SeaWorld Ups The Fun Factor in 2017

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. has unveiled an extensive lineup of new attractions, shows and events for 2017 – part of an approximate US$175 million in capital spending and one of the largest new attraction years in the company’s 50-year history.

The announcement includes major new ride additions at three of its theme parks, a virtual reality experience in Orlando, a new orca presentation in San Diego and new shows and events at many other park locations.

“We are extremely excited with the scope and depth of the new attractions and events coming to our SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks in 2017,” said Joel Manby, president and chief executive officer of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. “In developing new experiences we want guests to have fun, but also be inspired, and our parks are uniquely suited to create meaningful and fun vacations.”

Highlights of what’s on the way include:

• Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster, SeaWorld San Antonio, summer 2017. A new generation of coaster, described as combining the thrill of the sea, the adrenaline rush of a multi-launch roller coaster and the inspiration of animal rescue.

Wave Breaker boasts variety of features inspired by the reality of jet skiing across a body of water. The design will allow riders to lean into a series of banked and serpentine turns, and grip the handle bars as they race over hills designed for maximum airtime, and a pair of high acceleration launches. Reaching heights of up to 18 metres, the majority of the coaster’s 7,800-metre track will be directly over water, creating the sensation that riders are surging across the park’s Ski Lake.

• Ocean Explorer, SeaWorld San Diego, summer 2017. SeaWorld San Diego will unveil Ocean Explorer, a new three-acre realm combining multiple aquariums, rides and digital technologies. The area is designed to engage park guests in an experience centred on exploration and adventure, inspiring them to protect the wonders of our oceans.

In the signature attraction, called Submarine Quest, guests will be adventurers on a global expedition of scientific exploration, travelling aboard submarines to see Ocean Explorer’s undersea animals. Embarking on these mini submarines, visitors will become researchers on a mission to collect data and learn how they can help protect animals. The three-minute experience will include an onboard digital navigation dashboard, as well as a few other surprises along the journey.

The Ocean Explorer realm will feature five new family friendly rides in total, including a wave swing ride where guests will fly through thousands of real bubbles in chairs suspended from the tentacles of a giant jellyfish.

• New Orca Encounter, SeaWorld San Diego, summer 2017. SeaWorld San Diego will also introduce new, inspiring, educational orca encounters, rather than theatrical shows, as part of its ongoing commitment to education, marine science research and rescue of marine animals. These live documentaries will focus on orca enrichment, exercise and overall health. This change will start in its San Diego park next year, followed by Orlando and then San Antonio by 2019.

The new Orca Encounter will be based on orca behaviour in the wild – what they eat, how they hunt, how they navigate and how they communicate, helping guests gain a deeper appreciation and respect for the orcas.

• Electric Ocean, SeaWorld Orlando and San Diego, summer 2017. Electric Ocean will debut next summer at SeaWorld parks in Orlando and San Diego as a new, end-of-day spectacle event. As the sun goes down, the lights and energy go up, offering guests a different kind of fun after dark. The ocean comes to life with bioluminescent lighting, music and pathway entertainment, immersing guests in a glowing sea of wonder.
• Kraken Virtual Reality (VR) Roller Coaster, SeaWorld Orlando, summer 2017. SeaWorld will debut its first digitally enhanced ride experience as the legendary Kraken roller coaster is transformed into a virtual reality roller coaster experience. Guests will embark on a deep sea mission alongside sea creatures inspired by extinct and legendary animals of the past, including the mighty Kraken.
• Dolphin Nursery, SeaWorld Orlando, summer 2017. SeaWorld Orlando’s Dolphin Nursery will become more interactive in 2017, giving guests the opportunity to see mother and baby dolphins up close like never before. Large-scale acrylic windows will be created offering better guest viewing, including multiple levels to provide children a face-to-face perspective with baby dolphins.
• InvadR, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, spring 2017. InvadR will be the park’s first wooden coaster and eighth roller coaster in total. Ride elements include a more than 21-metre drop, and nine airtime hills. Located in the New France village of Busch Gardens, guests will travel more than 630 metres feet through a wooded terrain and underground through a tunnel.
• The Wildlife Docs: Live, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, May 2017. A live version of the great stories from the Emmy-nominated weekly show, featuring live animals, video production, live ambassador presenters and performers in the park’s Stanleyville Theater.
• Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer & Friends, SeaWorld Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Williamsburg, 2016 Christmas events, continuing in 2017. Beloved Christmas character Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends, including Clarice, Bumble, the Abominable Snow Monster and Yukon Cornelius, and Rudolph-themed attractions will be making their debut as part of the 2016 Christmas Celebration events at SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego, and Christmas Town at Busch Gardens parks in Tampa and Williamsburg.

(http://www.SeaWorldParks.com)