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Dont know if you all wanted this topic brought back up. However, now there is a video of the ride showing it off on Sea World's website. I have to say I actually think that it looks pretty descent. As I have training tomorrow, I can stop and take some pictures on the way there.

 

Here is the link to Sea World's website. The video is on the main page.

www.seaworld.com

 

--David

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  • 3 years later...

Yesterday on their, blog Sea World San Antonio/Texas announced a new kid's area themed around Sesame Street. This will replace Shamu's Happy Harbor

 

Sea World San Antonio to Open Sesame Street Bay of Play Attraction in 2011

 

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 22, 2010) – In spring 2011, SeaWorld San Antonio will open Sesame Street Bay of Play, an all-new attraction for families featuring Elmo, Big Bird and all their friends. Sesame Street Bay of Play will include 3 acres of exciting rides, shows and play areas.

 

Sesame Street Bay of Play will be home to a colorful carousel with all the friends of Sesame Street. Other kid-sized rides include “Big Bird’s Spinning Reef,” a delightfully playful Ferris wheel; “Elmo’s Dolphin Dive,” a vertical drop ride; and “Abby Cadabby’s Rocking Wave,” a ride that rocks forwards, backwards and sideways. Kids can also beat the heat at “Little Bird’s Splash” that will feature 22 water elements such as bubblers, geysers, jets and dumping buckets. At “Big Bird’s 1-2-3 Smile with Me,” everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends will greet, hug and take photos, and make memories that will last a lifetime. The “Happenings” stage area features musical performances with Elmo, Abby Caddaby, Zoe and Cookie Monster.

 

Sesame Street Bay of Play will be located in the area formerly occupied by Shamu’s Happy Harbor.

 

“Sesame Street has had a long presence in our park with character dines and performances, and we’re excited to expand our offerings for families and kids with Sesame Street Bay of Play,” said Dan Decker, park president for SeaWorld San Antonio.

 

Families will be able to watch the furry and feathered friends of Sesame Street on the big screen at SeaWorld’s 4-D Sea Star Theater. Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!, will feature Elmo, Big Bird and the rest of the loveable Sesame Street gang as they try to save the Sesame Street Film Festival. Their adventures are brought to life with zany 4-D gags and special effects like wind, bubbles, water and other surprises.

 

Families can enjoy a delicious breakfast with Elmo and his friends on select days at SeaWorld. Guests also may purchase unique items including Sesame Street Bay of Play merchandise, at World of Azul, Sea Star Gifts and Main Mast gift shops.

 

Sesame Street Bay of Play is scheduled to open March 2011 and will be included with general admission to SeaWorld.

 

As a special offer through Jan. 2, 2011, SeaWorld San Antonio will begin selling a one-year pass combo. Starting in early October, guests can purchase an adult and child one-year pass for only $99.99 plus tax. This offer, available exclusively online, is the best deal the park has ever extended on an annual pass.

 

-SeaWorld-

Edited by larrygator
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  • 4 months later...

You can get information on the kid's area with 2 NEW RIDES here: http://www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?PageID=977

 

On December 9th, 2010 they posted their first video update!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvFNDeJchMg

 

On January 27th, 2011 the posted their second video update!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_zjxljhUn4

 

To join the video contest (To win passes/tickets and get to be feature on the local news) go here: http://www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?PageID=1014

 

If I go to SeaWorld on Feburary 28th, then expect a Photo Trip Report of the construction!!

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  • 3 months later...

http://www.facebook.com/SeaWorldSanAntonio

 

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is proud to announce the addition our 11th park. Aquatica Texas will open at SeaWorld San Antonio in May of 2012. More details to follow all evening!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrzlD4ZxYOg

 

http://seaworldparks.com/seaworld-sanantonio/Aquatica

 

What is Aquatica?

 

The South Seas meets South Texas at Aquatica, a whimsical, one-of-a-kind waterpark only SeaWorld could create. Aquatica blends up-close animal experiences, waters from serene to extreme, high-speed thrills and white, sandy beaches.

 

Inspiration

 

The look and feel of Aquatica is inspired by the vivid color, stunning flora and the carefree personality of the South Sea Islands.

Crystal-blue rivers wind through hidden grottos. Refreshing waterfalls and rich greenery surround stunning sand beaches.

The park icons - whimsical animal patterns inspired by the Maori culture of New Zealand - adorn carved totem poles and colorful structures.

 

Water

 

Aquatica features three terraced pools, a giant wave pool, meandering rivers and racing rides – including a one-of-a-kind family raft ride that goes underwater through a reef filled with stingrays and tropical fish and another ride that sends family rafts up a zero-gravity wall where riders experience weightlessness.

 

Beach

 

More than 42,000 square feet of white, sandy beaches cover the park.

 

Flora

 

Vibrant flora represents exotic beach destinations from all over the world. Several species of tropical plants, such as palms, bamboo and banana trees, create serene gardens throughout the park.

 

Fauna

 

The park’s signature animal - the majestic stingray - will be represented in a few different species, including cownose and spotted eagle rays. Macaws and Spoonbill birds and a multitude of colorful fish add to the park’s playful, high-energy atmosphere. Guests zoom and float through these amazing animal habitats, creating the most thrilling waterpark rides in the world. Visitors also will encounter unusual birds and animals in walk-around interaction opportunities. Goodwill ambassadors of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, these animals inspire guests to learn more about the environment and conservation.

 

Guest Comfort

 

Aquatica’s expansive sand beaches, refreshing lagoons, personal cabanas and beachside service will set a new benchmark for guest comfort at waterparks.

The park is designed for ease of access with all the luxury and amenities of a beachside resort.

 

Experience Aquatica

 

Aquatica features thrilling water slides, rivers, lagoons, and more than 80,000 square feet of beach area. Designed in a way that could only be done by SeaWorld, these unique attractions will zoom, float and splash guests through amazing animal habitats and undersea adventures.

 

Ray Connection

 

Guests make memorable, powerful connections with wildlife at this interaction program. Wade in the water with the majestic stingray as you touch, feed and learn more about these magnificent animals.

 

Ray Touch

 

This above-ground pool offers guests a chance to see and feed several species of stingrays. Despite the name stingray, these animals are as harmless as they are mesmerizing.

 

Walkabout Waters

 

This 3-story, interactive, outdoor funhouse provides countless ways to get wet and stay cool. Navigating geysers, sprays, giant dumping buckets and spouts provides plenty of play for both the young and the young-at-heart.

 

Cutback Cove

 

Adjacent to the wave pool, this 3,360-square-foot big kids’ tropical activity pool features a corkscrew water slide, inviting waterfalls and plenty of poolside lounge chairs for sunbathers.

 

Whanau Waters

 

Surrounded by white, sandy beaches, these inviting pools are the perfect spot to relax. Separate pools for lesure swimmers and families with toddlers gives guests plenty of choices for taking a dip. Nearby hammocks are the perfect place for shade and serenity.

 

Slippity Dippity

 

A separate pool for families with toddlers gives guests plenty of choices for taking a dip. Kids enjoy several small slides and water play elements. Nearby hammocks are the perfect place for shade and serenity.

 

Kata's Kookaburra Cove

 

Little ones can splash safely in this 3,000-square-foot area where whimsical sea creatures are welcoming play elements for tiny tots to enjoy.

 

Other Amenities

  • Private cabana rentals
  • Rental storage lockers
  • Showers
  • Beach loungers
  • Casual dining, markets and shopping
  • Changing Rooms
  • Complimentary tubes
  • Complimentary life vests

Rides

 

Stingray Rapids

 

The park’s signature attraction takes five-seat rafts down twists and turns to an underwater grotto, where you come face-to-fin with stingrays and tropical fish. It’s the only ride of its kind in the world.

 

Wahalla Wave

 

A first of its kind in North America, this family raft ride sends guests soaring through watery waves to the top of a zero-gravity wall, giving riders the sense of weightlessness.

 

HooRoo Run

 

One of the park's most exhilarating rides, guests choose single or double tubes for their decent down a 48-foot tall ride, which features open and closed slides, water curtains, and lots of twists, turns, and drops.

 

Tassie's Twisters

 

Guests ride using double or single tubes and select one of two different slides, both of which send riders spinning inside of a large bowl before their twisting, turning descent.

 

Kiwi Curl

 

Thrill-seeking guests experience speed and high wall turns down one of two body slides, each more than 450 feet long.

 

Whanau Way

 

Guests ride single tubes down one of two distinct, heart-pounding slides. For the adventurous rider, one of the tubes is pitch dark.

 

Loggerhead Lane

 

Hop in a tube, swim, walk or float and enjoy a relaxing time along a winding, 1,200-foot-long water route enhanced by tunnel jets, foam shooters and misters.

 

Big Surf Shores

 

The avid body surfer can kick it up at this huge wave pool where guests splash in over 400,000 gallons of water with swells of up to 5 feet.

 

FAQ

 

What is Aquatica?

It’s an aquatic park with up-close animal experiences, high-speed thrills and relaxing, sandy beaches.

 

Is Aquatica different from Lost Lagoon?

Simply put, yes. Lost Lagoon was a stereotypical waterpark. But Aquatica truly is a unique experience – a blend of exhilarating water rides and breathtaking animal experiences in a tropical oasis.

 

What will Aquatica be known for?

Two things: for having the amenities and beachfront resort and for its iconic stingray raft ride – which takes riders through an underwater grotto to see several species of stingrays and tropical fish.

 

Will there be new rides and features?

We’re adding new rides, pools and animal encounters. One family raft ride is the first of its kind in North America and the other the only raft ride of its kind in the world!

 

Can I buy a ticket to Aquatica without buying a SeaWorld ticket?

An Aquatica ticket can only be purchased as an upgrade to a SeaWorld ticket. SeaWorld admission will be required in order to purchase a ticket to Aquatica.

 

How much is a ticket or pass to Aquatica?

The price of an Aquatica ticket or pass is not yet finalized. Please check our website for updates on pricing and pass options.

 

Is Aquatica in the same location as Lost Lagoon? Is it any bigger?

The new park will take over the land now occupied by Lost Lagoon, and it will be several acres larger.

 

Are some of the current rides staying?

Most of Aquatica will feature completely new experiences. We are keeping a few of our most popular slides, and we’re adding a couple new ones – both of which have never been created in North America.

 

When will the new park open?

Aquatica Texas will open in May 2012.

 

When will Lost Lagoon close?

Lost Lagoon’s final season will end on September 5, 2011.

 

http://www.insideseaworld.com/seaworld-san-antonio-announces-aquatica-texas-coming-2012

 

In May 2012 SeaWorld San Antonio will introduce Texans to Aquatica, a whimsical waterpark with up-close animal experiences, high-speed thrills and relaxing, sandy beaches.

 

The new park will be an extension of the Aquatica waterpark in Orlando, Florida. Aquatica Texas is designed as a South Seas oasis with all the luxury and amenities of a beachside resort.

 

Aquatica Texas’ signature experience is a family raft ride that twists and turns through an underwater grotto that puts guests face-to-fin with several species of stingrays. Guests also have the opportunity to wade with rays in an in-water connection program, and there’s a separate pool for park goers to feed stingrays.

 

Aquatica also features a raft ride that is the first of its kind in North America. It's a 4 person clover leaf tube and sends guests soaring through watery waves to the top of a zero-gravity wall – giving riders the sense of weightlessness.

 

Macaws, roseate spoonbills and a multitude of colorful fish add to the park’s playful, high-energy atmosphere. Guests zoom and float through these amazing animal habitats, creating the most thrilling waterpark rides in the world.

 

Aquatica Texas replaces SeaWorld’s Lost Lagoon, which opened in 1993. Since the new park is constructed inside SeaWorld, guests wishing to visit Aquatica will need to upgrade their SeaWorld ticket in order to enter the new park. At this time, the cost of an upgraded ticket that includes Aquatica has not been finalized.

 

Construction will begin later this month. Lost Lagoon will end its final season on Labor Day this year, and Aquatica is scheduled to be completed before Memorial Day weekend 2012.

 

For more visit, AquaticaTexas.com

 

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/SeaWorld-to-replace-water-park-1392372.php

 

SeaWorld San Antonio will replace its water park next year with an extension of its beach-theme park in Orlando, Fla.

 

Aquatica is slated to open in May 2012 to replace Lost Lagoon, which has been at SeaWorld San Antonio for the past 18 years. An expansion of its predecessor, the 18-acre section will have private cabanas, terraced pools and two new family raft rides.

 

“What we're trying to achieve is to create a water park that is vastly different from what you can visit in Texas,” said Dan Decker, president of SeaWorld San Antonio. “Something that's really core to our business is ... marine life, aquatic life and birds. That, combined with this resort feel, will be a more relaxed place.”

 

SeaWorld plans to limit the number of people that can enter Aquatica to maintain that comfortable environment, Decker said, though he could not specify how many people would be allowed in the water park at once.

 

That exclusivity will come at a higher price.

 

Admission to Lost Lagoon is free with park admission, but visitors will have to pay extra for tickets to enter Aquatica. Officials did not say how much those tickets will cost. For non-Florida residents, tickets for Aquatica Orlando cost $41.99 for adults and children.

 

Jeff Henry, part owner of the Schlitterbahn's New Braunfels park, said he hopes lower admission fees will keep vacationers from leaving his park for SeaWorld's next year. The New Braunfels park expanded this summer with additions that included a lazy river and tree house-themed resort rooms at its new Tubenbach section.

 

“Most of our customers will be able to appreciate a reasonable gate price,” Henry said. “Swimming with marine animals is always extra money.”

 

But on Monday, one-day general admission at Schlitterbahn was listed as $62.97 on its website, slightly more expensive than SeaWorld. Tickets for SeaWorld were advertised as $59.99, and general admission for Six Flags Fiesta Texas was listed as $54.99.

 

“Any improvements to our tourism attractions benefit the destination and the city as a whole,” Fiesta Texas spokeswoman Sydne Purvis said about the competitor's expansion plans. “White Water Bay is our water park, and it's free with park admission.”

 

Aquatica Texas' signature attraction will be a family raft ride that twists and turns through an underwater grotto that moves riders through an acrylic tube running through a pool with several species of stingrays. Guests also will be able to wade with the animals in an in-water connection program, and there will be a separate pool for park-goers to feed stingrays. There also will be eight slides, water play areas for all ages and a more intense raft ride.

 

The park also will have macaws, roseate spoonbills and colorful fish.

 

Construction on Aquatica Texas will begin later this month. Lost Lagoon will end its final season on Labor Day this year, and Aquatica is scheduled to be completed before Memorial Day weekend 2012.

 

Marco Barros, president and chief executive officer of the San Antonio Area Tourism Council, said the opening of the new park will help boost San Antonio's presence as a tourism destination.

 

“We're always excited that the parks are expanding and announcing improvements,” Barros said. “That's what really keeps families coming back to San Antonio.”

www.mysanantonio_com.jpeg.5a3e047d402041a9dfa288bb3c3ccbf3.jpeg

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Edited by jedimaster1227
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So, stingrays instead of Commersons. I guess this means they're splitting the waterpark off into a second gate? I wonder how the locals will feel about that?

 

Not much of a waterpark guy myself, but I do like Orlando's Aquatica.

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Ah, nice to see them finally do this. Really glad to see them use rays rather than simply copy the Orlando version with Commerson's; great to see some originality between the parks.

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^^

Can I buy a ticket to Aquatica without buying a SeaWorld ticket?

An Aquatica ticket can only be purchased as an upgrade to a SeaWorld ticket. SeaWorld admission will be required in order to purchase a ticket to Aquatica.

Edited by jedimaster1227
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The Wahalla Wave has me confused but sounds cool...weightlessness! Great revamp to Lost Lagoon!!!

It sounds like the family boomerango...

heres the layout

 

Not too sure about Stingray Rapids...

 

But im confused...the article says only 2 new rides???

Aquatica is slated to open in May 2012 to replace Lost Lagoon, which has been at SeaWorld San Antonio for the past 18 years. An expansion of its predecessor, the 18-acre section will have private cabanas, terraced pools and two new family raft rides.

 

So im guessing the current water park is pretty "established"?

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Smart move for SWSA, as its stepping up its game against schlitterbahn. I love both parks, but ive noticed "The Bahn" hasnt dont any major improvements for quite awhile..

 

I do believe Schlitterbahn has opened Dragon's Revenge, Congo River Expedition over the past few years and The Falls will be opening this summer.

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True, but DR and CRE were just theming overlays to existing rides. They are cool, and probably had a good return on investment for the park, but were not huge additions. The last one was the entire Blastenhoff complex in the late 90s.

 

The Falls is a head scratcher until I see it. The best I can tell from photos and the new maps, it just doesn't connect to the existing parks at a good location. It looks to essentially be a stand alone, really long, lazy river that you can ride as you go between Blastenhoff and Surfenburg. I had hoped it was going to be a nice way to travel between those parks. As it is, I would assume it will actually make the trek to Surfenburg a bigger hassle, and will save a few steps, but greatly increase the time needed, to travel to Blastenhoff. I see it becoming a sort of overflow area during busy days where people that throw in the towel regarding long lines go, and just float around all afternoon. An alternative, for sure, but not a great one, imho.

 

I do think this appears to be the first step in a much larger expansion to Blastenhoff, which could then make The Falls a bit more useful, but unless they are adding a new extrance near the Boogie Board, The Falls doesn't look to be very convenient for Surfenburg.

 

I'll have a much better idea after Schlittercon this weekend, although I doubt it's operational.

 

-RO

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http://www.seaworldsanantonioblog.com/aquatica-texas-where-south-texas-meets-south-seas

 

I’ve been biting my tongue for a LONG, LONG TIME, and can finally shout it out…AQUATICA IS COMING! Planning for any project at our parks takes years to complete, so you can imagine how long we have been working on building a new waterpark! Lost Lagoon has been a staple of SeaWorld for almost 20 years; however it never offered guest a completely original experience. Now we are proud to announce that we are bringing Aquatica to Texas.

 

Aquatica is a waterpark that only SeaWorld could build. Our new waterpark will feature exciting rides, amazing landscape, wide open white sand beaches and of course sea life – all in a beachfront resort setting. This is a waterpark like no other. It will incorporate thrill rides and tons for the family to do together. It truly represents the serene to the extreme!

 

Planning this waterpark was a lot of hard work…and of course a lot of fun. We talked to guests from all over in focus groups to see just what our visitors really wished they had in a SeaWorld waterpark and now we are giving it to you. We will be keeping many of our most popular attractions, but they will have a very different look. We are most excited about the new attractions and ambiance we are bringing to our waterpark. It was very important to us to create attractions the family can do together as making connections is at our core.

 

Our new signature ride will be called Stingray Falls. This family raft ride will take you on a downward journey through open and closed slide and into a slow moving river. This river will literally go underwater through our stingray reef. The reef will feature several species of rays and tropical fish. The underwater viewing will amaze you and make you want to ride over and over again to see something new. There is nothing like this in the world!

 

The reef will offer guest the opportunity to experience the rays in several ways. There will be a “touch wall” where you can actually feel these amazing creatures. We will have food available that you can feed to the rays. You will even be able to wade into the water with rays for an encounter like no other.

 

We created several terraced resort pools named Whanau Waters and Slippity Dippity. This area features beatiful rock work, waterfalls, in pool ledge seating for your lounge chairs, slides and play elements for kids both big and small as well as big beach entries. This area will be perfect to relax or play. In this area of the park be sure to take advantage of cabanas, in water lounging, beach side service and an all new culinary location.

 

Landscape and ambiance will be a featured aspect at Aquatica Texas. Our team has been hard at work creating plant lists, testing sand and designing our waterpark to “take you away” once you arrive. There will be plenty of tropical foliage, expansive beaches and amazing splashes of color. Big and small kids are going to love our large beaches. They will offer a nice place to relax and just hang out as if you were on a tropical vacation.

 

For those a little more adventurous we will be putting in what we call a “zero gravity wall slide.” This slide will be called Wahalla Wave. Guest will ride a four-person tube down a flume, then be dropped down the slide and up a wall on the other side. Guests will feel the sensation of weightlessness as they ascend the far wall before riding over some large humps to the splash pool. I have a feeling this will be a favorite of mine, and it’s the first of its kind in North America.

 

I will have a lot more blogs coming out about the process we have gone through, where we are today and what is coming up on Aquatica – so stay tuned. We are excited and anxious to show off our all-new waterpark…Aquatica Texas!

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http://www.seaworldsanantonioblog.com/aquatica-texas-key-visual

 

Designing and building a new waterpark is a little, no a lot, like making a Christmas list. As we planned Aquatica we looked at attractions at all of our sister parks, but especially Aquatica Florida. We met with ride manufacturers to see what new ideas they were working on and we even created our own ideas using SeaWorld experience with animals. Once we had all the components to make this amazing new waterpark we knew right away we were going to need an image for our guest to convey this great concept.

 

This image has a lot of things happening and you can look at it dozens of times and still find something new….hidden message perhaps? What we loved about Aquatica right away was the vibrant colors. These colors are carried through architecture, landscape and even the animals. You can see from the image that colors are a very important part of the feel of Aquatica.

 

The newest attractions are very unique. Top left features Wahalla Wave. This is a first of its kind in North America and sends guests soaring up a wall in a clover leaf inner tube giving you a feeling of weightlessness after dropping down the slide from the tower.

 

The center piece of the image features Stingray Falls. This attraction takes family rafts of 4 down twists and turns to an underwater grotto. The slide then turns into a river and goes under water through the reef which you can see at the front of the image. This slow moving river will give you a great view of the rays and tropical fish. This slide is a one of a kind and can be found nowhere else in the world.

 

The reef also features the ability for groups to enter the water and feed and touch these amazing graceful rays. For those who want to simply touch or offer the rays food from the side we have that covered too! A long wall along the pool will give guest this opportunity. The bowl slides represent Tassie’s Twisters. We built these slides in 2010 using bright vivid colors in anticipation of them becoming part of Aquatica. Guests can ride this in single or double tubes. Both of the bowls send riders spinning inside of a large bowl before the final decent!

 

The far slides represent Kiwi Curl and Whanau Way. This is a Lost Lagoon original that we are keeping due to it’s popularity. You won’t even recognize it when it is done!

Of course one of my favorite aspects of Aquatica is the beaches! I am already scouting locations for hammocks! We will be adding some large beach areas and even bringing back beach to our wavepool which will be called Big Surf Shores as you can see on the top right of the picture!

 

There is so much going on in our new waterpark it would be impossible to show it all in one image. I think you are just going to have to come see it for yourself in 2012!

aquaticatexasfinallo44ba70-600x846.thumb.jpg.9dae98c9ffb311db63baa860f4f4e2f9.jpg

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It figures that they're doing this the year AFTER I'm visiting (in three weeks). Note to all Texans: you can expect lots of big things in the next 2-3 years, and you can thank me. They always add the big things the years AFTER I visit parks!

 

At least I'll get on NTaG (assuming nothing goes wrong with it, obviously!)

 

As to the new Aquatica, it sounds like they're basically taking half the old water park -- which was FREE with admission. Then adding a few new slides, which admittedly look pretty cool. And adding a bunch of upcharge stuff, particularly those very expensive cabanas that the parks LOVE to promote. (Note that they listed them first as one of the things the park will be known for!) And now it will all be an upcharge add-on. Depending on how much they are upcharging for it, I could see a lot of regulars -- who have been getting the waterpark for free all these years -- being pretty pissed. Especially if they get to the park with swimsuits and towels and stuff, ready to hit some slides, and didn't already know about it. "Wait, we have to PAY for the water park this year?!?" Sure, they'll make like it's a brand new park, but a lot of people will be pissed. It will be interesting to see if the upgrades attract enough upcharge business to counter any loss in attendance from angry regulars. I imagine so, but it will be interesting to see the affect. I mean, sure, none of the other Sea World parks have free water parks. But they also didn't have them included with admission and then later start upcharging for them. What are the odds that they'll lower the regular admission to accommodate for losing the water park with regular admission? Unlikely, I'd imagine, but it might be a good PR move to make a slight decrease to appease some people and keep some good will.

 

As to the new slide that travels up a wall, with airtime, it sounds like basically the same thing we've already seen with the half-pipe and tornado slides. You'll come down a steep, fast hill, then go up a wall. Nothing terribly revolutionary there, unless I'm missing something. Presumably, you'll go higher up the wall than you do on those slides, since they're making such a big deal out of it, but it will have to make up for the several turns back and forth you get on the half-pipe and tornado slides.

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  • 5 weeks later...

By request, a few crappy cell phone pics of the defunct Texas Splashdown log flume at Sea World San Antonio. There's very little left. For the best view of the devastation, the Steel Eel is the deal. These photos, of course, are over the fence shots from the former entry plaza.

 

There was a second construction wall up near the park's main entry plaza, presumably for their Aquatica expansion.

 

Since photo trip reports are not my thing, I might as well take this opportunity to rate the rides. We live in San Diego, we sure as heck didn't bother with the shows.

 

Steel Eel: 7/10. Delicious air in 1-3. Just a row back to 2-1 took much of the fun out of the ride. Smoooth, surprisingly so.

 

Great White: 8/10. A G monster! Relentless, intense, fun, one of the better inverts out there. Definitely from the earlier B&M era, this thing isn't tall but it has sharp fangs.

 

These two would be welcome assets at any park, typical Busch / Sea World quality. Bravo! The rest, not so much.

 

Journey to Atlantis: 3/10. That low score is as a coaster. It has one short up and down backwards slide and that's it. As a water flume, 7/10. Wetter in the back. No story or theming to speak of.

 

Rio Loco raft ride: 1/10. Dullest rapids ride I've encountered. Flat, level flume, no water features... it's 105 out, it's ok, you can splash us. Nope - got off dry. ZZZZzzzzz. For goodness sake, add a couple of water squirters!

 

Shamu Express: DNR.

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Fenced out. We walked right by the former Texas Splashdown site the first time.

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That looks painful.

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The wide view. Sea World didn't waste any time.

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The opposite view, from Steel Eel.

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What is this, DCA? Here's the wall at the entry plaza. I'll speculate - for construction of the second gate, the upcharge Aquatica expansion.

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Bonus! Atlantis, the most popular ride in the park. It isn't much of a coaster.

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And finally, the wait time this warm and sunny Saturday, 2 1/4 hours. Quick Queue are us!

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  • 5 months later...

SeaWorld San Antonio has posted several new images on their Facebook giving a sneak peek at the newest progress in the construction phase of Aquatica Texas.

 

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Here is a look at part of the under reef tunnel!

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Here is a view from the future front gate area of Aquatica! What do you think?

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The votes are in! Here is a view of the old entrance area. This area will become one of our 42,000 sq feet of white sand beaches at Aquatica. To the right we are building a new entrance into the river for beach access!

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Take a look at the Walhalla Wave Tower! To give you an idea of how big the tower is -that little spot on top is a person!

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Take a look at this construction photo. This is where Buc's Survival Store used to stand!

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Look at the wonderful colors! The fiberglass for our new slides has arrived!

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Who's ready to ride some amazing rides? May of 2012 will be here before you know it!

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Take a look at the roof going on Walhalla Wave's tower!

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The tower for Stingray Falls is up!

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Here is a panoramic picture of the Aquatica construction site

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Here is a sneak peek at Walhalla Wave. This zero gravity wall ride will be the first of it's kind in this part of the world! The one shown here is in China.

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Here is a view of the wavepool area. This area will become another one of our large white sand beaches. In the background you can see the tower supports for Walhalla Wave!

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