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Miami Seaquarium Adds Interactive Aquatic Elements for “Splashtacular Summer”

[quote]South Florida is a popular summer vacation destination.  The park’s Splashtacular Summer water elements are sure to make a big splash and bring added fun and cooler temperatures to Miami Seaquarium guests this summer.” — Andrew Hertz, general manager at Miami Seaquarium[/quote]

Miami, FL, USA — This summer, Miami Seaquarium will offer fun and cool alternatives to beat the heat with its Splashtacular Summer celebration. Beginning June 7 through August 17th, 2014, the park will feature new and interactive aquatic elements for guests both young and old to enjoy.

The park will offer other ways to have fun while keeping cool with a Kids’ Water Play Area. Children will be able to enjoy inflatable water slides and wet slip-n-slides as a part of Splashtacular Summer at Miami Seaquarium. The park will feature seven water themed slides including: Tropical Slide, King Slide, Tsunami Slide, Ocean, Double Slide, Double Splash and Shark Escape Slide and Niagara Falls. In addition, Salty’s Pirate Playground and the park’s Spray and Play misting stations will provide fun and refreshing ways to stay cool.

Miami Seaquarium offers one more way to stay cool this summer during shows at the park’s Killer Whale stadium. Just sit in one of the first rows of the stadium when Lolita the Killer Whale makes one of her incredible leaps out of the pool and sends hundreds of gallons of cool water cascading into the audience.

After enjoying the marine animal shows, guests can experience the park’s fun and cool alternatives to beat the heat. Get a blast from the water cannons at Salty’s Pirate Playground or get refreshed in a “Play and Spray” misting station.

www.miamiseaquarium.com

La Ronde Hosts 2014 L’International des Feux Loto-Quebec Fireworks Competition

[quote]L’International des Feux Loto-Québec will feature eight pyromusical shows that have all the ingredients to light up the Montreal sky.”[/quote]

Montreal, QC, Canada – L’International des Feux Loto-Québec has unveiled the programme for its 30th edition, taking place June 28 – August 2, 2014. The programme will include fireworks on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the very best of the past 29 editions and a tribute to Pink Floyd.

The eight featured firms have chosen original and bold themes for their respective shows, making each performance totally unique. The 2014 edition will mark the 30th anniversary. For the occasion, and as a Solotech special presentation, the first out of competition night will feature Germany, the event’s only Platinum Jupiter Winner. A special soundtrack has been composed for the occasion. On August 2, the most prestigious pyrotechnic art competition in the world will present a Tribute to Pink Floyd for the Finale des Étoiles Loto-Québec. This annual spectacle celebrates outstanding works from some of the world’s most brilliant artists. Tickets for this year’s eight magical evenings are now on sale.  For more information, visit www.laronde.com.

laronde fireworks schedule
Every year the fireworks competition attracts close to 3 million people, making it one of Quebec’s most attended events. L’International des Feux Loto-Québec proudly acknowledges the support of prestigious partners such as Loto-Québec and Tourisme Québec, two important Quebec institutions that recognize the event’s economic impact and power of attraction.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada Introduces Summer Camp

[quote]As part of the week-long program, budding marine biologists will have the opportunity to discover the waters of the world through a combination of indoor and outdoor activities, behind-the-scenes adventures and gallery exploration.”[/quote]

Toronto, ON, Canada (May 7, 2014) — Come ‘sea’ what underwater adventures Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada has in store this summer with its new day camp program.

Led by an experienced team of staff educators, campers will interact with the Aquarium’s husbandry team while learning about animal care, conservation and environmental responsibility.  Each day, participants will explore one of six galleries including Canadian Waters, Planet Jellies and the jaw-dropping Dangerous Lagoon – the football field length glass tunnel where they’ll enjoy an up close and personal view of sharks, moray eels, sawfish and sea turtles.

Each week will also include an offsite, pirate themed field trip and will conclude with the H20 Olympics, featuring fun-filled water games and a pizza lunch party.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada’s summer day camp is open to children between the ages of 5-11 years old and is available from 9am-4pm daily, starting the week of July 7th until August 25th.  Camp fees are $325 + HST ($295 for annual pass holders) per child and include two snacks per day, Aquarium Camp t-shirt, all onsite/offsite activities and pizza lunch.  Optional extended child care available at an additional cost.

www.ripleysaquariumofcanada.com

Hersheypark Sweetens Family Fun with New 2014 Attractions and Eatery

[quote]We have joked that The Sweetest Place on Earth just got a little crabby with the addition of Crabfries.” –Pete Ciarrocchi, chairman and CEO of Chickie’s & Pete’s[/quote]

Hershey, PA, USA — The roller coaster count at Hersheypark will increase in 2014 when the Park introduces a new coaster designed for families to ride together.

If you remember the thrill of your first coaster and want to share that moment with your child, or another young family member, Hersheypark will give you more opportunities to do so with the arrival of Cocoa Cruiser, new gravity coaster.

“Many of our guests share roller coaster memories with us and tell us their first coaster experience was here at Hersheypark,” said Kevin Stumpf, general manager, Hersheypark. “We are happy to offer another ‘first coaster’ opportunity for our younger guests and look forward to hearing their stories in the future.”

Cocoa Cruiser’s layout is a compact oval featuring a midcourse helix, or turn that forms a radius of more than 360-degrees. The ride, with a six car train that holds up to twelve riders, will be located in the Park’s Music Box Way area.

Two other family favorite rides will open in the Park for the 2014 season—a Tea Cup Ride and Sweet Swing. All three rides are designed and built by Zamperla Rides, an Italian-based company known around the world for designing family thrill rides.

An all-time classic, Tea Cups will feature six cups that hold two adults and two children in each cup. The iconic tilted tea pot is the centerpiece of the attraction and the surrounding cups include a central steering wheel which allows riders to spin the ride at their own pace.

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Sweet Swing resembles a large bench swing with two sides; each side of the swing will accommodate up to six riders, with a maximum of two adults. The swing motion provides both exhilaration and air time for riders.

“Everyone at Zamperla is excited to be adding these three new rides to Hersheypark,” said Zamperla Sales Director Ramon Rosario. “Our rides are designed to attract and entertain the entire family, so they will be a perfect fit.”

In addition to the new rides, Hersheypark will expand its food offering with the arrival of Chickie’s & Pete’s, the legendary Philadelphia/South Jersey eatery known for their signature Crabfries. Other tempting menu selections include Chickie’s & Pete’s favorites like the Philly Cheesesteak, Crabby Sweets and the Crab Pretzel.

“We are very excited to bring some of Chickie’s and Pete’s signature food to Hersheypark, especially our world famous Crabfries,” said Pete Ciarrocchi, chairman and CEO of Chickie’s & Pete’s.

Park guests will be able to easily locate the new rides and food locations by using the 2014 enhanced and customized Hersheypark Map App. The new App, anticipated to be ready in the spring, offers guests the ability to search attractions based on rider height, locate all items from baby food to roller coasters, and utilize a “take me there” directional function allowing guests to map their route to and from any location within the Park. Users will be able to connect to the App through Facebook or personal email.

The three new family-focused rides and Chickie’s & Pete’s are scheduled to debut when Hersheypark opens for its 107th season of family fun.

www.hersheypark.com

 

Gateway Ticketing’s Galaxy Product Suite Enhances the BeWILDwerwood Guest Experience

[quote]For us, it cuts back on potential misuse – parents are now much less likely to hand their pass over to a neighbor who looks nothing like them!” — Bob Ottaway, BeWILDerwood Manager-ee Master of Operational Organisational-ness[/quote]

London, UK  — Gateway Ticketing Systems is pleased to announce that Norfolk Adventure
Park, BeWILDerwood has implemented the Galaxy Product Suite for ticketing and access control. An
award-winning forest of family fun and outdoor adventure, BeWILDerwood’s 150,000 plus annual
visitors were greeted by an enhanced visitor experience beginning in February with the implementation
of Gateway’s flagship point of sale and admission control solution, Galaxy. The park’s guests have the
option to purchase tickets and annual passes onsite at the venue or online ahead of time using
BeWILDerwood’s eGalaxy Web Store.

Galaxy’s ability to offer an improved guest experience and improve operational efficiency, especially
with regards to the park’s annual passes and online solutions were essential to the venue’s decision to
work with Gateway: “Sales for our annual passes have skyrocketed since implementing Galaxy,” states
Bob Ottaway, Manager-ee Master of Operational Organisational-ness and known to the park’s visitors as
Mr. Bob.

“Gateway really understands the importance of an annual pass with a photo on it. It’s crucial to us both
operationally and from a visitor-experience perspective. The children visiting the park think it is so cool
to have a pass with their picture on it and showing it at the front gate adds an element of fun for them.”

Entering their second month using Galaxy, the park is firing on all cylinders and recently celebrated their
busiest Saturday ever with no hiccups, something which has been par for the course while working with
Gateway’s UK venture, Gateway Ticketing Systems UK, Ltd. Again, Mr. Bob: “We received
fantastic service and support during the set up of the Galaxy system here. The commitment by the GTS
UK Team to make sure everything was in line verged on a personal crusade. We knew we were in good
hands.”

GTS UK Operations Director Andy Povey echoes Ottaway’s enthusiasm for the installation project:
“Working with the team at BeWILDerwood was absolutely fantastic. Entering the wonderful world of
Crocklebogs, Twiggles and Boggles was magical and left us with only one problem: what to name the
system server? Is it the “magic machine that does sums to help the keeper of the lists” or simply
“server”?! And the look on Mr. Bob’s face when we presented him with the first BeWILDerwood annual
pass with photo ID was so special. We strive to find solutions for business needs that had simply not
been possible before partnering with Gateway.”

Gateway Ticketing Systems and its employees are thrilled to welcome BeWILDerwood to the Gateway
family and look forward to a long and successful relationship.

www.gatewayticketing.co.uk

 

Big Cats Join Primates on Philadelphia Zoo’s Zoo360 Trail System

[quote]More and more, as visitors move around the Zoo, the Zoo moves around them.” — Philadelphia Zoo President and CEO Vikram H Dewan[/quote]

Philadelphia, PA, USA — Philadelphia Zoo is moving.  Not moving away, but moving up and around.  The small primates are swinging and strolling their way through mesh canopies in the treetops.  The large primates are enjoying new, elevated vantage points.  And this spring, big cats will be on the move like never before at America’s first zoo, thanks to the Saturday, May 10, 2014 public unveiling of Big Cat Crossing – an extension of the Zoo’s revolutionary, first-in-the-world animal travel and exploration system. Titled Zoo360, this innovative trail system promises the most majestic of creatures more room to roam.
 
“Our new Zoo360 is pioneering an environment that is elevating visitors’ interactions with the animals to a new level,” says Philadelphia Zoo President and CEO Vikram H. Dewan. “The spring 2014 opening of Big Cat Crossing marks another major milestone as we transform the Zoo experience for young and lifelong learners alike.”
 
With the extension of Zoo360 to include big cats, Philadelphia Zoo is well on its way to becoming the world’s first fully-animated zoo.  The trail system’s expansion has positioned the Zoo as an international leader in the rapidly evolving zoo experience. While other zoos have developed bridges and pathways on localized footprints, Philadelphia Zoo is the first to implement a campus-wide animal travel system, designed for a wide variety of species, affording them the opportunity to move more broadly around its campus. As its development continues, visitors will encounter animals moving all around them, making it an interactive experience unlike ever before.                                       

The first trail of Philadelphia Zoo’s three-tiered exploration system –Treetop Trail – opened in 2011 and was expanded in 2013.  Specially designed for smaller arboreal species, the 1,735-foot, elevated mesh passageway spans the visitor path and stretches through the trees at the Zoo’s Impala Plaza, featuring two suspended ‘lookout’ points. Treetop Trail was extended last spring with the opening of KidZooU, the new children’s zoo, and now winds down the Zoo’s main pedestrian path to PECO Primate Reserve, allowing primates to travel even further. Blue-eyed black lemurs, white-faced sakis, a red-capped mangabey and black-and-white colobus monkeys enjoy new vistas and new opportunities to experience and respond to weather, local wildlife and the activities of other Zoo animals, Zoo staff and guests.

2012 saw the opening of the Great Ape Trail – the first phase of a second, larger trail system.  At 200 feet long, it crosses over the visitor path at PECO Primate Reserve and loops through a grove of trees next to the Zoo’s Bird Lake. Currently, orangutans and white-handed gibbons are among species utilizing this trail for enhanced exploration.

Big Cat Crossing, opening in spring 2014, is a 330-foot mesh-engineered passageway that will extend from First Niagara Big Cat Falls, over and above the Zoo’s main visitor path, encouraging large felines – lions, tigers, pumas, snow leopards and more – to stretch their legs, get outside and explore.  The expanded footprint is sure to fuel the curiosity of big cats, and with them, the Zoo’s 1.2+ million annual visitors.

A new extension in 2015 will connect the Great Ape Trail with the gorilla exhibit, allowing gorillas to roam.  And looking ahead to 2016 and beyond, a third, fully ground-based trail will engage large, terrestrial animals such as zebras, rhino, giraffe and hippos.

These ground-breaking projects are being funded through grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the William Penn Foundation as well as donations of all sizes from individuals, families and companies, who are concerned with enhanced animal welfare and conservation education.

In each of the systems, animals will be able to rotate through each other’s exhibits, making maximal use of space through time-sharing – in some cases crossing visitor’s paths to do so.

“Beyond a more dynamic, multi-dimensional visitor experience, these trails promise an enhanced quality of life for our animals,” said Dr. Andy Baker, Chief Operating Officer at Philadelphia Zoo.  “They can travel longer distances, explore a greater variety of environments and dictate more of their own experiences.”

www.philadelphiazoo.org

IAAPA Cites Innovative Coasters and Waterpark Attractions Among 2014 Trends

[quote]The diversity of new attractions opening for families to enjoy together this summer is incredible.” — IAAPA President and CEO Paul Noland[/quote]

Alexandria, VA, USA (May 6, 2014) /PRNewswire/ — In anticipation of the exciting attractions opening this summer at amusement parks, water parks, family entertainment centers, museums, zoos, and aquariums all over North America, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the global trade association for the attractions industry, releases the latest news in family fun. IAAPA cites innovative roller coasters, expansive water park additions, multigenerational attractions, and immersive experiences among the 2014 trends.

Innovations in ride design add unique elements to traditional thrills this year as new roller coasters incorporate 3-D visuals, intricate ride theming, new track technology, ride vehicles that move and spin in new ways, and much more.

The numerous water-related additions, including entirely new water parks, one-of-a-kind water slides, and interactive spray pads will provide an ideal way for families to beat the summer heat.

There is a renewed focus on attractions that can be enjoyed across generations. Whether 6, 16, or 60, guests of all ages can enjoy unforgettable roller coasters, family-friendly spinning rides, water attractions, new play areas, and more.

Parks and attractions continue to push creative boundaries and immerse guests in worlds only previously described in works of fiction. New attractions allow guests to enter the environments and experience the lives of their favorite characters and transport them into alternate realities for adventures previously reserved for pages of books or the screens of televisions or movie theaters.

“Whether visiting your neighborhood park or your favorite vacation destination, there are amazing new rides and attractions for the entire family opening across North America,” said IAAPA President and CEO Paul Noland.

According to the “Oxford Economics Study: The Economic Impacts of the U.S. Attractions Industry” released by the IAAPA Foundation, there are approximately 525 amusement parks and water parks in the U.S. that support nearly 764,000 jobs and generate $55.4 billion for the economy.

A list of new attractions, consumer tips for summer fun, and other information is available at www.IAAPA.org/bignewsbiggerfun.

Smithsonian Celebrates 200 Years of America’s Star Spangled Banner

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[quote]It is an honor for the museum to be the home of the Star-Spangled Banner and to preserve it for future generations.” — John L Gray, Director, National Museum of American History[/quote]

Washington, DC, USA (May 7, 2014) — Notable celebrities are supporting the National Museum of American History in celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner. Artists such as Aloe Blacc, Renée Fleming, Angie Johnson and Brian McKnight are encouraging Americans to take part in the museum’s coast-to-coast celebration. “Raise it Up! Anthem for America,” held on Flag Day, June 14, is a national sing-a-long event for people to come together and sing their anthem at 4 p.m. EDT. Details are at anthemforamerica.si.edu.

The National Park Service, Little League International, Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, the National Civic League, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Chorus America are among more than 50 partners bringing audiences across the nation together for this celebration. Select Macy’s flagship stores in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., will host anthem tributes showcasing the “Raise it Up!” campaign in store windows, on social media and with special events, including sing-a-longs.

“Two hundred years ago, Francis Scott Key, inspired by the sight of the flag’s ‘broad stripes and bright stars,’ wrote a song that gave new significance to a national symbol and started a tradition through which Americans have invested the flag with their own meaning and memories,” said John L. Gray, director of the museum.

Washington, D.C., Flag Day Concert June 14:

  • –On the museum’s Mall terrace, a celebrity singer joins as Grammy-winning composer Eric Whitacre conducts a 500-person choir in performance of “America the Beautiful;” MacArthur ‘genius’ Fellow Francisco J. Núñez conducts “Lift Every Voice,” with commander and conductor Col. Larry Lang directing The U.S. Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants.

Special Displays

  • –June 14 – July 6, the Maryland Historical Society is lending Francis Scott Key’s original manuscript of the “Star-Spangled Banner” lyrics, uniting it for the first time with the flag Key saw at “dawn’s early light.” Visitors will be able to see the 30-by-34-foot flag and the manuscript, side-by-side in the banner’s environmentally controlled chamber at the museum.
  • –Beginning June 14, the museum will display Grammy award-winning opera singer Renée Fleming’s Vera Wang gown worn when she sang the national anthem during the 2014 Super Bowl. The long black dress features pleated accents at the waist and an ivory silk faille floor-length wrap coat with exposed shoulder and hand-draped detail.

Naturalization and Medal Ceremony

  • –June 17, the Smithsonian will present designer Ralph Lauren, son of immigrants, with the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal during a naturalization ceremony welcoming 15 new Americans. The medal recognizes Lauren’s lifetime contributions to American artistry, entrepreneurship, creativity and vision. Lauren also played a leadership role in the preservation of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Website and Outreach

  • –The anthemforamerica.si.edu website will feature an interactive timeline, “The Banner Yet Waves: 200 Years of the Star-Spangled Banner,” which will have traditional renditions of the anthem from the archives of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings as well as contemporary renditions and interviews with musical artists, including Blacc and Johnson.
  • –Public Service Announcements will run during “Litton’s Weekend Adventure,” airing Saturday mornings on ABC television stations across America. https://vimeo.com/93398986
  • –To engage with “Raise It Up!” on Twitter use #raiseitup.

Documentary

  • –The Smithsonian Channel and the museum are collaborating on a documentary, “A Star-Spangled Story: Battle for America,” which premieres June 14 at 9 p.m. EDT. The film documents the story behind the 200-year-old anthem – from the burning of Washington to the creation of the iconic American flag – revealing the forgotten battle that could have changed the fate of the nation.

The museum is located at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W., and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free.

http://americanhistory.si.edu.

PGAV Brings Angkor to Life at PortAventura With World’s Longest Interactive Boat Adventure

[quote]The hidden path of an interactive boat ride is a new concept we introduced with Angkor.” — Josh Rodriguez, PGAV Destinations[/quote]

St. Louis, MO, USA (May 6 , 2014) — PortAventura’s newest family attraction, Angkor: Adventure in the Lost Kingdom, sets the world record for the longest interactive boat ride through a thrilling adventure.

PGAV Destinations, based in St. Louis, MO, originated the concept and basis of design for the new ride, including thematic storyline and content, site planning, and ride layout and programming.

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“We are thrilled to offer this brand new adventure for our family visitors to PortAventura,” said Sergio Feder, president and CEO of PortAventura. “Angkor is absolutely the most immersive interactive boat ride on the planet and establishes a new, expandable themed zone for PortAventura!”

Angkor revolutionizes the traditional interactive boat ride by creating a winding, mysterious path through a lost jungle. “We still show just enough of the ride from the main walking path to intrigue and excite guests, but the rest remains a surprise until you’re on the boat and deep within the hidden jungle,” said Josh Rodriguez, attraction designer with PGAV Destinations.

Guests embark on their three-phase adventure from a beautiful, Angkor Wat-inspired temple. The ride path guides them through a lush jungle, where they meet numerous creatures along the river’s shores. They then encounter a native village in the second act, inspired by river villages throughout Thailand, where they’re challenged to blast a variety of characters and targets with water. In the third and final act of the 300m adventure, the course doubles back in close proximity, and guests are flooded in an all-out water battle with the other boats.

“It’s really exciting to see just how well Angkor turned out,” said John Kemper, PGAV Destinations VP and project lead. “We really think it’ll be loved as one of the most unique experiences that the park has to offer – it’s been a pure joy to work on this attraction with PortAventura.”

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Mack Rides provided the hardware for Angkor, Valerio Mazzoli Studios completed the final theming package, and PortAventura’s Design and Engineering Department managed the project execution. Angkor is the latest result of a master plan created for PortAventura by PGAV Destinations, whom also designed the original park and Hotel Gold River.

SeaWorld Adds to Killer Whale Trainer Safety Program with Air Vests

by Joe Kleiman, InPark News Editor

Orlando, FL, USA (May 6, 2014) — SeaWorld last week added air vests to its portfolio of safety measures for killer whale, or orca, trainers at the chain’s three marine life parks.  This newest measure joins more than $70 million in infrastructure and procedural improvements implemented in the four years since the death of a SeaWorld trainer in an orca-related incident.  Other changes have included elevated walkways, remote control gates, raisable tank floors, and limits on proximity restrictions to the animals.

The vests, shown in the following video, feature inflatable airbags to create buoyancy and an integrated scuba regulator attached to a small air canister on the lower back.

On April 8, following the hearing on a California Assembly bill that would have, among other things, prohibited orca performaces, SeaWorld San Diego park president John Reilly confirmed to InPark that his trainers have been practicing desensitization sessions with the park’s orcas as part of its safety procedures.  “They’re taking place in the smallest pool, the medical pool, which also has a raisable floor,” he said, adding, “But we have no plans at all for waterwork.”

Waterwork has been an area of contention for the parks following the OSHA investigation into the 2010 death of senior orca trainer Dawn Brancheau in Orlando, the only only orca-related death of a SeaWorld trainer in the chain’s 49-year history of displaying the animals.  Part of OSHA’s citation called for the Orlando park to discontinue water work.  According to the April 11, 2014 US Court of Appeals decision on the OSHA case, where SeaWorld appealed to have the OSHA ban on waterwork reversed:

In SeaWorld’s terms, when trainers are out of the pool or on submerged ledges called “slideouts” in water no deeper than their knees, their interactions with killer whales are called “drywork.” Any interaction in deeper water is “waterwork.”

The court ruled in favor of the OSHA directive, meaning that if SeaWorld wishes to take the appeals process further, they can do so only to the United States Supreme Court.  Shortly after the Appellate Court decision, the company issued the following statement:

We are obviously disappointed with today’s decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals. Following the tragic death of Dawn Brancheau in 2010, we voluntarily deployed several new safety measures, including removing trainers from the water during shows. In so noting in its opinion, the Court acknowledged that there will still be human interactions and performances with killer whales and, according to the Court, the decision simply requires that we continue with increased safety measures during our shows. SeaWorld remains committed to providing a safe workplace for employees, healthy environments for the animals in our care, and inspirational and educational experiences with killer whales for our guests. We are still reviewing the opinion and no decision has been made on whether we will appeal.

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InPark contacted Erik Beard, an attorney specializing in amusement industry law, to see what effect the OSHA decision might have on SeaWorld’s other parks.   According to Beard:

By its terms the OSHA citations and penalties and the Court of Appeals’ decision ONLY applies to SeaWorld of Florida, LLC, the entity that owns and operates SeaWorld’s Orlando park.  As a technical matter, therefore, the ban on waterwork with orcas does not extend to SeaWorld’s San Antonio or San Diego locations.  That said, the trial judge in this case considered evidence relating to the San Antonio and San Diego parks and specifically commented on the policy of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, the parent company of all SeaWorld parks, to create consistency in the animal operations between all the parks.  Thus, while not strictly applicable to these other SeaWorld locations, the Court of Appeals’ decision could be be viewed as a warning of sorts about OSHA’s position vis-a-vis SeaWorld’s other locations should waterwork continue.  That said, there may be additional safety measures that could be implemented in San Antonio or San Diego that SeaWorld believes sufficiently distinguish these parks from Orlando so as to allow waterwork to resume notwithstanding the Court of Appeals’ ruling.

We also asked Beard about any implications the decision may have on the only other US park to house orcas, the Miami Seaquarium, which is currently undergoing an ownership change to Palace Entertainment, the American subsidiary of European zoo and theme park operator Parques Reunidos.  Beard responded:

As to whether Miami Seaquarium would have to comply – they don’t.  But, again, the OSHA case against SeaWorld may be seen as a shot across the bow to other operators of orca shows.

A new nighttime orca show, “Shamu’s Celebration: Light up the Night” is scheduled to premiere this Summer.  Details on the new show have not been announced.