SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando

Slogan	Real. Amazing.
Location	7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, Orange County, FL 32821
Coordinates	28°24′39″N 81°27′45″W / 28.41083°N 81.46250°WCoordinates: 28°24′39″N 81°27′45″W / 28.41083°N 81.46250°W
Theme	Conservation and the Ocean
Owner	SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Opened	December 15, 1973[1]
Previous names	Sea World of Florida
Operating season	Year-round
Visitors per annum	4.777 million (2015)
Area	200 acres (81 ha)
Rides
Total	13
Roller coasters	5

SeaWorld Orlando is a theme park and marine zoological park, located In Orlando, Florida. It is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. When combined with its neighbor Discovery Cove and Aquatica, it forms SeaWorld Parks and Resorts Orlando, an entertainment complex consisting of the three parks and many neighboring hotels. In 2015, SeaWorld Orlando hosted an estimated 4.7 million guests, ranking it the tenth most visited amusement park in the United States and twenty-second worldwide.^[2]

Park layout

As of summer 2014, SeaWorld Orlando has been separated into different areas, called "seas".^[3] Each with a unique themed element. Starting at the lower center and continuing clockwise they are:

• Port of Entry: The main entrance of the park features a Florida-inspired theme with lush tropical landscaping and a large artificial freshwater marina with a Shamu-themed iconic lighthouse. It is the guests gateway to the many seas of SeaWorld.^[3]
• Sea of Shallows: This area showcases most of the shallow water sea animal exhibits at the park as well as the Dolphin Theater. In addition, the Manta rollercoaster travels through this section and Turtle Trek, a dome theater show also reside here. All of the Key West at SeaWorld area is inside of the Sea of Shallows. It is designed to mimic the appearance of the city of Key West, Florida with architecture and landscaping reminiscent of the area. Animal exhibits in this portion of the park include cownose rays, southern stingrays, green sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, greater flamingos, West Indian manatees, American alligators, bottlenose dolphins, and brown pelicans. The stingray and dolphin habitats offer opportunities for guests to feed the animals.^[3]
• Sea of Legends: The Sea of Legends is dedicated to the mysterious myths and other tales told about the sea. Journey to Atlantis, a boat ride with roller-coaster elements, bases its story from the legend of the lost city of Atlantis. Next to the gift shop there is an aquarium with animals in an environment made to look like Atlantis. Also found here is Kraken, a floorless roller-coaster where the rider plays the part of the Kraken racing through the ocean.^[3]
• Sea of Ice: Sea of Ice, originally named Antarctica, is themed around the Antarctic continent. Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is the sole attraction in this area. It is a dark ride where the guests follow a young penguin on a journey home after a harsh storm. The ride exits into the penguin exhibit area.^[3]
  

  Sky Tower
• Sea of Delight: Sea of Delight includes a sub-area named The Waterfront, which resembles a seaside Mediterranean village. The majority of the parks restaurants are here as well as many shops. The park's Sky Tower ride is also here, it was integrated into the theme of The Waterfront village when the area opened in 2003. The only land animal show at the park, Pets Ahoy, is located here inside of the Seaport Theater. Outside of the Waterfront is where the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium viewing area stands.^[3]
• Sea of Mystery: The Sea of Mystery is a smaller area compared to the others in the park, with the exception of Antarctica. It houses the shark underwater viewing and the Shark's Underwater Grill, as well as the Nautilus Theater, which used to show the Cirque du Soleil style show A'Lure, but now currently sits empty. It also includes the Sea Garden, a landscaped area with themed trash structures that are made from ocean pollution. Mako, a Bolliger & Mabillard steel hypercoaster will join the area in 2016,^[3] while the current shark exhibit and the surrounding area will be renovated to become Shark Wreck Reef.
• Sea of Fun: Formerly Shamu's Happy Harbor, Sea of Fun, is a children's area hosted by Shamu, the park's orca mascot. The area is located adjacent to Shamu Stadium and features family activities including Shamu Express (a junior rollercoaster), a net climbing structure, and a water play area.^[4] Signage here still refers to it as Shamu's Happy Harbor, although management and the map use the updated name.^[3]
• Sea of Power: Sea of Power is host area of the SeaWorld's iconic killer whale shows. The Shamu Stadium is located in the center with the Wild Arctic indoor pavilion nextdoor. Wild Arctic is a combined attraction which includes a motion simulator followed by an indoor animal exhibit hosting beluga whales, Pacific walrus, harbor seals, and formerly polar bears. During the Christmas holiday season, Wild Arctic is transformed into the Polar Express Experience based on the Warner Bros. film of the same name. Guests ride the Polar Express to the North Pole where Santa Claus waits to greet them. Shamu Stadium currently hosts "One Ocean" as its main show with "Shamu Celebration: Light up the Night" and "Shamu Christmas Miracles" showing seasonally.^[3]

Attractions

SeaWorld Orlando has many live shows and attractions including rides and animal exhibits. One of these attractions. Turtle Trek, actually combine the two, with both an animal exhibit followed by a 3-D movie.

Rides and attractions

#	Name	Opened	Description	Image
1	Mako	2016	A hypercoaster named after the fastest species of shark in the oceans. Dubbed the longest, tallest and fastest roller coaster in the Orlando area.
2	Kraken	2000	A floorless roller coaster themed after the legend of the Kraken sea monster.	Kraken at SeaWorld Orlando.
3	Manta	2009	A flying roller coaster and aquarium exhibit featuring rays, sea dragons and other species.	Manta at SeaWorld Orlando.
4	Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin	2013	A themed area headlined by a motion-based trackless dark ride featuring live penguin exhibits.	Empire Of The Penguin ride at SeaWorld Orlando.
5	Journey to Atlantis	1998	A water flume ride with dark ride elements themed to the mythical Atlantis.	Journey To Atlantis at SeaWorld Orlando.
6	Shamu Express	2006[5]	A Zierer family roller coaster with cars themed as Shamu.
7	Sky Tower	1973	400-foot tall rotating Gyro tower.
8	Wild Arctic	1992	An indoor series of exhibits featuring beluga whales, walruses, harbor seals, and formerly polar bears, that is designed to resemble a research station in the Arctic Ocean. Guests can take a motion-simulated helicopter journey to the exhibit, or may bypass the ride and watch the film without the motion and proceed directly to the exhibit.
9	Turtle Trek	2012	An outdoor/indoor exhibit featuring sea turtles, West Indian manatees, and American alligators. The highlight of the exhibit is a theater dome where a 3D computer-animated film details the average journey of a sea turtle. The theater is a 360° dome with 3D content completely surrounded the audience. The theater and media was developed by Falcon's Treehouse, LLC.
10	Sea Carousel	2007[6]	A carousel themed with caricatured marine mammals and fish.
11	Jazzy Jellies	2006[5]	A balloon tower style ride that lifts up and spins controlled by riders with a disk.
12	Swishy Fishies	2006[5]	A spinning teacup ride themed with fish.	Swishy Fishies kid's teacup ride at SeaWorld Orlando.
13	Ocean Commotion	2007[6]	A Rockin' Tug ride.
14	The Flying Fiddler	2007[6]	A kiddie crab-themed Frog Hopper-style freefall attraction.
15	Paddle Boats	1978	Flamingo-themed paddle boats that can travel all around the park's central lake. Additional fee is required.
16	Net Climb	2006[7]	A four story net climb play area with tire swings and slides.

Live entertainment

#	Name	Opened	Description
17	Shamu Stadium	1984	The seven-million gallon home to the park's 7 killer whales opened in September 1984.[8] The park's current production is One Ocean, which is joined by the seasonal Shamu's Celebration: Light Up The Night and Shamu Christmas Miracles night shows. Shamu Stadium SeaWorld Orlando Florida
18	The Whale and Dolphin Stadium	1984	Features dolphins, macaws, a marabou stork, and formerly an Andean condor in Blue Horizons, which also adds human acrobats and divers. False killer whales were once part of the show until the eventual death of the park's two specimens.[9] Four rescued pilot whales are also housed here and can be seen occasionally during the preshow (about 15-20 mins before the show) for Blue Horizons.[10]
19	The Sea Lion and Otter Theater	1990	Hosts "Clyde and Seamore," a pair of California sea lions in the comical presentation Clyde and Seamore's Sea Lion High. Otters and a Pacific walrus also partake in the show. This production is joined by the seasonal show Sea Lions Tonight which is a comedic production that pokes fun at other attractions at the park. The venue formerly presented Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island.
20	Bayside Stadium	1983	Formerly hosted water skiing shows on the park's central lagoon. Today, the stage is used for SeaWorld's numerous music concert series and other special events as well as the official viewing area for the seasonal Reflections firework show.
21	The Nautilus Theatre	1995	An acrobatic show similar in style and presentation to the works of Cirque du Soleil.
22	Seaport Theatre	1998	Features dogs, cats, and other animals that have been rescued from local animal shelters in Pets Ahoy!. This venue is also home to Abby's Treasure Hunt.
23	Seafire Inn	2001	Is both a restaurant and a theatre in the style of a dinner theatre. This venue was home to the Makahiki Luau until its closure in 2010..
24	Reflections	2006	A seasonal firework show on the park's central lagoon featuring fireworks, dancing fountains, and mist screens synchronized and inspired by the musical soundtracks of the park's shows and attractions. The show was formerly called Mistify. During the Holidays, there is a Holiday Reflections.

Animal exhibits

• Shark Encounter, which features an underwater tunnel and a wide array of sharks, stingrays, barracuda, and venomous fish. At Sharks Underwater Grill, guests can dine while observing the sea life in the main exhibit tank.
• Pacific Point Preserve, home to the park's sea lions and seals.
• Dolphin Cove, an outdoor exhibit where guests can touch bottlenose dolphins.
• Stingray Lagoon, a covered exhibit where guests can touch stingrays.
• Dolphin Nursery, a covered exhibit where new-born bottlenose dolphins reside.
• Flamingo Point, an outdoor exhibit where flamingos are exhibited.
• Pelican Preserve, an outdoor exhibit where brown pelicans are exhibited.
• Shamu Underwater Viewing, a covered, outdoor exhibit that gives guests an up close, below the surface look at SeaWorld's killer whales.

• 
  Dining with the sharks at the Sharks Underwater Grill
• 
  Flamingo Point Orlando Florida SeaWorld

Controversies

In February 2010, during a training session, one of the orca whales, Tilikum, pulled trainer Dawn Brancheau into the water and ultimately killed her.^[11] An autopsy determined that Brancheau's death was attributed to blunt force trauma and drowning; injuries included her scalp being removed and her left arm being severed below the shoulder.^[12] In August 2010, the United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited SeaWorld of Florida LLC for three safety violations, following the death of an animal trainer in February. The total penalty was $75,000 and SeaWorld was required to keep a barrier between its trainers and the whales during shows.^[13][14]

Attendance

2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	Worldwide rank
5,926,000[15]	5,800,000[16]	5,100,000[17]	5,202,000[17]	5,358,000[18]	5,090,000[18]	4,683,000[19]	4,777,000[2]	22

Aquatica

SeaWorld Orlando has a nearby sister park named Aquatica Orlando, part of the greater chain of Aquatica water parks.

See also

• Incidents at SeaWorld Orlando

Notes

1. "Seaworld–Page Info". Facebook. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
2. "TEA/AECOM 2015 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
3. Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "SeaWorld Park Map | SeaWorld Orlando". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
4. "Shamu's Happy Harbor". seaworldparks.com. SeaWorld. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
5. "SeaWorld Florida". Screamscape. August 11, 2006. Archived from the original on August 11, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
6. "SeaWorld Florida". Screamscape. May 29, 2007. Archived from the original on May 29, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
7. "Photo TR: SeaWorld, IOA/Universal Updates!". Theme Park Review. May 24, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
8. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19840923&id=dcBPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fAYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7141,4096152&hl=en
9. Garcia, Jason (5 June 2012). "False killer whale Jozu dies at SeaWorld Orlando". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
10. Kirley, James (16 September 2012). "Too soon to tell if surviving pilot whales can be released". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
11. "Blackfish: when killer whales attack". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
12. "Autopsy report" (PDF). Autopsy report. Office of the Medical examiner, district nine, FL. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
13. CNN, By Vivian Kuo. "SeaWorld appeal of OSHA citations denied - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
14. "SeaWorld won't appeal ruling pulling trainers from water at killer whale shows". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2016-06-04.
15. "TEA/AECOM 2008 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
16. "TEA/AECOM 2009 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 2, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
17. "TEA/AECOM 2011 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
18. "TEA/AECOM 2013 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
19. "TEA/AECOM 2014 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.

External links

• Official website
• Aquatica Website
• SeaWorld Orlando at the Roller Coaster DataBase