SeaWorld’s $1.5 Million California Auto-Renewal Class Action Settlement
- Jetsetter
- May 29
- 2 min read
California SeaWorld passholders, take note: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Inc. and Sea World LLC have agreed to a $1.5 million class-action settlement to resolve allegations that annual passes for SeaWorld San Diego were set to auto-renew without proper disclosure or reminder notices. Here’s everything you need to know—and how to find out if you qualify.
What Happened?
Under California’s Automatic Renewal Law (ARL), businesses must clearly disclose auto-renewal terms, obtain affirmative consent, and send reminder notices before charging customers. Plaintiffs claimed SeaWorld failed to meet these requirements when annual passes renewed after their first 12-month term.
Who Is Eligible?
You may be part of the Settlement Class if:
You’re a California resident,
You purchased a SeaWorld San Diego annual pass via the official SeaWorld website or mobile app
Your pass first activated on or after February 28, 2019,
Your pass auto-renewed on or before February 28, 2025,
You were charged for that first auto-renewal and did not receive a refund.
SeaWorld’s records will identify eligible passholders—you don’t need to submit a claim form.
What You’ll Receive
A $1.5 million Gross Settlement Fund will cover:
Administration costs
Service award to the named plaintiff (up to $10,000)
Attorneys’ fees and costs (up to $500,000 + $20,000)
The remaining net balance will be distributed pro rata to participating class members based on the number of eligible auto-renewal charges.
Important Deadlines
Opt-Out (“Exclude”) Deadline: July 22, 2025
Objection Deadline: July 31, 2025
Final Approval Hearing: August 15, 2025
If you wish to be excluded from the Settlement Class—or if you object to the settlement terms—be sure to submit your request by the above dates.
How to Get More Information
Full details, including the settlement notice, court filings, and FAQ, are available on the Official SeaWorld Auto-Renewal Settlement Website. If you have questions about your eligibility or your payment, you can:
Call: 1-888-865-1770
Why This Matters
If you purchased a SeaWorld San Diego annual pass in the past six years and didn’t realize it would auto-renew—or you didn’t receive proper notice—you could receive a monetary payment. Even if you’re only owed a small pro rata share, it’s worth checking: settlements like this often return hundreds of dollars in aggregate to affected customers.
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