SeaWorld Lights up the Night Sky this Fourth of July

This July 4 & 5, families can join SeaWorld Orlando and celebrate the red, white and blue with the exciting firework spectacular Let Freedom Ring. This impressive production features a giant projection screen illuminating some of America’s greatest historical moments set to stirring music and patriotic narration. Guests will have the opportunity to experience the 12-minute extravaganza twice nightly at 9:15 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.

SeaWorld also is giving guests a great reason to stay late to experience the park in a whole new way. Now through Monday, Sept. 1, evenings will rock as SeaWorld AfterDark debuts and immerses guests in a rock 'n' roll extravaganza including Shamu Rocks, Bayside Ski Jam and Mistify.

* Shamu Rocks is an amazing killer whale show driven by a beat that’s larger than life and featuring stunning visual effects. Shamu Rocks has received rave guest reviews, and this year’s rendition is no exception.

* Bayside Ski Jam is an all-new, nighttime action-packed ski show that jams on the lake and in the sky. The art of water sport merges with fun, funky music to provide plenty of fast-paced action. Bayside Ski Jam features expert skiers using the water as their stage to entertain guests at Bayside Stadium.

* SeaWorld AfterDark infuses the park with a rock 'n' roll atmosphere, from DJs mixing music in several park locations to the fireworks, flames and fountains of Mistify, the park’s biggest finale ever.

SeaWorld Orlando is one of 10 Worlds of Discovery parks operated by Busch Entertainment Corporation. The other Florida Worlds of Discovery parks are: Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark in Orlando; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Busch Gardens Africa and Adventure Island in Tampa. Multi-park tickets are available for guests seeking the best value and flexibility when planning their vacation. Admission to Discovery Cove includes seven days of admission to either SeaWorld or Busch Gardens.

Information courtesy of Thrill Network

Image courtesy of Sea World

More Details Surface on SeaWorld's Newest Attraction

For its next big attraction, "Manta," SeaWorld Orlando intends to mix 184,000 gallons of water, 3,000 sea animals and a roller coaster that lies people down horizontally then takes them through four inversions, up as high as 140 feet and as fast as 56 mph.

"You say, 'Hey, you're putting as much emphasis on the animals as on the ride, absolutely. That's who we are. This is uniquely SeaWorld. We don't want to just put in a ride," said Joseph Couceiro, chief marketing officer for SeaWorld's parent company, Busch Entertainment Corporation.

SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Entertainment officials today announced details today for the new Manta roller coaster, which they said will seamlessly take guests from the awe of encountering rays in underwater flight into the sensation of actually being one.

Swooping over water and sky, Manta will show riders underwater animal habitats, then soar them face-down aboard a manta-inspired flying coaster, donned in hues of dark purple, ultramarine blue, and cobalt.

SeaWorld also refined its word on the anticipated opening. It is to open in the summer 2009.

This morning's announcement provided the first details for the ride, SeaWorld Orlando's second major roller coaster, since officials first confirmed the ride in April. The ride has been conspicuously under construction in the northeast area of SeaWorld, near the park's main entrance, since January.

Manta is covering four acres and will reach a height of 140 feet. It was designed by the Swiss coaster company, Bollinger & Mabillard. SeaWorld has declined to discuss the ride's pricetag.

Whether visitors choose to ride the coaster or not, SeaWorld pledges that Manta still will offer an attraction. Floor-to-ceiling windows will provide encounters with 300 rays, as well as thousands of fish and other creatures native to oceans all over the world. Shark rays, spotted eagles rays, leopard rays, cownose rays, and oscillate river rays float past guests with fluidity and grace in a view new to SeaWorld. Elaborate lighting, sound and rushing waterfalls further will submerge guests into the experience. The exhibit will feature an exterior lagoon and 10 aquariums.

The coaster vehicles were designed to give riders the sensation of gliding, swooping and diving up to 56 mph, through four inversions on 3,359 feet of track, moving from sky to water -- so close at times that the Manta's wings skim the waves. The tip of the ride vehicle actually will splash into the water.

Ride designer and manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard, of Switzerland, is the same company that designed and built Kraken at SeaWorld and SheiKra at Busch Gardens. Manta will share the smoothness those coasters are known for, Couceiro said.

"It will be extremely smooth," he said. But then he added, "It's meant to appeal to a lot of folks, but it is not a tame ride."

Information & Image courtesy of Orlando Sentinel

Sea World Announces New Attraction for 2009 Season

SeaWorld Orlando is preparing to build a new roller coaster attraction billed as the most ambitious and largest single investment for any SeaWorld attraction.

The ride will be part thrill ride and part animal attraction — combining those elements for the pre-show queue line, the ride itself and the-post-show, said Joseph Couceiro, vice president of sales and marketing for SeaWorld’s parent company, Busch Entertainment Corp. He and other company executives revealed their plan tonight to a gathering of travel industry and community VIPs dining at SeaWorld for Busch’s kick-off gala for two other big new attractions — Aquatica in Orlando and Jungala in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Few other details of the new coaster have been disclosed — not even a name.
The coaster is set to open some time in 2009.

"What it’s going to be is the next generation SeaWorld attraction," Couceiro said. "What we do well is connect the world with the sea, presenting marine life in totally different perspectives. Also what we do well is put the guest in the midst of that. This is the next generation of that."

He and other officials were reluctant to call the ride a roller coaster, though they said it would have roller coaster components. They said the attraction will combine entertainment with education about marine life.

"It’s going to have animal components, marine life components. It will have a very unique, state-of-the-art ride, a roller coaster if you will, that will provide a sensation of gliding," Couceiro said. "And the combination of the animals and the ride is what makes it special."

SeaWorld began clearing land for construction this winter. The ride will go into the area formerly occupied by a flamingo habitat exhibit, a backyard habitat exhibit, other small exhibits and a gift shop.

Information courtesy of Orlando Sentinel

Image courtesy of Tampa Tribune

"New" is the Magic Word for Orlando Theme Parks

Central Florida theme parks' new attractions — unveiled each year to welcome summer visitors — are like a red carpet rolled out for fun. For 2008, highlights include a whole new water park, a new wildlife area at another park, and a prize giveaway and a new interactive attraction at yet another.

SeaWorld Orlando's new water park, Aquatica, is on International Drive, across the street from SeaWorld. The 59-acre playground is themed to the South Seas islands with crystal rivers, grottoes, waterfalls, rich greenery, flowers and exotic fauna, including macaws and kookaburras. Aquatica offers animal encounters, serene and extreme water experiences, high-speed thrills and a white sand beach. Water — 3.3 million gallons of it — flows freely in lagoons, rivers and racing rides.

Attractions include two wave pools lined by wide sandy beaches, Adventure River with rapids, Lazy River with a grotto filled with thousands of fish and an underwater view of the Commerson's dolphins' habitat, a double raft ride, and an eight-lane racer with a 300-foot slide and tunnels. The park's signature ride has 300 feet of clear tubes that send visitors speeding through a lagoon filled with black and white Commerson's dolphins. Other park amenities include a children's area, family play area, and personal cabanas.

Walt Disney World Resort has extended its Year of a Million Dreams through 2008, with new Disney Dreams Giveaway prizes awarded at random. These include New Year's Eve in the Cinderella Castle Suite; Disney's Bahamas private island for a day; a hot-air balloon ride over Epcot; a behind-the-scenes peek at Disney Imagineering; and the chance to serve as grand marshal leading the parks' parades in France, California, Hong Kong and Florida. Another prize is multiple yearly Disney vacations, including a Bahamian voyage on Disney Cruise Line, a tour to China or Australia or other destinations from Adventures By Disney, and trips to Disneyland and Disney World. The winner of this prize — he or she can take up to three guests — will take one trip a year through Sept. 30, 2012.

Also new at Disney World, Disney's Hollywood Studios, formerly Disney-MGM, has a whole set of attractions this year. Arguably the most exciting of these is the interactive competition of Toy Story Mania! opening May 31. Inspired by Disney-Pixar's Toy Story films, visitors to the attraction begin by donning 3-D glasses, boarding the ride and zipping into a series of midway-style games hosted by many Toy Story characters including Woody, Hamm and Rex. Inside Andy's Toy Box, visitors try to rack up the most points by using spring-action shooters to launch darts at balloons, eggs at barnyard targets and rings at aliens.

Other new attractions at Disney's Hollywood Studios include Block Party Bash, an interactive parade debuting in spring with Disney-Pixar film characters including The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc., A Bug's Life and Toy Story 2. Playhouse Disney Live on Stage! reopened in February with a new cast of characters including favorite stars from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins and Handy Manny. High School Musical 2: School's Out! comes to life in the park's streets on a traveling stage, and the Meet and Greet character setting in the park's Animation Courtyard welcomes Handy Manny, in addition to regulars Jo Jo and Goliath, and the Little Einsteins.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has a new wildlife area: Jungala. The new observation area allows visitors multiple ways to see such animals as orangutans and white tigers in a jungle setting. Located in the park's Congo area, Jungala has waterways, a waterfall, and village and jungle environments. Jungala also includes a family fun section with rides and exploration areas, some of the latter being three stories high and overlooking the wildlife. In addition to close-up viewing of wildlife, Jungala offers interaction with animals and features street entertainment.

While theme park fans all over the country await the debut in 2009 of the Harry Potter environment within Universal's Islands of Adventure Park, Universal Studios unveils Disaster! A Major Motion Picture Ride… Starring You. This attraction, which replaces Earthquake, combines the drama of Earthquake with new celebrity talent, new ride elements, interactive components and a new storyline.

Also at Universal Orlando is a new simulator ride based on The Simpsons. It replaces the park's Back To The Future ride.

Cypress Gardens Adventure Park has announced a series of concerts and special events for spring and summer. Among the special family-friendly happenings is Kidzpalooza now through June 22, with dozens of interactive activities, shows, concerts and parties. Kids can get messy in the park's super-sloppy game show Gunk'd. Other special events include Celebrate America, June 27-Aug. 3, with daytime entertainment, exhibits and shows and evening live music, street performers and a nightly laser show. Wild Encounters (Aug. 8-10, 12-17, and 22-24) features close-up opportunities with animals and educational events such as keeper talks, animal experts and celebrities from Animal Planet, as well as backstage tours not regularly offered.

Information courtesy of South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Wheel of Fortune Coming to Orlando

Wheel spinner Vanna White was in Orlando yesterday, mostly at SeaWorld Orlando, as Wheel of Fortune prepares to bring its show to SeaWorld in December.

An advance promotional team for Wheel of Fortune is in town shooting teasers and background segments, starring White, at locations around SeaWorld, Aquatica and Central Florida in general over the next few days.

White and Pat Sajac will host 20 shows to be taped in front of live audiences at SeaWorld in December, to be aired in 2009. Wheel of Fortune is one of the most popular and long-running syndicated game shows in TV history. White and Sajac have starred together on the show since 1983.

The show also plans to promote other Orlando locations to illustrate a broad range of Central Florida experiences, and, with help from the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be filming spots at Winter Park shops, cafes and galleries, the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes resort and Harry P. Leu Gardens, according to a Wheel of Fortune press release. (There are no plans for the crew to visit Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando.)

At SeaWorld, White will be featured swimming with beluga whales, interacting with sea lions and coming face-to-face with Shamu the killer whale.

Information courtesy of Orlando Sentinel