Approaching SeaWorld’s 2012 Attractions

The three SeaWorld parks each will be opening major new attractions in 2012. To learn more about these, as well as 2012 attractions at Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens, check out InPark Magazine’s exclusive interview with Brian Morrow, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Corporate Director, Creative Development.

TurtleTrek, SeaWorld Orlando
Guests first visit two massive naturalistic habitats, one filled with hundreds of freshwater fish and gentle manatees, the other home to more than 1,500 saltwater fish and more than a dozen sea turtles. Many of the manatees and sea turtles were rescued by the park’s animal team or were born at SeaWorld. Since SeaWorld Orlando’s rescue programs began, the team has cared for and returned to the wild nearly 240 manatees and 1,000 sea turtles.

Moving on from the habitat, guests enter a domed theater, and what happens next has never before been seen and is a first at any theme park in the world.

Coming to life in front of the guests is a first-of-its-kind 3-D/360-degree dome theater film that is completely immersive. The dome allows a hyper-realistic 3-D movie to be shown all around guests and even above them – not just in front them or on only one screen. It’s this unique and immersive way of showcasing a sea turtle’s epic and astounding journey that is the heart of TurtleTrek. And for the first time, SeaWorld guests are given a turtle’s eye view of the ocean’s wonders.

Aquatica, SeaWorld San Antonio
Aquatica San Antonio features thrilling water slides, rivers, lagoons, and more than 42,000 square feet of beach area. Designed in a way that could only be done by SeaWorld, these unique attractions will zoom, float and splash guests through amazing animal habitats and undersea adventures.

The look and feel of Aquatica is inspired by the vivid color, stunning flora and the carefree personality of the South Sea Islands. Crystal-blue rivers wind through hidden grottos. Refreshing waterfalls and rich greenery surround stunning sand beaches. The park icons – whimsical animal patterns inspired by the Maori culture of New Zealand – adorn carved totem poles and colorful structures.
 
Aquatica features three terraced pools, a giant wave pool, meandering rivers and racing rides – including a one-of-a-kind family raft ride that goes underwater through a reef filled with stingrays and tropical fish and another ride that sends family rafts up a zero-gravity wall where riders experience weightlessness.

Manta, SeaWorld San Diego
Swooping over sea and sky, Manta will not only inspire riders with amazing underwater animal habitats, but take them on an exhilarating ride on a coaster shaped like a giant manta ray, with speeds of up to 43 mph and a thrilling 54-foot drop.

Manta also will feature a unique “launch station” where the passengers will start the ride enclosed in a launch tunnel with larger-than-life images of rays projected on a 270-degree enveloping screen. This stunning introduction to the world of the rays also will visually enhance the physical acceleration as the ride launches down the track. This stateof-the-art projection system will be the first of its kind in the United States.