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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

My Journey Through Antarctica at SeaWorld Orlando

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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

SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquatica Returns After 2pm Pass

One of the blessings of living in Central Florida are the late summer nights of warm weather and good light. Sure they’re periodically interrupted by rain storms, but if you’re a local and don’t mind changing plans at the last minute, there’s little more enjoyable… Read More »SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquatica Returns After 2pm Pass

SeaWorld Orlando Now Caring for Wounded Florida Sandhill Crane

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A few years ago SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment gained its freedom from the adult-beverage company formerly owned by the Busch family and started off on its path to independent corporatehood. It had a choice to make about a few issues that were central to the parks brand. The beer factory past was easily disposed with, but the environmental stewardship was always integral to SeaWorld’s existence. AB had been using it largely as corporate goodwill, not that there’s anything wrong with that; but the new company would have to make conservation central to its existence if it wanted to claim a unique brand that had a chance of success in an already crowded theme park and entertainment industry.

For the most part, SeaWorld has done a good job promoting its conservation work, but I think it could do better. For instance,  did you know that right now, among the dozens of animals it has in special care is a Florida sandhill crane. You see these everywhere all over the area, but some idiot decided to use one for target practice. So SeaWorld sent out its rescue crew to Pine Lakes, FL, and then transported to the park for further care and rehabilitation.Read More »SeaWorld Orlando Now Caring for Wounded Florida Sandhill Crane

SeaWorld Orlando Viva La Musica Festival Ticket Giveaway

Did our review of SeaWorld Orlando’s Viva La Musica make you want to get up and dance (okay, we’re not that conceited, but play along)? Then you’ll be happy to know we have a pair (2) of tickets to give away over on THRLLD right… Read More »SeaWorld Orlando Viva La Musica Festival Ticket Giveaway

Viva La Musica – SeaWorld Orlando’s Latin Festival

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I had the pleasure of being invited to attend the first Saturday for SeaWorld Orlando’s 2013 version of Viva La Musica, their Latin music festival. We encountered a legion of Daddy Yankee fans, some amazing food, great salsa music, and plenty of opportunities to mingle with exotic animals.

There are still 3 days left to enjoy the festival which will feature music from:

  • Saturday, April 20 – Willie Colón (salsa)
  • Saturday, April 27 – Grupománia (merengue)
  • Saturday, May 4 – El Gran Combo (salsa)

Plus there is amazing food from Chef Hector Colon who has cooked up traditional Latin favorites like arroz con pollo, mofongo con carne frita, alcapurrias and bacalaítos. The pork and chicken skewers we had were wonderful and the skirt stake with chimichurri cause was also amazing. Be sure to try the yucca fries too.Read More »Viva La Musica – SeaWorld Orlando’s Latin Festival

The THRLLD Report

A few months ago we added THRLLD.com to The Disney Blog family as a place to report on and discuss events happening in the rest of the themepark and entertainment world and to remove a little of the off-topic chatter from what is now an… Read More »The THRLLD Report

SeaWorld Orlando Christmas

SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration Joyous Family Fun

The 2012 Edition of Seaworld’s Christmas Celebration is back and better than ever. They’ve expanded the Sea of Trees and added lots of little touches that make the evening special. Add to that all the returning favorites and it’s clearly one of the best deals… Read More »SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration Joyous Family Fun