SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando
Slogan Real. Amazing.
Location 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, Florida, United States
Coordinates 28°24′39″N 81°27′45″W / 28.41083°N 81.46250°W / 28.41083; -81.46250Coordinates: 28°24′39″N 81°27′45″W / 28.41083°N 81.46250°W / 28.41083; -81.46250
Theme Conservation and the Ocean
Owner SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Opened December 15, 1973 (1973-12-15)[1]
Previous names Sea World of Florida
Operating season Year-round
Visitors per annum Decrease 3.962 million (2017)
Area 200 acres (81 ha)
Rides
Total 13
Roller coasters 5

SeaWorld Orlando is a theme park and marine zoological park, in Orlando, Florida. It is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. 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 hotels. In 2017, SeaWorld Orlando hosted an estimated 3,962,000 guests, ranking it the 11th most visited amusement park in the United States.

Park layout

In summer 2014, SeaWorld Orlando was separated into different areas, called "seas".[2] Each with a unique themed element. Starting at the lower center and continuing clockwise they are:

  • Port of Entry: The main entrance of the park features a Florida-inspired theme with tropical landscaping and a large artificial freshwater marina with a Shamu-themed iconic lighthouse.[2]
  • Sea of Shallows: This area showcases most of the shallow water sea animal exhibits at the park as well as the Dolphin Theater. In addition, the Manta rollercoaster travels through this section and Turtle Trek, a dome theater show also reside here. All of the Key West at SeaWorld area is inside of the Sea of Shallows. It 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.[2]
  • Sea of Legends: Journey to Atlantis, a boat ride with roller-coaster elements, bases its story from the legend of the lost city of Atlantis. Also found here is Kraken, a floorless roller-coaster.[2]
  • Sea of Ice: Sea of Ice, originally named Antarctica, is themed around the Antarctic continent. Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is the sole attraction in this area. The ride exits into the penguin exhibit area.[2]
  • Sea of Delight: Sea of Delight includes a sub-area named The Waterfront, which resembles a seaside Mediterranean village. The park's Sky Tower ride is also here, it was integrated into the theme of The Waterfront village when the area opened in 2003. The only land animal show at the park, Pets Ahoy, is located here inside of the Seaport Theater. Outside of the Waterfront is where the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium viewing area stands.[2]
  • Sea of Mystery: The Sea of Mystery houses the Shark Encounter exhibit and the Shark's Underwater Grill, as well as the Nautilus Theater, which is currently used for seasonal shows and events. It also includes the Sea Garden, a landscaped area with themed structures that are made from trash found on beaches. Mako, a Bolliger & Mabillard steel hypercoaster opened in the area on June 10, 2016,[2] The current shark exhibit and the surrounding area has been renovated to become Shark Wreck Reef.
  • Sea of Fun: Formerly Shamu's Happy Harbor, Sea of Fun is a children's area hosted by Shamu, the park's orca mascot. The area is located adjacent to Shamu Stadium and features family activities including Shamu Express (a junior rollercoaster), a net climbing structure, and a water play area.[3] Signage here still refers to it as Shamu's Happy Harbor, although management and the map use the updated name.[2] In May 2017, it was announced that this area would be overhauled into a new Sesame Street themed land, set to open in spring 2019.[4][5]
  • Sea of Power: Sea of Power is host area of the SeaWorld's killer whale shows. The Shamu Stadium is located in the center with the Wild Arctic indoor pavilion nextdoor. Wild Arctic is a combined attraction which includes a motion simulator followed by an indoor animal exhibit hosting beluga whales, Pacific walrus, harbor seals, and formerly polar bears. Shamu Stadium currently hosts "One Ocean" as its main show with "Shamu Celebration: Light up the Night" and "Shamu Christmas Miracles" showing seasonally.[2]

Attractions

SeaWorld Orlando has many live shows and attractions including rides and animal exhibits. Many of these attractions, such as Manta and Wild Arctic, combine the two, with both animal exhibits and a ride.

Rides and attractions

# Name Opened Description Image
1 Mako 2016 A hypercoaster named after the fastest species of shark in the oceans. Dubbed the longest, tallest and fastest roller coaster in the Orlando area.
2 Kraken 2000 A floorless roller coaster themed after the legend of the Kraken sea monster.
3 Manta 2009 A flying roller coaster and aquarium exhibit featuring rays, sea dragons and other species.
4 Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin 2013 A themed area headlined by a motion-based trackless dark ride featuring live penguin and alcid exhibits.
5 Journey to Atlantis 1998 A water coaster with dark ride elements themed to the mythical Atlantis.
6 Infinity Falls 2018 A river rapids ride that will feature a vertical elevator lift and the world's tallest river rapids drop.
7 Shamu Express 2006[6] A Zierer family roller coaster with cars themed as Shamu.
8 Sky Tower 1973 400-foot tall rotating Gyro tower.
9 Wild Arctic 1992 An indoor series of exhibits featuring beluga whales, walruses and harbor seals 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 animal exhibits.
10 TurtleTrek 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.
11 Pacific Ocean 2007[7] A carousel themed with caricatured marine mammals and fish.
12 2006[6] A balloon tower style ride that lifts up and spins controlled by riders with a disk.
13 Swishy Fishies 2006[6] A spinning spin ride themed with eel.
14 2007[7] A Playground.
15 2007[7] A kiddie crab-themed Frog Hopper-style freefall attraction.
16 Flamingo Paddle Boats 1978 Boats that can travel all around the park's central lake. Additional fee is required.
17 Net Climb 2006[8] A four-story net climb play area with tire swings and slides.

Live entertainment

# Name Opened Description
17 Shamu Stadium 1984
The 7,000,000 US gallons (26,000,000 l) home to the park's six killer whales and recently introduced 4 Pilot Whales opened in September 1984.[9] The park's current production is One Ocean, which is joined by the seasonal Shamu's Celebration: Light Up The Night and Shamu Christmas Miracles night shows. An educational presentation called Ocean Discovery also shows on select dates. In 2009, it was also home to a special show for Wheel of Fortune
18 Dolphin Theater 1973 The 2,000,000 US gallons (7,600,000 l) former Shamu Stadium, Dolphin and Whale Stadium, and current Dolphin Theater features dolphins, macaws, a marabou stork, and formerly an Andean condor in Dolphin Days, which also included Pilot Whales on occasion. False killer whales were once part of the Theater until the eventual death of the park's two specimens.[10] Four rescued pilot whales were also housed here and seen occasionally during the preshow (about 15-20 mins before the show) or sometimes during the show itself until they were moved to Shamu Stadium on April 28, 2017 due to space.[11]
19 The Sea Lion and Otter Theater 1990 Hosts "Clyde and Seamore," a pair of California sea lions in the presentation Clyde and Seamore's Sea Lion High. Asian small-clawed otters and a Walrus also partake in the show. This production is joined by the seasonal show Sea Lions Tonight.
20 Bayside Stadium 1983 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.
21 The Nautilus Theatre 1995 An acrobatic show similar in style and presentation to the works of Cirque du Soleil.
22 Seaport Theatre 1998 Features animals that have been rescued from local animal shelters in Pets Ahoy. This venue is also home to Abby's Treasure Hunt.
23 Seafire Grill 2001 Is both a restaurant and a theatre in the style of a dinner theatre. This venue was home to the Makahiki Luau until its closure in 2010.
24 Reflections 2006 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.

Killer whale incident

In February 2010, during a training session, one of the orca whales, Tilikum, pulled trainer Dawn Brancheau into the water and ultimately killed her.[12] An autopsy determined that Brancheau's death was attributed to blunt force trauma and drowning; injuries included her scalp being removed and her left arm being severed below the shoulder.[13] In August 2010, the United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited SeaWorld of Florida LLC for three safety violations, following the death of an animal trainer in February. The total penalty was $75,000 and SeaWorld was initially required to keep a barrier between its trainers and the whales during shows.[14][15]

Attendance

2008200920102011201220132014201520162017Worldwide rank
5,926,000[16]5,800,000[17]5,100,000[18]5,202,000[18]5,358,000[19]5,090,000[19]4,683,000[20]4,777,000[21]4,402,000[22]3,962,000[23]26

Aquatica

SeaWorld Orlando has a nearby sister park named Aquatica Orlando, part of the greater chain of Aquatica water parks.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "Seaworld–Page Info". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "SeaWorld Park Map | SeaWorld Orlando". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on 2015-11-21. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
  3. ↑ "Shamu's Happy Harbor". seaworldparks.com. SeaWorld. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  4. ↑ https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2017/05/18/seaworld-announces-new-sesame-street-land-coming-to-orlando
  5. ↑ http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-seaworld-seasame-street-20180502-story.html
  6. 1 2 3 "SeaWorld Florida". Screamscape. August 11, 2006. Archived from the original on August 11, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 "SeaWorld Florida". Screamscape. May 29, 2007. Archived from the original on May 29, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Photo TR: SeaWorld, IOA/Universal Updates!". Theme Park Review. May 24, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Sea World Whale Capture Plans Attacked". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. September 23, 1984.
  10. ↑ Garcia, Jason (5 June 2012). "False killer whale Jozu dies at SeaWorld Orlando". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  11. ↑ Kirley, James (16 September 2012). "Too soon to tell if surviving pilot whales can be released". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  12. ↑ "Blackfish: when killer whales attack". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
  13. ↑ "Autopsy report" (PDF). Autopsy report. Office of the Medical examiner, district nine, FL. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 17, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  14. ↑ Kuo, Vivian. "SeaWorld appeal of OSHA citations denied - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
  15. ↑ "SeaWorld won't appeal ruling pulling trainers from water at killer whale shows". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on 2016-04-21. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
  16. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2008 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 2, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  17. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2009 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 2, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  18. 1 2 "TEA/AECOM 2011 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  19. 1 2 "TEA/AECOM 2013 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  20. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2014 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 4, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  21. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2015 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  22. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2016 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  23. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2017 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 21, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
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