A Special night at Sea World Orlando

[DLMAGICDARREN]

Today was quite the hisotorical day to be at Sea World Orlando.

Since the park opened in Dec 1973, Bayside Stadium has been entertaining Sea World guests with water ski shows. Starting with Batman themes from the 70's to a more modern version of the show in 1995 themed to Baywatch, the theater has undergone changes, but remained the same overall performance of high quality water skiers and high divers.

The most recent show "Intenestity Games" had it's final performance tonight at 6:15. It was a very sad moment for some performers who have been with the show in various versions for the theater's run.

But progress happens, and plans are in store for Sea World Orlando.

Tonight was the final show in the theater, at least for a while, it was also the last night for the Sky Tower to operate for at least nine months, and also the last night for the seasonal fireworks show (which I saw for the very first time tonight!)

Although there is no formal announcement as of yet, it's been confirrmed from many sources that the reason for the theater's closure is to add a Sea World version of what Disney and Universal have both already done, a shopping distrcict. At about 20 acres the entire area will become Orlando's third shopping district, in a theme park environment, adding to Disney's Downtown Disney, and Universal's Citiwalk. It seems today that's the secret to surviving in the theme park business. Since Discovery Cove is as close to a 2nd park as Sea World Orlando has attemepted, this will be their way to entice visitors to stay after parks clsoing.

I honestly wish I had more personal history with Sea World Oraldno. Having never even visited the park until earlier this year for the first time, I have to say I do enjoy it immensly. It may not beat the Disney parks in my book, but it is a lot of fun to watch the unique shows. Journey to Atlantis and Kracken are excellent attractions.

The most recent baby Shamu was just born at the park last week, being the fifth calf born to its' mother. Until the sex of the calf is determined, it will be referred to as Baby Shamu.

The Shamu experiance has been temporaily adjusted to Baby Shamu Presentations, to allow for baby and mother to continue their bonding period. The show is open, but in a temporary format to allow baby Shamu to bond with mom, get to know its' siblings, and get used to being in a daily show. The Shamu Stadium is not the theater closing, it's located nearby the closing Bayside Stadium.

The Skytower which is located directly across Bayside Stadium is closing to allow for construction of the new district. The Skytower is an additional $3 charge beyond admission, so I'd always just skipped it, but tonight, employees were more then happy to share their acquired tickets with the non employess. I recd many offers, and rode twice at no charge!

Although summer is a fun season to play in the parks, the real excitement comes in fall as non peak season begins, and signs of what's to come for future seasons begin to unfold.

I was very impressed with the "Every Nights the 4th Of July Show", and I wonder what will happen to this show next season, since it also plays at the Bayside Stadium. They have mist screens similar to Fantasmic, and the Clydesale's apper on the mist screen.

Rumors indicate that Bayside Stadium will re-open, but with the conversion of a water ski show stadium to a shopping district, it will reopen hosting concerts, rather then water shows. At least that's what the performers seem to hope, so that the historical stadium may live on!

[!WILDRIDER!]

Holly cow, i dont think i can take this much info all at once. But whats up with all the changes in florida, did they forget they have a little park here in San diego that needs love too???

[DLMAGICDARREN]

San Diego is a very different market, the only real competitors are San Diego Wild Animal Park, and San Diego Zoo. It's pretty much accepeted San Diego has three beautiful, yet one day each experiances, not connected whatsoever.

In Orlando Sea World is the struggling little guy, surrounded by Walt Disney World and Universal, which each have multi parks and a shopping district.

Sea World Orlando is just trying to survive. They do have Discovery Cove, but it's not exactly a 2nd park, but for people to pay what that trip costs, they really do need to make Sea World a 2 day destination as well.

By the way welcome back Wildrider, have not seen you in a while. You still at Knotts?

[!WILDRIDER!]

Hey bud, again...thanks for all the info. Dosent Disneyland, DCA, Magic, and knotts count as a competitor for Sea World SD? I know its about 1-2 hr drive away but they are still in so cal. Would they even allow Sea World to expand in mission bay?

ps....im surprised you remembered me. Naw no more Kah-notts for me. I need more time for my slacker life and a little bit of college.

[DLMAGICDARREN]

Hey buddy, of course I remember you! You always talked about your truck too.

Yes the parks you mention certainly count as competition, but in a different manner. In Orlando, Disney, Universal, and Sea World are all in the same city. And Disney and Universal are also multi park resorts, so that's 7 parks in one city. Universal and Sea World are anly two miles apart off the I-4. Disney is only another 5 or so.

Certainly people drive up from San Diego (Mike and Jen are living proof!), but the further the average guest is, the less often they are likely to visit.

I hear your Sea World is getting some additions, like a copy of the Journey to Atlantis attraction, as well as an updated movie for Pirates. But I don't ever see San Diego adding a version of Downtown Disney, the way Florida's park is.

[!WILDRIDER!]

Well a copy of Atlantis is not enough...i want coasters n coaster n coaster!!!!

Ehhh, I guess Atlantis is cool...it would be nice to ride it rather then watching it on TV.

I just saw Pirates last month...the show was great but I didnt know they wet you so much. Why are they changing the show?

[DLMAGICDARREN]

I can only speculate that the movie's time is up? Just like all old shows retire, such as when they converted Captain EO to Honey I Shrunk The Audience.

The new attraction Haunted Lightshack is replacing Pirates in both California and Texas. Orlando does not have Pirates, (but we have Kracken!)

[!WILDRIDER!]

so you think your mr big man because you have Kracken???? Well you are =(

Haunted Lightshack...what a way to choose a name, I guess Haunted Shack was unusable. Any info about what the show will be about (outside from the basic)