SeaWorld Orlando to announce new attractions, offer FL resident deal

[wm49rs]

SeaWorld fans mark November 8th on your calendar, the Orlando park has announced plans for new attractions. As you can see from the press invitation above, the plans appear to center around three islands. SeaWorld has also announced the return of the Florida Resident Fun Card for 2012. Although it doesn’t include parking, it’s basically a whole year of fun for one day’s admission, more than a year if you buy it in November or December of 2011.

More details on the Fun Card below, but first lets try and prognosticate about what these mystery announcements may be.

We know there is a new ‘island’ area being added to Discovery Cove. Construction is already underway and it will feature fresh water swimming area and various rainforest themed animal exhibits. Sort of like a zoo you float through.

So that’s one island. The other two islands are back across the street at SeaWorld. One will be a new turtle themed exhibit and movie. SeaWorld is known for its rescue and care of the Loggerhead Turtle, and yet it has none in the park. They’ll fix that with a version of the Turtle attraction at SeaWorld San Diego and a shortened version of the Turtle movie they just released.

The third island is a bit chillier, as you can see in the invite. The feeling is this will be an expanded Penguin attraction with a new ride-through experience. That’s definitely needed as the current facility is aging.

I am hoping that there is still an even bigger, still secret, announcement to be made. That’s because, as nice as these three ‘islands’ sound, none of them will convince the Jones Family from Kansas to add a day at SeaWorld if it means one less day at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, or even Legoland. That’s the real need.

Okay, more details on the 8th. Remember more details about the Fun Card for Florida below the jump:


SEAWORLD ORLANDO’S 2012 FUN CARD NOW AVAILABLE

Give the gift of SeaWorld this holiday season – pay for a day, come back and enjoy the park’s events all year

The perfect gift for friends and family this holiday season is the gift that keeps on giving all year long -– a SeaWorld Fun Card!

It’s SeaWorld’s best value, just for Florida residents: Pay for a day’s admission and come back again and again – with no blackout dates — to experience all of SeaWorld’s remarkable 2012 events, plus this year’s Christmas Celebration.

SeaWorld’s 2012 event line-up includes:

NEW! Just for Kids! Spend super-fun Saturdays at this all-new kid festival for ages 2-9. Performances by kid-favorite entertainers, such as Choo Choo Soul and Max and Ruby, as well as fun, family activities will take place Saturdays, Jan. 14 – Feb. 4.

Bands, Brew & BBQ
2012’s Bands, Brew & BBQ will be twice as fun when the park hosts rockin’ concerts Saturdays AND Sundays this year, on Feb. 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, and March 3-4. That’s four weekends of smokin’ hot concerts, sizzling BBQ and a thirst-quenching beer garden to wash it all down.

Jack Hanna Weekend
Join celebrity animal expert Jungle Jack Hanna for a fantastic weekend on the wild side, March 24-25, featuring amazing animals from all over the world.

Viva La Música
This Hispanic festival spices up SeaWorld Saturdays in April and early May while showcasing traditional Latin food, specialty drinks, and Grammy and Latin-Grammy-award winning performances. Join the fiery fiesta on April 14, 21, 28, and May 5.

Summer Nights
The after-dark excitement at SeaWorld continues all summer, June through August. When the sun sets, waves of fun wash over the park with fantastic nighttime shows, thrilling coasters under the stars, and a nightly fireworks and fountain finale.

Halloween Spooktacular
Orlando’s favorite family-friendly Halloween event is back and better than ever, as an underwater “fantasea” takes over SeaWorld weekends in October. Children (and adults, too) can trick-or-treat, encounter whimsical sea creatures, and catch silly and spooky shows on Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, and 27-28.

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
From elves to Elmo, and Santa to Shamu, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration inspires lifelong family memories as waves of holiday spirit splash over the park in a watery, wintery wonderland. This heart-warming holiday event takes place select nights from Nov. 23 – Dec. 31.

New Year’s Eve at SeaWorld
Celebrate our connection to the sea, sea life and the world we share as we ring in the New Year, SeaWorld style. Kick off the New Year on Dec. 31, with a spectacular musical celebration and bold fireworks that create an unforgettable evening.

Regular, single-day SeaWorld admission is $81.99 for adults/$73.99 for children ages 3-9. The Fun Card is valid from the date of purchase and good throughout all of 2012 with no blackout dates.

http://thedisneyblog.com/2011/11/03...new-attractions-offers-florida-resident-deal/

 

[RSoxNo1]

Any updates on this?

 

[cheezbat]

The announcement has been made...

in 2012 TurtleTrek animal ecounter/ 3-d show is being added to Sea World, and Freshwater Oasis is coming to Discovery Cove. It's a swimming thing with different animals like Otters and Marmosets.

in 2013 Sea World is Antarctica:Empire of the Penguin. Not much is being released about this attraction, other than the fact that it's going to be a ride and one of the biggest investments in Sea World's history.

 

[Bairstow]

Sea World is going crazy with the announcements.

Super-refrigerated indoor Antarctica pavilion with ride.
Combined water park swimming/animal exhibit Freshwater Cove area.
Fully-enclosed 360* dome 3D turtle movie.

A lot of this is stuff I haven't even heard of anyone attempting.

I visited Sea World for the first time in a over a decade this past August and Manta impressed me almost as much as Harry Potter did.
Now it looks like they're aiming to be world leaders.

TPR has some videos up of the press conferences:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZOFLApINbc&feature=feedu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksj9pwTaj5k&feature=feedu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nuVNmh9iwU&feature=feedu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4fGYsJRdf4&feature=feedu

 

[MarkTwain]

WOW. SeaWorld is clearly trying to become the next toast of Orlando, taking some of the limelight from Harry Potter. Go SeaWorld! :sohappy: Show Disney what it takes to be a leader in theme parks!

Some of this stuff I've never even heard of before... I didn't think 3D on domed surfaces was supposed to be possible. And the penguin experience sounds like a great and timely idea; ever since the penguin craze after March of the Penguins and Happy Feet a few years ago, the current penguin exhibit seems like an underrepresentation of their true potential.

Also, one of the news coverage pieces I read made it sound like the penguin area is going to have another very innovative ride concept in the style of Harry Potter... I hope that's true!

 

[Bairstow]

I didn't think 3D on domed surfaces was supposed to be possible.

I imagine it's a limitation that someone with a computer figured out how to program around, just as Infitec figured out the problem of maintaining a 3D illusion from a shifting prospective when they designed Spiderman. The real trick is probably going to be properly dithering and syncing between the edges of the each field of projection. I wonder how many projectors it will take.

Also, one of the news coverage pieces I read made it sound like the penguin area is going to have another very innovative ride concept in the style of Harry Potter... I hope that's true!

I'm sure they'd want people to think that, but Universal's exclusive rights with KUKA were supposed to last until 2018, and Antarctica is supposed to open up to 5 years before that.

The most surprising thing about these announcements is that I figured Sea World would spend their money on refurbishing some of their old pavilions first. As you said, the original Penguin attraction is looking every year of its age, and the shark exhibit certainly isn't cutting-edge anymore either, though it's not as bad. You could probably just fix it with a more modern lighting system, some fresh paint, and new carpet.

 

[njDizFan]

I'm honestly suprised this thread isn't getting more action. This is huge news and it's great for the Orlando vacationer.

With Uni stepping up it's game and Avatar-land in the distant future maybe SW can actually take some attendance away from WDW.

These sound like some really cool attractions.

 

[Bairstow]

I'm honestly suprised this thread isn't getting more action. This is huge news and it's great for the Orlando vacationer.

I'm tempted to create a thread in the news and rumors section, but it would probably be out of place.

 

[Pete C]

The most surprising thing about these announcements is that I figured Sea World would spend their money on refurbishing some of their old pavilions first. As you said, the original Penguin attraction is looking every year of its age, and the shark exhibit certainly isn't cutting-edge anymore either, though it's not as bad.

The Penguin attraction is being refurbished...by completely demolishing it and building Antarctica, which will house a completely new environment for the penguins. But yeah, I hear you about some of the others. The simulator ride needs a bump in the film technology department, and JTA could use a refurb to freshen it up a bit. Hopefully they will get around to those once attendance comes back around.

I'm honestly suprised this thread isn't getting more action. This is huge news and it's great for the Orlando vacationer.

With Uni stepping up it's game and Avatar-land in the distant future maybe SW can actually take some attendance away from WDW.

These sound like some really cool attractions.

There is some discussion on the other thread here:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=824862

Still, I expected WAY more buzz on these forums. SeaWorld is stepping up big-time and all fans of theme parks should be taking notice.

I'm tempted to create a thread in the news and rumors section, but it would probably be out of place.

Didn't we discuss WWoHP on the News and Rumors forum?

 

[MarkTwain]

I'm tempted to create a thread in the news and rumors section, but it would probably be out of place.

I say go for it. If all else fails, Steve'll relocate it to wherever it belongs, and there will be at least be a link in the main forum to where it was moved to.

Also, I wonder if SeaWorld is trying to become more of a multi-day resort, like how Uni's been angling itself as recently? It seems like you could now easily spend a day each at SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, and Aquatica, while staying at the on-property Renaissance.

 

[Journey_On]

I am very excited for these changes! SeaWorld has become one of my favorite parks, esp. more so after my visit there this September and to Discovery Cove. I am so considering getting an AP next year.

 

[ScoutN]

Antarctica, oh Antarctica. I have officially gotten excited about this unannounced ride in the aspect of details. Zierer is creating an Arctic themed coaster with a drop section for LegoLand Billund. Where does this collaborate with SWO? Simple, the parks within SWP&E have a history of building multiple manufacturer's products across their parks. At an earlier point in time it was Arrow products, Bolliger and Mabilard, and most recently Zierer constructing the kid's coasters across the company. Where it gets very interesting Antarctica has slim details released in regards to its ride. Zierer is currently constructing a Black Forest themed coaster in BGW with the same drop segment as LegoLand's. With Zierer having all of these other contracts it would make sense that BGT was unable to land the contract for a Zierer coaster. This can go hand in hand with B&M not building BGW's coaster that Arrow eventually built (Drachen Fire).

Let's see if this theory will eventually deliver.

 

[Pete C]

Antarctica, oh Antarctica. I have officially gotten excited about this unannounced ride in the aspect of details. Zierer is creating an Arctic themed coaster with a drop section for LegoLand Billund. Where does this collaborate with SWO? Simple, the parks within SWP&E have a history of building multiple manufacturer's products across their parks. At an earlier point in time it was Arrow products, Bolliger and Mabilard, and most recently Zierer constructing the kid's coasters across the company. Where it gets very interesting Antarctica has slim details released in regards to its ride. Zierer is currently constructing a Black Forest themed coaster in BGW with the same drop segment as LegoLand's. With Zierer having all of these other contracts it would make sense that BGT was unable to land the contract for a Zierer coaster. This can go hand in hand with B&M not building BGW's coaster that Arrow eventually built (Drachen Fire).

Let's see if this theory will eventually deliver.

Yeah I saw the Polar X-plorer poster over at themeparkreview's IAAPA coverage and the dots started connecting immediately. Regarding the shared ride technology, let's also not forget the Journey to Atlantis water coaster tech that eventually made it to all 3 SeaWorld parks. If they are planning to ape Polar X-plorer it would be quite the copycat move, right down to the live penguins. However, I would expect Brian Morrow's team to deliver something on a much grander scale than Legoland based on the scope of Antarctica. Sounds great to me if this turns out to be the ride. I am now looking forward to see how Verbolten turns out!

 

[ScoutN]

Yeah I saw the Polar X-plorer poster over at themeparkreview's IAAPA coverage and the dots started connecting immediately. Regarding the shared ride technology, let's also not forget the Journey to Atlantis water coaster tech that eventually made it to all 3 SeaWorld parks. If they are planning to ape Polar X-plorer it would be quite the copycat move, right down to the live penguins. However, I would expect Brian Morrow's team to deliver something on a much grander scale than Legoland based on the scope of Antarctica. Sounds great to me if this turns out to be the ride. I am now looking forward to see how Verbolten turns out!

I have only been to SWO so I would not know much of the going ons outside of SWO and my sources are not privy to those either. Either way, the history of multiple rides from the same make across the company could be intriguing. Fingers crossed.

Keep your eyes peeled. Fansites are obtaining photos on the outdoor installed segments but have yet to release them. As far as the indoor goes, this link should notrequire you to join.

http://bgwfans.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=868&pid=27836#pid27836

 

[Pete C]

I have only been to SWO so I would not know much of the going ons outside of SWO and my sources are not privy to those either. Either way, the history of multiple rides from the same make across the company could be intriguing. Fingers crossed.

Keep your eyes peeled. Fansites are obtaining photos on the outdoor installed segments but have yet to release them. As far as the indoor goes, this link should notrequire you to join.

http://bgwfans.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=868&pid=27836#pid27836

Cool, thanks for the link! So much activity at BGW these days...awesome park. This certainly sounds exciting. My first thought when I read the concept was something along the lines of The Italian Job/Backlot Stunt Coaster at King's Island.

Man, I still can't believe Big Bad Wolf is gone. That (and Loch Ness) were my first two 'big coasters' as a kid. I am lucky to have ridden it many times in my life going on trips to BGW. The ride's ending plunge over the Rhine was still one of the most wild coaster sections in the world.

 

[ScoutN]

Cool, thanks for the link! So much activity at BGW these days...awesome park. This certainly sounds exciting. My first thought when I read the concept was something along the lines of The Italian Job/Backlot Stunt Coaster at King's Island.

Man, I still can't believe Big Bad Wolf is gone. That (and Loch Ness) were my first two 'big coasters' as a kid. I am lucky to have ridden it many times in my life going on trips to BGW. The ride's ending plunge over the Rhine was still one of the most wild coaster sections in the world.

I knew this would be on a much more grand scale, especially after they left the old BBW footers in place. V's final path ascends down the hill over the Rhine just as BBW and the same path back to the station house. The final path pays quite a bit of homage to Wolf. When you see how close the track comes to the water then you will agree. I am going off of the construction plans I have seen.

You have yet to visit since Mach Tower and the new Pretzel Haus have been installed?

On topic to SeaWorld. I have high hopes this Antarctica ride could be yet another Zierer creation!

 

[Pete C]

I knew this would be on a much more grand scale, especially after they left the old BBW footers in place. V's final path ascends down the hill over the Rhine just as BBW and the same path back to the station house. The final path pays quite a bit of homage to Wolf. When you see how close the track comes to the water then you will agree. I am going off of the construction plans I have seen.

You have yet to visit since Mach Tower and the new Pretzel Haus have been installed?

On topic to SeaWorld. I have high hopes this Antarctica ride could be yet another Zierer creation!

Glad to hear it will still have that famous plunge.

Last time I was at BGW was the opening year of DarKastle. So, I haven't even rode Griffon yet, however I have been on SheiKra. I am looking forward to returning to see all of the new additions!

 

[SyracuseOrange]

I haven't been to SeaWorld since I was very young. I definitely want to make a return visit. Perhaps next time I'm in WDW I'll take a day to check out SeaWorld's new offerings.