SeaWorld Orlando: Difference between revisions
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In 2013, the Penguin Plaza area of the park will be renovated into "Antarctica", a new themed section inspired by the [[Antarctica|titular continent]].<ref name="OS_12-13"/> Subtitled "Empire of the Penguin," Antarctica will feature a rebuilt exhibit to replace the existing Penguin Encounter and a new ride where guests experience the life of a penguin chick, an attraction the park claims will be the "coldest theme-park attraction in the world".<ref name="OS_12-13"/> Antarctica will also include unique shopping and dining experiences, similar to the recent developments of [[The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Islands of Adventure)|The Wizarding World of Harry Potter]] and the [[Magic Kingdom#Fantasyland|New Fantasyland]] and [[Avatar Land]] projects at its local competitors, [[Universal Orlando Resort]] and [[Walt Disney World Resort]].<ref name="OS_12-13"/> |
In 2013, the Penguin Plaza area of the park will be renovated into "Antarctica", a new themed section inspired by the [[Antarctica|titular continent]].<ref name="OS_12-13"/> Subtitled "Empire of the Penguin," Antarctica will feature a rebuilt exhibit to replace the existing Penguin Encounter and a new ride where guests experience the life of a penguin chick, an attraction the park claims will be the "coldest theme-park attraction in the world".<ref name="OS_12-13"/> Antarctica will also include unique shopping and dining experiences, similar to the recent developments of [[The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Islands of Adventure)|The Wizarding World of Harry Potter]] and the [[Magic Kingdom#Fantasyland|New Fantasyland]] and [[Avatar Land]] projects at its local competitors, [[Universal Orlando Resort]] and [[Walt Disney World Resort]].<ref name="OS_12-13"/> |
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==Tilikum== |
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SeaWorld Orlando maintains a large number of marine mammals that take part in the park's shows and are displayed in its exhibits. One of its more controversial residents is [[Tilikum]], a male killer whale connected to the deaths of three people during its history in captivity. |
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SeaWorld Orlando is home to [[Tilikum (whale)|Tilikum]] the Killer Whale he was purchased in 1992 from [[Sealand of the Pacific]] in [[Canada]]. Tilikum has been involved in the deaths of two trainers in separate incidents, in 1991 at [[Sealand of the Pacific]], and in 2010 at SeaWorld Orlando, and one incident ware a man was was found dead and nude, draped over Tilikum’s back in 1999. <ref>{{cite |title=Killer Whales Out of Work: Sealand Cancels Show to Keep Lease Bid Alive |last=McLintock |first=Barbara |publisher=The Province |date=August 14, 1991 }}</ref> <ref name="PBS2">[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/whales/debate/trainers.html PBS: A whale of a business] excerpts from chapter 7 of “The Performing Orca – Why the show must stop” by Erich Hoyt, [[Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society]], Bath U.K. 1992.</ref> <ref>{{cite |title=Tilikum incident still haunts Wright |last=Helm |first=Denise |publisher=Oak Bay News 04 Mar 2010 }}</ref> <ref>{{cite |title=Sealand opens its doors for first show since drowning |publisher=The Vancouver Sun 04 Mar 1991 }}</ref> <ref>{{cite |title=Trainer dragged to death by whales |publisher=Toronto Star |date=Feb 21, 1991 }}</ref> <ref>{{cite news |
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|title=Park Is Sued Over Death of Man in Whale Tank|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/21/science/park-is-sued-over-death-of-man-in-whale-tank.html|work=nytimes.com|newspaper=New York Times|date=September 29, 1999|accessdate=September 11, 2011}}</ref> |
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The following is a current list of animals at the SeaWorld Orlando park: |
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'''Beluga Whales''' |
'''Beluga Whales''' |
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Revision as of 23:23, 7 January 2013
| Previously known as SeaWorld Florida | |
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| Location | Orlando, Florida, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 28°24′39″N 81°27′45″W / 28.41083°N 81.46250°W |
| Opened | December 15, 1973[1] |
| Owner | The Blackstone Group |
| Operated by | SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment |
| Slogan | As real as it gets. |
| Operating season | Year-round |
| Area | 200 acres (0.81 km2) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 10 |
| Roller coasters | 4 |
| Website | seaworldparks |
SeaWorld Orlando is a theme park, and marine-life based zoological park, in Orlando, Florida. It is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a subsidiary of The Blackstone Group. When combined with its neighbor Discovery Cove and Aquatica, it forms Seaworld Parks and Resorts Orlando, an entertainment complex consisting of the three parks and many neighboring hotels and eateries.
In 2010, SeaWorld Orlando hosted an estimated 5.1 million guests, ranking it the ninth-most visited amusement park in the United States.[2] However, SeaWorld's owners have challenged the estimated figures in the past; in 2007, the estimate was 5.8 million guests, while the park's internal data, normally not released to the public, was closer to 6.2 million guests.[3] A spokesperson for then-owner Busch Entertainment Corporation disagreed with the report, saying, "They are wrong across the board."[4]
Park, theme and design
Unlike most other theme parks, SeaWorld Orlando is not fully divided into dedicated themed "lands" or sections. There are instead individually themed attractions and select themed areas of the park including the following:
Main Entrance
The main entrance of the park features a Florida-inspired theme with lush tropical landscaping and a large artificial freshwater marina with a Shamu-themed iconic lighthouse. The theme of the main entrance area integrates into the nearby Key West at SeaWorld area with similar architecture and landscaping. The Manta attraction and aquarium exhibit is also near the main entrance area.
Key West at SeaWorld
Key West at SeaWorld is designed to mimic the appearance of the city of Key West, Florida with architecture and landscaping reminiscent of the area. Animal exhibits in this portion of the park include cownose rays, southern stingrays, green sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, greater flamingos, West Indian manatees, American alligators and brown pelicans. The stingray and dolphin habitats offer opportunities for guests to feed the animals.
Shamu's Happy Harbor
Shamu's Happy Harbor is a children's area hosted by Shamu, the park's killer whale mascot. The area is located adjacent to Shamu Stadium and features six family rides (including Shamu Express, a junior rollercoaster), a net climbing structure, and a water play area.
The Waterfront at SeaWorld
The Waterfront is the newest themed area of the park, the area resembles a seaside Mediterranean village and contains shops, restaurants, and a pearl dive exhibit, as well as the park's iconic Sky Tower ride which was integrated into the theme of The Waterfront village when the new area opened in 2003.
Wild Arctic
The Wild Arctic indoor pavilion serves as a combined attraction which includes a motion simulator or film followed by an indoor animal exhibit hosting Polar bears, Beluga whales, and Pacific walrus. The area is themed after an exploration base camp located in the cold elements of the arctic with features including ice walls and a sunken ship trapped in ice that leads to an underwater viewing area of the animal exhibits.
During the Christmas holiday season, SeaWorld Orlando's Wild Arctic is transformed into the Polar Express Experience based on the Warner Bros. film of the same name. Guests ride the Polar Express to the North Pole where Santa Claus waits to greet them in front of a towering Giant Everest tree from Christmas Lights Etc.
Attractions
SeaWorld Orlando has a vast array of live shows and attractions including rides and animal exhibits. Two of these attractions actually combine the two, with both a ride component and a separate animal exhibit.
Rides & Attractions
| # | Name | Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kraken | 2000 | A floorless roller coaster themed after the legend of the Kraken sea monster. |
| 2 | Manta | 2009 | A flying roller coaster and aquarium exhibit featuring rays, sea dragons and other species. |
| 3 | Journey to Atlantis | 1998 | An indoor boat ride with roller coaster elements themed to the mythical Atlantis. |
| 4 | Shamu Express | 2007 | A Zierer family roller coaster with cars themed as Shamu. |
| 5 | Sky Tower | 1973 | 400-foot tall rotating Gyro tower. |
| 6 | Wild Arctic | 1992 | An indoor zoo featuring polar bears, beluga whales, and walruses that is designed to resemble a research station in the Arctic Ocean. Guests can take a motion-simulated helicopter journey to the exhibit, or may bypass the ride and watch the film without the motion and proceed directly to the exhibit. |
| 7 | Turtle Trek | 2012 | An outdoor/indoor exhibit featuring sea turtles, West Indian manatees, and American alligators. The highlight of the exhibit is a theater dome where a 3D computer-animated film details the average journey of a sea turtle. The theater is a 360 dome with 3D content completely surrounded the audience. The theater and media was developed by Falcon's Treehouse, LLC. |
| 8 | Sea Carousel | A carousel themed with caricatured marine mammals and fish without the organ music | |
| 9 | Jazzy Jellies | A balloon tower style ride that lifts up and spins controlled by riders with a disk | |
| 10 | Swishy Fishies | A Mad Tea Party-themed ride themed as fish. | |
| 11 | Ocean Commotion | A rockin' tug ride. | |
| 12 | The Flying Fiddler | A kiddie crab themed Frog Hopper-style freefall attraction | |
| 13 | Paddle Boats |
Play area
- Net Climb, a four story net climb play areawith tire swings and slides.
Live Entertainment
| # | Name | Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Shamu Stadium | 1984 | The seven-million gallon home to the park's killer whale performers. The park's current production is One Ocean, which is joined by Shamu |
| 15 | The Whale and Dolphin Stadium | Features dolphins, macaws and even an Andean condor in Blue Horizons, which also adds human acrobats and divers. | |
| 16 | The Sea Lion and Otter Stadium | Hosts "Clyde and Seamore," a pair of California sea lions in the comical presentation Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island. Otters and a Pacific walrus also partake in the show. | |
| 17 | Bayside Stadium | Formerly hosted water skiing shows on the park's central lagoon. Today, the stage is used for SeaWorld's numerous music concert series and other special events as well as the official viewing area for the seasonal Reflections firework show. | |
| 18 | The Nautilus Theatre | An acrobatic show similar in style and presentation to the works of Cirque du Soleil. | |
| 19 | Seaport Theatre | Features dogs, cats, and other animals that have been rescued from local animal shelters in Pets Ahoy!. This venue is also home to Elmo & Abby's Treasure Hunt. | |
| 20 | Seafire Inn | Is both a restaurant and a theatre in the style of a dinner theatre. This venue is home to the Makahiki Luau, a Polynesian festival offering authentic cuisine, fire dances, and island chants and songs. | |
| 21 | Reflections | A seasonal firework show on the park's central lagoon featuring fireworks, dancing fountains, and mist screens synchronized and inspired by the musical soundtracks of the park's shows and attractions. The show was formerly called Mistify. During the Holidays, there is a Holiday Reflections. |
Animal exhibits
- Penguin Encounter, an indoor exhibit that also includes puffins and murres. The exhibit closed January 4, 2012 to make way for the Antarctic Area reportedly called "Antarctica: Empire of The Penguins".
- Shark Encounter, which features an underwater tunnel and a wide array of sharks, stingrays, barracuda, and venomous fish. At Sharks Underwater Grill, guests can dine while observing the sea life in the main exhibit tank.
- Pacific Point Preserve, home to the park's sea lions and seals.
- Dolphin Cove, an outdoor exhibit where guests can feed and touch Bottlenose Dolphins.
- Stingray Lagoon, a covered exhibit where guests can touch stingrays.
- Dolphin Nursery, a covered exhibit where new-born Bottlenose Dolphins reside.
- Flamingo Point, an outdoor exhibit where flamingos are exhibited.
- Pelican Preserve, an outdoor exhibit where brown pelicans are exhibited.
Future expansions
In November 2011, SeaWorld Orlando announced its expansion plans for 2012 and 2013, which will replace and renovate a number of existing park attractions.[5] "TurtleTrek", opened on April 27 2012, reinvigorating the existing "Manatee Rescue" exhibit.[5]
In 2013, the Penguin Plaza area of the park will be renovated into "Antarctica", a new themed section inspired by the titular continent.[5] Subtitled "Empire of the Penguin," Antarctica will feature a rebuilt exhibit to replace the existing Penguin Encounter and a new ride where guests experience the life of a penguin chick, an attraction the park claims will be the "coldest theme-park attraction in the world".[5] Antarctica will also include unique shopping and dining experiences, similar to the recent developments of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the New Fantasyland and Avatar Land projects at its local competitors, Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.[5]
Animal inventory
SeaWorld Orlando maintains a large number of marine mammals that take part in the park's shows and are displayed in its exhibits. One of its more controversial residents is Tilikum, a male killer whale connected to the deaths of three people during its history in captivity.
Beluga Whales
Wild Arctic - Aurek (M), Klondike (M), Maple (F) and Whisper (F)
Atlantic & Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins
Animal Care - Male Calf (Rescued in May 2012)
Whale & Dolphin Stadium - Starbuck (M), Phil (M), Clyde (M), Bubba (M), Baretta (M), Jenson (M), Alejandro (M), Marble (M), Frankie (F), Nueces (F), Damara (F), Gala (F)
Dolphin Cove - Jenever (F), Lily (F), Bailey (F), Tasha (F), Griffith (F), Calla (F), Oscar (M), Tiger (M), Jag (M), Neo (M), Alpha (M), Yar (F), Nate (M), Scott (M), Potter (M), Jackson (M), Schooner (M), Lagos (M), Alia (F), Khloe (F), Turk (M), Soliel (F), Roka (M), Gus (M)
Dolphin Nursery - Sabrina (F), Ariel (F), Bossa (F), Naia (F), Liko (M), Haley (F), Aurora (F), Starla (F)
Killer Whales
Shamu Stadium - Katina (F), Tilikum (M), Kayla (F), Trua (M), Nalani (F), Malia (F), and Makaio (M).
Pacific Walruses
Sea Lion & Otter Stadium - Bruiser (M), Slowpoke (F)
Wild Arctic - Garfield (M), Kaboodle (F)
Polar Bears
Wild Arctic - Johnny (M), Klondike (M)
Pilot Whales
Whale and Dolphin Stadium-Fredi (F)
Animal Care-300 (F)
Cetacean Rehabilitation Center-129 (M), 138 (F), 53 (F) (All three were rescued in September 2012 and have not been named yet.)
See also
Notes
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/SeaWorld/info
- ^ "TEA/ERA Theme Park Attendance Report 2010" (PDF). www.themeit.com. 2011-06-17. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
- ^ Scott Powers (2008-03-14). "Attendance at theme parks continues to skyrocket". www.orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved 2008-03-14.[dead link]
- ^ Jason Garcia (2009-04-16). "Report: Theme-park attendance growth stalled in 2008". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
- ^ a b c d e Dewayne Bevil and Jason Garcia (2011-11-08). "SeaWorld Orlando announces details for massive expansion including themed land Antarctica". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Newspapers. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
External links
- Official website
- Photos of SeaWorld Orlando published under Creative Commons License
- Aquatica Website