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SeaWorld Orlando Makes Waves With Big Announcement

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.

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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:

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Disney Lobbies to Prevent Las Vegas Style Gambling in Florida, Why Are People Shocked?

There is a big article in the Orlando Sentinel regarding Disney’s efforts to lobby the state for items it sees as beneficial to tourism in Central Florida. One of those items is a push to keep Las Vegas style casinos out of Florida, a trend… Read More »Disney Lobbies to Prevent Las Vegas Style Gambling in Florida, Why Are People Shocked?

Walt Disney World Sends 2011 out with a Party and a Bang

It’s time to start thinking about your plans for New Year’s Eve. As usually, Walt Disney World presents one of the biggest fireworks evenings of the year, but there are also other events to enjoy. Here’s the list so far: Magic Kingdom presents a double helping… Read More »Walt Disney World Sends 2011 out with a Party and a Bang

Festival of Masters Welcomes Artist Graham Knuttel

One event I look forward to every year is the Festival of Masters at Downtown Disney. This year the festival runs from November 11-13 and will feature a wide array of art in different mediums along with plenty of interactive stuff for the whole family… Read More »Festival of Masters Welcomes Artist Graham Knuttel

Universal Orlando Permanently Changes Dragon Challenge Roller Coaster After Injuries

Universal Orlando has permanently changed the nature of one of its most popular attractions after a pair of guest injuries on the roller coaster. Dragon Challenge, formerly Dueling Dragons, will never duel again. Instead it will become a chase with cars being dispatched so that… Read More »Universal Orlando Permanently Changes Dragon Challenge Roller Coaster After Injuries

Steve Jobs and Walt Disney, Both Started With A Mouse

I was honored to be interviewed by local news channel WESH today. They asked me to put some perspective on how the death and legacy of Steve Jobs parallels that of Walt Disney. Both were great innovators. Among other things, Disney invented the animation desk,… Read More »Steve Jobs and Walt Disney, Both Started With A Mouse

Walt Disney World Cast Members Share Opening Day Memories


(left to right) Charles Ridgway, Forrest Bahruth, Heather Will-Browne, Darlene Kennedy, Kevin Myers.

On October 1st, 2011 I had the immense privilege to interview four Magic Kingdom opening day cast members. Each brings their own interesting stories and passion for making the magic.

Author Charles Ridgway, former Director of Walt Disney World Public Relations and Disney Legend for four decades of service to “the Mouse” (Hometown: Chicago) – Before moving from California to head the Walt Disney World publicity staff, Charlie Ridgway worked for Walt Disney himself at Disneyland in Anaheim, where he hosted media interviews and set up photo shoots with Walt and Mickey. When the Magic Kingdom first opened, Ridgway says, there was still some tweaking and problem solving to do. The parking lot trams “didn’t have enough power to go up the hill to the Ticket and Transportation Center arrival area,” he recalls. “There was lots of construction yet to go, wires hanging, walls not finished.” And he remembers the Flag Retreat ceremony brought to the Magic Kingdom from Disneyland: each evening a flock of pigeons flew in a white cloud from Town Square to Cinderella Castle and back. “Walt liked to say at Disneyland, ‘If you have pigeons and balloons, you can’t go wrong.’ Park officials eventually ended the tradition out of concern for the birds and the environment.

Three more below the jump:

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