Is SeaWorld Stock Slipping?

Just a few days ago, I wrote questioning Does SeaWorld Have a Cash Flow Problem? But is SeaWorld’s stock also slipping?

It’s real stock on Wall Street (SEAS) does continue to slip from its 52-week high. But is SeaWorld also losing its stock as one of Orlando’s big tourism and economic giants as their struggles persist?

Visitor numbers have been low this year and I’m hearing a lot of reports that the theme park keeps raising prices on merchandise to make up some of the losses. I can see a lot of local folks are enjoying various free ticket giveaways lately and I recently heard from someone that the park was pretty empty inside (who doesn’t love short lines at a theme park).

But the woes are even hitting the park’s Bands, Brew & BBQ, with major acts cancelling on one of SeaWorld’s big draw events they hoped would bring visitors streaming into the park again.

First, the Bare Naked Ladies cancelled their slated performance in Orlando after watching CNN’s Blackfish documentary. Then Willie Nelson cancelled on SeaWorld just days ago. Making news this weekend, Heart has joined the list of bands boycotting SeaWorld saying on Twitter: “Heart has chosen to decline their forthcoming performance at SeaWorld on 2/9/14 due to the controversial documentary film ‘Black Fish.'”

Animal rights activists have been targeting acts scheduled to perform at SeaWorld because of Blackfish. This seems like a little more than the “scheduling conflicts” SeaWorld claims.

This is all just more trouble for the theme park. We assume SeaWorld will at least still have the brew & BBQ?!

And don’t forget SeaWorld also holds a seat on Orange County’s Tourism Development Council, where they recently voted to support a new soccer stadium, continuing the gentrification of historic Parramore. That vote led to a “Don’t Visit Orlando while they Gentrify Orlando” campaign which plans to escalate in 2014 and will continue to target and pressure SeaWorld and others who supported it.

With the continued bad news and possible cash flow problems, will SeaWorld stock (SEAS) continue to sink?

UPDATE: SeaWorld has now been served with a “cease and desist” letter from Joan Jett demanding that her hit “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” stop being played at the opening of the “Shamu Rocks” show.

MORE BAD NEWS: Cheap Trick has now cancelled their performance at SeaWorld’s Bands, Brews & BBQ as well.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Things just are not going well. Trisha Yearwood cancels SeaWorld Orlando appearance: “In light of recent concerns, Trisha has decided to remove the Feb. 22 date from her upcoming tour plans,” a representative for Yearwood told Change.org.

UH OH: Country star Trace Adkins joins Martina McBride and the others in canceling their SeaWorld Orlando concert. Adkins recognized the “distractions he and his fans would face.”