Skip to main content

We use cookies to give users the best content and online experience. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to allow us to use all cookies. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Manage Cookies
Resources for Businesses My BBB
Share
Business Profile

Tourist Attractions

SeaWorld San Diego

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Tourist Attractions.

Complaints

Customer Complaints Summary

  • 254 total complaints in the last 3 years.
  • 60 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

If you've experienced an issue

Submit a Complaint

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

Sort by

Complaint status

Complaint type

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:01/04/2023

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    In 2021, we visited SeaWorld San Diego and decided to purchase two SILVER annual passes based on a holiday discount (****: buy one get one 50% off). At the end of 2022, the annual passes were automatically renewed at the full price, which made the price more expensive than GOLDEN passes. Thus, we decided to reach out to SeaWorld San Diego, asked for a refund, and wanted to buy the passes at ****. The SeaWorld San Diego customer representative reached out to us and promised they would extend the passes to 2023, while getting us refunded. Hence we got the annual passes for 2023 (exp: 11/14/2023). It wasn't what we expected, but it was indeed a satisfaction.However, on 01/12/2023, we visited SeaWorld San Diego and were informed that our annual passes were canceled because they were refunded.We thought it would be ok if we just bought the **** silver annual passes as usual, as we meant to do. But the counter told us the promotion was gone. We cannot do it until the next promotion period.The problem is, the part of refunding was made for squaring the unfair renewal pricing. We don't want to pay for the GOLDEN grade fee for receiving a downgraded SILVER grade pass. As a result, we missed the promotion due to their delay and miscommunication.01/04/2023, we reached SeaWorld San Diego customer service. They claimed they could do nothing about it. We demand that SeaWorld San Diego must honor what it promised, extending our existing accounts to 11/14/3023.

    Business Response

    Date: 01/05/2023

    Guest was contacted, guest will send order number for pass discount. 

    Customer Answer

    Date: 01/06/2023


    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. 

     

    Per SeaWorld **************** suggesting, the Order Number is provided here: 202301065227991. SeaWorld San Diego will provide the spoken discount via partial refunding.



    Chao H** *****

     


  • Initial Complaint

    Date:01/04/2023

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    For the Months of December 2022 and January 2023 Sea World San Diego decided to do Auto Charge to my Debit Card. I went on their website the last day of November and the a few days before the end of December to try and Cancel our passes and the account didn't have anything for me to Cancel. I figured the account was cancelled I checked my bank account today and it shows a charge from them in the amount of $54.00. I decided to call Sea World and they state I have to call them. The contract under EZ Pay states call or go to your account and cancel it does not state to do both. I request a refund for the last 2 months.

    Business Response

    Date: 01/05/2023

    Guest was refunded for renewal payments please wait 3-4 weeks for refund. 

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:01/04/2023

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    Bought Sea Work passes in Nov of 2021. They expired Dec 1st, 2022.I saw a charge on my acct on Dec 2nd, so I logged into Sea world acct to cancel my passes. Well, it said no passes to cancel so I let it go. Jan 1st, I see another charge and again log into my Sea world acct where it again states no passes to cancel and no pending or upcoming charges. I reach out to chat support where I am told they will cancel my passes and have until 1/31/23 to use them. I ask for a refund and my chat was ended. I reached out by email where I was told I will not get a refund. I wish I could just keep them but clearly cannot afford them and it is not fair that there is no indication that the passes are active when I am logged into my Sea world account. It is not fair, and it is definity taking advantage of people. I will attach the terms which not only says you can call to cancel but that you can also do so by logging into your E-Z pay acct which is false because I did that and was still charged. I clearly need the $120 more than Sea World does.

    Business Response

    Date: 01/05/2023

    Guest was refunded for renewal payments please wait 3-4 weeks for refund. 

    Customer Answer

    Date: 01/05/2023


    Better Business Bureau:

    I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

    Regards,

    *********************

     

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:01/04/2023

    Type:Billing Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I bought a ticket to visit Seaworld San Diego on April 6, 2021, and chose to pay monthly for 1 year. This means that the payment will end on 06/04/2022. But from 06/04/2022 they still continue to withdraw money from my account without any notification about renewal reminder or any form of email or correspondence. They have not been transparent in this transaction, if I don't check the statement today, they will probably charge me forever. Moreover, from the time I bought the ticket, I only visited it once. On the other hand, my initial monthly payment is $21/2 tickets. But the amount increased to $26.60/2 tickets beginning on 06/04/2022 without any notice by mail or email. I suggest that this issue of lack of transparency should be thoroughly addressed. And I believe many people suffer like me. Since June 2022 they have taken $185.50 from me. I want an apology and a refund.

    Business Response

    Date: 01/05/2023

    Guest was refunded for renewal payments, please wait 3-4 weeks for refund. 

    Customer Answer

    Date: 01/05/2023

    The business did not specify how they refund, what form and refund date and moreover how much they refund.  I asked them to clarify.

    Business Response

    Date: 01/06/2023

    Guest will be refund $185, to original payment method. 

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/31/2022

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    On 12/31 I received an alert from my credit card company that I have a charge on my account from SeaWorld. I purchased the Seaworld Platinum pass for my sister on December 31, 2021 with the order number 2021****5146034, but I did not want to renew it, nor did I authorize its renewal or was given any previous notice.No matter the effort the website still shows Auto Renew On in the account. Seaworld charge my card for $270.90 on December 31, 2022.I attempted to call Seaworld but the line has been busy for the last 2 hours, and also emailed that day. I canceled my pass on December 31, 2022 but they provided no refund.I would like a full refund and cancellation of my membership.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/30/2022

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    On 11/26 I received an alert from my credit card company that they had blocked a fraudulent charge on my account from SeaWorld. I had purchased the Seaworld Silver pass for my family during Black Friday 2021, but I did not want to renew it, nor did I authorize its renewal or was given any previous notice. I called and the hold time stated was 300 mins. When I finally spoke to someone (I called back a few days later), I was told that I signed something authorizing auto-renewal (I did not) and that I was given notice via email 50 days prior (no email received). It was clear that after using their chat feature and speaking to multiple employees that they did not want to give my $579 back. Its ***etting that higher *** have put customer service agents in the front lines to handle their predatory, greedy practices. Many people have posted almost carbon copy complaints. Coincidence? I think not. Get it together SeaWorld. *** told all my friends to check their bank statements and will be taking this to our local news station is this isnt resolved expediently. How dare you take this money from family and so many others during the holiday season. Shame on you, SeaWorld.

    Business Response

    Date: 01/07/2023

    Guest refunded for renewal on 12/9/22.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/30/2022

    Type:Order Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    SeaWorld will not stop charging your credit card, even after you've tried cancelling! They are a completely unscrupulous merchant. I bought the silver pass last January, and used it for a year. Now I wish to cancel the card, and the company makes it very difficult to do so. I can't believe such a big organisation can get away with this, I've never had any problems cancelling other yearly passes (San Diego yearly zoo pass for example). They tell you that you can cancel your **Pay payment online anytime, however I have not been able to do this in my account when I'm logged on. They will not let me erase my credit card info from the ** pay, the button simply doesn't work, though they advertising it. The phone service is awful, an hour or more to get to a customer service representative. I still haven't been able to contact them.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/30/2022

    Type:Service or Repair Issues
    Status:
    Resolved
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    On 12/26/22 I was alerted of 2 charges posted to my Citibank checking account. One charge for $449.95 and another for ****** amounting to $1,008.00. The issue is I have never been to Sea World. When I contact the call center the only resolution they have for this type of transactions is for me to actually fly into Sea World San Diego and resolve it at the park. I live in ********, ** and the park is many miles away I would have to spend the amount I want refunded by them in room and travel alone. the last 4 of the order numbers are **** and ****. I have since replace the debit card that these charges were placed from but the money was taken from my account. I want Sea World to contact me and refund the funds back in my account. Supporting details have been attached.

    Business Response

    Date: 12/31/2022

    If guest experienced fraud charges, please have them contact their personal bank. 

    Customer Answer

    Date: 12/31/2022


    Better Business Bureau:

    This is not satisfactory for me. They confiscated these tickets that were falsely purchased so  I believe they should issue the refund. The tickets were confiscated by their employee and I do have a name as well.

    Regards,

    *****************************

     

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/28/2022

    Type:Product Issues
    Status:
    Unanswered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    I never received an auto renewal notice email. My **** was charged today for $289.80.I would like a refund in the amount of $289.80.

  • Initial Complaint

    Date:12/26/2022

    Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
    Status:
    Answered
    Resolved:
    The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
    Unresolved:
    The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
    Answered:
    The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
    Unanswered:
    The business failed to respond to the dispute.
    Unpursuable:
    BBB is unable to locate the business.
    11/28 went on SeaWorld website to purchase my annual passes to SeaWorld San Diego (have held passes for many years)SeaWorld has a sale of buy one pass get one 50%off I bought 1 Silver pass and received a Silver pass for 50% off I bought 2 regular passes and received 2 regular ones for 50% off I filled out all pass holders information and provided method of payment.I received confirmation on the website as well as an email your order is ready.When I went to print out my passes to put in my families stockings, theres nothing in my account or attached to the order.After spending hours on hold and finally talking to a representative, SeaWorld is unwilling to honor the sale that I had confirmation of purchasing on 11/28.Order number: 2022****5359146

    Business Response

    Date: 01/04/2023

    Guest was refunded for the difference of the sale price.

SeaWorld San Diego is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

To become accredited, a business must agree to BBB Standards for Trust and pass BBB's vetting process.

Why choose a BBB Accredited Business?

BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.

When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period, except for customer reviews. Customer reviews posted prior to July 5, 2024, will no longer be published when they reach three years from their submission date. Customer reviews posted on/after July 5, 2024, will be published indefinitely unless otherwise voluntarily retracted by the user who submitted the content, or BBB no longer believes the review is authentic. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this company, please let them know that you checked their record with BBB.

As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation. BBB charges a fee for BBB Accreditation. This fee supports BBB's efforts to fulfill its mission of advancing marketplace trust.