Serving the themed entertainment community

Latest News

  • Application Deadline for Design of UK Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai Extended to April 30
  • Water Odyssey introduces new Massive Splash
  • Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi Grand Opening Scheduled for July 25
  • Euro Attractions Show 2018 Set to Host Largest Exhibit Space in Event History
  • Alcorn McBride Equipment Updates Meteor Crater Interactive Discovery Center
  • Cincinnati Zoo Installs DEVA Units for Media Delivery and Environment Sensoring
  • New DNP Firmware Provides Capability to Print 6×6-Inch Square Prints
  • PepsiCo to Showcase Sustainability as Official Beverage and Snack Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Online Issues
    • 2017
      • #69 – Game Changers
      • #68 Going Global: Technology on the International Stage
      • #67 – Experience Design: Many Faces Many Places
      • #66 Theatrical Influence and Convergence
    • 2016
      • #65 IAAPA 2016
      • #64 Waterpark, Zoo & Aquarium 2016
      • #63 Technology 2016
      • #62 International
      • #61 Museums and Expanding Markets
    • 2015
      • #60 – IAAPA 2015
      • #59 – Zoos/Aquaria and Waterparks 2015
      • #58 – Technology 2015
      • #57 – International 2015
      • #56 – Museums 2015
    • 2014
      • #55 – IAAPA 2014 / Tenth Anniversary
      • #54 – Waterparks, Zoos and Aquariums 2014
      • #53 – Technology 2014
      • #52 – International 2014
      • #51 – Museums 2014
    • 2013
      • #46 – Museums 2013
      • #47 – International 2013
      • #48 – Technology 2013
      • #49 – Waterparks 2013
      • #50 – IAAPA 2013
      • 2013 Wrap-Up
    • 2012
      • #45 – IAAPA & WWA Wrap-Up
      • #44 – IAAPA
      • #43 – Waterparks
      • #42 – Technology
      • #41 – International
      • #40 – Museums
  • World markets
    • Asia
    • Europe & Middle East
    • Latin America & Mexico
    • North America
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Resources
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linked
    • Youtube

SeaWorld’s Brian Morrow talks about all the excitement for 2012

Mar 14, 2012 Martin Palicki IPM Interviews, Uncategorized 0


It’s shaping up to be a big year for the family of SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks. Five new rides and attractions are currently being installed across the country:

  • Aquatica: A new themed waterpark adjoining SeaWorld San Antonio (opening May 19th)
  • Verbolten: A multiple launch coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg combining theming and special effects (opening late spring)
  • Turtle Trek: Coming to SeaWorld Orlando, Turtle Trek is an interactive experience combining projection technology with live animals to bring guests into the world of sea turtles (opening April 27)
  • Freshwater Oasis: At Orlando’s Discovery Cove, guests will be able to wade into a freshwater rainforest and come face to face with the animals that inhabit them naturally (opening summer, 2012)
  • Manta: At SeaWorld San Diego, Manta is a roller coaster the mimics the movement of a stingray with two launches and an immersive themed environment (opening May 26)

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Corporate Director, Creative Development, Brian Morrow, gave InPark editor and publisher Martin Palicki this exclusive interview about some of the projects and what new experiences they are bringing to life. 

InPark: Let’s talk about TurtleTrek (SeaWorld Orlando) first. Why did you decide to go with projection for this project?
Brian: We actually started with the story of the legendary journey of the turtle. We knew how impactful seeing sea turtles swim underwater can be to guests, and we wanted to tie the story of their journeys to an experience. Utilizing media content as a story-telling device would allow us to tell the turtle story in a new, immersive experience for our guests. 

InPark: What qualities of this 3D attraction and dome system will be different or better than similar systems already out there?
Brian: The audience experience will be the world’s first and one of a kind. The undersea world will surround the guests, wrapping around, overhead and even below the surface they are standing on. We are able to place the guests in the center of the action, face to face and fin to hand with the sea life. The limits of current 3-D attractions no longer apply to TurtleTrek as this non-traditional attraction is not set up as a theater; it’s really a portal into an undersea world/adventure.

InPark: When designing a new attraction like this, how do you find the balance between entertainment and advocacy?
Brian: Our guests have come to expect that they’ll learn while in our parks and better understand the world they live in. Inspiring guests through the power of entertainment is a perfect first step to get them to care about sea life. From this jumping off point we can share information on how they, too, can make a difference. We humans have an inherent desire to do good. Our attractions empower, inspire and give guests the tools to do just that. But we start with providing an entertaining and exciting attraction…that is the first step of the process.

InPark: Is there a “magic mix” for the SeaWorld parks between thrill rides, family rides, and shows? How do you find that?
Brian: We call it product mix, which might not be a very exciting phrase, but it is a key factor of decision. We pay close attention to what our guests tell us and what they expect of us. This drives the product mix within each individual park. It can vary, even between the three SeaWorld’s.

InPark: With big name projects in the works from Disney and Universal, how do you see SeaWorld Orlando fitting into the Orlando park market going forward?
Brian: Connecting our guests with the natural world will always remain our goal. Nature provides an endless list of amazing stories to tell, and we plan on sharing them with our guests in new, amazing and completely original ways. TurtleTrek is a great example of what SeaWorld does best, connecting guests with nature through the power of entertainment.

InPark: How about Freshwater Oasis at Discovery Cove. Where did this idea come from?
Brian: The idea comes straight from nature herself as rain will often fill the forest floor with fresh water. Walking through a jungle and discovering animals is a great experience but wading through those same trails in the jungle is even better! Freshwater Oasis is a tropical forest filled with fresh water and now guests can explore this world by wading and walking through the forest and discovering animals — new animals – marmosets (monkeys) and otters. Who doesn’t want to do that? 

InPark: What sort of theming and technology is involved in this project?  
Brian: Freshwater Oasis will mimic various waterways found in rich dense forests around the globe. The theming of the experience matches those environments down to the bark on trees, plants selected and layers of sediment that can be found along a forest river. There is a Cenote, water-filled canyon and what we call a living tunnel for guests to explore.

InPark: How do you keep the humans safe from the animals and the animals safe from the humans?  
Brian: This is one of our areas of greatest expertise and Freshwater Oasis has two animal habitats that have never been done in the world. The Asian River otters are safely behind acrylic so as guests are wading by the otters are only inches away. The marmosets can be found by guests peeking through the landscape and swimming right up to the lush tropical habitat with no barrier between them and these great little animals.

InPark: Any update on when Freshwater Oasis will open? 

Brian: We’re shooting for late spring, but we don’t have an official date yet.

InPark: With Manta at San Diego, how did you select your ride manufacturer?
Brian: Manta at SeaWorld San Diego is a launching family thrill attraction with a strong storyline. We actually script our rides first and develop the experience we want. This information is shared with various coaster manufacturers, and we select from there whom our partner for the project will be.


InPark: What differences can riders expect from the Orlando version?
Brian: First and most obvious is the rider position. You won’t be suspended under the manta like Orlando but flying alongside the manta exploring his world. Another major difference is the indoor portion of the attraction in San Diego. Riders will enter the worlds first 270-degree tube theater while riding the coaster. Once onboard, riders will enter the undersea world of the manta, and the coaster will behave like a simulator moving in sync with the media content, then launch alongside the manta and other rays to explore their world on a multi-launch coaster experience.

InPark: Speaking of Orlando comparisons, how will Aquatica Texas differ from the Orlando park?
Brian: The main difference will be the signature attraction which in San Antonio will be a family raft ride called StingRay falls which guests will slip and slide as a family down the falls then splash into a river and float under the ray habitiat. Guests will also have a chance to feed the rays and even wade in with the rays. The Aquatica characters will all be at the new park in Texas plus plenty of space to set up home base on the sand beaches, lots of pools to relax in and plenty of cabanas. There is also family thrill ride at Texas which is a zero gravity wall raft ride.

  
InPark: Anything new planned for Aquatica Orlando?
Brian: Not as of yet. We introduced Omaka Rocka not too long ago, and that has been very popular with our guests. Remember, Aquatica is only four years old so nothing in the pipeline for now but we’ll let you know if that changes.

InPark: Finally, let’s talk about Verbolten at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. This ride is replacing a much beloved attraction known at The Big Bad Wolf. How are decisions made on which rides to remove?



Brian: Age and appeal play great roles in that decision. The Big Bad Wolf had great appeal but it was a historic Arrow coaster and it was time to reinvent the attraction on that site. Verbolten is a major attraction investment for us and will provide guests the chance to “Brave the Black Forest.”

InPark: Which comes first, the ride concept? Or the ride location?
Brian: Story and experience always comes first. We typically have to know an area of the park that we are considering as this greatly influences the story narrative. Our attractions are all originally created equities so we don’t have limitations on existing creative. This allows us to develop the best experience at the best location at any of our parks. The ride gear always comes after story; the creative team will script a ride experience to support major story beats then our ride team assists in figuring out the appropriate gear to support the experience.

InPark: Why did you decide to follow a similar track path to the ending of the ride over the river?
Brian: Paying homage to the Big Bad Wolf was mandatory in the ride script. That final drop is a signature move for Busch Gardens Virgina and our guests love it. You will always notice our coasters have what we call the “Icon Moment” and at Verbolten crashing through an old wooden bridge and dropping down to the river is our Icon Moment- every guest will take a photo of it. Entertaining our non-riders is equally as important and Icon Moments assist in that effort.

InPark: What sort of theming will be involved in Verbolten? 

Brian: Verbolten is a story driven coaster experience. We developed two characters named Gerta and Gunter that are established in the queue and pre-show experiences. They are a brother and sister team that operate the visitor center and car rental agency. The guests will be encouraged to take a tour of the German countryside in a rental car but they must stay out of the Black Forest as it is Verbolten. We are providing the most detailed and story- driven queue in this park, a very unique coaster vehicle, and interior show experience in which guests must escape the black forest and North America’s first Free Fall drop on a coaster. Then there’s a second launch to the largest scenic element we have constructed — a broken old wood bridge 120-feet above the river – that the coaster comes crashing through diving down to the river below.

InPark: Of everything opening in your parks in 2012, what are you personally most excited about? 

Brian: We have five new major attractions opening this year. Each of them are ground breaking and original, picking one is impossible…you’ll have to go ride them all and make your own choice!


View the Sea World / Busch Gardens article archive on IPM.

Share this:

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Google
  • Email
  • Pinterest

  • tweet
Related articles
  • Application Deadline for Design of UK Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai Extended to April 30
    Application Deadline for Design of UK...

    0

  • Water Odyssey introduces new Massive Splash
    Water Odyssey introduces new Massive...

    0

  • Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi Grand Opening Scheduled for July 25
    Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi Grand...

    0

  • Euro Attractions Show 2018 Set to Host Largest Exhibit Space in Event History
    Euro Attractions Show 2018 Set to Host...

    0

More in this category
  • Miziker Entertainment wows industry audience as producer of  24th Annual TEA Thea Awards Gala at Disneyland Resort
    Miziker Entertainment wows industry...

    Apr 12, 2018 0

  • Loren Barrows: Alcorn’s New COO
    Loren Barrows: Alcorn’s New COO

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • PGAV Destinations & zoOceanarium: Gateway to the ocean
    PGAV Destinations & zoOceanarium:...

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • World expo update: 170 countries sign up for Dubai 2020, France drops bid to host Expo 2025, and more from James Ogul
    World expo update: 170 countries sign...

    Mar 12, 2018 0


Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.




WhiteWater West

Current Issue

  • #72 – Dubai/Museums
    #72 – Dubai/Museums

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • Issue 72 Editorials
    Issue 72 Editorials

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • JRA: Exhibiting signs of laughter
    JRA: Exhibiting signs of laughter

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • Dynamic Motion Rides: Flying for all
    Dynamic Motion Rides: Flying for all

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • Liberty Science Center: To the stars
    Liberty Science Center: To the stars

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • Dubai Expo 2020: Sustainability, mobility and opportunity
    Dubai Expo 2020: Sustainability, mobility and opportunity

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • Dubai 2020: The Expo
    Dubai 2020: The Expo

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • Dubai 2020: The tourist destination
    Dubai 2020: The tourist destination

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • Talking about transformation
    Talking about transformation

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • Loren Barrows: Alcorn’s New COO
    Loren Barrows: Alcorn’s New COO

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • Universal Parks & Resorts: Big names in Beijing
    Universal Parks & Resorts: Big names in Beijing

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • PGAV Destinations & zoOceanarium: Gateway to the ocean
    PGAV Destinations & zoOceanarium: Gateway to the ocean

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • Alcorn McBride: Tech talk
    Alcorn McBride: Tech talk

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • WhiteWater: Of Epic Proportions
    WhiteWater: Of Epic Proportions

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • Experiencias Xcaret Group: Xenses and sensibilities
    Experiencias Xcaret Group: Xenses and sensibilities

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • Taylor Jeffs on Goddard Group name change
    Taylor Jeffs on Goddard Group name change

    Mar 03, 2018 0

  • Anthony Esparza talks about his transition from SeaWorld
    Anthony Esparza talks about his transition from SeaWorld

    Mar 02, 2018 0

IPM Interviews

  • Loren Barrows: Alcorn’s New COO
    Loren Barrows: Alcorn’s New COO

    Apr 04, 2018 0

    An eight-year team member of Alcorn McBride, Barrows...
  • PGAV Destinations & zoOceanarium: Gateway to the ocean
    PGAV Destinations & zoOceanarium: Gateway to the ocean

    Apr 04, 2018 0

    Projected opening for the new aquarium is 2019. The annual...
  • Taylor Jeffs on Goddard Group name change
    Taylor Jeffs on Goddard Group name change

    Mar 03, 2018 0

    Taylor Jeffs speaks to InPark about The Goddard Group's...
  • Anthony Esparza talks about his transition from SeaWorld
    Anthony Esparza talks about his transition from SeaWorld

    Mar 02, 2018 0

    "I brought a creative spirit that connected people, and an...
  • Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure Show: DEAL Makers
    Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure Show: DEAL

    Feb 14, 2018 0

    In April 2018, the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and...
  • PGAV: The Power of “We”
    PGAV: The Power of “We”

    Feb 13, 2018 0

    Team culture is basic to the company culture of PGAV...
  • Efteling: Magic Castle
    Efteling: Magic Castle

    Feb 13, 2018 0

    "What the fantasy does to its surroundings and what it does...
  • Joe Fox: Everyday Joe
    Joe Fox: Everyday Joe

    Feb 13, 2018 0

    Joe Fox has been a familiar face behind the scenes at TEA...
  • MOTIONGATE Dubai: Dreams in motion
    MOTIONGATE Dubai: Dreams in motion

    Feb 13, 2018 0

    The DreamWorks zone lets guests choose between four highly...
  • TEA Summit: Lessons of collaboration
    TEA Summit: Lessons of collaboration

    Feb 13, 2018 0

    We asked each of the conference chairs to share a taste of...
  • JRA’s Clara Rice on the company’s 30th anniversary
    JRA’s Clara Rice on the company’s 30th...

    Dec 04, 2017 0

    JRA Director of Communications Clara Rice speaks about the...
  • Leader of the pack: IAAPA
    Leader of the pack: IAAPA

    Nov 06, 2017 0

    "I – quite frankly – want to make a difference and give...
  • Recipe for a dark ride: Jora Vision
    Recipe for a dark ride: Jora Vision

    Nov 06, 2017 0

    Today, designing and building dark rides has become one of...
  • Year of the Dog: Peanuts and Cedar Fair
    Year of the Dog: Peanuts and Cedar Fair

    Oct 24, 2017 0

    As a family-friendly IP, Peanuts offers just about...
  • PIXOMONDO’s David Garber on The 5 Spot
    PIXOMONDO’s David Garber on The 5 Spot

    Sep 05, 2017 0

    InPark speaks with PIXOMONDO's David Garber on specialty...
  • Uniquely European
    Uniquely European

    Aug 27, 2017 0

    The close relationship between vendor and client has helped...
  • Dubai Parks and Resorts: Operationally speaking
    Dubai Parks and Resorts: Operationally speaking

    Aug 27, 2017 0

    "We partnered with leading studios to create a unique...
  • IAAPA rolls out welcome mat in Berlin
    IAAPA rolls out welcome mat in Berlin

    Aug 09, 2017 0

    InPark speaks with Karen Staley, IAAPA Senior Vice...
  • The Integration of Things: InPark goes to InfoComm
    The Integration of Things: InPark goes to InfoComm

    Jul 31, 2017 0

    We put on our themed entertainment goggles and plunged into...
  • IAAPA leadership speaks out during AAE 2017
    IAAPA leadership speaks out during AAE 2017

    Jun 28, 2017 0

    PHOTO: June Ko, Paul Noland, and Wuthichai Luangamornlert...
  • IPM EXCLUSIVE: Interview with AECOM’s Brian Sands and Chris Yoshii on the 2016 Theme Index
    IPM EXCLUSIVE: Interview with AECOM’s Brian Sands and...

    Jun 12, 2017 0

    Ultimately, for a park to be successful, it must analyze...
  • Vekoma: Heavy Metal
    Vekoma: Heavy Metal

    May 30, 2017 0

    "There will always be parks that want to aim for records,...
  • Six Flags: Behind the headsets
    Six Flags: Behind the headsets

    May 30, 2017 0

    Last year, Six Flags began redefining the coaster...
  • Pirates, Treasure & WDI’s Luc Mayrand
    Pirates, Treasure & WDI’s Luc Mayrand

    May 30, 2017 0

    InPark Editor Martin Palicki sat down with Luc at the 2017...
  • CharacterZ: Costumed Entertainment on the Big Screen
    CharacterZ: Costumed Entertainment on the Big Screen

    Apr 17, 2017 0

    “Working in the industry can be dysfunctional at times,...
PLN5165_IAAPA_ORLANDO_BANNERS_INPARK_160X600

Categories

  • IPM Interviews
  • Theme Parks
  • Museums
  • Water Parks
  • Attractions
    • Haunts
    • Zoos & Aquariums
  • World markets
    • Asia
    • Europe & Middle East
    • Latin America & Mexico
    • North America
  • Technology & Media
  • Business
    • Events
    • People
  • World Expos

InPark Magazine

2349 E Ohio Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207 USA
262.412.7107
mpalicki@inparkmagazine.com

Copyright 2015 InPark Magazine / All rights reserved
Press f for fullscreen.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.