SeaWorld San Diego agrees to pay $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit over unclear annual pass renewals.
SAN DIEGO — SeaWorld San Diego has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit that alleged the company failed to adequately inform customers that their annual passes would automatically renew, leading to unexpected charges for many California residents.
The settlement, which still requires final approval from a judge, comes after San Diego residents Daniel Blanco and Christopher Lomeli filed a lawsuit claiming SeaWorld’s website did not clearly disclose the automatic renewal terms when they purchased annual passes. The plaintiffs also alleged that they were not reminded as the renewal date approached and faced difficulties canceling their passes.
According to court documents, the class action covers all individuals with a California home or billing address who purchased annual passes to SeaWorld San Diego through the company’s website or mobile app on or after Feb. 28, 2019, and whose passes automatically renewed after the initial 12-month period but before Feb. 28, 2025. To qualify, class members must not have received a refund for the first auto-renewal charge.
SeaWorld has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that it complied with all applicable laws. However, the company agreed to the settlement to resolve the matter and avoid further litigation.
The lawsuit highlighted concerns from pass holders who said they were surprised by renewal charges and questioned whether SeaWorld provided sufficient notice or clear terms about the automatic renewal process.California law requires businesses to provide clear disclosure and reminders for automatic renewal offers.
If the settlement receives final approval, eligible class members will receive a share of the settlement fund. No claim form is required; payments will be distributed automatically to those who do not opt out. Class members who received a notice by mail can choose between an electronic payment or a paper check.
A hearing for final settlement approval is scheduled for August 15, 2025, in the San Diego Superior Court. The deadline to request exclusion from the settlement is July 22, 2025, and the deadline to file objections is July 31, 2025.
