Skip to content

seaworld

SeaWorld Orlando Just For Kids Rules Saturdays

03-sw-just-for-kids-1

Spring is a busy season at Orlando’s theme parks. Crowds can be large and lines long no matter where or when you go. SeaWorld Orlando wants to give you another option. Every Saturday through April 12th, you can bring your family and enjoy the special Just for Kids festival. Like all SeaWorld events, it’s included with your park admission.

This year’s Just for Kids is a little different than year’s past. They’re not having the kid music concerts. But SeaWorld’s year-long 50th Celebration will be in full swing. As part of the celebration, park pathways will come to life with oceans of spontaneous entertainment. Guests will enjoy a Sea of Surprises featuring new interactive experiences and shows, even more up-close animal encounters and the SeaWorld “Surprise Squad” treating park guests with prizes and special experiences every day.

At “Just for Kids”, families can experience whimsical fun and make lasting memories as they dance along to jammin’ DJ’s at the NEW Rockin’ Rockhopper Party in Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, get up close with adorable animal friends at the all-new “SEA Garden,” and meet some of their children’s favorite television stars. My favorite part was the “SEA Garden” which also features some amazing sculptures made from debris that was found on beaches.

And there’s more! Kids can go on an educational treasure hunt as they look for the Sea Star icons throughout the park where they’ll discover fun, educational activities. At each location they will collect a stamp and a limited edition Explorer’s card. After visiting all four locations, they’ll receive a coupon to redeem for a special SeaWorld prize at select gift shops.

Then end the night with Shamu & Crew at the Shamu Dance Party at the Village Square located at the front of the park. The party begins one hour prior to park closing with a stilt walker emcee who fills the square with music that the whole family can dance to, including popular line dancing songs and party favorites. The Shamu Dance Party continues until 30 minutes after park closing.
Read More »SeaWorld Orlando Just For Kids Rules Saturdays

Newborn Dolphin at Discovery Cove

For today’s moment of ultimate cuteness we have a newborn female dolphin who arrived into this world at Discovery Cove in Orlando on Tuesday, March 18, at 3:45 a.m. The calf now weighs approximately 48 pounds, is 47 inches long and is nursing and bonding… Read More »Newborn Dolphin at Discovery Cove

Washed Ashore – Art to Save The Sea at SeaWorld

SeaWorld Orlando is celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary and they’ve partnered with Washed Ashore, a non-profit based in Oregon that uses plastic debris found on the beach to make sculptures. The impressive art helps drive home the point that too much trash and pollution is… Read More »Washed Ashore – Art to Save The Sea at SeaWorld

SeaWorld Parks Set Sail on Sea of Surprises for 50th Anniversary

IMG_2303

This morning at SeaWorld Parks across the united states, ceremonies were held to commemorate a key event in the company’s history: the opening of the original SeaWorld in March 1964 on Mission Bay in San Diego. This morning I attended the Orlando ceremony where the company marked its 50 years of caring for animals as part of its conservation minded mission.

Starting today SeaWorld is kicking off an 18-month “Sea of Surprises” highlighting the most memorable SeaWorld experiences in San Diego, Orlando and San Antonio. During SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration visitors will be invited to take part in the excitement through new interactive experiences, shows and pathway performances, even more up-close animal encounters throughout the park and “The SeaWorld Surprise Squad” treating guests with prizes every day.

At this morning’s event, I was able to meet Steve Welch, Creative Director for Entertainment Productions at all three parks in Orlando, and Corey Oxman, Senior Animal Trainer and Animal Ambassador, who talked about what a guest coming to SeaWorld Orlando can expect as part of the celebration:

Below the cut are highlights from the Sea of Surprises and another video focused on the rich 50+ year history behind SeaWorld and its missions. It captures just a small slice of the great work they’ve accomplished over the years:

Read More »SeaWorld Parks Set Sail on Sea of Surprises for 50th Anniversary

Ihu’s Breakaway Falls to take Aquatica to New Heights and Big Thrills on May 9th

Ihu's Breakaway Falls med

It’s not as well themed as Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, but Seaworld Orlando’s Aquatica water park has become my favorite destination for the family waterpark experience. They have a great range of water rides and a few unique experiences that make me want to return again and again. With Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, Aquatica is adding a new ride high on the thrill spectrum.

Those brave enough to ride will experience a watery free-fall when Ihu’s Breakaway Falls – the tallest, steepest and only multi-drop tower slide of its kind in the southern United States – opens on May 9.

This balloon represents the height of 80ft from which riders will drop into the slide.

This balloon represents the height of 80ft from which riders will drop into the slide.

At nearly 80 feet tall, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls is where thrill seekers face their fears and each other. After stepping into one of three clear “breakaway boxes,” they’ll watch each other fall one-by-one as the floor underneath them disappears. They’ll never know who’s going to breakaway first – and the anticipation of who drops next is part of the wild ride!

“With four unique slide paths, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls brings a whole new level of thrill to Aquatica Orlando,” said Bryan Nadeau, Aquatica Orlando vice president. “Riders can step into three breakaway boxes or test their bravery on a fourth open slide for a different, but just as thrilling experience. No matter which slide you choose, once you get to the top, the only way down is down.”

We were able to conduct a quick interview with Nadeau and then took a hard hat tour o the construction site where Nadeau offered a few more details.

Follow below the jump for some Fun Facts about Ihu’s Breakaway Falls:

Read More »Ihu’s Breakaway Falls to take Aquatica to New Heights and Big Thrills on May 9th

SeaWorld Orlando Lands Alan Jackson and Kid Rock for Bands, Brew & BBQ Kickoff Weekend

SeaWorld Orlando’s featured spring concert series kicks off this weekend. But the schedule has been thrown into disarray by artists who pulled out under high-pressure tactics of anti-SeaWorld activists. SeaWorld has promised that the concert series would go on and they’re delivering on that with… Read More »SeaWorld Orlando Lands Alan Jackson and Kid Rock for Bands, Brew & BBQ Kickoff Weekend

Disney Scores 8 Oscar Nods

Time for Academy Award Nominations. Members of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted and The Walt Disney Company racked up nominations in 6 categories with 7 overall nods (or 8 depending on how you count them). Best Original Song – Let it… Read More »Disney Scores 8 Oscar Nods

SeaWorld Response to Blackfish

SeaWorld Orlando took, perhaps, a bit longer than they should have, but they finally have issued what I consider a very effective response to the people and forces behind the film ‘Blackfish.’ I guess they couldn’t hold off any longer after CNN’s airing of the… Read More »SeaWorld Response to Blackfish