![\"Brad](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Brad-Gilmour-president-SeaWorld-Orlando-Aquatica-and-Discovery-Cove-1200x675.png\")
<\/p>\nSeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove are once again under a single park president as United Parks & Resorts works to strengthen attendance and operations across its portfolio.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Brad Gilmour, who has led Aquatica and Discovery Cove since 2023, will immediately add SeaWorld Orlando to his responsibilities. The 23-year company veteran succeeds Jon \u201cJP\u201d Peterson, whose departure was not explained in Thursday\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n
A park already focused on its next chapter<\/p>\n
The leadership change comes as SeaWorld Orlando continues to emphasize more immersive, story-driven attractions and experiences. During a May interview with Attractions Magazine surrounding the debut of Expedition Odyssey: Fire & Ice<\/a>, then-Park President Jon \u201cJP\u201d Peterson spoke enthusiastically about the creative collaboration happening behind the scenes and the park\u2019s focus on continually improving the guest experience.<\/p>\n \u201cYou get a vision and a conversation of, \u2018How do we make this better?\u2019\u201d Peterson told Attractions Magazine.<\/p>\n You can watch part of that interview in our video below.<\/p>\n Peterson pointed to Expedition Odyssey as an example of what could happen when those teams worked together, praising everything from its queue and music to its scents, visuals and emotional storytelling. He was particularly enthusiastic about the attraction\u2019s ability to appeal across generations.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we have hit something that is going to be, for a very long time, a ride that people talk about,\u201d Peterson said.<\/p>\n Gilmour now takes the helm as SeaWorld Orlando continues that work, while also navigating the broader priorities outlined by United Parks & Resorts<\/a> executives during this week\u2019s earnings call, including improving marketing execution, growing attendance and using intellectual property to reach new audiences.<\/p>\n A familiar leader<\/p>\n Gilmour is already a familiar presence. In my own interactions with him, he has brought an approachable, measured demeanor to his leadership at Aquatica and Discovery Cove. It can be encouraging to see a leader who has spent more than two decades with the company<\/a>\u2014and whom many in the local attractions community have watched throughout his career\u2014entrusted with a larger role.<\/p>\n Gilmour\u2019s expanded responsibilities also come with unresolved challenges. The National Labor Relations Board recently ordered Discovery Cove to recognize and bargain with a union<\/a> representing divers at Discovery Cove and Aquatica after finding that the company unlawfully refused to do so. The union dispute began while Gilmour was president of the two parks, although the public record does not establish his individual role in the company\u2019s response.<\/p>\n SeaWorld returns to three-park leadership structure<\/p>\n Gilmour is not the first president to oversee all three of United Parks & Resorts\u2019 Orlando properties. Kyle Miller was named interim president of SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica and Discovery Cove in 2019 and later continued in the role permanently.<\/p>\n The company divided those responsibilities in January 2023 when Miller was promoted to a corporate operations position. Jon \u201cJP\u201d Peterson became president of SeaWorld Orlando, while Gilmour became president of Aquatica and Discovery Cove.<\/p>\n Gilmour\u2019s appointment reunites the three parks under one president for the first time since that transition. Miller remains with United Parks & Resorts as chief parks operations officer for its Florida parks, a broader corporate position he has held since January 2023.<\/p>\n For those familiar with Gilmour\u2019s long history in Orlando, his expanded role offers a sense of continuity at an important moment for the parks. He now has the opportunity to build on each destination\u2019s strengths while shaping what comes next for SeaWorld Orlando.<\/p>\n More Attractions Magazine stories<\/p>\n Follow us:<\/p>\n No matter where you want to go, our trusted partner MEI-Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations. Visit MEI-Travel<\/a> for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.<\/p>\n![\"Expedition-Odyssey-Fire](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Expedition-Odyssey-Fire-Ice-ride-scene-Photo-by-Dani-Meyering-comp.jpg\")
Expedition Odyssey Fire & Ice.
Photo by Dani Meyering<\/p>\n![\"Brad](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Flamingos-Discovery-Cove-By-Attractions-Magazine00002-889x500.jpeg\")
Brad Gilmour speaking at Discovery Cove for the 25th anniversary.
Photo by Matt Roseboom<\/p>\n
![\"MouseFanTravel\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/D_B.png\"\/ "\\"\\"")
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