SeaWorld Celebrates 50 Years with a #SeaofSurprises

We were invited as media to cover this event. No additional compensation was received. All opinions are my own. SeaWorld Celebrates 50 Years with an eighteen month celebration – beginning today! The first SeaWorld park (San Diego) opened March 1964, while SeaWorld Orlando opened 9 years later in 1973. Upon arriving into SeaWorld Orlando theme park, you will notice a new wall detailing the timeline of SeaWorld’s 50 years. Be sure to stop by and experience the journey. SeaWorld’s 50^th Celebration features a Sea of Surprises™ highlighting the most memorable SeaWorld experiences in San Diego, Orlando and San Antonio. “For nearly five decades, SeaWorld has surprised and amazed guests with unique entertainment, thrilling rides and up-close encounters with animals.” This morning’s presentation kicked off the celebration with Park President Terry Prather, who took time to thank all the dedicated staff, sponsors, and park guests. He also shared details about exciting highlights we can expect during the eighteen month-long celebration. To showcase SeaWorld’s commitment to the environment and passion for protecting the ocean, four giant sea life sculptures will be displayed at the SEA Garden. SeaWorld commissioned environmental art group The Washed Ashore Project for a collection of larger-than-life sea-themed sculptures – many weighing more than half a ton. The material used to create these pieces comes from the billions of pounds of garbage – mostly plastics – that wind up in our oceans. These amazing works of art point to the urgent need to protect marine animals from such dangers and preserve their ocean habitats. On display at SeaWorld Orlando are a parrot fish, sea horse, sea anemone reef and octopus. Just look at how beautifully the artwork turned out! Their octopus art looks eerily similar to their in-house octopus located near Manta rollercoaster.  I just love all the detail put into these pieces, and what’s more amazing is that it’s garbage found in our oceans! Park pathways come to life with spontaneous entertainment. “Bubble Blowout” is sure to be a guest favorite with a fantastical vehicle creating bubbles of all sizes and shapes throughout Shamu’s Happy Harbor. Engaging performances with sea-inspired costumes and props will pop up at unexpected moments to surprise guests throughout the day, like “Splash Dance,” near Nautilus Theater. Other #SeaofSurprises highlights include:

• The “SeaWorld® Surprise Squad” will roam SeaWorld Orlando on a daily basis giving away, at  random, prizes and special gifts, including exclusive access to rides, behind-the-scenes experiences, Shamu-themed merchandise, reserved show seating and more.*
• On June 21, a new nighttime Shamu show, “Shamu’s Celebration: Light Up The Night”, debuts.  The high energy show will include new, original music and production elements, as well as new killer whale behaviors. The daytime Shamu show returns from its short hiatus on April 11th.
• SeaWorld guests are often greeted by an animal ambassador, many of whom were orphaned or injured in the wild and given a second chance thanks to the SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team. As part of SeaWorld’s 50^th Celebration, there will be more surprise encounters with animal ambassadors throughout the day.
• As part of its continuing commitment to new technology that enhances the guest experience, SeaWorld’s 50^th 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.

Plus don’t forget to visit SeaWorld Orlando’s latest attraction: Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin.

Special ticket offers for SeaWorld Florida

The best way to experience SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration is with one of the following ticket offers: ·         50% Off Celebration Ticket — Buy one ticket and get 50 percent off another. ·         Celebrate the weekdays with SeaWorld Orlando’s $50 Weekday Ticket. * SeaWorld® Surprise Squad: No purchase or park visit necessary. Open to park visitors and to legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years and older. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends 9/7/15. For Official Rules, how to enter by mail, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit Guest Services or SeaWorld.com/OfficialRules. SeaWorld has saved more than 23,000 animals and continues to educate people from around the globe on how to properly preserve and protect marine life.

SeaWorld Orlando is located at:

7007 Sea World Dr, Orlando, FL 32821

For tickets and information call (888) 800-5447 or visit SeaWorldOrlando.com