SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is hosting a host of major changes in San Diego. This includes the introduction of a new ride at SeaWorld San Diego (Emperor), new event in the park (Mardi Gras) and a whole new theme park (Sesame Place San Diego). Helping to usher in this change is Jim Lake, who was appointed park president for SeaWorld San Diego & Sesame Place San Diego in November 2021 and is responsible for leading strategic planning and all operations for the parks.
Lake brings more than 30 years of theme park experience with significant expertise in food and beverage, retail, operations, development and project management. He joins SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment from Disney Parks, Experiences and Products where he was the General Manager of Disneyland Park East. Lake joined Disney in 1989 through the Walt Disney World College Program, starting his career as a parking lot host at Epcot. He spent 10 years in roles of increasing responsibility at multiple Disney parks before leaving to join Palace Entertainment as Director of Operations in 2003. He rejoined Disneyland in 2006 and has assumed progressively larger roles, culminating in his current General Manager position.
Lake holds a BS in Liberal Arts from Oregon State University and an MS in Organizational Leadership from Biola University. He also serves as Adjunct Professor, Hospitality & Tourism Management, at California State University, Fullerton. Jim will be relocating from Orange County to San Diego.