Sea World
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| Sea World | |
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| Location | Southport, Queensland |
| Website | Official Site |
| Owner | Warner Village Theme Parks |
| Opened | October 30, 1971 |
| Operating season | All year round |
| Rides | total
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Coordinates: 27°57′21″S 153°25′33″E / 27.9559°S 153.4257°E
Sea World is a marine mammal park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It includes rides, animal exhibits and other attractions, and promotes conservation through education and through the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.
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[edit] Park history
Sea World was founded by Keith Williams in 1958. It was originally known as the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens, which presented “water ski shows that combined comedy, aqua ballet and action”. In 1971, the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens moved to land on the Spit. Major dredging works were required to build the new ski lake. A year later, the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens became known as Sea World with the introduction of dolphins, marine displays, a replica of the Endeavour, a swimming pool, licensed restaurant and gift shop. Extra additions over the next decade included the purchasing of competitor marine park, Marineland, and the transfer of animals and exhibits to Sea World as well as the addition of more shops and food outlets. [1]
[edit] Wildlife attractions
Various aquariums depict Australian aquatic habitats. Australian native animal exhibits include seals, rescued injured pelicans, a dugong and Australia's tiny Little Penguins (Fairy Penguins), the smallest penguin species in the world.
Sea World also has highly trained dolphins and sea lions that perform in circus-like acts. The dolphin shows are intended to excite audiences as the dolphins leap metres out of the water in unison, and as they are "surfed" by their trainers.
Sea World presently (2006) has three polar bears in the "Polar Bear Shores" exhibit, which aims to provide them stimulation through an enriched, naturalistic environment including things like deep water, logs, gravel for digging, a variety of foods and even simulated rain.
In 2004, the park opened "Shark Bay". This system of artificial lagoons allows sharks to be viewed from both above water and underwater. Sharks exhibited include large and potentially dangerous tiger sharks and bull sharks.
Opened in December 2008 is 'Ray Reef', Sea World's first new wildlife exhibit since 2004.
[edit] Attraction history
- In 1975, the Sea World train opened. "The train is a two-third scale replica of Queensland's famous number 6A10, which is now on display at the Queensland Railway Museum. The ride was designed and built by Sea World." [2]
- In 1978, the first major ride was added to Sea World. The Viking’s Revenge Flume Ride opened[1]. This ride was custom-built at a cost of $350,000[3].
- In 1981, the park’s first roller-coaster opened, originally known as the Wild Wave Rollercoaster, accompanied by Pirate Ship and Carousel[1]. The Wild Wave Rollercoaster changed its name to the Thrillseeker and closed in 2002[4].
- In 1982, the Corkscrew rollercoaster opened[1]. The ride is an Arrow Dynamics Sitdown Looper and features three inversions[5].
- In 1986, Australia's first monorail opened, the Sea World Monorail System. This ride features three stations throughout the park[6].
- In 1987, Sea World welcomed the Water Park and Lassiter’s Lost Mine ride[1]. Lassiter’s Lost Mine ride was the second water ride for the park and made in house at Sea World which[7].
- In 1989, the Sky High Skyway opened. It features a unique bird's eye view of the park[8].
- In 1994, Bermuda Triangle opened and replaced Lassiter’s Lost Mine ride[1]. It used the same ride system but featured updated ride themeing[7]. In addition to the Bermuda Triangle, Sea World opened the 3D theatre Sea Dream[1].
- In 1998, Pirates in 3D debuted at the 3D theatre. The film uses “a series of special effects that enables the audience to feel part of the adventure” [1].
- In 1999, Cartoon Network Cartoon Beach opened featuring five children’s rides and an interactive water fountain[1].
- In 2003, Pirates in 3D was replaced with Planet SOS in 4D. This film features an environmental message presenting the issues of global warming, ocean habitat destruction, and deforestation[1].
- In 2005, the ski show received a makeover and became Waterski Wipeout. Also the water park got a makeover with the relocation of The Plunge from Wet'n'Wild Water World[1].
- In 2006, the Sea World Eye was introduced for a limited time[1]. Swiss manufacturer, CWA Constructions built the 60 metre high wheel which featured 42 air-conditioned gondolas[9].
- In 2007, Sea World introduced Sesame Street Beach. Sesame Street Beach replaced Cartoon Network Cartoon Beach with the addition of a new stage show and a new ride[10][11]
- In 2008, Jet Rescue opened. Jet Rescue is a motorbike launch coaster made by Intamin which features jet-ski cars. It is themed to a sea-lion rescue[12].
[edit] Current attractions
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[edit] Current shows
Sea World currently performs four shows. Imagine: Dolphin Experience, is a interactive live dolphin show, performed at Dolphin Cove. Similarly, Fish Detectives, is a live action show involving seals. Waterski Wipe out, is an energetic live water show, set in the 1960's and Planet SOS is a 4D movie, educating the public of what can be done to help save the particular animals homes and habitats.
[edit] Other services
Sea World also offers a range of extra services and attractions. Toasted TV, an Australian children's television program is filmed at the park, on designated days. The park also offers 'Animal Adventures' and 'Whale Watch', as well as 'Sea World Helicopters', 'Sea World Cruises' and 'Sea World Books'. More information can be found on Sea World's website.
[edit] Commercial links
Sea World has commercial links to Warner Brothers Movie World and Wet'n'Wild Water World, two other popular theme parks on the Gold Coast. '3 Park Super Passes' are available to customers visiting these three parks. Sea World, Movie World and Wet'n'Wild are all Warner Village Theme Parks and include varying partnership arrangements between Warner Bros., Village Roadshow, and may also include the Seaworld Property Trust.
Television series filmed at Sea World include the Australian children's programmes Toasted TV (since early 2007) and H2O: Just Add Water. The Shak was formerly filmed at Sea World but is now filmed at White Water World.
[edit] Gallery
 The entrance to Sea World |
 Australian pelicans in the pelican rehabilitation area |
 Little Penguins |
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 "Ping Ping" the polar bear. "Ping Ping" is now back in China. |
 Sea World Poster showing the Canadian Polar Bear Cubs "Hudson" and "Nelson" |
 View from the Sea World Helicopter. |
 Sealife in an aquarium at Sea World. |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l History and Development - Sea World
- ^ Sea World Train
- ^ Parkz Database: Viking’s Revenge Flume Ride
- ^ Parkz Database: Thrillseeker
- ^ Parkz Database: Corkscrew Rollercoaster
- ^ Parkz Database: Sea World Monorail System
- ^ a b Parkz Database: Lassiter’s Lost MIne Ride
- ^ Parkz Database: Sky High Skyway
- ^ Parkz Database: Sea World Eye
- ^ Sesame Street Beach - Sea World
- ^ Parkz Database: Sesame Street Beach
- ^ Parkz Database: Jet Rescue
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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