SeaWorld announces 50th Anniversary Celebration

Starting in 2014, SeaWorld will be bring you SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration! – A celebration marked by a whole new “Sea of Surprises.” All three SeaWorld parks will be sharing the fun and delight throughout the 18-month celebration with uniquely SeaWorld moments. Starting March 21, 2014, SeaWorld will invite guests to join to celebrate with new interactive experiences, new shows and daily entertainment, more up-close animal encounters throughout the park, and a Surprise Squad treating guests with prizes every day.

We are really looking forward to the 18 month celebration and will keep you up to date on all the Seas of Surprises news that will be released by SeaWorld in the upcoming months.

You can also find more information at: http://seaworldparks.com/celebration

SeaWorld’s Official announcement

SeaWorld’s 50^th celebration will be a Sea of Surprises.

Eighteen-month celebration kicks off on March 21, 2014 at all three SeaWorld parks

 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announces a multi-park celebration to commemorate a key event in the company’s history. The original SeaWorld park opened its gates for the first time in March 1964 on Mission Bay in San Diego.

SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration will feature a Sea of Surprises™ starting March 21, 2014. SeaWorld parks in San Diego, Orlando and San Antonio will share the excitement throughout an 18-month celebration that highlights some of the most memorable SeaWorld experiences. 

For nearly five decades, SeaWorld has surprised and amazed guests with unique entertainment, thrilling rides and up-close encounters with marine animals. During SeaWorld’s 50^th Celebration visitors will be invited to take part in the celebration through new interactive experiences, shows and pathway performances, even more up-close animal encounters throughout the park and the SeaWorld “Surprise Squad” treating guests with prizes every day.

Just a few weeks ago, SeaWorld Orlando opened Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin™, an all-new realm that combines 30-degree temperatures, upclose encounters with more than 250 penguins and an all-family adventure ride to create the coldest theme park attraction in Orlando and a thrilling, chilling experience of a lifetime.   

SeaWorld Orlando will continue to make news later this year when the park announces what’s new for 2014.  Details will be shared this fall.

SeaWorld’s 50^th Celebration Sea of Surprises™ Highlights

• SeaWorld San Diego will celebrate 50 years with a new interactive entrance plaza. The area will be called Explorer’s Reef™ and will open in March for the celebration kick-off. The 16-month construction project will transform the existing front gate area through sculptural and design elements inspired by waves crashing over a reef, as well as up-close encounters with marine life. The new front gate concept will replace existing ticket booths with a beach-themed, concierge-style ticketing area that will provide guests with a single location to purchase admission, as well as sign up for tours, animal interactions and dining experiences.

From the moment they enter the park, guests can connect with the sea through multiple touch pools featuring shark pups, stingrays and cleaner fish. Explorer’s Reef encompasses more than three acres, including new and innovative retail and culinary opportunities for guests. The multi-million dollar renovation effort will not only make entering the park faster and more efficient, but will significantly enhance the arrival experience.

• As part of SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration, there will be more surprise encounters with animal ambassadors throughout the day. A pair of Magellanic penguins, a lemur, or even a parade of flamingos could surprise guests at any moment at all three SeaWorld locations.

• What’s a celebration without surprises? The SeaWorld “Surprise Squad” will roam the SeaWorld parks giving away prizes and special gifts. Guests could receive exclusive access to rides or behind-the-scenes experiences, celebration t-shirts or Shamu-themed merchandise, reserved show seating and more.

• SeaWorld is known for amazing animal shows and each park will have something new for the 50^th celebration. Even park pathways will come to life with spontaneous entertainment at unexpected moments, including performers with sea-inspired costumes and props, a bubble brigade and splash mob.

• To underscore SeaWorld’s commitment to the environment and passion for protecting the ocean, a series of giant sea life sculptures will be displayed throughout the parks. SeaWorld commissioned environmental art group Washed Ashore for the large-scale art created from ocean debris. The works serve as a reminder that our animal friends need healthy environments.

• As part of its continuing commitment to new technology that enhances the guest experience, SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration will include new ways for fans to connect to the parks and each other though digital devices. The parks will be launching a variety of enhancements, from interactive apps that provide fun new ways to experience the park to new games and video content.

Photo of the week: King Penguins at SeaWorld Orlando’s Antarctica

King Penguins at SeaWorld Orlando’s Antarctica
Instead of building a nest, King Penguins incubate their eggs and chicks on top of their warm feet. You can tell them apart by the unique coloration.

SeaWorld Orlando’s “Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin” is now open

SeaWorld Orlando returned three Sea Turtles to Canaveral National Seashore

Three sea turtles — two Kemps Ridley and one loggerhead — were returned to Canaveral National Seashore in Titusville, Fla. after rehabilitating at SeaWorld Orlando for several months.

The Kemps Ridley turtles were brought to SeaWorld Orlando on December 23, 2012 by U.S. Coast Guard Airplane, after being rescued just off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass., due to symptoms they suffered from cold stress. The loggerhead sea turtle was rescued on February 22, 2013 after being found floating in the Port Canaveral Channel emaciated and showing signs of damage to its flippers and neck. Each turtle’s health was evaluated upon arrival at the park by SeaWorld animal experts.

After being medically cleared for today’s return, the park’s Animal Rescue Team transported the turtles to Canaveral National Seashore.

Prior to their return this morning, the Kemps Ridley sea turtles measured approximately 12 inches in length and weigh about 10 pounds; the loggerhead sea turtle measured 28 inches in length and weighed 98 pounds.

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 to the waters. SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 22,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than four decades. So far this year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 39 turtles and returned 31.

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

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 .