SeaWorld Announces Massive Blue World Project

SeaWorld announced this morning that they are about to undertake a massive project to upgrade their Orca habitats in all of their US parks. It was rumored that a big announcement was coming, but this is something else all together.

The project, which their calling the "Blue World Project, will feature the complete redesign of the killer whale habitats. Starting with their San Diego park, construction will begin in 2015.

These new habitats will effectively double the size of the current ones in use. The expansion means they will hold nearly 10million gallons of water, go to a depth of 50ft from the current 36ft and even include the long discussed "water treadmill" system to allow for a more natural ocean current. The surface area will be almost 1.5 acres and with a length of over 350ft, that's bigger than a football field here folks. In addition to the expansion, which is said to cost in the hundreds of millions range, SeaWorld is also pouring an additional $10 million into research.

“Through up-close and personal encounters, the new environment will transform how visitors experience killer whales,” said Atchison. “Our guests will be able to walk alongside the whales as if they were at the shore, watch them interact at the depths found in the ocean, or a birds-eye view from above.”

Curios where it's going? Well the image to the left shows off the area that the expansion will take up and it looks like quite a few changes will be coming due to it as well.

From the looks of the concept art, viewing areas and other spaces for guests and trainers to interact with the Orcas will be greatly improved as well. Some areas are said to be 40ft tall and promise to give guests a glimpse into the habitat like never before.

Seaworld Parks- Stand for Truth

Seaworld Parks- Stand for Truth.

 For months, Seaworld Parks have been trying to teach the world at large that what they saw in "Blackfish" was nearly all false. Yet people are still wearing blinders and refusing to do their own investigation into the claims the film made.

 Many people stand with Seaworld, including this blog and it's staff. We know the truth, we've done research and some of us have even worked for Seaworld before- we support them.

 Now is your change to "Stand with Seaworld" for Truth.  You can join "The Seaworld Truth Team" online to help support the good works and care the company gives and help dispel the hate, bias and ignorance as well as receive email notices and information about the parks.

 Join Seaworld's Truth Team

**NOTE**

Yes, everyone has an opinion on this matter. This post is NOT the place to spout off about it. Anything that can be taken as an attack, hateful, rude, asinine, juvenile or vulgar will be deleted from the comments with extreme predigested by the staff..and we will enjoy it.

Seaworld Orlando- Shamu Stadium Construction

Construction at Shamu Stadium Nearly Complete.

 Good news for fans of Shamu and Seaworld Orlando, the construction that's been taking place at Shamu Stadium is nearly complete.

 Seaworld said today to the Orlando Sentinel, that testing of the new shows will begin on April 4th and guests are invited to view the training sessions but asks guests to be aware that they likely won't see complete a run-through of the show (it is training after all).  The two shows in question are the popular "One Ocean" as well as a brand new nighttime show called "Shamu's Celebration: Light Up the Night".  The stadium and One Ocean show will completely open to normal operations on April 14th. The new nighttime show will open for "Seaworld's Summer Nights" celebration on June 21st.

 Dine with Shamu will also be returning on April 14th. Season Passholders have a chance to preview the new Dine with Shamu on April 12th and April 13th for a 10% discount with kids eating free.

Park Review- Seaworld San Diego

Park Review- Seaworld San Diego

Day: Wednesday
Date: March 12, 2014
Overall Rating: Very Good
Exhibit Rating: Excellent
Opinion: Beautiful Park.
Staff: Carrie, Kitsune and Alex


  During our "Grand California Tour" we simply had to visit Seaworld San Diego. Not only had we heard it's one of the prettiest of the many Seaworld Parks but also their newest addition, Explorers Reef, was set to open very close to our visit.

History:
  Seaworld San Diego is located in San Diego California, in the Mission Park area. It's about an hour and a half south of Anaheim in the far southern reaches of California. It's far enough out to be separate from other area theme parks but fully stands on it's own as one of the loveliest parks we've had the pleasure of visiting. Seaworld San Diego is the original "SeaWorld" park, founded in 1964 by four UCLA graduates. The park opened originally with only Sealions and Dolphins as their marine mammal attractions, the parks iconic"Shamu" Killer Whales didn't come to the park until 1965. "Shamu" wasn't originally captured for Seaworld but was purchased from a Seattle Aquarium.

  Seaworld later added additional parks in Ohio, Florida and Texas over the coming years. They changed ownership several times over it's 50 year history, the most noted and longest owner being Anheuser-Busch who grew Seaworld into a household name.

  2014 will celebrate Seaworld's 50th Anniversary which will be celebrated in all the current Seaworld parks, called "A Sea of Surprises".

(Keep reading for Full Review)

Photo Review- Seaworld San Diego

 Photo Review of Seaworld San Diego.

WARNING: This post is very photo heavy and many take time to load. All photos can be viewed under the page break.

 A full and complete photo review of our day at Seaworld San Diego, including many photos which we didn't have room for during our full review of the park.

To read our review of Seaworld San Diego, please visit this link:  Park Review- Seaworld San Diego

Seaworld Parks- New Shamu Night Show

Image from Orlando Sentinel

 New Shamu Night Show coming to All Seaworld Parks.

 Today Seaworld Parks announced that in Summer of 2014, they will be launching an all new "Nighttime Shamu Show" to replace the seven year old "Shamu Rocks" show.

 This new orca show works with Seaworlds big "Sea of Surprises" 50th anniversary projects. Along with the new shamu show, the parks will be adding in other fun surprises for visiting guests. Including expanded animal encounters and art installations (made from washed up ocean debris).  Along with this, Seaworld San Diego is getting a new entrance plaza called "Explorers Reef" which will feature touch pools and learning stations.

 None of these moves have been a response to the sad phenomena of "Blackfish" (which isn't getting that Oscar they so wanted- HA!). The parks have reported record earnings and states these anniversary programs have been on the list since they decided to make a project of the event.

Seaworld Orlando- Shamu Show to Close for 3 Month Renovation

 Seaworld Orlando's "Shamu Show" to Close for 3 Month Renovation 

The 5,000 seat 'Shamu Stadium' will be going dark for three months starting early in 2014. 

 Seaworld is closing the main show tank in order to undergo massive renovations. The tank will receive a near coat of paint and sealant as well as replace the massive and thick plexiglass panels which allow audience members to view the animals swimming during the show. 

  'Dine with Shamu' will also be closing during this renovation. Around even 6-10 years Seaworld must do this kind of heavy tank maintenance to maintain all their animal tanks but this will be the frist time since 1984 that the show has had to pause.  Seaworld also states this has nothing to do with safety but is a pure maintenance need, one that must be taken care of without water in the tank.

However, I wouldn't worry. Seaworld has numberous other tanks behind Shamu Stadium, not open to the public which their Orca's will be able to reside in comfortably during this time.

During this three month show closure,  Seaworld will have a special "Shamu Up Close" encounter set up with both above water and below water interaction as well as training demonstrations for guests.

  

All the little things..

All those little things...

It happens to everyone, you stumble upon those smaller articles that while really fun and interesting, just don't dictate an entire blog post. Now it you followed me over on Google+ you'd see a lot of these little random pieces of news that I find, but since I know for a fact most of you DON'T someone pointed out I should do somekind of "Round-Up" type piece.  So "All those little things.." is going to be it! Depending on how busy the month is, I'm going to post up many of the little articles I find and post to places like Google+ and Twitter back here on the blog.

So, we'll begin with July/August! 

Virtual Tours of Kennedy Space Center:

NASA and GoogleMaps have teamed up and brought out a fun little thing for folks, if you can't travel to Kennedy Space Center but have always wanted to see or experience a NASA tour.. then this is the link for you!

Kennedy Space Center, NASA Tour

Fan builds full WALL-E Replica: 

One fan, who has built amazing robots in the past (such as a working R2D2) spent 3,800 hours and completed a fully working and WALL-E Robot!

Fan builds WALL-E Robot

Muppets Take Broadway:

Stitch Kingdom brings us an interesting piece. The Muppets may yet take Manhattan, only this time they may take the Broadway stage in their very own show!

Muppets may Take Broadway

Cutbacks may hurt Country Bears:

Well I can't say I'm pleased with stumbling across this piece. Rumor is having it that with the new Fantasyland we may see cuts to a classic Disney World Show, The Country Bears. They show may suffer cut-backs and the removal of an entire classic scene. 

Cutbacks at Magic Kingdom 

Dine with Shamu Returns:

Seaworld has finally managed to complete some of their massive rehab project in attempt the make not only their animals and trainers safer. This has allowed them to finally re-open their "Dine with Shamu" area and the dinner/show. 

Dine with Shamu Finally Returns 

Before Disney, History Time:

Before Disneyland or Disney World showed up. We had smaller amusement parks spread all across America. Most of them haven't survived the invent of modern theme parks but this little history piece takes a look at one small Kiddieland!

KiddieLand Chicago

Magic Kingdom now offers Wifi:

As if amusement parks where not chaotic enough! Magic Kingdom is now offering free WiFi to their daily guests.

WiFi comes to Magic Kingdom