Busch Gardens replaces dolphin act
The Associated Press
August 14, 2002, 7:48 AM EDT
TAMPA -- It's out with the old and in with the new at Busch Gardens.
The theme park is replacing its 22-year-old Dolphins of the Deep act with a 750-seat theater for an adventure film exhibit, officials said Tuesday.
The theme park's three dolphins, two sea lions, two otters and their trainers will be transfered to Sea World in Orlando.
Replacing the dolphin act will help attract younger audiences looking for special effects, park officials said.
"We're 43 years old," said Robin Carson, general manager of Busch Gardens in Tampa. "It's time to change and improve and to provide a diverse product."
Like other theme parks across the country, Busch Gardens has be trying to lure in younger audiences as they struggle to keep attractions current and attendance up.
The park saw an 8 percent drop in visitors last year, according to Amusement Business, a trade magazine. Last year, about 4.6 million people visited the theme park, the magazine reported.
The new exhibit opens next spring and will be called Haunted Lighthouse. The show will require visitors to wear 3-D glasses in a 25-minute adventure film based on a story by R.L. Stine, author of the popular children's books "Goosebumps."
The dolphin tanks will close Sept. 2.
Copyright 2002 Associated Press
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-dolphins081402.story?coll=orl-home-headlines
The Associated Press
August 14, 2002, 7:48 AM EDT
TAMPA -- It's out with the old and in with the new at Busch Gardens.
The theme park is replacing its 22-year-old Dolphins of the Deep act with a 750-seat theater for an adventure film exhibit, officials said Tuesday.
The theme park's three dolphins, two sea lions, two otters and their trainers will be transfered to Sea World in Orlando.
Replacing the dolphin act will help attract younger audiences looking for special effects, park officials said.
"We're 43 years old," said Robin Carson, general manager of Busch Gardens in Tampa. "It's time to change and improve and to provide a diverse product."
Like other theme parks across the country, Busch Gardens has be trying to lure in younger audiences as they struggle to keep attractions current and attendance up.
The park saw an 8 percent drop in visitors last year, according to Amusement Business, a trade magazine. Last year, about 4.6 million people visited the theme park, the magazine reported.
The new exhibit opens next spring and will be called Haunted Lighthouse. The show will require visitors to wear 3-D glasses in a 25-minute adventure film based on a story by R.L. Stine, author of the popular children's books "Goosebumps."
The dolphin tanks will close Sept. 2.
Copyright 2002 Associated Press
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-dolphins081402.story?coll=orl-home-headlines
