SeaWorld Orlando (SWO) Discussion Thread

[InvertalonI wrote the book about donkeys!]

Wow, so going to that!

No parks get me excited anymore except for Busch/Sea World.. They are the only ones left that know HOW to do it right. Cedar Fair and Six Flags are no match to the quality of these parks.

[crazydavehI know more about donkeys than women!]

This will give me a reason to go back. I've been a few times and had great experiences, but this will allow me to convince the Mrs. to spend the $$$ to go back now that no one in the family works there!

I think the best part of it will be that it's made for families. I never thought I'd say that until my little Princess came along almost two years ago. Anything we can all do together is just awesome, and it looks like they thought of this with the new area.

[Hilltopper39Don't make me kick you in the donkey!]

Anyone know if the Seatrek will be an up-charge or not? My guess would be it will have to be, and it will probably be ridiculously high priced.

[jedimaster1227Open Up Happiness]

SeaWorld Orlando has sent us a press release about this year's expanded Christmas Celebration...

Light Up the Holiday Season at Seaworld’s Christmas Celebration

Light up this year’s holiday season at SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration. It’s where guests can experience the joys of Christmas with all-new festivities sure to inspire traditions for years to come. Holiday events take place Friday through Sunday nights, Nov. 26-Dec. 12, and nightly Dec. 17-Jan. 2.

All-New Holiday Festivities

New to this year’s Christmas Celebration is the Sea of Trees. Guests will discover 74 massive trees, each sparkling, lighted and choreographed to classic holiday tunes, making a dramatic display around SeaWorld’s center lake.

Also new this year is The Christmas Market, located on the park’s Bayside Pathway. Here guests can shop for one-of-a-kind gifts and dine on scrumptious holiday delights.

"Our guests will be immersed in the wonderful sights, sounds, and tastes of a joyous holiday experience,” said Michael Fletcher, vice president of Entertainment for SeaWorld Orlando. “The Sea of Trees is going to transform our holiday nights with a stunning symphony of lights and music on the water. Guests can even do their Christmas shopping in the new Christmas Market while they feast on delicious holiday favorites. We want SeaWorld to become a joyous holiday tradition for our guests, so this year we're truly bringing the sea to the season!"

Returning Holiday Favorites

Returning to SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration are family favorites. At the park’s Wild Arctic attraction, guests can jump aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience and take an unforgettable train ride to the North Pole. Classic scenes from THE POLAR EXPRESS movie are recreated in a multi-sensory experience that immerses passengers in special lighting, scent, sound and motion effects. When they arrive at the North Pole, guests discover a winter wonderland surrounded by holiday cheer and amazing animal encounters.

THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience is based on the film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment, inspired by the beloved Caldecott Medal children's book by Chris Van Allsburg about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

Families and friends can once again enjoy the spirit of Christmas during four of SeaWorld’s holiday-themed shows:

Winter Wonderland on Ice, is a spectacular show where Christmas comes to life with towering water fountains, magnificent fireworks and some of the most talented ice skaters in the world.

Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, is a Christmas comedy with everyone’s favorite sea lions Clyde and Seamore and a few mischievous otters and a jolly walrus or two, just for good measure.

A Sesame Street Christmas is a festive and fun musical celebration where guests can celebrate the holidays with friends from Sesame Street. The holidays have arrived, but Abby Cadabby doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about … she’s never heard of Christmas! Elmo, Big Bird and other Sesame Street friends gather to share the true spirit of the holiday with her.

Shamu Stadium once again brightens the night with dazzling lights and glowing candles, while Christmas carols abound and Shamu splashes to celebrate the holiday season. It’s the magnificent holiday show, Shamu Christmas … Miracles.

For those looking for unique holiday cuisine with SeaWorld’s special touch, the Makahiki Christmas Luau is a South Seas-style festive celebration of the ancient holiday traditions of the Pacific Islands. Joyful songs of the season are reinterpreted with Polynesian rhythms, music and dance. For more details on holiday dining options, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.

’Tis the season of giving and what better way to do so than to give back to wildlife, something SeaWorld has been doing for more than 50 years. With each adult admission purchased online through Dec. 31, 2010, a child ages 3-12 receive admission to SeaWorld for only $5, all of which is donated to non-profit organizations supporting wildlife conservation projects. It’s the perfect place to give back and connect with wildlife but also to share in the holiday spirit together with family and friends at SeaWorld.

For more information about SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com. To purchase tickets, visit SeaWorldCares.com.

Become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest details about SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. Facebook.com/SeaWorld.

[jedimaster1227Open Up Happiness]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-seaworld-killer-whale-shows-20101115,0,3717292.story

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment will launch a new killer-whale show next spring in its three U.S. marine parks, as it attempts to move beyond the February death of a trainer that has shadowed the company for nearly a year.

Jim Atchison, SeaWorld Parks' president and chief executive officer, said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel on Monday that the as-yet-unnamed show will replace the 4-year-old "Believe" as the signature attraction at SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio.

"We've been working very hard at developing a new concept that I think is going to be very exciting," Atchison said.

Atchison said the new show has been in the works for roughly a year. But the timetable for its debut was accelerated following the Feb. 24 death of Dawn Brancheau, the 40-year-old SeaWorld Orlando trainer who was killed by a six-ton orca named Tilikum.

Brancheau's death prompted SeaWorld to pull all of its trainers out of its orca pools while it conducted a still-ongoing trainer-safety review. That in turn forced an awkward, on-the-fly rework of Believe, a 30-minute show that emphasizes the close relationship between killer whales and trainers and which had relied heavily on in-water interactions.

Atchison declined to say whether trainers will be back in the water for the new show. SeaWorld has said it will not re-institute trainers' "water work" with killer whales unless it can make sufficient safety improvements.

But Atchison said the safety review launched after Brancheau's death has helped shape plans for the new show.

"We've certainly changed the scope of the shows and the impact of the shows," he said.

Industry analysts say designing a new killer-whale performance is an important step toward turning the page on the Brancheau tragedy, which has hung like a cloud over SeaWorld throughout the year. Even now, nearly nine months later, SeaWorld continues to battle both the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and multiple private lawsuits.

"They almost have to [create a new show] to go forward," said Jerry Aldrich, president of Amusement Industry Consulting in Orlando. "It is important, and it is important for them to do it now, to get rid of the negative connotations of the problems they had."

That said, other factors are also driving SeaWorld's overhaul of its killer-whale show. The company faces increased competition for tourists, particularly in Orlando, where Universal Orlando this year opened the wildly popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter in its Islands of Adventure theme park and Walt Disney World is in the midst of expanding the Fantasyland section of its Magic Kingdom park.

And SeaWorld, like other parks, must periodically reinvent its live shows to ensure repeat visits by guests. Believe is now in its fifth year; SeaWorld's previous orca show, "The Shamu Adventure," ran for eight years.

"All of this stuff has compelled SeaWorld to make a change," said Robert Niles, publisher of ThemeParkInsider.com.

Designing a new killer-whale performance, which Atchison called "our marquee attraction for the SeaWorld parks," is expensive. Just the improvements made to SeaWorld Orlando's Shamu Stadium for Believe reportedly topped $10 million.

SeaWorld is expected to unveil thematic details of the new show in coming weeks. Atchison said it would be "stunning."

"It's going to be a great show, an exciting show, and I think something that's going to have a big impact on the guest experience," he said.

[ImhotepA zonkey is a cross between a zebra and a donkey.]

Awesome. I remember when I first saw Believe I thought it was a nice change, but I saw it a second time and it made me want to take swimming lessons from Tillicum. Its one of those shows you care to only see once whether you like it or not.

Also, the rotating/seperating screen is nice, pretty cool tech for the show, however I think its kind of distracting. I find myself dorkishly watching the screens instead of the interaction (or actually, lack thereof) of the trainers and whales.

Hopefully they can get back to focusing on the whales!

[BarryHHe's kind of sad and pathetic]

I hope the new show is interesting.

The only thing I found distracting about the screens was looking at the dead pixels!

So I wonder...how will the new show be parodied in "Sea Lions Tonight?"

[ElecterikPermanent Tourist]

Obviously total speculation, but I would imagine that if trainers were ever going back into the water with the orcas, they'd just keep Believe around.

Although, I guess it's possible that trainers could be going back in using equipment or some other safety precaution that would force a total show change.

Personally, I'd like to see them back in the water, regardless.

/They don't stop auto racing when somebody dies.

[jedimaster1227Open Up Happiness]

SeaWorld Orlando has sent us some B-Roll footage from this year's Christmas Celebration, including the new Sea of Trees experience.

SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration Features All-New Holiday Festivities

New to this year’s Christmas Celebration is the Sea of Trees. Guests will discover 75 massive trees, each sparkling, lighted and choreographed to classic holiday tunes, making a dramatic display around SeaWorld’s center lake.

Also new is The Christmas Market, located on the park’s Bayside Pathway. Here guests can shop for one-of-a-kind gifts and dine on scrumptious holiday delights.

Returning Favorites included on the broll:

• Shamu Stadium once again brightens the night with dazzling lights and glowing candles, while Christmas carols abound and Shamu splashes to celebrate the holiday season. It’s the magnificent holiday show, Shamu Christmas … Miracles. Winter Wonderland on Ice, is a spectacular show where Christmas comes to life with towering water fountains, magnificent fireworks and some of the most talented ice skaters in the world.
• Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, is a Christmas comedy with everyone’s favorite sea lions Clyde and Seamore and a few mischievous otters and a jolly walrus or two, just for good measure.

The best way to experience SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration with family and friends is with an Annual Pass. Now with the purchase of an Annual Pass, guests receive three months free to enjoy all the park’s benefits, such as amazing animal encounters, thrill rides and world-class shows. For more information about SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration or to purchase an annual pass, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.

Click to download video to your computer or iPod/iPhone

[jedimaster1227Open Up Happiness]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/os-dine-with-shamu-20110113,0,3770148.story

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is preparing to restart a killer-whale show that has been suspended since the death of a trainer nearly a year ago.

"Dine with Shamu," a limited admission performance in which guests eat a buffet meal while watching trainers work with one of SeaWorld's orcas, will restart Feb. 26 at SeaWorld San Antonio and sometime this spring the company's two other U.S. marine parks, SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Diego.

The show had been in limbo since Feb. 24 of last year, when SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau, who had just concluded a 'Dine' session with a six-ton orca named Tilikum, was grabbed by the animal, pulled into the water and killed. Some guests were still in the viewing area when it happened.

SeaWorld continues to battle fallout from Brancheau's death, including a court fight with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which fined the company $75,000 and recommended trainers never again be allowed unprotected contact with Tilikum.

SeaWorld spokesman Fred Jacobs said the company is in the midst of making changes to its show areas to prepare for new performances. It is installing glass in the guest dining and viewing area and a new surface around the edge of the pool, among other changes.

Jacobs said Tilikum will not be used in the show, at least initially.

"It is possible that at some point in the future he'll be part of DWS, but not when it opens this spring," Jacobs said.

Launched in 2002, Dine with Shamu had become a lucrative venture for SeaWorld. The company charges about $40 per adult for the experience.

SeaWorld said it has begun accepting reservations for Dine performances in San Antonio. Bookings have not yet started in Orlando or San Diego.