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SeaWorld Orlando (SWO) Discussion Thread

P. 276: Penguin Trek construction update!

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I just looked into getting passes for my daughter and I since we may make a trip to Florida later this year. And maybe Texas next year. I understand why buying a pass in Florida is more expensive as there are more parks and opportunities to visit them. BGW surprised me a little, though. Maybe we should just do Texas first.

 

Cost for a platinum pass:

 

SWO, BGT - $359.88

BGW - $347.88

SWSD - $239.88

SWSA - $132.92

Sesame Place is on the same level as SWSD, $239.88 per platinum pass, but up until this past Monday they were running a promotion where they were discounted to $167.88. They aren't limited to Pennsylvania residents, but they do explicitly exclude residents of CA, FL, TX, & VA from purchasing. Since it's our closest possible park in the chain, and we have kids in the target age range for the whole Sesame branding, it was a no-brainer for us.

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Well Kraken train was basically empty so that may explain it ? I mean I still love it maybe it was because of that.

Yeah, that absoultely does. For some reason I have noticed that ride to have some pretty jarring roughness when the train is empty to half-empty. It's much better if you get the train at least 3/4 to full.

 

I feel the same about Hydra at Dorney Park. Several years ago, I got to ride it multiple times while there and noticed as the train filled up, the ride felt less rough. I know most people hate the ride, but I ended up really liking it.

 

Back to Infinity Falls, it does look like a fast, fun ride! It reminds me of Popeye & Bluto raftride at IOA. We were surprised at how speedy that ride was!

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I just bought a Platinum Pass from SWSA for the reduced price. Looks like SWO, BGT, SWSA, SFFT, and SFOT are on the agenda in the next 365 days. I'm in NC, about 3h 45m from BGW. YMMV.

 

Well I'm glad the changed their policy, as it is a good way to spread money across the chain. Do you have to activate the pass in San Antonio and does it have to be done within a certain time frame?

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I just bought a Platinum Pass from SWSA for the reduced price. Looks like SWO, BGT, SWSA, SFFT, and SFOT are on the agenda in the next 365 days. I'm in NC, about 3h 45m from BGW. YMMV.

 

Well I'm glad the changed their policy, as it is a good way to spread money across the chain. Do you have to activate the pass in San Antonio and does it have to be done within a certain time frame?

 

It has to be redeemed at SW San Antonio before it can be used at the other parks. The pass expires one year from date of purchase (so not date redeemed/activated).

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Was at the park this morning. Manta's operations team was killing it. Two trains but they were sending the second one out even before the first reached the mid-course brake. Also, can re-confirm some shakiness coming from Kraken with a one-third filled train. Noticeable but not bad enough to affect enjoyment of the ride, in my opinion.

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Was at the park this morning. Manta's operations team was killing it. Two trains but they were sending the second one out even before the first reached the mid-course brake. Also, can re-confirm some shakiness coming from Kraken with a one-third filled train. Noticeable but not bad enough to affect enjoyment of the ride, in my opinion.

 

Whoa that's really impressive for a flyer!

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Whoa that's really impressive for a flyer!

Yeah, they were doing great. I was down near the pretzel loop taking a photo of the first train going through and I turned around to walk toward the entrance and only a few seconds afterward I heard the dispatch sound effect and the music start playing. I forgot to mention that they were running both stations, which eliminated stacking too. Being stacked on a flying coaster is the worst.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Today I had the chance to experience a new, short-term festival offering at SeaWorld Orlando, the Craft Beer Festival. Only offered this past weekend and next weekend, the event is like a mini version of the Seven Seas Food Festival with over twenty food items and over 100 beers on tap spread throughout the park. Like other events at SeaWorld, event sampler lanyards allow you to choose options from across the festival at a reduced price by paying for up to twelve items up front.

 

It also turned out that this weekend was another event at SeaWorld Orlando, Jack Hanna Weekend. Jack Hanna has had a longstanding relationship with the SeaWorld parks and has been coming to SeaWorld since I was a kid, bringing with him a variety of animals that you don't even get the chance to see in the parks.

 

With that, my day made for two experiences in one...

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We like food and beer enough to known that the maximum number of items (for two of us) would definitely be the right option!

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What goes great with beer? Roller coasters!

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It was also my first time seeing Infinity Falls in action!

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We didn't get the chance to ride today, but it definitely looks like a fun addition!

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The ride consistently had a 40 minute wait throughout our visit.

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Down they go!

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The splashdown ends far bigger than you see pictured here... Make no mistake, this ride will soak you.

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A look at all of the Craft Beer Festival locations and some of the menu items available throughout the park.

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The Flamecraft Bar continues to offer some great brews on tap.

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Chicken Wings tossed in a Pilsner Buffalo Sauce served with Tangy Slaw were a good start to our day!

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The Buffalo Burger Quesadilla with pepper jack cheddar cheese blend, balsamic onions, baby arugula crème fraiche, and a roasted tomato salsa was a surprisingly tasty option.

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The Beer Corn Fritters served with a Sriracha Aioli were one of my favorite items I tried at the event!

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The Chorizo Potato Skins were a tasty twist of the classic bar bite.

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The Bison Slider served with Lager Bacon Onion Jam and Minorcan Mustard was a nice option.

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Given the name of the event, it should come as no surprise that they serve beer here too.

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I'll definitely be coming back soon to try Infinity Falls out for myself!

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The Waterway Grill is the newest version of the original hospitality house, and much of the original fixtures of the venue have been kept in place.

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During the Craft Beer Festival, Craft Beer Trivia is being offered in the Waterway Grill.

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Cheese empanadas...

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The Brown Sugar Brown Cow Mocha Brown Ale made for a great alcoholic float!

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Mama's Pretzel Kitchen now features a Turkey Leg Pretzel... This might be the first food option I've encountered in a park that I'm afraid to tackle.

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The Infused Bacon Cheddar Pretzel nuggets were served with a beer cheese and were really nice!

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Construction of the new Sesame Street section of the park is well underway.

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Cider lovers will be happy to know that the Craft Beer Festival has a few options to enjoy.

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Another reason I was here today...

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I've been seeing "Jungle Jack Hanna" since I was a kid at SeaWorld... He opened today's presentation with a focus on why he supports SeaWorld after all of these years.

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This American Bald Eagle looks like a different bird, but it is just starting to get its trademark white feathers.

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I can't say I'd seen an echidna before today...

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They brought a sloth!!!

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Lots of different animals were brought on stage...

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Three different owls were shown today.

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Everybody loves penguins!

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A cheetah and its best dog friend.

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Beautiful!

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They're adorable together!

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Time to get a few more items before I head out...

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How about some candied bacon lollipops?

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And some more beer!

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The Craft Beer Festival is a great new addition to SeaWorld Orlando's annual line up of events! If you have a chance to visit next week, you definitely should!

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Great pictures, thank you for sharing. This park has really grown on me over the past few years.

 

And by the way, it looks like attendance and profits are up chain wide for SeaWorld.

Attendance is up over 9% ,over this time last year, and revenue is up is up 10% as well.

 

Check it out here...

 

http://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/attractions/2018/10/02/seaworld-reports-increased-revenue--attendance

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So I just heard that six flags has just entered talks to possibly purchase SeaWorld parks and entertainment.

 

Not sure what to think about this.

 

They do have experience dealing with sealife, and run a park(Six flags Discovery kingdom). In addition, they also used to run worlds of adventure.

 

On the other side of the coin, I wouldn't want them to change the name/brand of Busch gardens and SeaWorld.

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I just heard this as well and in my opinion I want no part of it, I'd honestly rather have Merlin purchase Sea World Parks. I think both Busch Gardens parks would become big shells of themselves under Six Flags, would be very disappointed if this happens.

 

Maybe....

Perhaps they would just leave them as is. I don't think they would change the SeaWorld brand much. The name is known worldwide not only for the name, but for the conservation work as well. Now Bush gardens on the other hand, may be a different story.

To be honest, I'm not thrilled about how Merlin manages the parks(weather policys..ect).

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I just heard this as well and in my opinion I want no part of it, I'd honestly rather have Merlin purchase Sea World Parks. I think both Busch Gardens parks would become big shells of themselves under Six Flags, would be very disappointed if this happens.

trust me, merlin is worse than six flags

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Hey look it’s this rumor again...

Seriously. SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment is growing. I really don't think that they have any reason to seek out someone to buy / bail them out of a jam. I also think that unless Six Flags just acts as a non-intrusive parent, the logistics of such a change to licensing agreements, season passes, staffing, creative talent, and about a million other things would be completely nuts.

 

Add me to the "I don't think that this is a good idea if by some tiny chance it turns out to be true" camp.

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The companies are very different now - both of them - and if there's a takeover/merger I honestly aren't all that worried about Six Flags being able to handle it without changing SEAS' stuff too drastically. The creative head at SeaWorld Entertainment got bounced awhile back, they're building more or less "conventional" attractions with theming and getting back to free beer. That's what people want of them. The last half decade has seen abandoned attractions and store fronts galore from SeaWorld. Hard to argue that Six Flags would make that significantly worse IMO given how they've approached things post-bankruptcy.

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