Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Refill at SeaWorld

This penguin-shaped cup may look cute and cuddly, but it has a noble purpose: encourage guests to help the planet, one refill at a time.

In conjunction with SeaWorld Orlando’s epic new attraction and ride Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin opening Memorial Day weekend, SeaWorld has created the Cup That Cares™ – a new reusable cup program with a twist of technology. The innovative, interactive cup was designed specifically to connect with Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage dispensers in the new realm.

The new Cup That Cares engages guests in a personalized manner to reuse materials and reduce their carbon footprint.  An RFID chip embedded in each Cup That Cares interacts with software at Coca-Cola Freestyle dispensers to calculate and tell guests how they are being more environmentally responsible by choosing to reuse.

Plus, SeaWorld will donate $1 from each Cup That Cares purchase to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, a not-for-profit foundation that helps protect wildlife around the world.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Technology embedded in the Cup That Cares calculates the amount of CO2 each guest saves from entering the atmosphere when they choose to reuse the cup for refills at Coca-Cola Freestyle machines in Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. With each refill at the designated machines, exclusive software developed by Coca-Cola and SeaWorld serves up an onscreen message that is customized to that guest’s Cup That Cares history.  The message thanks the guest for choosing to reuse, tracks how many refills the Cup That Cares has been used for, and calculates the running total of CO2 the guest has saved from entering the atmosphere.

Each refill with a reusable cup prevents the emission of approximately 27 grams of CO2.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE:

There are two options, both available exclusively in the new Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin attraction at SeaWorld Orlando:

• Cup That Cares souvenir reusable cup – available at the two beverage stations inside the attraction for $9.99 – is adorned with photos of Puck™ and his penguin family. Puck is  the hero penguin character featured throughout the new realm,

• Create A Cup That Cares – Guests may build their own personalized penguin-shaped character cup by choosing from more than 40 accessories such as eyes, hair, glasses, hats, bow tie, necklaces and even miniature Shamu ice cream bars and SeaWorld shopping bags. The Create A Cup That Cares will be sold in the Antarctica gift shop, and includes a free first fill at the nearby Antarctica beverage stations. Create A Cup That Cares experience starts at $15.95 with the option to add accessory items.

“Just as penguins do within their colonies, humans also can band together to make a big difference through small actions,” said Dan Brown, Chief Operating Officer of SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica Parks. “We see great potential with this new program because it encourages guests to be more aware of their actions – and reduce their carbon footprint — in an easy, fun and innovative way. Each step may be small, but it all adds up when we work together.”

Refills throughout the park for both Cup That Cares options are $.99 each.

PLUS — NEW custom Coca-Cola flavor served up only at Antarctica 

The Cup That Cares concept was developed in partnership with the park’s beverage partner Coca-Cola, whose Coca-Cola Freestyle dispensers offer guests more than 100 different beverage brands.  Also only in Antarctica, Coca-Cola Freestyle will offer an all-new, vanilla-infused choice — South Pole Chill^™.

For more information, visit www.SeaWorldOrlando.com

Photo of the week: Aquatica, SeaWorld and an approaching storm

Aquatica’s Taumata Racer with SeaWorld’s Manta, Shamu Stadium, Journey to Atlantis and an approaching storm in the background.

Video: Lauren Alaina records SeaWorld’s Antarctica theme song

Lauren Alaina records SeaWorld Orlando’s “Antarctica: Empire of the penguin” theme song

Lauren Alaina records SeaWorld Orlando’s “Antarctica: Empire of the penguin” theme song

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has partnered with award-winning country artist Lauren Alaina to perform the official theme song for the new attraction at SeaWorld Orlando, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin™, opening May 24, 2013.

Alaina recorded two songs for SeaWorld, including the theme song for the ride in Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, and a remix version called “Antarctica: One World, One Family.” Alaina also will be performing the song live at SeaWorld Orlando for the attraction grand opening the week of May 24^th. The remix version is now available as a free download. Alaina is currently in the studio working on her forthcoming sophomore album, and is scheduled to perform her new single “Barefoot And Buckwild” on American Idol Thursday, May 9, airing nationwide on Fox networks.

“I have such great memories of growing up and going to SeaWorld with my family, so being a part of the theme park and their new attraction is so exciting,” says Alaina.  “Recording the official theme song for the ride was so much fun – SeaWorld even brought a penguin named Pete to the studio to help inspire me!”

Georgia native Alaina captured America’s hearts when she appeared on Season 10 of American Idol.  Her first album, Wildflower, debuted at no.1 on the iTunes Country chart and no.2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart in 2011, and was the best-selling digital album by a debut country female. Alaina has been nominated for several Teen Choice and CMT Music Awards, and recently took home the Artist of the Year: New Artist trophy at the 2012 American Country Awards.

Alaina is also the Special Olympics Project UNIFY® Ambassador for North America and traveled to   Pyeongchang, South Korea in January for the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games. In celebration of this partnership and their mutual support, SeaWorld will make a donation to Special Olympics. A Special Olympics athlete and family members also will receive a special visit to SeaWorld Orlando for the grand opening of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, courtesy of Lauren Alaina.

“We’re excited to continue our strategy of expanding beyond family theme parks into different types of entertainment enterprises,” said Scott Helmstedter, Chief Creative Officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “We’re so thrilled to welcome Lauren into our family and look forward to working with her on this project and many more into the future.”

For the behind-the-scenes story of Lauren Alaina recording the theme song for Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, watch an exclusive webisode at www.SeaWorldOrlando.com/Antarctica .

Video: SeaWorld Orlando’s Behind the Freeze – Puck’s Antarctica

In this latest installment, SeaWorld Creative Director Brian Morrow takes you “Behind the Freeze” of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin where you’ll see Antarctica through the eyes of our new hero – a penguin named Puck. From the amazing sights to the original score, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin will blend an all-family adventure ride with up-close encounters never before seen.

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin – which opens in less than a month– will transport you into a rarely seen, icy world. You’ll feel the majestic grandeur of the South Pole and see it through the eyes of Puck on an exhilarating, first-of-its-kind family ride. You’ll explore a massive penguin colony in an expanse that envelops you in cool extremes, both above and below the penguins’ icy world. It’s a must-see, one-of-a-kind theme park experience only at SeaWorld in Orlando.

SeaWorld Orlando caring for orphaned manatee calf rescued near Merritt Island

An orphaned manatee calf was rescued by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and then transported to SeaWorld Orlando late yesterday for rehabilitation and long-term care. The young calf was spotted swimming alone by a private citizen prior to its rescue from Sykes Creek in Merritt Island, Fla.

Measuring approximately 36 inches long and weighing approximately 35 pounds, the male manatee was rescued due to its young age -– the calf is only estimated to be between one and two weeks old, and its mother was nowhere to be found.

Upon arrival at SeaWorld Orlando, animal care experts took blood samples, gave the manatee antibiotics and observed his condition overnight. The calf will receive regular tube feedings, and will continue to be monitored closely during the next few days.

So far in 2013, SeaWorld has rescued eight manatees and returned one back to their natural habitat. In collaboration with the government and other members of accredited stranding networks, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates one of the world’s most respected programs to rescue ill and injured marine animals, with the goal to rehabilitate and return them to the ocean. SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 22,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than 40 years.

SeaWorld Orlando’s animal experts care for orphaned manatee, brought to the park following a rescue from a local waterway. The white markings on his nose resemble rub marks that typically occur when manatees are searching along shorelines or near trees for food. The male calf was rescued due to its young age, and his condition will continue to be monitored while receiving care at SeaWorld Orlando.

If you see an injured marine animal, you can help by calling the FWC hotline at 1(888) 404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device.

All manatee rescue footage produced by SeaWorld under FWS Permit Number MA7701911.

Everything you need to know about Aquatica San Diego

Water Slides, Wave Pool, White Sandy Beach and more complemented by animal encounters only SeaWorld can deliver

Aquatica SeaWorld’s Waterpark is set to make a splash this summer just minutes from SeaWorld.  Aquatica San Diego, like its sister parks in San Antonio and Orlando, Fla., will feature guest experiences from serene to extreme, with water play as endless as the sea itself, and will be home to a variety of exotic animals, providing an educational component to a waterpark visit that is both unexpected and enriching.

Aquatica San Diego is scheduled to open June 1, 2013.

Aquatica in San Diego will be a lushly landscaped, whimsical waterpark with up-close animal experiences, high speed thrills and the amenities of a beachside resort.  Among dozens of slides and rides at this whimsical, South Seas-themed waterpark will be Big Surf Shores.  One of the largest wave pools in Southern California, it features more than 500,000 gallons of water to take a swim in and a huge sandy beach for basking in the sun. Adventurers will also want to check out HooRoo Run, where they’ll have a choice of two enclosed and two open-air slides that take them down an 80-foot descent. Caribbean flamingos and freshwater turtles will round out the experience, as only SeaWorld can.

Click to open gallery

Rides/Slides:

• Whanau Way: Boasting a 60-foot water slide complex featuring six slides, four enclosed and two open air, this ride is a must on any waterpark enthusiast’s list.
• HooRoo Run:  Guests can choose their own adventure: two enclosed and two open-air slides await for a thrilling descent down this 80-foot ride.
• Woohoo Falls: Adventurers embark on one of three water slides with speedy twists and turns, including one in the dark for those up to the challenge.
• Kiwi Curl: Guests can put their adrenaline level to the test as they ride down one of three 60-foot-tall water slides. Thrill seekers have the option of sliding in the dark.
• Walhalla Wave: This 78-foot ride is designed for families to enjoy together (height requirement is 42”) in a gigantic tube. A tube lift means no lugging it up the stairs!
• Tassie’s Twister: Plunge down a 75-foot water slide in a multi-person raft through thousands of swirling water before dropping into a six-story funnel.

Attractions:

• Big Surf Shores: One of the largest wave pools in Southern California, guests swim in more than 500,000 gallons of water with period swells of up to five feet.  A white sandy beach (43,000 square feet!) allows visitors to relax on lawn chairs or luxuriate in nearby cabanas.
• Big Surf Shores: Guests can swim or float along in an inner tube down a winding 1,250-foot long lazy river, with the added surprise of more than a dozen Caribbean flamingos on display. Playful fountains provide plenty of opportunities to splash while soaking up the sun.
• Walkabout Waters: This four-story interactive and colorful outdoor attraction features loads of hands-on fun with slides, hoses, jets, geysers and more.  Every five minutes, a 500-gallon bucket unloads water on everyone below!
• Kata’s Kookaburra Cove:  Children can splash and play safely in this children’s area featuring a pool and ropes. This kooky, quirky cove has a way of making even a grown-up want to jump right in and play.
• Slippity Dippity: Families with toddlers can splash the day away and let their imagination run rampant as they explore an endless sea of fun at this attraction, which includes kid-sized slides.

Animal Exhibits:

• At Loggerhead Lane, guests will enjoy not only a lush tropical attraction with a winding 1,250-foot-long lazy river, but also an up-close view of more than a dozen Caribbean flamingos.  In addition, twice a day, these flamingos will make their way across the park in a fun and festive flamingo parade for guests to enjoy.
• A habitat with dozens of freshwater turtles, representing several species, will live in an exhibit that will feature under- and above-water viewing.

Guest Amenities:

• Guests can enhance their Aquatica experience with personal cabanas, available poolside at Big Surf Shores.
• Small and large lockers will be available for adventurers who need a place to store their land gear before they embark on their water voyage.
• Gift shops and merchandise carts will have waterpark necessities available for purchase, including towels, sunscreen and flip-flops for guests who forgot their waterpark necessities at home.
• Complimentary life vests in all sizes will be available for guests as they enter Aquatica.
• Guests can relax on comfortable lounge chairs, with shaded seating located throughout the waterpark.

Pricing

Aquatica San Diego single day tickets will cost $38,- for adults and $30,- for Children

Location

Aquatica San Diego will be located at 2052 Entertainment Circle in Chula Vista, Calif.  Park hours and more information will be available soon at www.aquaticasandiego.com.