SeaWorld Orlando (SWO) Discussion Thread

[Hilltopper39]

I thought the announcement for Mako and Cobra's Curse went okay earlier this summer, but yeah some of the other have been a bit strange. I'm wouldn't be surprised to see some joint marketing promoting 2 park annual passes locally for the 2 attractions. It always amazes me how many non-theme park people I know in Florida (and from other places) don't realize SeaWorld and Busch Gardens are owned by the same company considering how great of a value a 2 park pass is compared to the other options in town. Then again maybe the folks at SW/BGT like keeping that below the radar for some reason.

[prozach626]

I thought maybe my confusion of the Seaworld announcement had to do with me quickly skimming the article, but I guess not.

[cfc]

I thought the announcement for Mako and Cobra's Curse went okay earlier this summer, but yeah some of the other have been a bit strange. I'm wouldn't be surprised to see some joint marketing promoting 2 park annual passes locally for the 2 attractions. It always amazes me how many non-theme park people I know in Florida (and from other places) don't realize SeaWorld and Busch Gardens are owned by the same company considering how great of a value a 2 park pass is compared to the other options in town. Then again maybe the folks at SW/BGT like keeping that below the radar for some reason.

 

I agree that the Cobra's Curse/Mako announcements were OK; at least, they had a firmer grasp on what they were actually announcing.

[jedimaster1227]

Yesterday SeaWorld Orlando hosted Theme Park Review for a media preview of the first night of their annual SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration event. Returning this year were the popular Winter Wonderland on Ice and O Wondrous Night shows, along with The Polar Express overlay for the Wild Arctic simulator ride. The park has been fully dressed in holiday lights and decor, and pop-up entertainment offerings help to change the park's normal atmosphere to fit the spirit of the season. The Christmas Village has also returned to offer a great corridor for holiday food and beverages for guests to enjoy during their holiday visit.

 

SeaWorld continues to do an incredible job in making the holiday season their own, and this year's event once again exemplifies the calibre of entertainment and decor that SeaWorld has long been known for many years. Next year will see the introduction of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and the affiliated characters from the classic stop-motion animation TV special throughout SeaWorld Parks & Resort parks, so it can be expected that next year's Christmas Celebration will feature this property in unique ways... But with so many great things to enjoy this year, there's a lot to look forward to with this added property in SeaWorld's arsenal!

SeaWorld welcomed us with an animal ambassador...

Over at The Polar Express, we were entertained by the Conductors, singing a cappella renditions of classic holiday songs.

The Polar Express is a wonderful overlay of the Wild Arctic simulator and a great overview of the film, both for fans and first-timers.

The entire Wild Arctic queue and loading station experience is updated to immerse guests in the story of The Polar Express.

This way to the North Pole!

Base Station Wild Arctic looks very different...

Guests exit The Polar Express in Santa Town, and fortunately its most famous resident is present to meet guests in person!

Throughout the park, wonderful holiday lighting has been added to give the park a special nighttime glow.

Looks so nice!

Shamu's Happy Harbor has been given unique holiday lighting for the Christmas Celebration.

The newest addition to SeaWorld Orlando, Mama's Pretzel Kitchen has received some holiday lighting as well...

The park really looks incredible when lit up at night.

Construction for Mako brings with it some walled off areas near Shark Encounter, but SeaWorld has even dressed up these walls with lighting to keep up the holiday spirit!

The Mako brake run is the first segment of the ride to go vertical...

The Sea of Trees in the SeaWorld Orlando harbor is incredible!

Winter Wonderland on Ice is an incredible ice skating show set to the tune of classic holiday music. The experience is top notch!

Seems to be very similar to Knoebels' Traveling Taco...

These skillets look incredible!

The Christmas Village features a miniature town complete with working trains!

Shame Christmas Miracles is a unique holiday twist on the classic Shamu show.

These behaviors never cease to amaze!

This show is definitely worth watching!

Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like a unique pretzel from Mama's Pretzel Kitchen.

The Waterfront experiences period snow flurries throughout the evening...

Incredible movements by the killer whales...

Incredible!

[johnnyknottsville]

OMG that parrot is just absolutely beautiful!!! That red on him is just wow!!!

 

Great pics those shots of the Orca's in action are amazing. I don't care what anyone says your not going to get anything to learn, cooperate and put on a show if it's being abused, mistreated, and unhappy with it living conditions #ISTANDWITHSEAWORLD

[viking86]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing! SeaWorld looks fantastic with all the lights and decorations.

 

I'm a bit curious about the Polar Express layover for Wild Arctic. I like simulator rides (for example I LOVE Star Tours), but I absolutely hated Wild Arctic, and couldn't wait for the ride to be over. It just made me more dizzy than I've ever been on one of these rides. How does the Polar Express layover compare to the original ride experience?

 

 

#ISTANDWITHSEAWORLD

 

[StealthFan]

I love the movie Polar Express so would be interested to ride. I didn't actually ride Wild Arctic during my visit to the park so it would be an entirely new experience for me.

 

Also am I the only one who finds that parrot slightly terrifying?

[cfc]

SeaWorld looks great for the Christmas season. I'd be willing to give the Polar Express a try (has to be better than Wild Arctic).

[Hilltopper39]

SeaWorld Orlando has always done a great job with their Christmas event, looking forward to getting down there in a few weeks myself.

[BlahBlahson]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing! SeaWorld looks fantastic with all the lights and decorations.

 

I'm a bit curious about the Polar Express layover for Wild Arctic. I like simulator rides (for example I LOVE Star Tours), but I absolutely hated Wild Arctic, and couldn't wait for the ride to be over. It just made me more dizzy than I've ever been on one of these rides. How does the Polar Express layover compare to the original ride experience?

 

 

The Polar Express is DRASTICALLY less intense than Wild Arctic. The latter takes the capabilities of the simulator to the extreme and tries to throw you out of your seat, with a choppy, potato-quality video. The former is a nice family ride with some moments of completely no motion and follows the general story of the movie.

 

And during the polar express there are carolers outside singing to you and Santa taking pictures. It's way better all around.

 

Seaworld has the best Christmas entertainment of any park in Central Florida. It's very cheesy and makes me nostalgic for when I was growing up and I love it.

[Whodey]

I am looking into buying tickets to attend the week after Thanksgiving. A couple years ago when I went you could get a second day within a week. Also on the Tickets at work site I notice it says when leaving the park for $15 I could get a second day. Do all tickets purchased qualify for a second day within a week for cheap? I am asking because their Blue Friday sale might have a better deal than tickets at work site but I want to get the second day for cheap. Many tips or advice.

[BlahBlahson]

The deal for individual tickets on Blue Friday is Buy one get one free. I have no clue if those tickets would then be valid when physically at the park for any second day admission deal.

 

http://www.iloveseaworld.com/seaworld-orlando-blue-friday-deals-revealed/?jdfwkey=zbsuu2

 

Additionally, a Seaworld FUN Card (99 dollars+tax) includes unlimited 2015 calendar year visits to Seaworld, parking not included. It is the defacto buy one day get the second free and more deal now.

[scubaski]

Thanks for the great pics. We are in Gatlinburg right now but plan on spending Christmas in Orlando and never miss the SeaWorld Christmas shows. Looks like they have added some things since at year.

[Whodey]

FYI. The Blue Friday special can upgrade the paid tickets to come back within 7 days The free tickets are not eligible for the come back upgrade. I am going with the Ticketsatwork special since I have a bunch of people going.

[jray21]

Nice review of the Christmas offerings. Looks like they did a great job!

[Cyrbuzz]

So happy Sea World is regaining some respect and admiration. It was a tough time with the activists nuts running rampant but I believe it's only made them stronger.

[I love pie]

No one has said it yet, but Mako has gone vertical! I'm very excited to ride this coaster. My hope is, that it will have a super loud B&M roar.

[DoinItForTheFame]

No one has said it yet, but Mako has gone vertical! ...

 

From Pg. 440 on Thu Nov 05, 2015 at 3:46 pm

Mako has gone vertical!

 

Even included some photos:

 

[KarlaKoaster]

Wowie, a month ago?! Time flies! I wonder how much has happened since? I suspect this will be another muted B&M because of the animals.

[DoinItForTheFame]

Wowie, a month ago?! Time flies! I wonder how much has happened since? I suspect this will be another muted B&M because of the animals.

 

I managed to find a few new Mako photos!! From PixelsAtThePark Looks like the base of the lift hill is in place, and they have made a lot of progress on the transfer/storage area!!

 

Also, I agree with thinking this will be a muted B&M.

Lift hill.

Transfer area.

Progress.

Edited December 8, 2015 by DoinItForTheFame

[I love pie]

No one has said it yet, but Mako has gone vertical! ...

 

From Pg. 440 on Thu Nov 05, 2015 at 3:46 pm

Mako has gone vertical!

 

Even included some photos:

 

Well I'm embarrassed. Did somebody mention that lift construction has started?

[DoinItForTheFame]

Well I'm embarrassed. Did somebody mention that lift construction has started?

 

No need to be embarrassed, it happens! And yes, lift hill construction has started, see the photos I just posted from PixelsAtThePark above!

[KarlaKoaster]

Thanks for the update. The colourscheme is just lovely!

[viking86]

Once again another new coaster being built which I had completely forgotten about. Seriously, there are so many amazing new rides being built for next year that I don't have the mental capacity to keep track of them all. Has there ever been a better year than 2016 when it comes to new rides??

 

Love the colors on Mako, I'm sure it will look fantastic when completed!

[ZeroGravity55]

^ 2015 was pretty damn good for new roller coasters in it's own right. I will say though, any year where there are 4 RMC's and several Intamin's being built, it's going to be pretty hard to top that.