Case: United States v. United Parks & Resorts Inc.
6:26-cv-00655 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Filed Date: March 26, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This is a case challenging United Parks and Resorts Inc.’s (UPR) policies that allegedly discriminate against individuals with disabilities.
UPR is a global theme park and entertainment company that owns, leases, or operates twelve theme parks and experiences in the U.S. under the brands SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place, Aquatica, Adventure Island, and Water Country USA.
On March 26, 2026, the United States filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in the Orlando Division. The U.S. sued UPR and several affiliates for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint alleged that UPR banned individuals with mobility disabilities from using manually powered mobility aids in any areas open to pedestrian use, imposed surcharges on guests with disabilities who used wheeled walkers with seats, and failed to make reasonable accommodations for them. The U.S. sought declaratory relief, injunctive relief barring UPR from discriminating against individuals with disabilities and failing to comply with the ADA, monetary damages, a civil penalty against UPR, and an order requiring UPR to modify its policies and provide ADA training to its employees. The case was assigned to District Judge Julie S. Sneed.
On May 26, 2026, UPR filed a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. It argued that the government’s complaint made conclusory and vague allegations that failed to provide UPR with notice of what claims to respond to, that the government had failed to allege facts sufficient to plausibly establish that the modifications it sought were reasonable and necessary to provide park access, that UPR’s policies were necessary for safe operations, and that injunctions demanding nothing more than obedience to the law are impermissible in the Eleventh Circuit.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Alexis Gil (7/18/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72989587/parties/united-states-v-united-parks-resorts-inc/
Gardner, David (Florida)
Karahalios, Alexandra Nicole (Florida)
Amundson, Corey (Florida)
Handberg, Roger (Florida)
Hur, Robert K. (Florida)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72989587/united-states-v-united-parks-resorts-inc/
Last updated July 22, 2026, 3:23 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 26, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The plaintiff is the United States.
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Private Entity/Person
United Parks & Resorts Inc.
Defendant Type(s):
Movie Theater or Other Entertainment facility
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.
Other Dockets:
Middle District of Florida 6:26-cv-00655
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Disability and Disability Rights:
Discrimination Area:
Discrimination Basis:
Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)
Case Summary of United States v. United Parks & Resorts Inc., Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47984/ (last updated 7/18/2026).