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Photo TR: SeaWorld Orlando


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During my four years in Orlando, SeaWorld was the one park I always felt I never spent enough time at. So on our most recent visit to that part of the world, I was determined to spend at least a full day there--and maybe even, you know, see some shows.

 

Since Kraken is visible throughout much of the park, and since Misty and I both had cameras (and are both total dorks), a sort of contest quickly sprung up. The idea was to try to capture a Kraken train in the background of interesting photos of non-static things (say, a show or animal exhibit). Sounds easy, right?

 

So who was victorious? Read on....

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One last shot of the entrance as we depart. But now I offer you, gentle reader, the same challenge: Does anyone out there in TPR-land have a better "Kraken Challenge" photo?

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And it's a big fat WIN for Misty! Let's give her a round of applause!

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Remember the Kraken Challenge? Nice picture of the whale and trainer, but no train for Erik.

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There's a souvenir for a lucky fan.

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I recall that the SeaWorld used to emphasize how undeserved the name "killer whale" was. Now they're all about how it's the "top predator of the sea." Hmmm....

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This is, though. Shamu! Shamu!

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These are not real killer whales.

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The Sky Tower from across the lake.

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AND a big statue out front! Dude, wake up! :OP

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See? Here are some likenesses of him in the gift shop.

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I wonder if this polar bear realizes what a big deal he's supposed to be...?

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It's got awesome SeaWorld Orlando exit theming, though.

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Wild Arctic. It's a Star Tours style motion simulator with a pilot even worse than Pee Wee Herman.

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Misty getting jazzy with it.

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Jazzy Jellies

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Ocean Commotion

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This one was much better than San Antonio's version.

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...like the Shamu Express.

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Now it's full of awesome family rides.

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Shamu's Happy Harbor has changed a lot though, since I was last here.

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Apart from the beer no longer being free, this area doesn't seem very different.

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We didn't ride the paddle boats. Sure are purty, though.

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My favorite fish: the Leafy Sea Dragon. See it? It's right there!

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Underwater tunnel thingy at Shark Encounter.

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Who wants to feed some sand sharks?

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I forget what this was called, but it was awesome. [Edit: "Heavenly Delight Sun & Moon"]

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And now to satisfy my urge to eat someplace expensive, Shark's Underwater Grill.

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Lady, you're not a penguin.

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Penguins rule.

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Ever wondered what stingrays feel like? Well...they're furry.

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They seem nice enough down here.

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Misty doesn't like dolphins. Why? Because they're cocky. (Yeah, I don't get it, either.)

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Do not disturb the Kraken's eggs, as they have little eels in them.

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Close up shot! (With JTA in the background.)

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Weeee!

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I would call Kraken above average, for a B&M multi-looper. I prefer the Steel Eel, though. :O)

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Wait...what?

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Kraken has nice entrance and exit theming.

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That's not funny, Misty: Octopi are TERRIFYING.

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...with cool stuff like this in it.

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The best gift shop ever. It has an aquarium in it.

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Mom leads the way to the gift shop.

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Secret coaster-part splash down.

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"Leaving so soon? I think not."

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The storyline isn't really apparent anymore, but it's still a fun ride.

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Maybe you have to have been a ride op at a Disney or Universal type park to really appreciate it, but JTA's loading dock is the greatest thing ever.

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There used to be a preshow video in the queue that kind of explained things.

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Misty had never been on JTA, so I busted out the sepia.

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My official entry in the Kraken Challenge!

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More sea lions at the Pacific Point Preserve.

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Note to self: Don't volunteer for shows at SeaWorld.

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"Clyde & Seymour Take Pirate Island" (And Kraken Challenge fail.)

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Let's go check out the Otter & Sea Lion Show!

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Nothing going on in Bayside Stadium today.

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Shamu Stadium

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Kraken doing its thing.

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Journey to Atlantis

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How do we get on that???

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Let's see what this park has to offer....

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Technically, it's an upcharge ($3.00 or so), but it was free with our BGE platinum passes.

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I was really excited to finally get to ride the Sky Tower. It had always been down on my previous visits.

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Pearl divers. It's really just an elaborate scheme to get you to buy pearls, but it's an artful one.

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An artistic shot of an art gallery type gift shop (by Misty).

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The Waterfront section is comprised mostly of shops and restaurants.

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Manta is shaping up nicely. Not quite ready for this visit, though.

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SeaWorld Orlando has my favorite entrance of any park, ever.

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Hooray, we're here!

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Maybe you have to have been a ride op at a Disney or Universal type park to really appreciate it, but JTA's loading dock is the greatest thing ever.

 

LOL! Agreed. Is that triple grouping without air-gates in between to man?! I'm in love.

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Thanks Erik, I put some of your pictures in the Park Index.

 

Thanks, Larry. I'm a big fan of the park index, and I definitely take that as a compliment. (And I'm glad I finally figured out my camera. )

 

It is a beautiful park--the rival of BGE, even. And I think that, in the past, I've made the same mistake that many coaster enthusiasts do by treating it as just a place to pick up a credit or two. But there really is quite a bit more to do there.

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Awesome pics & TR. I wish I can spend more than two hours at Sea World when I'm there for my Senior Trip in June but I'm just doing a credit run on Manta & the kiddie & maybe one or two rides on Kraken & JTA if I have time. It has been four years since I've been to Sea World & I forgot how great their theming was.

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Erik, most awesome SWO PTR. (Two acronyms in one sentence! Woo hoo! lol) I haven't been there since May 2005. I am definitely psyched about using my D40X at this park, more than any park I will be visiting in July. The colors and theming are amazing! I would definitely say you figured your camera out with the quickness. Your photos are amazing! Me, I have had mine since Dec 2007, and I still stuck on mostly auto features. I am fighting the manual features, but have been trying to take advantage of the shutter priorities for the dark pics. I am slowly learning. Maybe one day I can graduate into the other features.

 

I may beg to differ about your Shamu Kraken pic though. I almost feel that I spy the train going up the lift behind the trees.... I can't blow it up with enough clarity on my pc, maybe you can check it out?

 

edit: I am definitely down for the Kraken challenge, if you want to wait until July that is! (Hopefully I remember!) Any rules?

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^ No rules beyond what I already laid out. You just have to get a Kraken train and something else cool that moves. You know, like a shark eating a penguin or something.

 

In any case, it was just a silly thing for fun. So, remember, there are no prizes.

 

I look forward to your TR in July.

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Oh, and I don't think there's a train here, but appreciate you working for me. ;)

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