Under the repurchase program, the Company is authorized to repurchase shares through open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, including through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans and under Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The repurchase program has no time limit and may be suspended for periods or discontinued at any time. The number of shares to be purchased and the timing of purchases will be based on the level of the Company’s cash balances, general business and market conditions, and other factors, including legal requirements, debt covenant restrictions and alternative investment opportunities.
 
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 Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	
The following discussion contains management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations and should be read together with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs and involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. You should carefully read “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Business Overview
We are a leading theme park and entertainment company delivering personal, interactive and educational experiences that blend imagination with nature and enable our customers to celebrate, connect with and care for the natural world we share. We own or license a portfolio of globally recognized brands, including SeaWorld, Shamu and Busch Gardens. Over our more than 50-year history, we have built a diversified portfolio of 11 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase our one-of-a-kind collection of approximately 86,000 marine and terrestrial animals. Our theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for our guests. During the three months ended September 30, 2014, we hosted approximately 8.4 million guests in our theme parks, including approximately 1.3 million international guests. In the three months ended September 30, 2014, we generated total revenues of $495.8 million and net income of $87.2 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we hosted approximately 18.0 million guests in our theme parks, including approximately 2.9 million international guests. In the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we generated total revenues of $1,113.3 million and net income of $75.4 million.
Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements
During the third quarter of 2014, we identified and corrected immaterial errors related to accounting for certain debt transactions in 2013, 2012 and 2011. Refer to the “Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements” section of Note 1-Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation, in our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, for further details. Accordingly, we have revised previously issued financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to correct the effect of these errors for the corresponding periods. Management’s discussion and analysis included herein is based on the revised financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Key Business Metrics Evaluated by Management
Attendance
We define attendance as the number of guest visits to our theme parks. Increased attendance drives increased admissions revenue to our theme parks as well as total in-park spending. The level of attendance at our theme parks is a function of many factors, including the opening of new attractions and shows, weather, global and regional economic conditions, competitive offerings and overall consumer confidence in the economy.
Total Revenue Per Capita
Total revenue per capita, defined as total revenue divided by total attendance, consists of admission per capita and in-park per capita spending:
 
 	•	 	Admission Per Capita.  We calculate admission per capita for any period as total admissions revenue divided by total attendance. Theme park admissions accounted for approximately 62% of our total revenue for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. For the third quarter of 2014, we reported $36.47 in admission per capita, representing a decrease of 5.0% from the third quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we reported $38.44 in admission per capita, representing a decrease of 2.7% from the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Admission per capita is driven by ticket pricing, the mix of tickets purchased (such as single day, multi-day and annual pass) and the mix of attendance by theme parks visited.	
 
 	•	 	In-Park Per Capita Spending.  We calculate in-park per capita spending for any period as total food, merchandise and other revenue divided by total attendance. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, food, merchandise and other revenue accounted for approximately 38% of our total revenue. For the third quarter of 2014, we reported $22.53 of in-park per capita spending, a slight increase of 0.8% from the third quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we reported $23.30 of in-park per capita spending, essentially flat compared to $23.28 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. In-park per capita spending is driven by pricing changes, penetration levels (percentage of guests purchasing), new product offerings, the mix of guests and the mix of in-park spending.	
 
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Trends Affecting Our Results of Operations
We have experienced negative attendance trends in 2014 which we believe resulted from a combination of factors affecting our destination parks, during our second and third quarters. We believe negative media attention in California and a challenging competitive environment in Florida are the key factors which contributed to our decline in attendance and resulting decrease in admissions revenue. To address our near term challenges, we are adjusting our attraction and marketing plans while also executing a cost savings plan which is expected to deliver approximately $50.0 million of annual cost savings by the end of 2015 and we are continuing to review our cost structure. We expect the impact of the cost reductions will be largely offset by normal inflationary increases in labor and other expenses and an anticipated increase in marketing spending.
Our ability to attract and retain customers depends, in part, upon the external perceptions of our brands and reputation. Adverse publicity concerning our business generally could harm our brands, reputation and results of operations. The considerable expansion in the use of social media over recent years has amplified the impact of negative publicity. Recently, our business and SeaWorld-branded parks, in particular, have been the target of negative media attention, particularly in the state of California where legislation was proposed in March 2014 seeking to restrict our ability to display certain animals in that state. We believe we are experiencing demand pressures, particularly in California, partly due to such media attention. We have introduced and are considering a number of initiatives to address public perceptions and raise and protect brand awareness.
Our success also depends to a significant extent on discretionary consumer spending, which is heavily influenced by general economic conditions and the availability of discretionary income. In the past, severe economic downturns, coupled with high volatility and uncertainty as to the future global economic landscape, have had and continues to have an adverse effect on consumers’ discretionary income and consumer confidence. Difficult economic conditions and recessionary periods may adversely impact attendance figures, the frequency with which guests choose to visit our theme parks and guest spending patterns at our theme parks. Historically, our revenue and attendance growth have been highly correlated with domestic economic growth, as reflected in the gross domestic product (“GDP”) and the overall level of growth in domestic consumer spending. For example, in 2009 and 2010, we experienced a decline in attendance as a result of the global economic crisis, which, in turn, adversely affected our revenue and profitability. We expect that forecasted moderate improvements in GDP and growth in domestic consumer spending will have a positive impact on our future performance.
Both attendance and total revenue per capita at our theme parks are key drivers of our revenue and profitability, and reductions in either can materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Seasonality
The theme park industry is seasonal in nature. Based upon historical results, we generate the highest revenues in the second and third quarters of each year, in part because six of our theme parks are only open for a portion of the year. Approximately two-thirds of our attendance and revenues are generated in the second and third quarters of the year and we typically incur a net loss in the first and fourth quarters. The mix of revenues by quarter is relatively constant, but revenues can shift between the first and second quarters due to the timing of Easter or between the first and fourth quarters due to the timing of Christmas and New Year’s. Even for our five theme parks open year-round, attendance patterns have significant seasonality, driven by holidays, school vacations and weather conditions. One of our goals in managing our business is to continue to generate cash flow throughout the year and minimize the effects of seasonality. In recent years, we have begun to encourage attendance during non-peak times by offering a variety of seasonal programs and events, such as kids festivals, special concert series, and Halloween and Christmas events. In addition, during seasonally slow times, operating costs are controlled by reducing operating hours and show schedules. Employment levels required for peak operations are met largely through part-time and seasonal hiring.
Principal Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Revenues
Our revenues are driven primarily by attendance in our theme parks and the level of per capita spending for admission to the theme parks and per capita spending inside the theme parks for culinary, merchandise and other in-park experiences. The level of attendance in our theme parks is a function of many factors, including the opening of new attractions and shows, weather, global and regional economic conditions, competitive offerings and consumer confidence. Admission per capita is driven by ticket pricing, the mix of ticket type purchased (such as single day, multi-day, and annual pass) and the mix of attendance by theme parks visited. In-park per capita spending is driven by pricing changes, penetration levels (percentage of guests purchasing), new product offerings, the mix of guests and the mix of in-park spending. For other factors affecting our revenues, see the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC.
 
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In addition to the theme parks, we are also involved in entertainment, media, and consumer product businesses that leverage our intellectual property. While these businesses currently do not represent a material percentage of our revenue, they are important strategic drivers in terms of consumer awareness and brand building. We aim to expand these businesses into a greater source of revenue in the future.
Costs and Expenses
The principal costs of our operations are employee salaries, employee benefits, advertising, maintenance, animal care, utilities and insurance. Factors that affect our costs and expenses include commodity prices, costs for construction, repairs and maintenance, other inflationary pressures and attendance levels. A large portion of our expenses is relatively fixed because the costs for full-time employees, maintenance, animal care, utilities, advertising and insurance do not vary significantly with attendance. For factors affecting our costs and expenses, see the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC.
We barter theme park admission products for advertising and various other products and services. The fair value of the admission products is recognized into revenue or contra-expense and related expenses at the time of the exchange and approximates the fair value of the goods or services received.
Results of Operations
The following discussion provides an analysis of our operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. This data should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
The following table presents key operating and financial information for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:

 	  	For the Three Months Ended
September 30,	 	
 	  	2014	 	 	2013	 	
 	  	(Unaudited, in thousands, except
per capita data)	 	
Summary financial data:	  				 				
Net revenues:	  				 				
Admissions	  	$	306,495	  	 	$	340,183	  	
Food, merchandise and other	  	 	189,339	  	 	 	198,206	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	  	 	495,834	  	 	 	538,389	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Costs and expenses:	  				 				
Cost of food, merchandise and other revenues	  	 	38,219	  	 	 	40,422	  	
Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	  	 	200,891	  	 	 	202,625	  	
Selling, general and administrative	  	 	50,438	  	 	 	47,426	  	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	44,371	  	 	 	42,322	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	333,919	  	 	 	332,795	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating income	  	 	161,915	  	 	 	205,594	  	
Other income, net	  	 	(56	) 	 	 	(13	) 	
Interest expense	  	 	20,857	  	 	 	20,211	  	
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs	  	 	461	  	 	 	—  	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income before income taxes	  	 	140,653	  	 	 	185,396	  	
Provision for income taxes	  	 	53,477	  	 	 	64,656	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	  	$	87,176	  	 	$	120,740	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other data:	  				 				
Attendance	  	 	8,405	  	 	 	8,864	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenue per capita	  	$	58.99	  	 	 	60.74	  	

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Admissions revenue.  Admissions revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $33.7 million (9.9%) to $306.5 million as compared to $340.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The prior year quarter in 2013 yielded record results in revenue driven by our SeaWorld-branded parks partly due to the addition of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin ® , our largest expansion ever at our SeaWorld Orlando park. The decrease in admissions revenue in the third quarter of 2014 was primarily a result of a 5.2% decline in attendance along with a 5.0% decrease in admission per capita from $38.38 in the third quarter of 2013 to $36.47 in the third quarter of 2014. Attendance declined when compared to the prior year quarter as negative trends we began to experience in the second quarter of 2014, primarily at our destination parks, extended into our peak operating quarter. We believe the decline results from a combination of factors, including negative media attention in California, along with a challenging competitive environment, particularly in Florida. Part of the challenges in Florida relate to significant new attraction offerings at competitor destination parks, along with a delay in the scheduled opening of one of our new rides at our Busch Gardens Tampa park. The prior year quarter also included the impact from the opening of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin ® . The decrease in admission per capita was primarily a result of an unfavorable change in the park attendance mix and an increase in promotional offerings compared to the prior year quarter.
Food, merchandise and other revenue.  Food, merchandise and other revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2014 decreased by $8.9 million (4.5%) to $189.3 million as compared to $198.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. This decrease was primarily a result of a 5.2% decrease in total attendance, which was slightly offset by an increase in in-park per capita spending from $22.36 in the third quarter of 2013 to $22.53.
Costs of food, merchandise and other revenues.  Costs of food, merchandise and other revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $2.2 million (5.5%) to $38.2 million as compared to $40.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. These costs represent 20.2% and 20.4% of related revenue earned for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Operating expenses.  Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $1.7 million (0.9%) to $200.9 million as compared to $202.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily a result of a reduction in variable labor costs and other cost mitigation efforts employed by our park operations team, largely offset by additional operating costs to support new attractions, among other cost pressures. Operating expenses were 40.5% of total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to 37.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2013.
Selling, general and administrative.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased $3.0 million (6.4%) to $50.4 million as compared to $47.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The increase was primarily related to higher marketing expenses mainly due to brand initiatives partially offset by a reduction in equity compensation expense when compared to the prior year quarter. As a percentage of total revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses were 10.2% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to 8.8% in the third quarter of 2013.
Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased $2.0 million (4.8%) to $44.4 million as compared to $42.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 due to the impact of new asset additions offset by fully depreciated assets.
Interest expense.  Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased $0.6 million (3.2%) to $20.9 million as compared to $20.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The increase primarily relates to an increase in interest rate swap expense along with a decrease in capitalized interest when compared to the third quarter of 2013.
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs. Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs of $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 relates to a write-off in discounts and deferred financing costs related to the voluntary prepayment of $31.5 million on our Senior Secured Credit Facilities during the third quarter of 2014.
Provision for income taxes.  The Company reported a provision for income taxes in the three months ended September 30, 2014 of $53.5 million compared to $64.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease results from lower pretax income in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013 partially offset by an increase in our effective income tax rate (from 34.9% to 38.0%). Our effective income tax rate increased compared to 2013 due to certain tax credits taken in 2013 that are currently expired.
 
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Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
The following table presents key operating and financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:

 	  	For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,	 	
 	  	2014	 	 	2013	 	
 	  	(Unaudited, in thousands,
except per capita data)	 	
Summary financial data:	  				 				
Net revenues:	  				 				
Admissions	  	$	693,144	  	 	$	747,610	  	
Food, merchandise and other	  	 	420,131	  	 	 	440,681	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	  	 	1,113,275	  	 	 	1,188,291	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Costs and expenses:	  				 				
Cost of food, merchandise and other revenues	  	 	88,630	  	 	 	93,224	  	
Operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	  	 	557,993	  	 	 	573,892	  	
Selling, general and administrative	  	 	154,078	  	 	 	149,581	  	
Termination of advisory agreement	  	 	—  	  	 	 	50,072	  	
Secondary offering costs	  	 	747	  	 	 	—  	  	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	128,733	  	 	 	124,154	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total costs and expenses	  	 	930,181	  	 	 	990,923	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating income	  	 	183,094	  	 	 	197,368	  	
Other income, net	  	 	(84	) 	 	 	(193	) 	
Interest expense	  	 	61,087	  	 	 	70,439	  	
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs	  	 	461	  	 	 	29,858	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Income before income taxes	  	 	121,630	  	 	 	97,264	  	
Provision for income taxes	  	 	46,265	  	 	 	32,375	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net Income	  	$	75,365	  	 	$	64,889	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Other data:	  				 				
Attendance	  	 	18,034	  	 	 	18,926	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenue per capita	  	$	61.73	  	 	$	62.79	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Admissions revenue.  Admissions revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $54.5 million (7.3%) to $693.1 million as compared to $747.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease in admissions revenue was a result of a 4.7% decrease in attendance, along with a decrease of 2.7% in admission per capita from $39.50 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $38.44 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Attendance for the first nine months of 2014 declined as negative trends we began to experience in the second quarter of 2014, primarily at our destination parks, extended into our peak operating quarter. We believe the decline results from a combination of factors, including negative media attention in California, along with a challenging competitive environment, particularly in Florida. Part of the challenges in Florida relate to significant new attraction offerings at competitor destination parks and a delay in the opening of one of our new rides at our Busch Gardens Tampa park. The prior year also included the impact from the opening of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin ® at our SeaWorld Orlando park. Attendance for the first nine months of 2014 was also impacted by adverse weather during the first quarter in the Florida and Texas markets. The decrease in admission per capita was primarily a result of an unfavorable change in the park attendance mix and an increase in promotional offerings.
Food, merchandise and other revenue.  Food, merchandise and other revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased by $20.6 million (4.7%) to $420.1 million as compared to $440.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. This decrease was primarily a result of the 4.7% decrease in total attendance. In-park per capita spending was essentially flat at $23.30 in the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $23.28 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
 
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Costs of food, merchandise and other revenues.  Costs of food, merchandise and other revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $4.6 million (4.9%) to $88.6 million as compared to $93.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. These costs represent 21.1% and 21.2% of related revenue earned for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Operating expenses.  Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $15.9 million (2.8%) to $558.0 million as compared to $573.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease was primarily a result of a reduction in variable labor costs and other cost mitigation efforts employed by our park operators. Operating expenses were 50.1% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to 48.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Selling, general and administrative.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased $4.5 million (3.0%) to $154.1 million as compared to $149.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase was primarily related to marketing costs driven by brand initiatives along with the launch of our SeaWorld brand 50 th anniversary celebration. These increased costs were offset by the elimination of the 2009 Advisory Agreement fees due to the termination of this agreement in April 2013 and a decrease in equity compensation when compared to the prior year period. As a percentage of total revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses were 13.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to 12.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Termination of advisory agreement. In conjunction with the completion of our initial public offering on April 24, 2013, the 2009 Advisory Agreement was terminated. In connection with such termination, we paid a termination fee of $46.3 million to an affiliate of Blackstone and recorded a write-off of $3.8 million in 2013 prepaid advisory fees.
Secondary offering costs. Secondary offering costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 of $0.7 million relate to fees and expenses incurred in connection with the secondary offering of our common stock by the selling stockholders that was completed on April 9, 2014. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we paid all expenses related to the offering, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. No shares were sold by us in the secondary offering and the selling stockholders received all of the net proceeds from the offering.
Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased $4.6 million (3.7%) to $128.7 million as compared to $124.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 due to the impact of new asset additions offset by fully depreciated assets.
Interest expense.  Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $9.4 million (13.3%) to $61.1 million as compared to $70.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily reflecting the effects of the redemption of $140.0 million of our Senior Notes and the repayment of $37.0 million in term loan under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities in April 2013 with a portion of the net proceeds from our initial public offering as well as the impact of Amendment No. 5 to our Senior Secured Credit Facilities, which reduced the interest rate applicable to borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs. Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs of $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 relates to a write-off in discounts and deferred financing costs related to the voluntary prepayment of $31.5 million on our Senior Secured Credit Facilities during the third quarter of 2014. Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs of $29.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily relates to a $15.4 million premium paid for the early redemption of $140.0 million of our Senior Notes with a portion of the net proceeds from our initial public offering in April 2013, along with a write-off of approximately $5.5 million in related discounts and deferred financing costs and the write-off of approximately $8.1 million of certain debt issuance costs in connection with Amendment No. 5 to our Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
Provision for income taxes.  The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased $13.9 million (42.9%) to $46.3 million as compared to a provision for income taxes of $32.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase results from the impact of a higher pretax income in the first nine months of 2014 along with an increase in our effective income tax rate (from 33.3% to 38.0%). Our effective income tax rate increased compared to 2013 due to certain tax credits taken in 2013 that are currently expired.
 
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash generated from operations, funds from borrowings and existing cash on hand. Our principal uses of cash include the funding of working capital obligations, debt service, investments in theme parks (including capital projects), and common stock dividends. As of September 30, 2014, we had a working capital deficit of approximately $26.6 million. We typically operate with a working capital deficit and we expect that we will continue to have working capital deficits in the future. The working capital deficits are due in part to a significant deferred revenue balance from revenues paid in advance for our theme park admissions products and high turnover of in-park products that results in a limited inventory balance. Our cash flow from operations, along with our revolving credit facilities, have allowed us to meet our liquidity needs while maintaining a working capital deficit.
As market conditions warrant and subject to our contractual restrictions and liquidity position, we, our affiliates and/or our major stockholders, including Blackstone and its affiliates, may from time to time repurchase our outstanding equity and/or debt securities, including the Senior Notes and/or our outstanding bank loans in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise. Any such repurchases may be funded by incurring new debt, including additional borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. Any new debt may also be secured debt. We may also use available cash on our balance sheet. The amounts involved in any such transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may be material. Further, since some of our debt may trade at a discount to the face amount among current or future syndicate members, any such purchases may result in our acquiring and retiring a substantial amount of any particular series, with the attendant reduction in the trading liquidity of any such series.
The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has adopted a policy to pay, subject to legally available funds, a regular quarterly dividend. Dividends paid to stockholders were $53.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The amount and timing of any future dividends payable on our common stock is within the sole discretion of the Board. The Company expects that for tax purposes, a portion of the dividends paid in 2014 will be treated as a return of capital to stockholders. Distributions that qualify as a return of capital are not considered “dividends” for tax purposes only.
Approximately $0.4 million of dividends declared through September 30, 2014, will be paid if certain time restricted shares vest over their requisite service periods. Dividends on certain performance restricted shares were approximately $3.5 million and will accumulate and be paid only if and to the extent the shares vest in accordance with their terms. See Note 12-Stockholders’ Equity to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Concurrently with the closing of the secondary offering on December 17, 2013, we repurchased 1.5 million shares of our common stock directly from the selling stockholders in a private, non-underwritten transaction. Concurrently with the closing of the secondary offering on April 9, 2014, we repurchased 1.75 million shares of our common stock directly from the selling stockholders in a private, non-underwritten transaction. All repurchased shares are recorded as treasury stock at a cost of $44.2 million as of December 31, 2013 and $94.9 million as of September 30, 2014.
In March 2014, we executed a new interest rate swap agreement to effectively fix the interest rate on $450.0 million of the Term B-2 Loans. The interest rates swap has an effective date of March 31, 2014, has a notional amount of $450.0 million and is scheduled to mature on September 30, 2016.
We believe that existing cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations, and available borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities will be adequate to meet the capital expenditures, dividends and working capital requirements of our operations for at least the next 12 months.
On August 12, 2014, our Board authorized a share repurchase program of up to $250.0 million of our common stock beginning on January 1, 2015. Under the repurchase program, we are authorized to repurchase shares through open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, including through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans and under Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The repurchase program has no time limit and may be suspended for periods or discontinued at any time. The number of shares to be purchased and the timing of purchases will be based on the level of our cash balances, general business and market conditions, and other factors, including legal requirements, debt covenant restrictions and alternative investment opportunities.
 
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The following table presents a summary of our cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing, and financing activities for the periods indicated:

 	  	For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,	 	
 	  	2014	 	 	2013	 	
 	  	(Unaudited, in thousands)	 	
Net cash provided by operating activities	  	$	269,939	  	 	$	272,984	  	
Net cash used in investing activities	  	 	(125,082	) 	 	 	(125,803	) 	
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	  	 	(146,506	) 	 	 	17,660	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	  	$	(1,649	) 	 	$	164,841	  	
	  	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $269.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to $273.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, which included a cash payment of $46.3 million for the 2009 Advisory Agreement termination fee paid in conjunction with our initial public offering in April 2013. The change in net cash provided by operating activities was also impacted by a decrease in total revenue in the first nine months of 2014 primarily related to a decline in attendance offset by favorable changes in our working capital accounts when compared to the prior year period.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Investing activities consist principally of capital investments we make in our theme parks for future attractions and infrastructure. Net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $122.8 million largely related to future attractions. Net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 consisted of $125.9 million of capital expenditures largely related to attractions that opened in 2014.
The amount of our capital expenditures may be affected by general economic and financial conditions, among other things, including restrictions imposed by our borrowing arrangements. We generally expect to fund our 2014 capital expenditures through our operating cash flow.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was primarily attributable to $53.6 million in cash dividends paid to common stockholders, $50.7 million used to repurchase 1.75 million shares of our common stock and $42.0 million paid on our Term B-2 Loan under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, as defined below, which included a voluntary prepayment of $31.5 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily attributable to the receipt of $253.8 million of the proceeds from our initial public offering, net of underwriter discounts and commissions, offset by $185.7 million of repayments of debt which consisted of the redemption of $140.0 million of our Senior Notes and a repayment of $37.0 million of indebtedness under our then existing Term B Loan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we also paid $18.1 million in cash dividends, $15.4 million in a redemption premium for the Senior Notes, $10.6 million in debt issuance costs, $4.7 million in costs incurred in connection with the initial public offering and $3.0 million related to a note payable, which was due on September 1, 2013 in connection with the November 2012 acquisition of Knott’s Soak City, a standalone Southern California water park, from an affiliate of Cedar Fair L.P.
 
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Our Indebtedness
The Company is a holding company and conducts its operations through its subsidiaries, which have incurred or guaranteed indebtedness as described below.
Senior Secured Credit Facilities
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Inc. (“SEA”) is the borrower under our senior secured credit facilities (the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”) pursuant to a credit agreement dated as of December 1, 2009, by and among SEA, as borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent, letter of credit issuer and swing line lender and the other agents and lenders party thereto, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time.
As of September 30, 2014, our Senior Secured Credit Facilities consisted of a $1,356.0 million senior secured term loan facility (the “Term B-2 Loans”), which will mature on May 14, 2020 and a $192.5 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which was not drawn upon at September 30, 2014. The Revolving Credit Facility will mature on the earlier of (a) April 24, 2018 and (b) the 91st day prior to the earlier of (1) the maturity date of Senior Notes with an aggregate principal amount greater than $50.0 million outstanding and (2) the maturity date of any indebtedness incurred to refinance the Term B-2 Loans or the Senior Notes, and includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and for short-term borrowings referred to as the swing line borrowings. As of September 30, 2014, SEA had approximately $16.1 million of outstanding letters of credit.
Borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities bear interest, at SEA’s option, at a rate equal to a margin over either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the higher of (1) Bank of America’s prime lending rate and (2) the federal funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1% or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the British Bankers Association (“BBA”) LIBOR rate, or the successor thereto if the BBA is no longer making a LIBOR rate available, for the interest period relevant to such borrowing. The applicable margin for the Term B-2 Loans is 1.25%, in the case of base rate loans and 2.25%, in the case of LIBOR rate loans, subject to a base rate floor of 1.75% and a LIBOR floor of 0.75%. The applicable margin for the Term B-2 Loans (under either a base rate or LIBOR rate) is subject to one 25 basis point step-down upon achievement by SEA of a certain total leverage ratio. At September 30, 2014, SEA selected the LIBOR rate (interest rate of 3.00% at September 30, 2014).
The applicable margin for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility is 1.75%, in the case of base rate loans and 2.75%, in the case of LIBOR rate loans. The applicable margin (under either a base rate or LIBOR rate) is subject to one 25 basis point step-down upon achievement by SEA of certain corporate credit ratings. At September 30, 2014, SEA selected the LIBOR rate and achieved the corporate credit ratings for an applicable margin of 2.50%.
In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities, SEA is required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder at a rate of 0.50% per annum. SEA is also required to pay customary letter of credit fees.
SEA is required to prepay outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions, with (i) 50% of SEA’s annual “excess cash flow” (with step-downs to 25% and 0%, as applicable, based upon achievement by SEA of a certain total net leverage ratio), subject to certain exceptions; (ii) 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain non-ordinary course asset sales or other dispositions subject to reinvestment rights and certain exceptions; and (iii) 100% of the net cash proceeds of any incurrence of debt by SEA or any of its restricted subsidiaries, other than debt permitted to be incurred or issued under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
Term B-2 Loans amortize in equal quarterly installments in an aggregate annual amount equal to 1.0% of the original principal amount of the Term B-2 Loans, with the balance due on the final maturity date. SEA may voluntarily repay amounts outstanding under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans. On September 30, 2014, SEA made a voluntary principal repayment of approximately $31.5 million on the Term B-2 Loans.
The obligations under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities are fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by each of the Company, any subsidiary of the Company that directly or indirectly owns 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of SEA, and, subject to certain exceptions, each of SEA’s existing and future material domestic wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”). Our Senior Secured Credit Facilities are collateralized by first priority or equivalent security interests in (i) all the capital stock of, or other equity interests in, substantially all SEA’s direct or indirect material domestic subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions and qualifications) and 65% of the capital stock of, or other equity interests in, any of SEA’s first tier foreign subsidiaries and (ii) certain tangible and intangible assets of SEA and those of the Guarantors (subject to certain exceptions and qualifications).
 
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Our Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain a number of customary negative covenants. Such covenants, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of SEA and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; make guarantees; create liens on assets; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; engage in mergers or consolidations; sell assets; make fundamental changes; pay dividends and distributions or repurchase SEA’s capital stock; make investments, loans and advances, including acquisitions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; make changes in nature of the business; and make prepayments of junior debt.
Our Senior Secured Credit Facilities also contain covenants requiring SEA to maintain specified maximum annual capital expenditures, a maximum total net leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. In addition, our Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and events of default.
As of September 30, 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants in the provisions contained in the documents governing our Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
The Senior Notes
On December 1, 2009, SEA issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 13.5% Senior Notes due 2016. On March 30, 2012, pursuant to an amendment to the indenture governing the Senior Notes, the interest rate was reduced from 13.5% to 11.0%. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. The obligations under the Senior Notes are guaranteed by the same entities as those that guarantee our Senior Secured Credit Facilities. As of September 30, 2014, we had $260.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding.
The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations and:
 
 	•	 	rank senior in right of payment to all existing and future debt and other obligations that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes;	
 
 	•	 	rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt and other obligations that are not, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes; and	
 
 	•	 	are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future secured debt (including obligations under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities), to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt, and are structurally subordinated to all obligations of each of our subsidiaries that is not a guarantor of the Senior Notes.	
We may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at any time prior to December 1, 2014, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the redemption date, subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. The “Applicable Premium” is defined as the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Senior Notes at December 1, 2014 plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Senior Notes through December 1, 2014 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points over (b) the principal amount of the Senior Notes. On or after December 1, 2014, the Senior Notes may be redeemed at 105.5% and 102.75% of the principal amount beginning on December 1, 2014 and 2015, respectively.
We used a portion of the net proceeds received by us in our initial public offering to redeem $140.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes in April 2013 at a redemption price of 111.0%. The redemption premium of $15.4 million, along with a write-off of approximately $5.5 million in related discounts and deferred financing costs was recorded as a loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict SEA’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, dispose of certain assets; incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends; prepay subordinated indebtedness; incur liens; make capital expenditures; make investments or acquisitions; engage in mergers or consolidations; and engage in certain types of transactions with affiliates. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions.
As of September 30, 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants in the provisions contained in the indenture governing our Senior Notes.
 
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See Note 6- Long-Term Debt to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements therein for further discussion regarding our Senior Secured Credit Facilities and Senior Notes.
Covenant Compliance
The indenture governing the Senior Notes and the credit agreement governing the Senior Secured Credit Facilities provide for certain events of default which, if any of them were to occur, would permit or require the principal of and accrued interest, if any, on the Senior Notes or the loans under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, respectively, to become or be declared due and payable (subject, in some cases, to specified grace periods).
The Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the Senior Notes contain a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain restricted payments (as defined in the applicable agreement), including dividend payments and share repurchases. In particular, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the indenture permit restricted payments in an aggregate amount per annum not to exceed the greater of (1) 6% of initial public offering net proceeds received by SEA or (2) (a) $90.0 million, so long as, on a pro forma basis (as defined in the applicable agreement) after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio, (as defined in the applicable agreement), is no greater than 5.00 to 1.00 and greater than 4.50 to 1.00, (b) $120.0 million, so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio is no greater than 4.50 to 1.00 and greater than 4.00 to 1.00, (c) the greater of (A) $120.0 million and (B) 7.5% of market capitalization, so long as, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio is no greater than 4.00 to 1.00 and greater than 3.50 to 1.00 and (d) an unlimited amount, so long as, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio is no greater than 3.50 to 1.00. As of September 30, 2014, the Total Leverage Ratio as calculated under the Senior Notes was 4.41 to 1.00 and as calculated under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities was 4.09 to 1.00, which results in a $120.0 million capacity for restricted payments in fiscal 2014. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we have used approximately $104.9 million of our available restricted payments capacity. As a result, we currently have the ability to declare dividends or make certain other restricted payments in an aggregate amount of up to approximately $15.1 million for the remainder of calendar year 2014. The amount available for dividend declarations, share repurchases and certain other restricted payments under the covenant restrictions in the debt agreements will reset on January 1, 2015 as set forth above.
Also, under the indenture governing the Senior Notes and under the credit agreement governing the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, our ability to engage in activities such as incurring additional indebtedness, making investments, refinancing certain indebtedness, paying dividends and entering into certain merger transactions is governed, in part, by our ability to satisfy tests based on covenant Adjusted EBITDA.
The Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Credit Facilities generally define “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization, as further adjusted to exclude certain unusual, non-cash, and other items permitted in calculating covenant compliance under the indenture governing the Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information to investors about the calculation of, and compliance with, certain financial covenants in the indenture governing the Senior Notes and in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. Adjusted EBITDA is a material component of these covenants. In addition, investors, lenders, financial analysts and rating agencies have historically used EBITDA related measures in our industry, along with other measures, to evaluate a company’s ability to meet its debt service requirements, to estimate the value of a company and to make informed investment decisions. We also use Adjusted EBITDA in connection with certain components of our executive compensation program. Adjusted EBITDA eliminates the effect of certain non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of intangible assets, along with the effects of interest rates and changes in capitalization which management believes may not necessarily be indicative of a company’s underlying operating performance.
Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized term under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for a measure of our liquidity or performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and is not indicative of income from operations as determined under GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP financial measures have limitations which should be considered before using these measures to evaluate our liquidity or financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies due to varying methods of calculation.
 
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The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to net income for the periods indicated:

 	  	For the Three Months
Ended September 30,	 	  	For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,	 	
 	  	2014	 	  	2013	 	  	2014	 	  	2013	 	
 	  	(Unaudited, in thousands)	 	
Net income	  	$	87,176	  	  	$	120,740	  	  	$	75,365	  	  	$	64,889	  	
Provision for income taxes	  	 	53,477	  	  	 	64,656	  	  	 	46,265	  	  	 	32,375	  	
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs (a)	  	 	461	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	461	  	  	 	29,858	  	
Interest expense	  	 	20,857	  	  	 	20,211	  	  	 	61,087	  	  	 	70,439	  	
Depreciation and amortization	  	 	44,371	  	  	 	42,322	  	  	 	128,733	  	  	 	124,154	  	
Secondary offering costs (b)	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	747	  	  	 	—  	  	
Termination of advisory agreement (c)	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	50,072	  	
Advisory fees (d)	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	2,799	  	
Equity-based compensation expense (e)	  	 	570	  	  	 	2,482	  	  	 	1,905	  	  	 	4,704	  	
Debt refinancing costs (f’)	  	 	—  	  	  	 	111	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	4,225	  	
Other adjusting items (g)	  	 	1,620	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	3,898	  	  	 	843	  	
Other non-cash expenses (h)	  	 	602	  	  	 	3,894	  	  	 	1,695	  	  	 	8,129	  	
	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
Adjusted EBITDA	  	$	209,134	  	  	$	254,416	  	  	$	320,156	  	  	$	392,487	  	

(a)	Reflects the write-off of discounts and deferred financing costs in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 relating to the voluntary prepayment of $31.5 million on our Senior Secured Credit Facilities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, reflects a $15.4 million premium paid for the early redemption of $140.0 million of our Senior Notes using net proceeds from our initial public offering in April 2013, along with a write-off of approximately $5.5 million in related discounts and deferred financing costs and a write-off of approximately $8.1 million of certain capitalized debt issuance costs in connection with Amendment No. 5 to our Senior Secured Credit Facilities.	
 
(b)	Reflects fees and expenses incurred in connection with the secondary offering of our common stock in April 2014. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we paid all expenses related to the offering, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. No shares were sold by us in the secondary offering and the selling stockholders received all of the net proceeds from the offering.	
 
(c)	Reflects a one-time fee of $46.3 million paid to an affiliate of Blackstone in connection with the termination of the 2009 Advisory Agreement, and a related write-off of prepaid advisory fees of $3.8 million. In connection with our initial public offering, the 2009 Advisory Agreement was terminated on April 24, 2013 in accordance with its terms.	
 
(d)	Reflects historical fees paid to an affiliate of Blackstone under the 2009 Advisory Agreement.	
 
(e)	Reflects non-cash compensation expense associated with the grants of equity compensation.	
 
(f)	Reflects costs which were expensed related to the April and May 2013 amendments to our Senior Secured Credit Facilities.	
 
(g)	Reflects certain initial product and intellectual property development costs and certain business optimization costs and expenses incurred in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. The product and intellectual property development costs were not material in the prior periods and were approximately $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2014. The business optimization costs and expenses primarily represent third party consulting costs associated with development of the cost savings plan. There were no business optimization costs and expenses in the prior periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, other adjusting items reflects costs related to our acquisition of the Knott’s Soak City Chula Vista water park and pre-opening costs related to Aquatica San Diego.	
 
(h)	Reflects non-cash expenses related to miscellaneous asset write-offs which were expensed.	
 
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Contractual Obligations
There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations from those previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, except for the voluntary prepayment of $31.5 million on our Term B-2 Loan under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
During the third quarter of 2014, we announced a plan to build new killer whale environments at all three of our SeaWorld locations. The San Diego environment is expected to open to the public in 2018 with new killer whale homes to follow at SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Antonio. The total investment is expected to be approximately $100.0 million per park by the project’s completion.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingencies during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions include the valuation and useful lives of long-lived tangible and intangible assets, the valuation of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, the accounting for income taxes, the accounting for self-insurance, revenue recognition and equity-based compensation. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The critical accounting estimates associated with these policies are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” These critical accounting policies include property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, accounting for income taxes, self-insurance reserves, and revenue recognition. There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies as compared to the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2014.
Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards
Refer to Note 2- Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements, in our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further details.
 
 Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	
Inflation
The impact of inflation has affected, and will continue to affect, our operations significantly. Our costs of food, merchandise and other revenues are influenced by inflation and fluctuations in global commodity prices. In addition, costs for construction, repairs and maintenance are all subject to inflationary pressures.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to market risks from fluctuations in interest rates, and to a lesser extent on currency exchange rates, from time to time, on imported rides and equipment. The objective of our financial risk management is to reduce the potential negative impact of interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations to acceptable levels. We do not acquire market risk sensitive instruments for trading purposes.
We manage interest rate risk through the use of a combination of fixed-rate long-term debt and interest rate swaps that fix a portion of our variable-rate long-term debt.
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. During the next 12 months, our estimate is that an additional $2.9 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.
After considering the impact of interest rate swap agreements, at September 30, 2014, approximately $1,260.0 million of our outstanding long-term debt represents fixed-rate debt and approximately $356.0 million represents variable-rate debt. Assuming an average balance on our revolving credit borrowings of approximately $40.0 million, a hypothetical 100 bps increase in 3 month LIBOR on our variable-rate debt would lead to an increase of approximately $2.1 million in annual cash interest costs due to the impact of our fixed-rate swap agreements.
 
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 Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), require public companies, including us, to maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” which are defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) to mean a company’s controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required or necessary disclosures. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on the evaluation of the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures by our management as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at a reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Regulations under the Exchange Act require public companies, including our Company, to evaluate any change in our “internal control over financial reporting” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter covered by this Quarterly Report that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
 Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	
Securities Class Action Lawsuit
On September 9, 2014, a purported stockholder class action lawsuit consisting of purchasers of the Company’s common stock during the periods between April 18, 2013 to August 13, 2014, captioned Baker v. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., et al., Case No. 14-CV-02129-MMA (KSC), was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California (the “Court”) against the Company, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, certain of our executive officers and Blackstone (the “Defendants”). The complaint alleges that the prospectus and registration statements filed contained materially false and misleading information in violation of the federal securities laws and seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. On October 10, 2014, the Court entered an Order Granting Joint Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Complaint (the “Order”). The Order provides that (i) the Defendants need not respond to the complaint until a lead plaintiff is appointed, lead plaintiff’s counsel is approved, and the lead plaintiff files an amended complaint; (ii) within fifteen (15) days of the Court’s appointment of lead plaintiff and lead counsel, counsel for the Defendants and counsel for the lead plaintiff shall meet and confer regarding scheduling; and (iii) within five (5) days of the meet and confer, the parties shall submit a joint motion for the Court’s approval with the parties’ proposed schedule for the filing of an amended complaint, and the filing of a motion to dismiss or other response to the amended complaint. On November 10, 2014, competing motions were filed for the appointment of lead plaintiff and approval of each proposed lead plaintiff’s selection of counsel. Specifically, the Oklahoma City Employee Retirement System and Pembroke Pines Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Fund moved to be appointed as lead plaintiff with Grant & Eisenhofer P.A. as counsel; Pensionskassen For Børne- Og Ungdomspædagoger and Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System moved to be appointed as lead plaintiff with Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP and Nix, Patterson & Roach, LLP as co-lead counsel; and Louis H. Baker (the named plaintiff in the lawsuit) also moved to be appointed as lead plaintiff with The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. as counsel. The motions are returnable on December 15, 2014. We believe that the class action lawsuit is without merit and intend to defend the lawsuit vigorously; however, there can be no assurance regarding the ultimate outcome of this lawsuit.
Other Matters
From time to time, we are subject to various other allegations, claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. While it is impossible to determine with certainty the ultimate outcome of any of these proceedings, lawsuits and claims, management believes that adequate provisions have been made and insurance secured for all currently pending proceedings so that the ultimate outcomes will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position.
 
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 Item 1A.	Risk Factors	
There have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth in Item 1A. to Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed on March 21, 2014, except as noted below and except to the extent factual information disclosed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q relates to such risk factors.
Various factors beyond our control could adversely affect attendance and guest spending patterns at our theme parks.
Various factors beyond our control could adversely affect attendance and guest spending patterns at our theme parks. These factors could also affect our suppliers, vendors, insurance carriers and other contractual counterparties. Such factors include:
 
 	•	 	war, terrorist activities or threats and heightened travel security measures instituted in response to these events;	
 
 	•	 	outbreaks of pandemic or contagious diseases or consumers’ concerns relating to potential exposure to contagious diseases;	
 
 	•	 	natural disasters, such as hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornados, floods and volcanic eruptions and man-made disasters such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which may deter travelers from scheduling vacations or cause them to cancel travel or vacation plans;	
 
 	•	 	bad weather and even forecasts of bad weather, including abnormally hot, cold and/or wet weather, particularly during weekends, holidays or other peak periods;	
 
 	•	 	changes in the desirability of particular locations or travel patterns of our guests;	
 
 	•	 	low consumer confidence;	
 
 	•	 	oil prices and travel costs and the financial condition of the airline, automotive and other transportation-related industries, any travel-related disruptions or incidents and their impact on travel;	
 
 	•	 	actions or statements by U.S. and foreign governmental officials related to travel and corporate travel- related activities (including changes to the U.S. visa rules) and the resulting public perception of such travel and activities; and	
 
 	•	 	interruption of public or private utility services to our theme parks.	
Any one or more of these factors could adversely affect attendance and total per capita spending at our theme parks, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to complex federal and state regulations governing the treatment of animals, which can change, and to claims and lawsuits by activist groups before government regulators and in the courts.
We operate in a complex and evolving regulatory environment and are subject to various federal and state statutes and regulations and international treaties implemented by federal law. The states in which we operate also regulate zoological activity involving the import and export of exotic and native wildlife, endangered and/or otherwise protected species, zoological display and anti-cruelty statutes. We incur significant compliance costs in connection with these regulations and violation of such regulations could subject us to fines and penalties and result in the loss of our licenses and permits, which, if occurred, could impact our ability to display certain animals. Future amendments to existing statutes, regulations and treaties or new statutes, regulations and treaties may potentially restrict our ability to maintain our animals, or to acquire new ones to supplement or sustain our breeding programs or otherwise adversely affect our business. For instance, in March of 2014 a bill was proposed by a California lawmaker that seeks to restrict our ability to display certain animals in that state. Also, in June of 2014 the U.S. House of Representatives adopted an amendment that would encourage the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to update existing regulations for marine mammals in domestic zoos and aquaria. It is unclear whether the language of the amendment may be further modified or if the underlying legislation will be enacted into law.
From time to time, animal activist and other third-party groups may make claims before government agencies, bring lawsuits against us, and/or attempt to generate negative publicity associated with our business. Such activities sometimes are based on allegations that we do not properly care for some of our featured animals. On other occasions, such activities are specifically designed to change existing law or enact new law in order to impede our ability to retain, exhibit, acquire or breed animals. While we seek to structure our operations to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and vigorously defend ourselves when sued, there are no assurances as to the outcome of future claims and lawsuits that could be brought against us. In addition, negative publicity associated with such activities could adversely affect our reputation and results of operations. At times, activists and other third-party groups have also attempted to generate negative publicity related to our relationships with our business partners, such as corporate sponsors, promotional partners, vendors, ticket resellers and others. For example, during 2014, we have experienced demand pressures, particularly in California, which we believe were partly due to media attention relating to the recent legislation proposed in that state. In addition, we experienced increased media attention in 2014 extending to our relationships with some of our business partners.
 
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Featuring animals at our theme parks involves risks.
Our theme parks feature numerous displays and interactions that include animals. All animal enterprises involve some degree of risk. All animal interaction by our employees and our guests in attractions in our theme parks, where offered, involves risk. While we maintain strict safety procedures for the protection of our employees and guests, injuries or death, while rare, have occurred in the past. For example, in February 2010, a trainer was killed while engaged in an interaction with a killer whale. Following this incident, we were subject to an inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), which resulted in three citations concerning alleged violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and certain regulations thereunder. In 2012, we initiated an appeal of certain of these citations with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. On April 11, 2014, the Court of Appeals denied our appeal and we have elected to not pursue further appeal. In connection with this incident, we reviewed and revised our safety protocols and made certain safety-related facility enhancements such as revising training protocols used in show performances. This incident has also been and continues to be the subject of significant media attention, including extensive television and newspaper coverage, a documentary and a book, as well as discussions in social media. This incident and similar events that may occur in the future may harm our reputation, reduce attendance and negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, six killer whales are presently on loan to a third party. Although the occurrence of any accident or injury involving these killer whales would be outside of our control, any such occurrence could negatively affect our business and reputation.
We maintain insurance of the type and in amounts that we believe is commercially reasonable and that is available to animal enterprise related businesses in the theme park industry. We cannot predict the level of the premiums that we may be required to pay for subsequent insurance coverage, the level of any self-insurance retention applicable thereto, the level of aggregate coverage available, or the availability of coverage for specific risks.
 
 Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	
The Company had no unregistered sales of equity securities during the third quarter of 2014. The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of our common stock purchased by the Company during the periods indicated:

Period Beginning	  	Period Ending	  	Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)	 	  	Average
Price
Paid per
Share	 	  	Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs	 	  	Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs	 	
July 1, 2014	  	July 31, 2014	  	 	69	  	  	$	29.59	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
August 1, 2014	  	August 31, 2014	  	 	37	  	  	 	27.17	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
September 1, 2014	  	September 30, 2014	  	 	25	  	  	 	20.57	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	
	  		  	 	 	 	  				  	 	 	 	  	 	 	 	
	  		  	 	131	  	  	$	27.19	  	  	 	—  	  	  	 	—  	  	

(1)	All purchases were made pursuant to the Company’s 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan, under which participants may satisfy tax withholding obligations incurred upon the vesting of restricted stock by requesting the Company to withhold shares with a value equal to the amount of the withholding obligation.	
 
 Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	
Not applicable.
 
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 Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	
Not applicable.
 
 Item 5.	Other Information	
Share Repurchase Program
On August 12, 2014, our Board authorized the repurchase of up to $250.0 million of our common stock beginning on January 1, 2015. Under the repurchase program, we are authorized to repurchase shares through open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, including through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans and under Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The repurchase program has no time limit and may be suspended for periods or discontinued at any time. The number of shares to be purchased and the timing of purchases will be based on the level of our cash balances, general business and market conditions, and other factors, including legal requirements, debt covenant restrictions and alternative investment opportunities.
Rule 10b5-1 Plans
Our policy governing transactions in our securities by our directors, officers and employees permits such persons to adopt stock trading plans pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our directors, officers and employees have in the past and may from time to time establish such stock trading plans. We do not undertake any obligation to disclose, or to update or revise any disclosure regarding, any such plans and specifically do not undertake to disclose the adoption, amendment, termination or expiration of any such plans.
Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012
Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, which added Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act, the Company hereby incorporates by reference herein Exhibit 99.1 of this report, which includes disclosures publicly filed and/or provided to Blackstone, an affiliate of our major stockholders, by Travelport Worldwide LTD which may be considered the Company’s affiliate.
Principal Stockholder Transaction
Prior to our initial public offering on April 24, 2013, we were owned by ten limited partnerships (the “Partnerships”), ultimately owned by affiliates of Blackstone. Blackstone remains one of our principal stockholders. On August 25, 2014, the limited partners of one of these partnerships, SW Delaware (GS) L.P. (“SWDGS”), surrendered their interests in SWDGS and received 743,645 shares of the Company’s common stock held by SWDGS. The Company did not receive any proceeds related to this transaction. SWDGS is controlled by affiliates of Blackstone. As a result of this transaction, as of September 30, 2014, the remaining nine Partnerships affiliated with Blackstone held 19,502,063 shares of the Company’s common stock, which represented 21.7% of the total outstanding stock and SWDGS no longer owns shares of the Company’s stock.
 
 Item 6.	Exhibits	
See Exhibit Index immediately following signature page hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	 		 		 	SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC.	
	 		 		 	(Registrant)	
				
Date: November 13, 2014	 		 		 	By: /s/ James M. Heaney	
	 		 		 	James M. Heaney	
	 		 		 	Chief Financial Officer	
	 		 		 	(Principal Financial Officer)	
				
Date: November 13, 2014	 		 		 	By: /s/ Marc G. Swanson	
	 		 		 	Marc G. Swanson	
	 		 		 	Chief Accounting Officer	
	 		 		 	(Principal Accounting Officer)	
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX
The following is a list of all exhibits filed or furnished as part of this report:

Exhibit No.	 	Description	
		
  31.1*	 	Certification of Periodic Report by Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	
		
  31.2*	 	Certification of Periodic Report by Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	
		
  32.1*	 	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	
		
  32.2*	 	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	
		
  99.1*	 	Section 13(r) Disclosure	
		
101.INS**	 	XBRL Instance Document.	
		
101.SCH**	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.	
		
101.CAL**	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.	
		
101.DEF**	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.	
		
101.LAB**	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.	
		
101.PRE**	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.	
 
*	Filed herewith.	
**	XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.	
The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.
 
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Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT UNDER SECTION 302 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, James Atchison, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014 of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: November 13, 2014

/s/ James Atchison	
James Atchison	
Chief Executive Officer and President	
(Principal Executive Officer )	

Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT UNDER SECTION 302 OF
THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, James M. Heaney, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014 of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)), for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: November 13, 2014

/s/ James M. Heaney	
James M. Heaney	
Chief Financial Officer	
(Principal Financial Officer)	

Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, James Atchison, Chief Executive Officer and President, Director of the Company, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
 	•	 	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and	
 
 	•	 	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the periods presented therein.	
Date: November 13, 2014

/s/ James Atchison	
James Atchison	
Chief Executive Officer and President	
(Principal Executive Officer )	

Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, James M. Heaney, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, do hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
 	•	 	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and	
 
 	•	 	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the periods presented therein.	
Date: November 13, 2014

/s/ James M. Heaney	
James M. Heaney	
Chief Financial Officer	
(Principal Financial Officer)	

Exhibit 99.1
Section 13(r) Disclosure
The disclosure with respect to the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014 reproduced below was provided by The Blackstone Group L.P. (“Blackstone”) in accordance with Section 13(r) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Travelport Worldwide LTD may be considered an affiliate of Blackstone, and therefore an affiliate of SeaWorld. We did not independently verify or participate in the preparation of these disclosures.
Blackstone provided the following disclosure with respect to Travelport Worldwide LTD for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014 :
Blackstone provided the disclosure with respect to Travelport Worldwide LTD reproduced below. We have not independently verified or participated in the preparation of this disclosure.
“The following activities are disclosed as required by Section 13(r)(1)(D)(iii) of the Exchange Act.
As part of our global business in the travel industry, we provide certain passenger travel-related GDS and Technology Services to Iran Air. We also provide certain Technology Services to Iran Air Tours. All of these services are either exempt from applicable sanctions prohibitions pursuant to a statutory exemption permitting transactions ordinarily incident to travel or, to the extent not otherwise exempt, specifically licensed by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. Subject to any changes in the exempt/licensed status of such activities, we intend to continue these business activities, which are directly related to and promote the arrangement of travel for individuals.”
Per Travelport, the gross revenue and net profits attributable to these activities are still being determined.