Revenue during the quarter dropped 15.38 percent to $186.36 million from $220.24 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter contracted 5 basis points over the previous year period to 92.23 percent. Operating margin for the quarter stood at negative 41.18 percent as compared to a negative 54.29 percent for the previous year period.

Operating loss for the quarter was $76.74 million, compared with an operating loss of $119.57 million in the previous year period.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter stood at negative $30.36 million compared to negative $5.94 million in the prior year second quarter. At the same time, adjusted EBITDA margin stood at negative 16.29 percent for the quarter compared to negative 2.70 percent in the last year period.

"Given the improving attendance trends we saw in April, and the incredibly robust lineup of new attractions we are launching in the coming weeks, we are well-positioned going into our seasonally important second and third quarters," said Joel Manby, president and chief executive officer of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. “Our season pass sales revenues for 2017 are up nearly 6%; the cost optimization program we initiated in the fourth quarter of 2016 continues to have a positive impact on results; and the successful renewal and increased capacity of our revolving credit facility and refinancing of our existing term debt in late March of 2017 enhances our financial flexibility. Our strategy and progress received a strong vote of confidence with the acquisition by Zhonghong Zhuoye Group of Blackstone’s approximately 21% stake in the company at a significant premium to our current market price per share. Additionally, the advisory and support agreements we entered into in late March of 2017 with Zhonghong Holding give us the opportunity to carefully evaluate new strategic growth opportunities in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau."