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Inside the new Manta Aquarium with SeaWorld’s Curator

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Along with the new flying roller coaster Manta comes a huge new aquarium that features hundreds of sea critters from rays (as you would expect) to beautiful dragon fish (a relative of the seahorse). I got the chance to speak to SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquarium Curator Gary Violetta and ask him a few questions.

Violetta is a SeaWorld veteran of more than 24 years. As Curator he is responsible for the health and physical care of the more than 3,000 animals found in the Manta exhibit. He manages aquarium exhibits and attractions and is responsible for the care of all sharks, eels, stingrays, alligators, and fish throughout the park. A former curator of fishes at SeaWorld San Antonio, Violetta began his SeaWorld career in 1977. He is a member of the American Zoo and Aquarium association.

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Click below the cut to listen to the embedded MP3 and see a few more photos from the exhibit:

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The New Portobello Restaurant: Deceptively Simple

I’d like to welcome Kevin Yee as a guest author to The Disney Blog. Opened in 1989 as an inaugural part of Pleasure Island, the Portobello Yacht Club maintained the backstory of shipping magnate Merriweather Pleasure, whose warehouses were decimated by a storm, prompting him… Read More »The New Portobello Restaurant: Deceptively Simple

Disneyland vs Disney World NBA Finals T-shirts

Tonight is Game 3 of the Fairytale series aka the Disneyland vs Disney World NBA Finals. Here are the Disney themed t-shirt designs that are available for purchase at STAPLES Center and Amway Arena, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World and online at nbastore.com, orlandomagicshop.com and lakersstore.com.

Still looking for the first shots of these in the wild. They didn’t have any of them at Downtown Disney on Sunday.

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The Los Angeles Lakers get the fab four on their shirts.

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But the Orlando Magic get the classic pie-eye Mickey. Which I think is pretty cool.

Two more designs below the cut:

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Disney adds special NBA Finals shirts

Despite the first game blowout, I’m still hoping for a competitive series in the NBA Finals “Fairytale” series. It appears that Disney is as well as they’ve just unveiled a special NBA Finals T-shirt collection featuring Mickey and the gang. They’re available just in time… Read More »Disney adds special NBA Finals shirts

Red Shirts Return to Orlando – Gay Days are back

Today through June 7 marks the annual Orlando gathering known as Gay Days when members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and supportive community is encouraged to “Wear Red and Be Seen” while visiting the world’s most popular theme parks and resorts. It began in… Read More »Red Shirts Return to Orlando – Gay Days are back

Robobama coming to Walt Disney World

We’ve known for sometime that the Hall of Presidents attraction at the Magic Kingdom was getting a fairly large makeover. A new film, new narrator, and, of course, a new President. But the details as laid out in today’s NY Times are really impressive. The… Read More »Robobama coming to Walt Disney World

SeaWorld Manta, That’s How I Roll

Although it’s been in soft openings for a few weeks, Orlando’s newest coaster (and it’s first flying coaster) Manta officially opens tomorrow. Today was press day at SeaWorld Orlando and one of the options was to ride with the ‘Manta Cam’ where you get a… Read More »SeaWorld Manta, That’s How I Roll

Kris Allen is going to Disney World, American Idol Tradition Continues

Continuing the tradition started last year by David Cook, this year’s American Idol winner Kris Allen participated in the famous “What’s Next?” promotion where the winner of the super bowl of other major event gets asked what they’re going to do next and screams to… Read More »Kris Allen is going to Disney World, American Idol Tradition Continues