SeaWorld Orlando (SWO) Discussion Thread

[disneygurlz2s]

Hey everybody!

 

This thread is simple! Rather than having a million little threads about everything that goes on at SeaWorld Orlando, this thread is designed to consolidate it all into one user-friendly thread. Feel free to use it to post updates, trip reports, questions, comments, and of course, general discussion. For pictures and videos of the park as well as past updates, see TPR's Park Index Page.

 

SeaWorld Orlando Website

 

Below are some links to past updates from the park, you may be interested in. Enjoy!

 

_____________________________________________________

2005

July 15th, 2005 - SeaWorld reveals plans for a water park - SEE BELOW!

October 13th, 2005 - New Shamu show "Believe" is announced

October 13th, 2005 - Three new rides in kiddie area also announced including Shamu Express

 

2007

November 27th, 2007 - Polar Express coming to SeaWorld during the holiday season

 

2008

April 2nd, 2008 - Animal themed attraction announced

April 21st, 2008 - Official ride announcement - Manta, a B&M Flying coaster

April 21st, 2008 - Manta concept art

May 13th, 2008 - Manta construction begins

May 29th, 2008 - announcement from Sea World with ride specs

July 6th, 2008 - Manta construction photos

August 22nd, 2008 - SeaWorld tests Quick Queue

October 30th, 2008 - Manta topped off

November 5th, 2008 - Manta construction update

November 17th, 2008 - Manta construction tour with TPR

December 3rd, 2008 - Manta construction update

 

2009

January 31st, 2009 - Manta construction update

March 8th, 2009 - Manta construction updates

April 11th, 2009 - Manta construction update

April 25th, 2009 - Manta testing with riders

May 3rd, 2009 - Manta soft opening

May 5th, 2009 - Manta Soft Opening Media Preview

May 22nd, 2009 - Manta Media Day with Manta Cam!

December 7th, 2009 - 2009 Christmas offerings announced

 

2010

February 10th, 2010 - visit by Larry the Cable Guy

Febrruary 24th, 2010 - Trainer is killed by whale

February 25th, 2010 - Orange County Sheriff's report on whale attack

February 26th, 2010 - Shamu show to re-open tomorrow, charitable fund set-up in Dawn Brancheau's name

March 11th, 2010 - SeaWorld rescues 11th manatee in 2010

March 17th, 2010 - Carlos Pena visits Discovery Cove

April 23rd, 2010 - Environmental Excellence award winners announced

May 18th, 2010 - SeaWorld After Dark offerings announced

May 28th, 2010 - SeaWorld rehabilitates sea turtle

July 3rd, 2010 - Special offers made during economic downturn

August 23rd, 2010 - OSHA fines SeaWorld over trainer death

August 31st, 2010 - Manatee released back into the wild

October 7th, 2010 - Mark Wahlberg visits Discovery Cove, 2010 expansion palns to be announced soon, Q&A with Vice President of Discovery Cove

October 12th, 2010 - Killer Whale born

October 13th, 2010 - Discovery Cove with be expandeing the Grand Reef

November 3rd, 2010 - Details on 2010 Christmas Celebration

November 16th, 2020 - New killer whale shows announced for 2011

December 8th, 2010 - Christmas Celebration video

 

2011

February 3rd, 2011 - Details of One Ocean, new killer whale show

February 23rd, 2011 - SeaWorld to allow trainers back in the water

March 11th, 2011 - Lapbars being tested on Journey to Atlantis

March 29th, 2011 - Tilikum to be integrated back into shows

April 6th, 2011 - Construction tour of Discovery Cove's Grand Reef

April 8th, 2011 - Dountdown to One Ocean opening

June 6th, 2011 - SeaWorld Entertainment expanding into TV, Movies and Hotels

June 12th, 2011 - Press release for Grand Reef opening

June 14th, 2011 - Details on first movie distriubuted by SeaWorld, Turtle: The Incredible Journey

July 1st, 2011 - Three Sea Turtles releasd into the wild

July 8th, 2011 - Summer Nights offering

July 25th, 2011 - Stranded pilot whale arrives at Sea World

July 29th, 2011 - Dolphin calf born

Septmber 15th, 2011 - Halloween Spectacular details

October 3rd, 2011 - Redevelopment plans for 2011

November 2nd, 2011 - SeaWorld Fun Card returns for 2012

November 8th, 2011 - Official announcement of 2012/2013 redevelopment changes

November 22nd, 2011 - O Wondrous Night preview

December 11th, 2011 - Penguin Encounter farewell photos, plus Christmas Celebration coverage!

December 15th, 2011 - 'Just for Kids' Festival announced for January through February 2012!

December 22nd, 2011 - Tilikum (Tilly) currently ill

 

2012

January 6th, 2012 - Busch Gardens/SeaWorld Preschool Pass Announced!

January 12th, 2012 - SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment raises pay for employees

January 20th, 2012 - TurtleTrek official preview video with Brian Morrow!

January 20th, 2012 - SeaWorld Parks hires former Disney CFO for same role

January 31st, 2012 - SeaVenture marriage proposal at Discovery Cove!

January 31st, 2012 - Bands, Brew & BBQ Festival 2012 lineup announced!

February 3rd, 2012 - New Freshwater Oasis & TurtleTrek preview webisodes

February 8th, 2012 - PETA sues SeaWorld for "enslaving killer whales"

February 9th, 2012 - Judge dismisses PETA lawsuit on killer whale slavery

February 9th, 2012 - Media TurtleTrek construction tour photos posted!

February 15th, 2012 - Entangled dolphin rescued & released in Florida

February 20th, 2012 - Sky Tower now free to all guests!

February 20th, 2012 - SeaWorld Orlando hosting major seasonal hiring event

April 9th, 2012 - Antarctica, TurtleTrek, Blue Horizons & One Ocean update

April 24th, 2012 - Additional TurtleTrek webisodes released

April 24th, 2012 - New Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin details revealed

April 24th, 2012 - 'SeaWorld Parks & Resorts Orlando' branding campaign announced

May 30th, 2012 - New Discovery Cove deal includes SeaWorld & Aquatica

June 12th, 2012 - 'Summer Nights' returns on June 23rd, 2012!

June 12th, 2012 - A look at the production of TurtleTrek's music

June 14th, 2012 - Aquatica to offer 'Weekday Pass' for $59.99

June 25th, 2012 - Aquatica "Splash-Up" Media Event coverage posted!

July 1st, 2012 - Discovery Cove's Freshwater Oasis is now open!

July 9th, 2012 - Dine with Shamu dining experience returns

July 13th, 2012 - Discovery Cove Freshwater Oasis Media Event Coverage

August 21st, 2012 - SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular details announced!

August 27th, 2012 - Mahahiki Luau dinner show to retire after 30 years

September 3rd, 2012 - Discovery Cove announces 2012 Florida Resident deals

September 10th, 2012 - Antarctica Empire of the Penguin construction update

September 17th, 2012 - 1st Behind the Scenes Antarctica Empire of the Penguin Video!

September 21st, 2012 - SeaWorld appealing judge ruling to US Circuit Courts

September 26th, 2012 - SeaWorld's creates multi-year marketing agreement with the Miami Dolphins

October 11th, 2012 - SeaWorld begins offering gluten-free menus and food allergy accomodations

October 24th, 2012 - 2nd Antarctica Empire of the Penguin Webisode now up

November 18th, 2012 - Video of the Antarctica ride vehicle in motion!

November 19th, 2012 - SeaWorld Christmas Celebration Media Day photos!

November 26th, 2012 - Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin ride vehicle unveiling! Photos & Video!

November 30th, 2012 - Bands, Brew & BBQ musical lineup revealed!

November 30th, 2012 - SeaWorld releases Turtle Trek mobile app

December 18th, 2012 - More details on the Antarctica ride vehicle revealed

December 19th, 2012 - 'Franklin & Friends' partners with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

 

2013

January 21st, 2013 - SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment launches mobile apps

January 21st, 2013 - Bands, Brew & BBQ 2013 concert lineup revealed!

February 10th, 2013 - Bands, Brew & BBQ Media Day Coverage!

February 19th, 2013 - Antarctica Behind The Scenes Tour

March 1st, 2013 - Aquatica 5th Anniversary Celebration photos & video!

March 16th, 2013 - Behind the Scenes on Antarctica's Special Glaciers!

March 26th, 2013 - Company profits soar with 300% increase over 2011!

April 16th, 2013 - Viva La Musica Media Day Photo Report!!

April 26th, 2013 - SeaWorld won't have to pay income taxes for years

April 29th, 2013 - Meet Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin's lead Puck

May 23rd, 2013 - Antarctica Media Day Report & POV Video!

June 17th, 2013 - SeaWorld 50th Anniversary Sea of Surprises announced!

June 17th, 2013 - SeaWorld pays first quarterly dividend since IPO

June 24th, 2013 - Summer Nights Media Event coverage!

June 28th, 2013 - OSHA fines SeaWorld again for safety violation

July 6th, 2013 - SeaWorld parks looking at cost cutting methods

October 22nd, 2013 - SeaWorld teases tall new body slide for Aquatica

November 12th, 2013 - Second Aquatica Slide Teaser

 

2014

January 11th, 2014 - Report from SeaWorld's Wild Days Weekends

February 1st, 2014 - Bands, Brew & BBQ with Theme Park Review!

February 21st, 2014 - Details for Ihu's Breakaway Falls posted!

February 25th, 2014 - Bruce Hall of REO Speedwagon changes SeaWorld opinion

March 21st, 2014 - SeaWorld 50th-anniversary media event!

May 8th, 2014 - Photo & Video Report From Ihu's Breakaway Falls

August 4th, 2014 - SeaWorld & Southwest Airlines end partnership after 25 years

 

2015

May 27th, 2015 - Mako announced

June 4th, 2015 - SeaWorld announces Summer Nights

June 20th, 2015 - SeaWorld Summer Nights photo report!

August 27th, 2015 - Full Mako POV Animation Posted!

November 9th, 2015 - SeaWorld expansion announced, resorts in the works

November 22nd, 2015 - SeaWorld Christmas Celebration Photo Report!

 

2016

January 7th, 2016 - SeaWorld tops off Mako!

March 3rd, 2016 - Mako Construction Update!

March 8th, 2016 - Official update on Tilikum's deteriorating health

March 8th, 2016 - Mako track installation complete! New photos!

June 2nd, 2016 - TPR's First Ever Ride on Mako! Video & Mini-Review!

June 9th, 2016 - Mako Media Day Preview! Lots of photos & video!

September 27th, 2016 - Kraken VR Coaster Announced - Details

October 26th, 2016 - Penguin in a Wetsuit video posted!

November 7th, 2016 - Christmas Celebration 2016 details announced!

 

2017

March 3rd, 2017 - Dolphin Days show debuts on April 1st, 2017!

April 13, 2017 - Infinity Falls announced for 2018

June 15th, 2017 - Kraken Unleashed Media Preview photos & video posted

September 25th, 2017 - SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular photos posted!

October 12th, 2017 - Ray Racer to replace HooRoo Run at Aquatica in 2018!

 

2018

February 15th, 2018 - Seven Seas Food Festival media preview report posted

May 2nd, 2018 - Sesame Street land and parade coming in Spring 2019!

May 23rd, 2018 - Free beer available to guests throughout the Summer!

June 3rd, 2018 - Electric Ocean Media Event report posted!

July 18th, 2018 - Infinity Falls tower structure topped off!

October 4th, 2018 - Infinity Falls Ride Video!

November 4th, 2018 - Craft Beer Festival & Jack Hanna Weekend report!

December 22nd, 2018 - SeaWorld Orlando's Inside Look details released!

 

2019

March 6th, 2019 - Sesame Street land opening on March 27th, 2019

March 10th, 2019 - Seven Seas Food Festival Media Preview report posted

June 1st, 2019 - SeaWorld teases about a 2020 roller coaster

June 15th, 2019 - Electric Ocean Media Kick-Off Report Posted!

September 12th, 2019 - Ice Breaker launched coaster coming in 2020!

November 1st, 2019 - SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration 2019 event details!

November 15th, 2019 - Riptide Race dueling water slide announced for 2020!

 

2021

April 9th, 2021 - New Riptide Race slide at Aquatica!

June 4th, 2021 - New Howl-O-Scream event announced!

June 13th, 2021 - First Howl-O-Scream house, scare zone & bar announced!

July 26th, 2021 - New Howl-O-Scream house, show & bars announced!

August 9th, 2021 - Newest Howl-O-Scream house, scare zone & themed bar announced!

August 12th, 2021 - New Howl-O-Scream details released!

August 23rd, 2021 - Ice Breaker Officially Opening in February 2022

October 15th, 2021 - Reef Plunge and more announced for Aquatica!

 

2022

January 3rd, 2022 - Ice Breaker officially opens on February 18th, 2022!

January 22nd, 2022 - Inside Look event photo report!

June 3rd, 2022 - New coaster announced for 2023!

June 28th, 2022 - New Howl-O-Scream 2022 details released!

October 18th, 2022 - Pipeline Surf Coaster announced!

October 28th, 2022 - Pipeline photos & Howl-O-Scream trip report!

 

2023

September 28th, 2023 - Penguin Trek family coaster announced!

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Original Post:

 

 

 

Just saw this on the Sentinel's website....

 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business ... home-promo

 

 

Shari "Check out the dolphins" Shoufler

[SharkTums]

Dude! Wow!

 

This is huge news! I'm pretty excited...and an opening date of 2007 is pretty soon, I'd expect to see some major construction starting pretty soon!

 

It sounds a lot like the attractions they have at Atlantis on Paradise Island. Where they have acrylic tubes that go through the aquariums.

 

Elissa "I'm there!" Alvey

[CoasterFanatic]

I bet that Wet and Wild is really pumped up about this

[coasterdude5]

Whoa this is gonna be awesome!

[CoasterCrazy]

This is going to be awesome!

 

I'm going to be there when they open in 2007!8)

[TwistedTrack]

whoa! that clear water slide looks awsome!

[it]

kick ass.that looks better than the on in SanAntonio.

 

 

i can see it now son of the son of the son of shamu

 

 

it looks great hopefully i might get there in 2007 if my family gets enough mone for the plane tickets.

hope to see some of you there!

[AllisonY2K]

a tube slide that runs through a shark tank..that would be fun/scary!

[PhishyBrewer]

Very cool! Another way to freak out Commerson's dolphins. I can't even count how many times those little guys have jumped up out of the water and onto the pavement at SeaWorld Ohio.

[WillMontu]

Sounds cool. I wonder what sort of impact this would have on Adventure Island (BGT's water park).

 

The proposal has been criticized by nearby residents in the huge Williamsburg community They object to another attraction being built near their homes. They plan to meet Monday night to discuss alternatives.

That's what to expect from living so close to theme parks in the first place. Personally, I wouldn't mind being next door to a major park

[Stitch]

I think it is an excellent expansion for Sea World, it looks to be a definate hit. I don't see why they didn't think of it earlier, I mean a park themed to animals that live in the water. Put two and two together and you get a Water Park

[QuakerOaties]

I love SeaWorld Orlando! I'm so happy to hear they're expanding!

 

Mark "SeaWorld rocks. Well, the one in Florida at least" Luskus

[SharkTums]

I found a site that has some pictures of the rides I was talking about at Atlantis: http://www.sbcontrol.com/atlantis.htm

 

I'm expecting something quite similar but done on even a grander level from Sea World!

 

Elissa "nature and chlorine, my kind of park!" Alvey

[suave1226]

Looks great. One question though. What does Sea World San Diego plan to do with that tank near JTA where the dolphins are now since they are going to be moved.

[JT3000]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2005-07/18483987.jpg

 

Where's Waldo?

 

I'm still iffy about yet ANOTHER water park. It has to differentiate itself from the others.

[ECZenith]

Wow, good stuff! I thought the shark tank slide at the Atlantis hotel was great (only saw it on TV) Glad they'll be something like that within a reasonable distance.

[disneyfan1313]

Hmm. I'm kinda surprised by this - I'm not sure there is enough demand in Orlando for another water park. Wet and Wild and Water Mania seem to offer more and more discounts even during the summer and Cypress Gardens will open one soon also. We shall see though!

[Gregory DG]

Cypress Gardens will open one soon also.

Well, the good thing about CG's Splash Island is that it is included in the park admission, and not a separate charge like at most other water parks. In fact, are there any other parks that do this (not counting Beuschler's own Wild Adventures, of course) ?

[SharkTums]

Um yeah, quite a few actually!

 

A bunch of the six flags and paramount parks all include full size waterparks with regular park admission!

 

Elissa "PKD's is a lot of fun!" Alvey

[Gregory DG]

Um yeah, quite a few actually!

 

A bunch of the six flags and paramount parks all include full size waterparks with regular park admission!

That's cool. There are none of those parks in Florida, so I wouldn't know.

 

Around here water parks are a totally separate animal from the main parks. No free admission to Blizzard Beach with a paid admission to the MK, that's for sure.

[ebl]

SFMM and Hurricane Harbor (the original park with that name) require two separate admissions. One interesting thing is that often when the parking lot is full, it's because HH is crowded. A lot of times I forget that.

 

It's probably good that SFMM and HH have two separate tickets because HH would be crowded beyond belief if people could just wander between the two parks without buying an additional ticket.

 

Eric

[disneyfan1313]

Small blurb in this article from the Orlando Sentinel that mentions a new kiddie coaster themed to shamu in addition to a new shamu show and a few other small rides.

 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-bk-biz-seaworld101205,0,5613383.story?coll=orl-home-headlines&track=rss

 

"Three thrill rides geared toward children are also scheduled to open at the same time as the new show. The rides will include a Shamu-themed roller coaster, a jelly-fish shaped samba tower ride and oversized beach buckets that spin and whirl."

 

Eh. Another credit in Orlando is not a bad thing..

[BarryH]

This is pretty cool.

 

Will the Shamu coaster be my 300th credit?

[chauncey]

I'm guessing it's probably a Force Zero model from Zerier, like Shamu Express at Sea World San Antonio. Or maybe it will be the state's 5th Rollerskater? Why can't they give us more details?

[YoshiFan]

Nice that they are getting more rides. I hope there is no maximum height limit. I wonder what kind of lines these rides will get though. In a crowded park like Sea World, with 3 new low capacity rides I can imagine those lines will get long.