#United States #San Diego #Settlement #SeaWorld #Annual Pass

Potential Compensation for SeaWorld Annual Pass Holders in California

If you bought an Annual Pass for SeaWorld San Diego while residing in California, you might be eligible to receive cash compensation stemming from a class action lawsuit against SeaWorld Parks Entertainment, Inc. This legal case has reached a significant $1.5 million settlement.

This announcement serves as a court-authorized notice that will not solicit any action from you regarding a lawsuit against your interests. Instead, it is meant to inform you about potential benefits arising from your previous purchase.

What Happened?

The lawsuit was initiated by plaintiff Daniel Blanco, representing a class of consumers who alleged that SeaWorld violated California Business and Professions Code sections 17600-17606. These violations relate to the failure to fully disclose terms regarding automatic renewals of Annual Passes. Although SeaWorld denies any wrongdoing, the settlement aims to conclude litigation while providing compensation.

According to the terms set forth in the settlement, you are eligible for compensation if you meet specific criteria:

• - You have a California home or billing address on file with SeaWorld.
• - You purchased one or more Annual Passes using SeaWorld’s website or mobile application after February 28, 2019.
• - Your Annual Pass automatically renewed without a refund for that first auto-renewal charge.

Financial Details

The announced settlement amount of $1.5 million includes provisions for deducting administrative expenses, legal counsel fees, and potential awards for the Named Plaintiff. The remaining funds, referred to as the 'Net Settlement Amount,' will be distributed equally (on a pro rata basis) among eligible class members who opt to participate in the settlement and do not opt-out.

Next Steps

A Fairness Hearing is scheduled for August 15, 2025, where the court will review the settlement for final approval. During the hearing, the judge will also evaluate requests for legal fees that could amount to $500,000, alongside possible costs of $20,000 for the case. The Named Plaintiff could also receive a service award of up to $10,000.

Importantly, there is no immediate action required to claim your compensation. If you are a qualified Settlement Class Member and do not opt-out, you will be automatically included in the payout process once the final settlement date arrives. Afterward, qualifying individuals will receive an email link directing them to an election portal, where they will have thirty days to make a payment election. If no choice is made, an automatic payment will be issued.

Opting Out or Objecting

If you do not wish to be bound by the final judgment and settlement terms, you must opt-out by sending a request for exclusion by July 22, 2025. Should you choose to object to any aspect of the settlement, you must submit your objection by July 31, 2025. Additional details can be found at www.SeaWorldAnnualPassSettlement.com. If you prefer, you may appear at the Fairness Hearing to share your objections. However, participation is not mandatory.

By remaining in the settlement class, you relinquish your right to file any individual lawsuits related to the claims made in this class action.

This announcement serves as a condensed overview of the complex legal landscape surrounding SeaWorld’s Annual Passes. More information is readily available through the official settlement website or by reaching out to their helpline at 1-888-865-1770.