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.
What to say about SeaWorld Orlando’s newest land and attraction – Antarctica. I was invited to SeaWorld for a special press preview, but was only able to experience the attraction as designed once. It broke down on my second ride and then they kicked us out for a VIP party. So I have a few opinions, but they’re mixed results based on incomplete data. Since they did invite me to the event, I will do my best to explain.
Antarctica as a land encompasses an attraction, a store, and a restaurant, but sadly no restrooms. The store and the restaurant I found to be top quality. Although I did not get to sample the food, I’m sure Chef Hector did a great job preparing the international flavored options (American, Italian, and Asian). The store, as you might expect was full to the brim with great penguin themed merchandise. They’ve also introduced a build your own penguin cup booth. More on that in a future post.
While SeaWorld is in competition with the other local parks, they’ve taken a different angle to their themed design. Unlike Belle’s Village in New Fantasyland or Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld is not trying to put you ‘in the movie’, just ‘in the mood.’ The mood being set by tons of hand carved ‘ice’, various south pole elements, and some fun penguin representations. There’s no story being told, but you do feel like you’re in a wondrous place representative of Antarctica. Read More »My Journey Through Antarctica at SeaWorld Orlando
Yesterday SeaWorld Orlando announced it was stepping up to the plate with a desire to continue to compete with the big players in the Orlando attractions market. They’ve announced three new experiences. One at Discovery Cove and two at the main theme park. Nothing for Aquatica, however.
Construction at Discovery Cove is already underway with Freshwater Oasis scheduled for opening next year. The area, which replaces the old reef experience, features swimming and wading adventures and face-to-face encounters with playful otters and curious marmosets.
The construction at SeaWorld will include a large expansion of its current offerings. First to open in 2012 will be the TurtleTrek area that combines the Manatee exhibit with a new exhibit focused on sea turtles. Additionally there will be a new domed movie experience that sounds pretty amazing.
The last exhibit has the fewest details, but Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin is clearly SeaWorld’s attempt to say, “Hey we can do massive themed lands too.” This should open sometime in 2013.
Terry Prather, president of the company’s Orlando parks, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica, said, “With TurtleTrek at SeaWorld Orlando and Freshwater Oasis at Discovery Cove, travelers will have all new reasons to visit Orlando. What we’re creating will take you places you’ve never been before, places only SeaWorld can take you.”
We’ll have more details about each attraction soon, but in the meantime, follow below the jump for the press release.
