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SeaWorld Response to Blackfish

SeaWorld Orlando took, perhaps, a bit longer than they should have, but they finally have issued what I consider a very effective response to the people and forces behind the film ‘Blackfish.’ I guess they couldn’t hold off any longer after CNN’s airing of the… Read More »SeaWorld Response to Blackfish

Tips to enjoy SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular

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I’ve already written about what a great value the SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular is, but now I’ve had a chance to experience the 2013 edition and can tell you my original assessment still stands.

Here are a few tips to enjoy the day:

  1. The Spooktacular trail is least busy shortly after opening and again just before the area closes for the day.
  2. You can start at either end of the trail, but most of the treat stations are oriented for easiest access from the front of the park.
  3. Although SeaWorld provides bags for trick-or-treating, you’ll want to have a larger bag to consolidate all your candy into as you enjoy the rest of your day in the park.
  4. There is a lot to do besides just trick or treating. Take time to interact with the characters, decorate a cookie, or stay for the dance party at the end of the night
  5. Dress your kids up in costumes that are appropriate for the weather and bring a camera to capture the memories.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular is included with park admission and runs over the remaining weekends in October.

More photos below the jump and details on a special “jelly belly” event that only runs during the final weekend. Read More »Tips to enjoy SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular

Discovery Cove Voted #1 Park in the World

TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards recently voted SeaWorld Orlando’s Discovery Cove as the #1 theme park in the World. Definitely well deserved. Here’s Discover Cove’s Vice President Stewart Clark justifiably crowing a bit and sharing some fan memories: We visited Discovery Cove in May and wrote… Read More »Discovery Cove Voted #1 Park in the World

‘Blackfish’ an Eye-Opening Look at Orca Captivity

Editor’s Note: I have not been presented the opportunity to view Blackfish and urge you to consider both sides of the argument before drawing any conclusions. A good place to start is this NY Times article on SeaWorld Park’s and Entertainment‘s response to the movie and what it sees as distortions of the facts and message. I want to thank Mike Bastoli for continuing to post here on the blog; even when I’m not 100% comfortable with his topics, I’m glad I can provide a forum for his ideas.

Blackfish_SeaWorld_TilikumFirst of all, I’d like to thank John for giving me the opportunity to comment on Blackfish here. Even though we are of different opinions on whether orcas—killer whales—should continue to be kept in captivity at SeaWorld and places like it, we both agree that everyone should have an opportunity to evaluate the facts and make up their own mind on the issue. Really, we are the jury.

Blackfish begins with a black screen and a terrifying 911 call: “A whale has eaten one of the trainers,” the voice on the phone tells the dispatcher. That call was made on February 24, 2010, moments after SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by Tilikum, a 12,000-pound male orca who had taken human life twice before.

Read More »‘Blackfish’ an Eye-Opening Look at Orca Captivity

Penguin One joins fleet of SeaWorld themed Southwest Airline Planes

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For 25 years Shamu One has flown through the sky bringing joy to airplane passengers everywhere knowing their journey to SeaWorld begins at their home airport. It’s a relatively small thing, but it brings a lot of joy.

Today Southwest Airlines and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment celebrated 25 years of partnership with the unveiling of the airline’s newest specialty aircraft, Penguin One —- a Boeing 737-700 co-branded with images of one of SeaWorld’s iconic animals — penguins.

Read More »Penguin One joins fleet of SeaWorld themed Southwest Airline Planes

Cup That Cares Introduces New Conservation Minded Program at SeaWorld Orlando

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One of the hidden treasures of the new Antarctica opening at SeaWorld Orlando is a conservation-minded program that let’s you interact with Coca-Cola freestyle machines in the area to see how big an impact your drink refills are making on the environment. The Cup That Cares – a reusable cup initiative – encourages guests to help the planet one refill at a time in a cup they create themselves when visiting the realm.

SeaWorld also collaborated with Coca-Cola to create a new custom coca-cola flavor served up only at Antarctica – South Pole Chill. I had a number of cups and enjoyed the light vanilla flavor served without any of the dyes that add color to normal colas.

Here’s a quick video introduction to the Cup That Cares program:

The new Cup That Cares engages guests in a personalized manner to reuse materials and reduce their carbon footprint. An RFID chip embedded in each Cup That Cares interacts with software at Coca-Cola Freestyle dispensers to calculate and tell guests how they are being more environmentally responsible by choosing to reuse.

Plus, SeaWorld will donate $1 from each Cup That Cares purchase to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens® Conservation Fund, a not-for-profit foundation that helps protect wildlife around the world. Read More »Cup That Cares Introduces New Conservation Minded Program at SeaWorld Orlando