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SeaWorld attendance increases for first time since 2015

Posted at 3:23 PM, Feb 28, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-28 18:23:29-05

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- 2018 was a big year for SeaWorld and new rides opening in San Diego seem to be paying off. In a new report, the company announced its first increase in attendance since 2015.

A newly-released report by SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. found that attendance increased to 22.6 million guests in 2018, up more than eight percent.

According to Statista, 2018 marked the first time SeaWorld saw an increase in attendance since 2015.

RELATED: Tidal Twister on track to open at SeaWorld San Diego in May 2019

Attendance wasn’t the only increase in 2018. According to the company, revenue throughout the year also rose by $109 million.

The report comes as SeaWorld San Diego gets ready to open another big attraction this spring.

Construction on a new roller coaster, called Tidal Twister, is set to be finished in May. The coaster will feature a figure-8, horizontal design and dueling trains. Riders will be able to sit both backward and forward.

RELATED: New dive coaster 'Mako' coming to SeaWorld in 2020

The park opened another roller coaster in 2018 called Electric Eel which gives riders a breathtaking view of Mission Bay.

"We have an exciting line-up of new rides, attractions and events across our parks planned for 2019," said John Reilly, Chief Operating Officer of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

"I believe this is our best line up ever with a new ride, attraction or event in almost every one of our 12 parks."

RELATED: SeaWorld's new Electric Eel roller coaster opens to the public