Business Profile
Tourist Attractions
SeaWorld San DiegoThis business is NOT BBB Accredited.
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Complaints
Customer Complaints Summary
- 179 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 42 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe 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.
Initial Complaint
Date:05/19/2025
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- 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.
Unsure of the exact date credit card statement said may 16 2025 no receipt or notice. seaworld has predatory charging practices without notice, no customer service only people you can get ahold of is to purchase tickets and then they hang up on you. Someone needs to refund my money.Business Response
Date: 05/22/2025
Refund was submitted, please allow 21 to 30 business days. Passes have been cancelled.Initial Complaint
Date:05/15/2025
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- 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 wanted to cancel the renewal of my subscription. I was not provided with any advance information about renewal nor given any other opportunity to cancel the renewal. The renewal happened on 2nd May (I was out of country from 1 May to 10th May) and I filed my complaint on 14th May 2025. I have not used the services of this program between the renewal period and today. The tickers are ****** ************** (A958848184793292531) (*******) and ********* ****** (A572180262397372420) (*******). I was charged $648.90 on May 2nd 2025. Please help escalate the issue and order a refund. Thank you. ****** KBusiness Response
Date: 05/22/2025
Refund has been submitted, please allow 21 to 30 business days for the refund. The passes have been cancelled.Initial Complaint
Date:05/13/2025
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- 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 purchased an annual pass from Seaworld on 5/10/24 subject to auto renewal. I didn't receive any email or reminder or option to cancel for the renewal prior to 5/10/25. My credit card was charged for $289.80 on 5/10/25 and I did not agree to this charge. The online account doesn't have an option to cancel. On 5/13/25, I reached out to customer service to request cancellation and a refund. On the day, I was informed by customer service that no refund can be issued due to the contract languages. Seaworld doesn't seem to adhere to California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) that protects consumers by requiring businesses to obtain express affirmative consent for automatic renewals and provides clear notice and cancellation mechanisms. Their EZ pay auto renewal arrangement without an easy way for consumer to cancel and with no reminder before next renewal is consumer fraud.Business Response
Date: 05/15/2025
Refund has been processed, please allow 21 to 30 business days for the refund to be processed. Passes has been cancelled.Customer Answer
Date: 05/15/2025
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:05/12/2025
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- 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 San Diego charged my bank account for an automatic renewal of season passes without providing any prior notification. I was not aware that my passes were set to auto-renew, and I did not receive any communication from SeaWorld alerting me that this charge was upcoming. This charge was not only unexpected but also higher than the original amount I paid for the passes.Due to family circumstances, we will not be able to use the passes at all this season, making this charge both burdensome and unnecessary. I contacted SeaWorlds customer service immediately upon noticing the charge, but they have refused to offer any resolution or refund, citing fine print in the original contract. However, I believe this is a deceptive and disruptive business practice, especially when there is no clear or proactive communication regarding renewal terms.I am requesting a full refund of the unauthorized charge. It is unacceptable for a business to continue billing customers without direct and timely notificationespecially for services that will not be used and were not explicitly consented to for renewal.I am submitting this complaint in hopes that SeaWorld will be held accountable and will take steps to resolve this issue fairly.Business Response
Date: 05/15/2025
Refund has been issue, please allow 21 to 30 business days for the refund to be processed. The passes have been cancelledInitial Complaint
Date:05/07/2025
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- 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 received an annual membership auto-renewal charge from Seaworld with no prior notification or communications about the upcoming charge (or option to cancel). I have no use of this service and once I saw the charge on credit card. I contacted Seaworld and they refused to cancel and refund the charge (charged March 28, 2025 - noticed and reach out May 7), They refuse to refund, even though the California law requires they provide clear communications to consumers prior to charging for annual renewals which they to not adhere to. California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) protects consumers by requiring businesses to obtain express affirmative consent for automatic renewals and provides clear notice and cancellation mechanisms. The law mandates annual reminders about the subscription's cost and cancellation process. Businesses must also provide advance notice of price *************** Affirmative Consent:Businesses must obtain explicit consent from consumers before charging for an automatic renewal. Annual Reminders:For subscriptions that renew annually, businesses must send a reminder to customers disclosing what is being renewed, the frequency and amount of automatic charges, and how to cancel. Clear Notice of Renewals:Businesses must inform customers of upcoming, recurring charges, including 3-21 days before a free trial ends if it's 31 days or longer, or ***** days before renewal for subscriptions of one year or longer. As I did not receive any prior notification and did not agree to this charge (and will not have use of the pass) I would like a refund and will now dispute with my credit card.Business Response
Date: 05/08/2025
Hello, the refund has been accepted and refunded, please allow 21 to 30 business days. The passes has been deactivated.Initial Complaint
Date:04/27/2025
Type:Product IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- 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 received an annual membership auto-renewal charge from Seaworld with no prior notification or communications about the upcoming charge (or option to cancel). I have no use of this service and once I saw the charge on credit card. I contacted Seaworld and they refused to cancel and refund the charge (charged April 16, 2025 - noticed and reach out April 21st), They refuse to refund, even though the California law requires they provide clear communications to consumers prior to charging for annual renewals which they to not adhere to. California's Automatic Renewal Law (ARL) protects consumers by requiring businesses to obtain express affirmative consent for automatic renewals and provides clear notice and cancellation mechanisms. The law mandates annual reminders about the subscription's cost and cancellation process. Businesses must also provide advance notice of price *************** Affirmative Consent:Businesses must obtain explicit consent from consumers before charging for an automatic renewal. Annual Reminders:For subscriptions that renew annually, businesses must send a reminder to customers disclosing what is being renewed, the frequency and amount of automatic charges, and how to cancel. Clear Notice of Renewals:Businesses must inform customers of upcoming, recurring charges, including 3-21 days before a free trial ends if it's 31 days or longer, or ***** days before renewal for subscriptions of one year or longer. As I did not receive any prior notification and did not agree to this charge (and will not have use of the pass) I would like a refund and will now dispute with my credit card.Business Response
Date: 04/29/2025
Refund has been accepted for the following pass A44193595697036416. The pass will be deactivated.*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Customer Answer
Date: 04/29/2025
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:04/17/2025
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- 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.
9 Months of being charged $24.68 (3 months has been refunded so still 6 months outstanding)In person representative specifically told me I was paying for a 12 month membership over 12 months only with no auto renew or subscription. (I was going to just pay upfront) SeaWorld never communicated any contract or renewals by email ********************** **********) or ******* renewal notice was given in any form at any point. (***** days before or any other time frame)My account showed no membership access after the 1 year point, no 2nd year pass, membership or tickets were provided even though being charged for the service.Business Response
Date: 04/26/2025
Auto renewal has been refunded for pass A700110902133016 and pass has been canceledInitial Complaint
Date:04/11/2025
Type:Order IssuesStatus:UnansweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- 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 was trying to purchase one Seaworld San Diego Platinum Annual ticket on 4/4/2025. The payments kept failing on my card until I changed to a different card and completed the purchase. The payment error message was "We're experiencing difficulty processing your transaction. Please try again later (1011). However, instead of showing as pending on the card, these two failed payments showed up as completed. Since I did not receive any ticket for these failed payments, could I get refund to my original payment card? My card number is ****************.Initial Complaint
Date:04/08/2025
Type:Product IssuesStatus:UnresolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- 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 have reported seaworld tickets purchased as fraud. Someone bought 8 tickets using my card and email address. I have reported this as fraud and my bank keeps telling me they need seaworld to confirm that it's fraud. The charge was for $517.12 and I DID NOT purchase these. I've never been to San Diego and I hate Seaworld as a business. It's animal cruelty and I would never in a million years support that business. I've spent hours on the phone trying to get ahold of them and no one will help me. I can't afford to have this charge on my card accruing interest for something I didn't purchase. Please help me. I've taken all the necessary steps to report this as fraud.Business Response
Date: 04/09/2025
Chargeback received in March. Unable to refund due to fraud claim and chargeback received.Customer Answer
Date: 04/10/2025
Seaworld is saying they already handled the fraud issue in March but they haven't. My bank is telling me Seaworldhas confirmed it is fraud and seaworld is telling me they confirmed with the bank that it IS fraud. I have to wait 45+ mins to get someone to answer the phone at seaworld. I've also asked for written communication proving they are working with my bank to confirm it's fraud and seaworld says they can't do that. I did not buy seaworld tickets this is a complete scam. Please make Seaworld contact me AND my bank. I can't afford what they are doing to me it's $517.12 and I can barely afford rent as it is. I DID NOT make these purchases and Seaworld knows itInitial Complaint
Date:03/31/2025
Type:Sales and Advertising IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- 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.
We purchased annual passes on 3/27/23. We paid $448. There was no mention of auto renew. They were regular annual passes. The company kept our credit card information and charged us yearly. The did not email us receipts or otherwise inform us. They did not mail new passes. They just kept charging us every year since then. We only discovered this when the bank questioned the charge of $468. We had a very contentious call. They hung up on us and refused to help us or refund.Business Response
Date: 04/07/2025
Apologies for any disconnect regarding the auto-renewal stipulation with the authorized pass agreement. Account may be reviewed pending cancelation and refund. Please allow ***** business days to process.
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