SUMMER AT SEAWORLD ROCKS … DAY OR NIGHT

This summer at SeaWorld, the nights are cooler and the atmosphere is hotter! SeaWorld AfterDark transforms daytime favorites into nighttime spectacles.

SeaWorld AfterDark showcases the park in a whole new light, with a nighttime rock n' roll extravaganza, a high-energy Shamu show, a hilarious sea lion show and a mystifying fireworks finale. That's in addition to being able to experience all that's awesome day and night, like Manta, up-close animal encounters and spectacular shows. SeaWorld AfterDark begins May 29 and continues through August 15.

Whether day or night, SeaWorld is the place to be this summer for a one-of-a-kind experience, including:

MANTA

Experience what it’s like to spin, glide, skim and fly with the largest of rays when riding Manta – by moonlight, an even more extraordinary sensation. A seamless blend of up-close animal encounters with a head-first, face-down flying roller coaster thrill ride, Manta is an adventure only SeaWorld could create.

SHAMU ROCKS

Shamu Rocks is a spectacular rock ’n roll killer whale show that wows audiences of all ages. This show is a high-energy concert of unprecedented proportions, combining awe-inspiring killer whales with a stunning light show and music from some of the hottest rock stars in the industry.

SEA LIONS TONITE
SeaWorld’s popular sea lion comedic duo takes the laughs into the night. Hilarious hijinks ensue in this evening show as the park’s talented sea lions, otters and walrus parody other favorite SeaWorld shows and attractions.

REFLECTIONS: FIREWORKS AND FOUNTAIN SHOW FINALE

SeaWorld comes to life in a spectacular celebration of soaring fountains and dazzling fireworks. Through the thrilling and inspirational music of SeaWorld’s most popular shows, families and friends will experience a wondrous connection that lights the night like never before.

Tickets are available at http://www.kgstickets.com/ or by calling 321 939 2057

Jack Hanna Weekend - SeaWorld

SeaWorld welcomes celebrity animal expert Jack Hanna for an Earth Day celebration. "Jungle Jack" - recognized for his deep knowledge of and boundless enthusiasm for wild animals and wildlife conservation - introduces guests to exotic and endangered animals in his own unique way during special shows and exclusive up-close encounters.

Jack Hanna Weekend at SeaWorld is April 16-18, 2010.

Get your tickets at: http://bit.ly/11uQsb

Makahiki Christmas Luau at SeaWorld

As the sun sets over the harbor, the Seafire Inn celebrates the Christmas season Hawaiian style with the Makahiki Christmas Luau.  Enjoy the festive celebration of authentic Christmas music, costumes and dances, including a special rendition of "O' Holy Night." The excitement is non-stop in this festive and fiery show that celebrates man's co-existence with the earth and sea.

The celebration takes place every evening at 6:00 pm and on select dates we are offering a second showing at 8:30 pm.  These dates will be:

December 6-7

December 13

December 20

December 31

To purchase your tickets for SeaWorld and other great attractions please go to: www.kgstickets.com

Source: SeaWorld Orlando

Posted by: Michael Crandell

Ask Shamu!

Why is Shamu black and white?

The coloration of killer whales may enhance their ability to hunt. Killer whales are counter-shaded; they are dark on their dorsal surface andwhite on their ventral surface. The dark side blends in with the murky ocean depths when viewed from above. The light ventral side blends in with the lightersurface of the sea when seen from below. The result is that prey have a difficult time seeing a contrast between the counter-shaded killer whale and the environment.

In addition, killer whales have disruptive coloration, a camouflage in which the color pattern of an animal contradicts the animal's body shape. In the flickering, filtered sunlight of the sea, other animals may not recognize a killer whale as a potential threat.

You can purchase tickets to visit Shamu and friends at SeaWorld by going to www.kgstickets.com

Source: SeaWorld

Posted by: Michael Crandell

SeaWorld Orlando Announces New Mega-Attraction Coming In 2009 - Manta, Ride The Flying Ray

ORLANDO Fla. (May 29, 2008) -- SeaWorld Orlando announced today the next generation of SeaWorld thrills with Manta -- a new mega-attraction which will seamlessly transition guests from the awe of encountering rays in underwater flight… into the sensation of actually being one. Swooping over sea and sky, Manta will inspire riders with amazing underwater animal habitats, then soar them face-down, in a horizontal position, aboard a manta-inspired flying coaster. Manta opens summer 2009.
The Manta flying coaster will create a new level of immersion into the animal world -- in a way only SeaWorld can do -- enveloping riders in a sensation of oneness with the ocean’s most powerful and graceful creature as they soar, dive and plummet through the air.. and at times within inches of the sea.
The journey begins the second guests enter a mythical village filled with artisan-created engravings and artwork that celebrate ray legend and lore. No ordinary queue line – the attraction starts with the first step inside. Anticipation builds as guests wind through caverns adorned with ray-inspired art in marble, jewels, and mosaics, all hand-created and left behind by artists who were moved to pay tribute to the beauty, grace and intrigue of these animals.
Whether guests choose to ride or not, the attraction is a world unto itself. Floor-to-ceiling windows create mesmerizing face-to-fin encounters with 300 rays, as well as thousands of fish and mysterious creatures native to oceans all over the world. Shark rays, spotted eagles rays, leopard rays, cownose rays, and oscillate river rays float past guests with fluidity and grace in a view new to SeaWorld. Enhancing the feeling of awe, elaborate lighting, sound and rushing waterfalls further submerge guests into this underwater universe.
The experience then evolves from seeing ... to being.
Inspired by the underwater flight of these powerful creatures, guests will fly face-down, in a horizontal position, underneath the belly of a coaster train shaped as a giant manta. With a wing span of 12 feet, the giant manta will soar over sea and sky in the most graceful flying coaster ever created.
Gliding, swooping and diving up to nearly 60 mph, through four inversions on 3,359 feet of track, riders will feel as if they are a ray, taking flight effortlessly from sky to sea -- so close at times that the Manta’s wings skim the waves.
“This ride is uniquely SeaWorld,” said Dan Brown, Vice President and General Manager of SeaWorld Orlando. “SeaWorld is famous for connecting guests with the sea and its amazing creatures, and Manta does this in a way that has never been done before, creating a true sense of oneness between human and animal.
“The sensation of Manta also will be like none other in the world – guests will be inspired by the grace and power of live rays, then feel as if they, themselves, are gliding through air and water,” said Joseph Couceiro, Chief Marketing Officer for SeaWorld’s parent company, Busch Entertainment Corporation. “No one but SeaWorld can unite thrills and ocean animals into such a unique experience.”
The 7-acre, 140-ft tall attraction will be located inside the main entrance to SeaWorld, and become an icon in the park with its unique design. Towering over SeaWorld’s 200-acres, the manta-themed coaster – cloaked in hues of dark purple, ultramarine blue, and cobalt – will lure guests into the world of the mysterious ray.
SeaWorld is working with the renowned Swiss coaster design company, Bolliger & Mabillard for the design of Manta.

Source: http://www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?PageID=44