My Disney Blog

Manta Test Flights at SeaWorld Orlando

Manta, the new coaster set to open on May 22nd at SeaWorld Orlando, recently went through some test runs, and Orlando Attractions Magazine has a great video showing the test run. I can't WAIT to check out this new ride - it should be phenomenal! In fact, if we are able to go to Orlando this year, we will probably head on over to SeaWorld just to check it out (and all the other awesome stuff at SeaWorld, of course!). Hope you enjoy this great video!

More information can be found at Ridetheflyingray.com.

--- Disney Dean

Anyone Want to Buy SeaWorld?

The Orlando Sentinel has a terrific story on the possible sale of Busch Entertainment Corp. assets. Worldwide behemoth Anheuser-Busch InBev is said to be considering a sale of assets that are not in their "core" business. This would likely be the Busch Entertainment parks, possibly including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, and Discovery Cove. The company would like to sell off $7 billion in assets, but is reportedly seeking $4 billion for Anheuser-Busch InBev. So, should we all pitch in and buy the parks from InBev? I'll put in the first $100 if anyone wants to start a collection :) 

I am a bit nervous that InBev could sell to a company that might not know exactly what they're doing. SeaWorld is world-renowned for it's commitment to conservation and education, and it would be a shame to see the park take a hit because of the sale. My mind is going a hundred miles an hour trying to figure out who could potentially take over such assets. It would have to be a company that thoroughly believes in the SeaWorld brand and mission, and has a LOT of money! Hmmmm...

What do you think? Do you think this will be good or bad for SeaWorld and the other A-B InBev parks? I'm nervous, but hopeful that this will be the right thing in the end.

--- Disney Dean

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Letting the Tap Run Dry

The parks of Anheuser Busch/InBev have done a couple of surprising things over the past few days. First, they raised the park admission by 5 dollars - to $74.95 - for one day admission. We have been wanting to visit SeaWorld again on our trip this fall for the Polar Express Experience, but I feel it's getting a bit steep given the economy and the drop in flights to the Orlando airport. The price of one day admission for us (5 people) would run about $375. I think we will still go, though,  because we usually like to go every 3-4 trips and are dying to be there for the Polar Express Experience! Hopefully they will offer some kind of incentives if things remain quieter in Orlando this year.

So, that was surprise number one...

Surprise number two is that Anheuser Busch/InBev have decided to stop offering free beer at their parks, and are shuttering their hospitality centers! I really didn't think I would see the day that they did this, but after reading an article in the Orlando Sentinel, it makes sense considering they may put the parks up for sale. I still don't like it, though! Analysts believe it is a move to make the parks easier to sell. By taking a hit on bad publicity and unhappy customers now, it will be easier for a potential new owner to take over, without having to make the change right away of closing the hospitality centers. They would be able to move in without having to take the publicity hit.  

The Hospitality Center at SeaWorld Orlando will close February 1st, 2009, with a restaurant slated to take it's place. The SeaWorld Orlando center opened March 1, 1992, three years after Anheuser-Busch bought the park, but the tradition was started 50 years ago at Busch Gardens in Tampa.

To read the great article concerning the shuttering of the Anheuser-Busch Hospitality Centers, visit the Orlando Sentinel.

So, how do you feel about this? Are you furious? Will you stop visiting the A-B parks, or is it something you will be able to overlook. Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section!

--- Disney Dean

Polar Express SeaWorld 2008

Ever since the Polar Express debuted at SeaWorld Orlando, I've been dying to go to this! I have heard it is really great, but we've never been there during the time when it was going on. It looks like you still have some time to catch this special program, as it runs through January 4th, 2009. 

Here is the information provided by SeaWorld:

Jump aboard The Polar Express Experience when it rolls into SeaWorld this holiday season beginning Nov. 14, 2008 and continuing through Jan. 4, 2009. SeaWorld’s Wild Arctic transforms into the fabled Santa Town taking guests on a magical trip to the North Pole.

The Polar Express Experience is based on the Warner Bros. Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment film, inspired by the beloved Caldecott Medal-winning children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. The Polar Express Experience is a heart-warming journey, where families share in the excitement and wonder of a truly unforgettable train ride. This enchanting experience will surround guests with the true spirit of the season through laughs, exciting thrills and special animal encounters.

The adventure unfolds on a Christmas Eve night with a young boy lying awake, eagerly listening for the sound of Santa’s ringing sleigh bells. As the boy gazes out his frosted bedroom window, a soft mist appears and just in that very moment, a roaring black train rumbles to a halt in front of the boy’s house. Filled with excitement and awe, the boy races out his front door, dashes across the freshly fallen snow and climbs aboard The Polar Express.

As the train’s whistle blows, guests embark on the same adventure as they board The Polar Express Experience to the North Pole. Classic scenes from the movie are recreated in a multi-sensory experience immersing passengers in special lighting, scent, sound and motion effects. Upon arrival guests find themselves within a winter wonderland surrounded by holiday cheer, graceful beluga whales, powerful polar bears and giant walruses. They will delight in the smell of Christmas cookies filling the air and bright lights glistening on a festive towering tree as families greet Santa and share in a magical moment.

Across the way, just as the winter air cools and the evening stars appear, families can join Shamu for a magnificent holiday show: “Shamu Christmas … Miracles.” This very special showing runs nightly beginning Nov. 12 and continues through Dec. 30, 2008. Shamu Stadium will illuminate with bright lights and glowing candles as Christmas carols adored and Shamu splashes to celebrate the holiday season.

Dazzling families for the holidays this year at SeaWorld’s Bayside Stadium is the Orlando Philharmonic. Beginning Dec. 26 through Dec. 30, jovial scores from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, “The Polar Express” will fill the air. After the concert, a splendid array of fireworks will paint the night sky.
While strolling around SeaWorld’s lake or through The Waterfront’s holiday-themed array of gift shops and restaurants, families can wander along a winter scene as glistening snow flurries fill the air and spectacular fountains dance to the merry musical sounds of Christmas.

Igniting the spirit of the season is the “Makahiki Christmas Luau,” a South Seas-style festive celebration including succulent island cuisine keeping with the ancient holiday traditions of the Pacific Islands. Joyful songs of the season are reinterpreted with Polynesian rhythms, music and dance during this festive holiday celebration. “Makahiki Christmas Luau” begins Nov. 12, 2008 and continues through Jan. 4, 2009 (except Dec. 25). Park admission is not required. Prices are $46.00 plus tax for adults and $29.00 plus tax for children (ages 3-9)

Families can ring in the New Year at SeaWorld on Dec. 31 with a musical extravaganza including the best in pop, Latin and swing music. At the stroke of midnight, the evening sky will shine even brighter with a vibrant fireworks show to celebrate the festivities.

For Guest information, call 1 (888) 800-5447 or visit SeaWorld.com.

Graphics are courtesy of SeaWorld Orlando.

--- Disney Dean

Hydrogen Shuttles at Sea World Orlando

SeaWorld continues to lead the theme park industry along the road of environmental responsibility with the addition of two new hydrogen-fueled shuttles.  SeaWorld is working with Ford Motor Company, Chevron Technology Ventures, Progress Energy and the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Energy Office as part of a pilot program working to determine the efficiency and application of hydrogen-fueled vehicles. 

“We are honored to be part of this innovative pilot program and have a role in the effort to find alternative fuel sources,” said Dan Brown, SeaWorld’s executive vice president and general manager.  “Conservation has always been part of SeaWorld’s DNA and this is one of the many initiatives we are committed to as a company.”

These Ford E-450 shuttles are powered by internal combustion V-10 engines that are modified to run on hydrogen, rather than gasoline. Compared with today's gasoline engines, these deliver up to 99.7 percent reduction in C02 emissions and include many of the benefits of a hydrogen fuel cell, but at a fraction of the cost.

“These buses represent part of Ford Motor Company’s strategy to deliver transportation solutions that emit less CO 2 and reduce our dependence on oil,” said Sue Cischke, Ford senior vice president. Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “We are pleased to partner with SeaWorld to place these buses into service so that visitors will be able to experience this unique form of clean transportation.”

SeaWorld will use the buses on a daily basis for the next two years, shuttling employees between SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica.

To help increase the knowledge about hydrogen-fueled vehicles and their impact on the environment, each morning SeaWorld will record the amount of miles and the amount of hydrogen fuel that was used the previous day and compare those figures to the gasoline-fueled buses.  This data will be submitted to Ford and Chevron Technology Ventures for their review and measurement. 

Ford is delivering 30 buses to customers across North America as part of a test fleet. The first vehicles for the U.S. were delivered in May 2007 to the Greater Orlando Airport Authority (GOAA) and the Orlando Convention Central District.

For more information on SeaWorld Orlando’s conservation efforts including coastal clean-ups, animal rescue programs and restoration of habitat loss, visit swbg-conservationfund.org.

Bud and BBQ at Sea World and Busch Gardens

Well, I'm not the biggest country music fan, but if you are - this sounds like a great thing! Hard to beat some good ole' country music, barbeque and ice-cold beer, right?

Country music, classic rock and good cookin’ come together during Bud & BBQ, Feb. 16 – March 9 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld Orlando. For the first time, Central Florida’s sizzling music and barbecue festival rocks all the way to Tampa Bay with eight days of live music, savory barbeque, ice-cold Anheuser-Busch products and a heaping helping of thrilling rides and attractions.

Two separate line-ups feature country’s hottest stars and classic rock bands that will have fans on their feet. Barbecue lovers will want to bring their appetites for Bud & BBQ’s succulent menu, featuring Budweiser-inspired dishes like Budweiser Pork Rib Tomahawks, Bud Light chili pepper baby back ribs, Michelob Ultra Amber Bock chili and Pulled Chicken with Amber Bock sauce.

At Busch Gardens, Bud & BBQ kicks off Sunday, Feb. 17 with Sara Evans, the Academy of Country Music’s top female vocalist of 2006. On Feb. 24, Styx performs such hits as “Come Sail Away” and “Mr. Roboto” in Gwazi Park. The series wraps up with Billboard country chart-topper Clay Walker on March 2 and platinum-selling artist Gary Allan on March 9.

At SeaWorld, Saturdays rock Bayside Stadium with Trisha Yearwood, plus opening act Lori McKenna, on Feb. 16, Creedence Clearwater Revisited on Feb. 23, Craig Morgan & Pat Green on March 1 and Joe Nichols & Jason Michael Carroll on March 8.

Show times are 4 p.m. Saturdays at SeaWorld’s Bayside Stadium and 4 p.m. Sundays at Busch Gardens’ Gwazi Park. Concert dates and artists are subject to change.

Bud & BBQ is included with regular park admission, Fun Card or any valid Passport membership. For more information, call 1-888-800-5447 or log onto www.BudandBBQ.com

--- Disney Dean

SeaWorld Dolphins are Bubblicious

I received this press release from SeaWorld Orlando a few days ago, and thought it was SO interesting. Sea World is a wonderful place to spend the day, and I am looking forward to going again in August. Should be good and hot for this northern Minnesotan - and I may just end up jumping in with the dolphins :) You absolutely have to see this video of the dolphins creating bubbles and playing with them - it may be enough to get you over to SeaWorld Orlando!

--- Disney Dean

If you think the best requirement for creating a great bubble is a piece of gum… SeaWorld Orlando’s dolphins are about to burst your bubble.  Young dolphins at SeaWorld have taken bubble-making to the extreme. Two young juveniles have been observed creating underwater bubbles with their blowhole, then using their rostrum to manipulate and play with the bubbles – spinning them, making them smaller and larger, swimming through them and popping them. This is a phenomenon that has intrigued scientists watching dolphins in the wild and now is fascinating millions of guests at SeaWorld Orlando.

Sea World Polar Express

An exciting new attraction has just opened at SeaWorld Orlando. The new holiday attraction, The Polar Express Experience is based on the 2004 animated movie The Polar Express with Tom Hanks. The Orlando Sentinel reports that hundreds of theme-park visitors were in line for the ride, which is a temporary overlay of SeaWorld's Wild Arctic. The Sentinel reports that the building received minor changes to reflect the new railway theme, complete with new signs and banners. 

I am a fan of Wild Arctic, so I'm sure I would enjoy The SeaWorld Polar Express Experience. Won't get to see it this year, as I won't be back to Orlando until 2008, but hopefully next year I can see it if they run the same them attraction in 2008.

Be sure to check out the video on this page at the Sentinel

Would love to know your thoughts on the Polar Express Experience! Did you just get back? Post some information in the comments section, if you would.

--- Disney Dean