Published
June 8, 2025
Updated
July 16, 2026
The SeaWorld annual pass settlement resolved California claims that SeaWorld San Diego automatically renewed guests’ Annual Passes after the first 12 months without adequately disclosing the renewal or getting proper consent. It is now closed — the court granted final approval on August 15, 2025, and eligible California pass holders were paid automatically from the $1.5 million fund, with no claim form to file.
What Was the SeaWorld Annual Pass Settlement?
This class action settlement resolved allegations that SeaWorld failed to adequately disclose that an Annual Pass purchase to SeaWorld San Diego would automatically renew after the initial 12-month commitment, and charged the renewal without obtaining the consumer’s proper consent — conduct the lawsuit alleged violated California’s Automatic Renewal Law. SeaWorld denied the allegations and did not admit any wrongdoing. The case is Lomeli and Blanco v. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc., No. 37-2023-00008529-CU-BT-CTL, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego.The court granted final approval on August 15, 2025. It is now closed: there was no claim form to file, and eligible class members were paid automatically from the $1.5 million settlement fund. The deadlines that passed were the exclusion (opt-out) window on July 22, 2025 and the objection window on July 31, 2025 — not a claim deadline. There is nothing left to file.
Status
Settlement Closed
Final approval granted August 15, 2025.
Payment
Automatic
No claim form — paid from SeaWorld’s records.
Class
California SeaWorld San Diego pass holders
Annual Passes that auto-renewed after the first 12 months.
Proof Required
Automatic Payment
No claim to file — payment was issued automatically.
What Was the Total Settlement Amount?
The total settlement fund was $1.5 million. Payments to class members came from the net fund — the amount remaining after court-approved attorneys’ fees, costs, and settlement-administration expenses were deducted.Who Was Covered?
You were part of the settlement class if SeaWorld’s records showed a California home or billing address for you and you:• purchased one or more Annual Passes to SeaWorld San Diego through the website or mobile app on or after February 28, 2019;
• had your pass automatically renew after the initial 12-month commitment, with that commitment ending on or before February 28, 2025; and
• did not receive a refund for the first auto-renewal charge.
The settlement covered SeaWorld San Diego only — Busch Gardens and other parks and states were not part of this class. Court records identified approximately 141,358 class members.
What Did the Settlement Provide?
Eligible class members received a pro rata cash payment from the net $1.5 million settlement fund; the exact amount depended on the number of valid class members and the deductions approved by the court. There was no claim form to file. SeaWorld’s own records identified class members, and eligible consumers were sent a notice inviting them to select a payment method (electronic payment or check). Payments were issued automatically once the settlement became final.Why Was the Lawsuit Filed?
The lawsuit alleged that SeaWorld violated California’s Automatic Renewal Law by failing to adequately disclose that an Annual Pass purchase would automatically renew after the initial 12-month term and by charging the renewal without obtaining the consumer’s proper consent. SeaWorld denied the allegations and did not admit any wrongdoing or liability as part of the settlement.Key Dates
• Exclusion (Opt-Out) Deadline: July 22, 2025 (passed)• Objection Deadline: July 31, 2025 (passed)
• Final Approval Hearing: August 15, 2025 — final approval granted
There was no claim deadline, because no claim form was required; eligible class members were paid automatically after the settlement became final.
Related Auto-Renewal (ARL) Class Actions
California’s Automatic Renewal Law has driven a wave of class actions over subscription and membership programs that renew without clear disclosure or consent. Related cases tracked on OpenClassActions.com:• Road Runner Sports VIP Rewards Settlement
• HelloFresh Auto-Renewal California Settlement
• JustFab / ShoeDazzle / FabKids VIP Settlement
• See all active & expired auto-renewal class actions →
Case Information
• Caption: Lomeli and Blanco v. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc.• Case No.: 37-2023-00008529-CU-BT-CTL
• Court: Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
• Final Approval: Granted August 15, 2025
• Status: Closed — paid automatically; opt-out/objection windows passed July 2025
Sources
- Official Settlement Website — SeaWorld Annual Pass Settlement
- Superior Court of California, County of San Diego — Lomeli and Blanco v. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc., No. 37-2023-00008529-CU-BT-CTL
For more class actions keep scrolling below.
Relief
Automatic pro rata cash from the $1.5M fund (no claim form)
Case Title
Lomeli and Blanco v. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc.
Case Number
37-2023-00008529-CU-BT-CTL
Court
Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
Final Approval
Granted August 15, 2025
Status
Closed — paid automatically; opt-out/objection windows passed July 2025
Official Website
SeaWorld Annual Pass Settlement.com
