SeaWorld Orlando: a theme park of oceanic proportions!
Published: Aug 10, 2009
Located less than 15 minutes from both Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World complexes, and far easier to navigate compared to those two major competitors, SeaWorld Orlando is designed for families who possess a natural tendency to explore the last true frontier of our planet. It's the only place in Orlando where guests experience the touch and feel of some of the most unusual creatures of the sea, combined with the thrill of two of Central Florida's most modern roller coasters.
Despite 30 years of operation in Orlando, SeaWorld and its newer siblings —Discovery Cove, where visitors swim with dolphins, and Aquatica, a new water park that's less than two years old — have obviously been the focus of major attention by parent company Busch Entertainment over the past decade. More than 200 acres of entertainment options provide guests with a day's adventure through high-tech rides, personal animal interaction and a wide variety of seasonal specials and events often planned years in advance.
Visitors:
> learn about the murky, underwater world of the endangered Florida manatee and what's being done to save it from extinction
> feed and caress playful dolphins in a tropical lagoon
> stroll through a frozen tundra as penguins fearlessly play amongst humans, and
> get a closeup view of some of the sea's more mysterious creations, including eels, barracuda, venomous fish and sharks, in an underwater tunnel that traverses a deep-sea aquarium.
If you're looking for a more personal experience and can afford the extra cost, it's worth reserving a VIP or behind-the-scenes tour. Depending on the tour package, guests get the attention of a tour specialist for up to seven hours, plus an interactive exploration of the park's animal habitats, not to mention reserved show seating and stress-reducing front-of-line ride access.
"To the Rescue," a SeaWorld exclusive, highlights the park's R&R (rescue and rehabilitation) efforts for sea turtles, aquatic birds, seals and manatees, all of which are released into the wild upon recovery. This 90-minute tour provides a peek at rehabilitation techniques rarely accessible to the public, and tour fees help fund the park's ongoing conservation efforts.
While relaxation is the keyword at SeaWorld, two new roller coasters with a reputation for fierceness are now in operation. "Kraken," named for Poseidon's mythological underwater beast, is Central Florida's highest, fastest, longest and only floorless roller coaster. And brand new from mid-2009 is "Manta," the closest thing to a true flying roller coaster in the world.
Somewhat tamer rides include the "Wild Arctic," which transports guests on a journey through the frozen North Pole in a simulated jetcopter; and "Journey to Atlantis," a hybrid roller-water coaster that rinses and spins its passengers to the lost world of Atlantis with two of the steepest, wettest and fastest coaster-style drops in the world.
Visitors who are interested in less energetic entertainment may choose from up to 10 daily shows that highlight some of the park's most popular species, such as sea lions and the park's long-time signature attraction, the seven "Shamu" killer whales that star in the contemporary show now titled "Believe."
A variety of adventure camps and hotel packages are also available via the SeaWorld Orlando web site, as are tickets to special events during the year. The park is open until 10 p.m. during the summer and usually stays open until at le
- by Jim Brown , Orlando Reporter for HelloMetro
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