Update: All guests and employees have been released from care. Local news reports that 5 cast members and 3 guests were taken to the hospital after a lightning strike at SeaWorld Orlando’s Discovery Cove. Apparently the strike was near the Adventure Photo cabana, which is… Read More »Lightning Strike at Discovery Cove sends several to Hospital
Get ready to encounter ultimate cuteness. A dolphin calf was born Tuesday morning at 9:36 a.m. at SeaWorld Orlando. According to SeaWorld, the calf weighs 35 pounds and is 40 inches long, with the sex unknown at this time. It was seen nursing and bonding… Read More »Ultimate Cuteness! Dolphin Calf Born at SeaWorld Orlando
Ever since SeaWorld exited the embrace of that beer beverage company, they have been moving to position themselves with a brand built on the care and conservation of our planet. That’s a pretty big mission for what was essentially a series of amusement and sea… Read More »SeaWorld Orlando Takes Over Care for Stranded Pilot Whale
Friday morning more than 150 kids from local Boys and Girls Clubs attended a private premiere of SeaWorld’s new movie, “Turtle: The Incredible Journey.” The 3D debut was held at Pointe Orlando on International Drive. For many of these children it was their first 3D film and a lot of fun was had by all.
As you can tell almost all the kids enjoyed the film. It definitely had a strong conservation message with much of the film focused on ways in which human encroachment on the turtles environment has threatened their chances of survival. But the overall message of the film is joyous and celebrates the ability of these turtles to survive enormous odds, 9 thousand miles, 26 years at sea, and return to the same beach to lay eggs again. Such is the wonder of nature.
When SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment was cleaved from the In-Bev/Anheuser-Busch mothership they immediately realized they could no longer rely on ‘Free Beer’ for their main brand identity. They would have to focus on Conservation. Instead of counting on free beer for word of mouth, they’ve adopted a formula that has been successful for their theme park competitors — integrate movies, tv, and other media into the brand.
SeaWorld’s first big venture along that current is a great tale of conservation befitting their new brand — “Turtle: The Incredible Journey”. Turtle follows the life and migration of a loggerhead turtle from hatching to maturity and a return to its original Florida nesting grounds.
The loggerhead turtle, a threatened species, has one of the longest and most difficult migratory patterns of any marine animal: Sea turtles newly hatched on the East Coast of the United States (usually in Florida) make their way from the sand into the ocean, and then begin a voyage that can span the entire Atlantic Ocean, only to return decades later to that same beach.
“This is a remarkable story crafted by one of the world’s most gifted documentary filmmakers,” said Scott Helmstedter, Chief Creative Officer for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Turtle: The Incredible Journey does what our parks have been doing for more than five decades: inspire, enrich and entertain. Helping bring this film and its powerful message of the fragility and beauty of our oceans to the public is what SeaWorld is and what we have always been about.”
National Geographic Explorer’s Nick Stringer directed Turtle, which SeaWorld Pictures calls a ‘Family Documentary.’ The film is narrated by Academy Award nominee Miranda Richardson, and will be released to theaters in both standard theatrical formats as well as 3D in selected locations. The movie will premier Friday, June 24th in Orlando.
Turtle looks to follow in the big box office numbers of March of the Penguins, and judging by its trailer, it just might get there.
Check out the trailer below the jump and let us know what you think:
This weekend marked the opening of a large expansion to SeaWorld Orlando’s neighbor park Discovery Cove. The Grand Reef improves upon the previous snorkeling experience by making the fish more accessible and by adding new experiences that improve the value of a day in the all-inclusive park. With the Grand Reef, Discovery Cove has achieved the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation, a fully immersive tropical escape, yours to discover, because you deserve the best.
“The Grand Reef takes Discovery Cove’s world-class animal encounters to an all new level — several, actually,” said Stewart Clark, the park’s vice president. “It’s what our guests expect from us, unforgettable connections with the sea and making memories that will last forever. This could only be created by Discovery Cove.”
As a visitor at the new Grand Reef, you get to decide how much of the experience you want to enjoy. You can choose to just wet your feet or go deep among the fish. Step into tranquil, shallow waters to discover a below-the-surface world teeming with sea life, or snorkel in deeper waters as thousands of exotic fish and graceful rays swim around them. The zero-entry beach makes this part of the park enjoyable by everyone.
Lil’ Joe ain’t so little anymore. The Manatee, rescued by SeaWorld Orlando and returned to health by SeaWorld’s animal care team, grew to 1515-pounds before being released into Lake Dexter in Astor, Fl. There Lil’ Joe will find several other manatees who will help him… Read More »SeaWorld releases rescued Manatee “Lil’ Joe” into wild
SeaWorld’s newest Killer Whale show One Ocean debuted in Orlando last month and is opening in San Diego this weekend. It will reach San Antonio in June, but they have to be patient as it was just announced that they’ll be getting their own Aquatica in the future too.
I’ve got two quick videos to peak your interest this morning. First is a look beneath the waves at how SeaWorld produced the show:
Then follow below the jump for my video from the grand opening show of One Ocean