SeaWorld Orlando to Announce New Attractions, Offers Florida Resident Deal

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.