SeaWorld Orlando

Last updated

SeaWorld Orlando
Previously known as Sea World of Florida
SeaWorld Orlando logo.svg
SeaWorld Orlando 001.jpg
The Port of Entry lighthouse.
Location7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, Florida, United States
Coordinates 28°24′39″N81°27′45″W / 28.41083°N 81.46250°W / 28.41083; -81.46250
StatusOperating
OpenedDecember 15, 1973;50 years ago (1973-12-15) [1]
Owner United Parks & Resorts
Operated byUnited Parks & Resorts
Theme Conservation and the Ocean
SloganCoaster Capital of Orlando [2]
Operating seasonYear-round
AttendanceDecrease2.svg 4.454 million (2022)
Area200 acres (81 ha)
Attractions
Total17
Roller coasters8
Water rides2
Shows5 with 6 seasonal
Website seaworld.com/orlando/

SeaWorld Orlando is an animal theme park located in Orlando, Florida. Although separately gated, it is often promoted with neighboring parks Discovery Cove and Aquatica as well as Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, all of which are owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts. In 2022, SeaWorld Orlando hosted an estimated 4.45 million guests, ranking it the 10th most visited amusement park in the United States. [3]

Contents

History

SeaWorld Orlando opened on December 15, 1973, as the third park of the SeaWorld chain and just 2 years after Walt Disney World Resort's Magic Kingdom. This made Central Florida a multi-park vacation destination. SeaWorld was sold in 1976 to Harcourt Brace Jovanovich then to Anheuser-Busch, owners of Busch Gardens, in 1989. [4]

Busch was more experienced with theme parks and thus developed SeaWorld in a competitive and aggressive manner, moving the park from a show-based to a ride-based park. The park joined in the Disneyland-started simulator ride wave in 1992 with Mission: Bermuda Triangle (later rethemed into Wild Arctic). [5] The nation's first combination roller coaster and flume ride, Journey to Atlantis, was installed in 1998. Kraken, a Bolliger & Mabillard floorless roller coaster, was added to the park in 2000. The flying coaster, Manta, came to the park in 2009 and won the Theme Park Insider Award as the best new attraction. [4] After nearly three decades of operation, Busch Entertainment added two adjacent parks. Discovery Cove opened in 2000 followed by the Aquatica water park in 2008.

In 2008 AB InBev purchased Anheuser-Busch and sold off Busch's parks to private equity firm Blackstone Inc (the 50% owners of the neighboring Universal Orlando parks until July 2011). [4] [6] Due to this selloff, the Hospitality House and Beer School were closed, also the Clydesdales and their barn were removed from the park. [7] Then 2013, Blackstone sold 37% of SEAS in an initial public offering. [8]

On February 24, 2010, during a small show at "Dine with Shamu", one of the orca whales, Tilikum, pulled trainer Dawn Brancheau into the water and ultimately killed her. [9] An autopsy determined that Brancheau's death was attributed to blunt force trauma and drowning; injuries included her scalp being removed and her left arm being severed below the shoulder. [10] In August 2010, the United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited SeaWorld of Florida LLC for three safety violations, following the death of an animal trainer in February. The total penalty was $75,000 and SeaWorld was initially required to keep a barrier between its trainers and the whales during shows. [11] [12]

The Turtle Trek exhibit opened in 2012 includes a 360-degree, 3D dome theater for a movie. Then in 2013, the Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin pavilion opened the nation's first trackless dark ride system (which closed in 2020), plus an improved penguin exhibit. [4] Then in 2016, Mako opened as a hypercoaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard in the "Sea of Power" near the Shark Encounter.

In 2019, the park reopened the "Sea of Fun" area as "Sesame Street Land", themed after Sesame Street . [13]

In mid-March 2020, in line with other SeaWorld parks, as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the park had to temporarily shut down. The park reopened nearly three months later.

Ice Breaker opened as a launched steel coaster, manufactured by Premier Rides. [14] Pipeline opened in 2023 as the world's first surf coaster, manufactured by B&M. [15] It is a revival of the stand-up coaster, featuring better restraints and offering a more comfortable ride experience. [16] Penguin Trek opened in 2024 as a new launched family roller coaster manufactured by B&M, replacing the former Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin dark ride. [17]

Park layout

Transport in SeaWorld Orlando
Legend
BSicon RP4.svg
BSicon MFADEg.svg
BSicon POINTERg@fq.svg
BSicon MASKr.svg
I-4.svg
I-4
to Airport Gnome-searchtool.svg and Universal Gnome-searchtool.svg
BSicon RP4.svg
BSicon lHUB.svg
 Aquatica Orlando
Bus-logo.svg ■
BSicon RP4c2.svg
BSicon RP43+n.svg
BSicon lHUB.svg
 SeaWorld Orlando
Bus-logo.svg ■●
BSicon MFADEgq.svg
BSicon RP43+1.svg
BSicon RP4c4.svg
BSicon lHUB.svg
 Discovery Cove
BSicon RP4c4.svg
BSicon MFADEgq.svg
BSicon POINTER4.svg
BSicon MASKr.svg
I-4.svg
I-4
to Walt Disney World Gnome-searchtool.svg
Bus-logo.svg I-Ride Trolley bus service

In summer 2014, as a part of the company's 50th anniversary, SeaWorld Orlando was separated into different areas, called "seas", [18] each with a unique themed element. Starting at the lower center and continuing clockwise they are:

Attractions

SeaWorld Orlando has many live shows and attractions including rides and animal exhibits. Many of these attractions, such as Manta combine the two, with both animal exhibits and a ride.

Rides and attractions

#NameOpenedDescriptionLocation
1 Mako 2016A seated, non-inverting hypercoaster built by B&M, named after the fastest species of shark in the oceans. Standing 200 feet (61 m) high and reaching up to 73 miles per hour (117 km/h), Mako is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the Orlando area.Sea of Mystery
2 Kraken 2000A floorless roller coaster (by B&M) themed after the legend of the Kraken sea monster, standing 153 feet (47 m) high and featuring several inversions.Sea of Legends
3 Manta 2009A 140-foot (43 m) flying roller coaster (by B&M) and aquarium exhibit featuring rays, sea dragons and more, Manta riders are secured into their seats before being rotated parallel to the ground into a "flying" position. Attains speeds up to 53 miles per hour (85 km/h) with several inversions.Sea of Shallows
4 Ice Breaker 2022A 93-foot (28 m) tall, quadruple-launch, non-inverting family thrill rollercoaster (by Premier Rides) featuring the steepest drop (100° angle) of any roller coaster in Florida. The ride sees guests travel backwards up a slight incline before gradually building speed through several magnetic launch systems, and traveling over a "top-hat".Sea of Power
5 Penguin Trek 2024A B&M family-style launch coaster with dark ride elements, including twists and turns, with speeds of up to 45 miles per hour (72 km/h). Non-inverting. Similar to Arctic Rescue (by Intamin) at SeaWorld San Diego.Sea of Ice
6 Pipeline: The Surf Coaster 2023A first-of-its-kind B&M "surf-coaster", based on the once-popular stand-up roller coasters, Pipeline stands 110 feet (34 m) tall and includes twists and turns at up to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h), and one inversion. Unlike typical stand-up coasters, Pipeline features hydraulic seating elements, giving riders the sensation of riding a wave.Sea of Power/Port of Entry
7 Journey to Atlantis 1998A water coaster/boat ride with dark ride elements, themed to the mythical lost city of Atlantis. The queue also features several fish and aquarium exhibits. Max height of drop: 60 feet (18 m).Sea of Legends
8 Infinity Falls 2018A river rapids ride, featuring a vertical elevator lift and the world's tallest drop on a river rapids ride.Sea of Mystery
9 Super Grover's Box Car Derby
(Formerly Shamu Express)		2019
(2006) [19] 		A Zierer family coaster themed to Super Grover from Sesame Street .

(A Zierer family coaster themed to a Shamu train)

Sesame Street Land
10 Sky Tower 1973A 400-foot (120 m) tall rotating Gyro tower.Sea of Delight
11 Sunny Day Carousel
(Formerly Sea Carousel)		2021
(2007) [20] 		A carousel themed to Sesame Street with colorful Muppet versions of horses.

(A carousel themed to sea creatures with caricatured marine mammals and fish)

Sesame Street Land
12Elmo's Choo Choo Train
(Formerly Seven Seas Railway)		2019
(2012) [21]
A short train ride themed to Elmo from Sesame Street. [22]

(A short train ride themed to aquatic animals and sea creatures)

Sesame Street Land
13Big Bird's Twirl 'N' Whirl
(Formerly Swishy Fishies)		2019
(2006) [19] 		A spinning ride themed to Big Bird from Sesame Street. [23]

(A spinning ride themed to a typhoon spinning around the sea)

Sesame Street Land
14 Abby's Flower Tower
(Formerly Jazzy Jellies) [24] 		2019
(2006)		A high tower ride themed to Abby Cadabby from Sesame Street. [25]

(A high tower ride themed to jellyfish)

Sesame Street Land
15Cookie Drop!
(Formerly Flying Fiddler) [24] 		2019
(2007) [24] 		A drop tower ride for children themed to Cookie Monster from Sesame Street. [26]

(A drop tower ride themed to a giant fiddler crab)

Sesame Street Land
16Rubber Duckie Water Works2019A water play area themed to Ernie from Sesame Street. [27] Sesame Street Land
17Slimey's Slider
(Formerly Ocean Commotion) [28] 		2019
(2007) [19] [24] 		A Rock n' tug ride themed to Slimey the Worm from Sesame Street. [29] Sesame Street Land
18Rosita's Harmony Hills2019A play area themed to Rosita from Sesame Street.Sesame Street Land
19Flamingo Paddle Boats1978Boats themed to a flamingo that can travel all around the park's central lake. Additional fee is required.Sea of Mystery

Former Attractions:

Live entertainment and animal presentations

#NameOpenedDescriptionLocation
6 Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin 2013A themed area featuring live penguin and alcid exhibits.Sea of Ice
11 Wild Arctic 1995An indoor series of exhibits featuring beluga whales, walruses, and harbor seals that is designed to resemble a research station in the Arctic Ocean.Sea of Power
12SeaWorld Rescue Center [37]
(Formerly Turtle Trek)		2022

(2012)

An up-close look at how SeaWorld comes to the aid of sick, injured, and orphaned animals. Meet vulnerable manatees and turtles who are recovering and receiving state-of-the-art care, including the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. And hear from dedicated experts who help make it all possible.

(An outdoor/indoor exhibit featuring sea turtles, West Indian manatees, and American alligators. A former exhibit was a theater dome where a 3D animated film detailed the average journey of a sea turtle. The theater was a 360° dome with 3D content completely surrounded the audience. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the 3D glasses used for the film were removed, and the film played on a loop. In 2023 it was closed and was repurposed into the SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center, the largest public-facing facility dedicated to coral conservation in the country. [38] )

Sea of Shallows
17Shamu Stadium1984The 7,000,000 US gallons (26,000,000 L) home to the park's five killer whales opened in September 1984. [39] The park's current production is Orca Encounter since late 2019, which used to house the former show One Ocean, the summer seasonal Shamu's Celebration: Light Up The Night and winter seasonal Shamu Christmas Miracles night shows. An educational presentation called Ocean Discovery was also presented on select dates.Sea of Power
18Dolphin Theater1973The 2,000,000 US gallons (7,600,000 L) original Shamu Stadium, Dolphin Stadium, currently hosts the Dolphin Adventures educational show. Dolphin Theater currently features dolphins, and formerly macaws and an Andean condor in Blue Horizons, a show that debuted on May 29, 2005 and lasted until March 31, 2017 to be replaced with Dolphin Days on April 1, 2017 and that also lasted to around late February 2021. False killer whales were once part of the Theater until the eventual death of the park's two specimens. [40] Four rescued pilot whales were also housed here and seen occasionally during the preshow (about 15-20 mins before the show) or sometimes during the show itself until they were moved to Shamu Stadium on April 28, 2017 due to space, and on September 16, 2019 the 3 pilot whales were transferred to SeaWorld San Diego. [41] Sea of Shallows
19The Sea Lion and Otter Theater1990Hosts "Clyde and Seamore", a pair of California sea lions in the presentation Sea Lion and Otter Spotlight. Asian small-clawed otters, and a Walrus also partake in the show. This production was joined by the seasonal show Sea Lions Tonite.Sea of Delight
20Bayside Stadium1983Formerly hosted water skiing shows on the park's central lagoon. Today, the stage is used for SeaWorld's numerous music concert series and other special events as well as the official viewing area for the summer seasonal Electric Ocean fireworks and dance party as well as the Winter Wonderland On Ice ice skating show during the winter.Sea of Power
21The Nautilus Theatre1995This used to be home to an acrobatic show similar in style and presentation to the works of Cirque du Soleil called A'lure: The Call of The Ocean which closed in early 2015. This was also used for a bubble show named Pop in 2017 & 2018 during the summer and was also home to a show called "O Wondrous Night" during the winter.Sea of Mystery
22Seaport Theatre1998Formerly featured animals that have been rescued from local animal shelters in Pets Ahoy which was cut in 2020 due to budget cuts affiliated with the loss of revenue due to COVID-19. This venue was also home to Abby's Treasure Hunt and many seasonal Sesame Street shows before Sesame Street land opened.Sea of Delight
23Seafire Grill2001A restaurant and a theatre in the style of a dinner theatre. This venue was home to the Makahiki Luau dancing show until its closure in September 2012.
24Reflections2006A seasonal firework show on the park's central lagoon now Ignite since 2017 featuring fireworks, dancing fountains, and mist screens synchronized and inspired by the musical soundtracks of some of the park's shows and attractions. The show was formerly called Mistify. During the Holidays, there is a Holiday Reflections fireworks show.
25Wheel of Fortune Live!2008A taping of Wheel of Fortune that had shows taped at the park during 2008.
26Sesame Street Party Parade2019A clone of the existing parade at Sesame Place, featuring all the costumed characters seen in the land. Much like the original parade, there's an interactive show stop where guests are invited onto the parade route to dance with the characters. Halloween and Christmas overlays occur during their respective seasons.Sesame Street Land

Attendance

AttendanceWorldwide RankYear
5,926,000 [42] 7th2008
5,800,000 [43] 7th2009
5,100,000 [44] 9th2010
5,202,000 [44] 9th2011
5,358,000 [45] 19th2012
5,090,000 [45] 19th2013
4,683,000 [46] 21st2014
4,777,000 [47] 22nd2015
4,402,000 [48] 25th2016
3,962,000 [49] 26th2017
4,594,000 [50] 26th2018
4,640,000 [51] 26th2019
1,598,000 [52] 2020
3,051,000 [53] 2021
4,450,000 [54] 2022

Aquatica Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando also has an adjacent waterpark, Aquatica Orlando, which opened in 2008, [55] [56] and is part of the greater chain of Aquatica water parks.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "Seaworld–Page Info". Facebook . Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Pipeline: The Surf Coaster - Launching 2023". SeaWorld Orlando. October 18, 2022. Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  3. ↑ "AECOM Global Attractions Attendance Report" (PDF). Dallas, Texas: TEA/AECOM. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Rooney, Ben (October 7, 2009). "Sea World, Busch Gardens unit sold for $2.7 billion". CNN Money. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Sea World Deep-Sixing Mission Ride". Orlando Sentinel. June 20, 1994.
  6. ↑ Kelly-Brown, Kathy (July 1, 2021). "NBCUniversal Announces Completion of Universal Orlando Acquisition". Business Wire. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  7. ↑ "No more free beer at Busch theme parks". Orlando Business Journal.
  8. ↑ Dezember, Ryan (April 22, 2013). "The Many Ways Blackstone Made Money on SeaWorld's IPO". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Blackfish: when killer whales attack". The Telegraph. April 25, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Autopsy report" (PDF). Office of the Medical examiner, district nine, FL. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 17, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  11. ↑ Kuo, Vivian. "SeaWorld appeal of OSHA citations denied - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  12. ↑ "SeaWorld won't appeal ruling pulling trainers from water at killer whale shows". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  13. ↑ Kleiman, Joe (March 11, 2019). ""Sunny Days" ahead as Sesame Street opens at SeaWorld Orlando March 27". InPark Magazine. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  14. ↑ "SeaWorld's 'Ice Breaker' coaster opened Feb. 18". WFLA. January 3, 2022. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  15. ↑ Niles, Robert (May 11, 2023). "Catch a Wave on SeaWorld's Next-Gen Stand-Up Coaster". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  16. ↑ Stevenson, John (September 28, 2020). "Bolliger & Mabillard Files Patent for Stand-Up Coaster Restraint". Coaster101. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  17. ↑ Orlando, SeaWorld. "Adventure Begins July 7: SeaWorld Orlando Announces Grand Opening of Penguin Trek, the Most Anticipated Family Coaster of 2024". PR Newswire (Press release). Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "SeaWorld Park Map | SeaWorld Orlando". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  19. 1 2 3 "Grand opening of Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando". orlandosentinel.com. March 6, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  20. ↑ "SeaWorld Florida". Screamscape. May 29, 2007. Archived from the original on May 29, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Grand opening of Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando". orlandosentinal.com. March 6, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Elmo's Choo Choo Train Attraction | Sesame Street at SeaWorld". seaworld.com. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Big Bird's Twirl 'N' Whirl Attraction | Sesame Street at SeaWorld". seaworld.com. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  24. 1 2 3 4 "The New Sesame Street - Seaworld Orlando | Expedition Theme Park - YouTube". YouTube . April 2, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Abby's Flower Tower Attraction | Sesame Street at SeaWorld". seaworld.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Cookie Monster's Cookie Drop Attraction | Sesame Street at SeaWorld". seaworld.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Rubber Duckie Water Works Playground Attraction | Sesame Street at SeaWorld". seaworld.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando". chicnavigator.com. March 23, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Slimey's Slider Attraction | Sesame Street at SeaWorld". seaworld.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  30. ↑ Strother, Susan G. (February 2, 1992). "Florida's Sea World Plans Bermuda Triangle Ride
  31. ↑ "SeaWorld Hospitality Center closing – No more free beer". tampabay.com. January 5, 2009.
  32. ↑ "The Polar Express Experience at SeaWorld Orlando Begins This Friday, November 12th..." Visit Tampa Bay. November 10, 2010.
  33. ↑ "Photo Update: Sea Garden among other new things at SeaWorld - July 2010". July 23, 2010. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Sesame Street land is coming to SeaWorld Orlando". tampabay.com. May 3, 2018.
  35. ↑ "SeaWorld: Kraken roller coaster ditches virtual reality headsets". September 18, 2018. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  36. ↑ "SeaWorld removes Sesame Street playground weeks after new land opens - Theme Park Tribune, theme park news". April 23, 2019.
  37. ↑ "Rescue Center | Animal Experiences | SeaWorld Orlando".
  38. ↑ https://seaworld.com/orlando/animal-experiences/coral-rescue-center/ Archived January 11, 2024, at the Wayback Machine [ bare URL ]
  39. ↑ "Sea World Whale Capture Plans Attacked". Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press. September 23, 1984.
  40. ↑ Garcia, Jason (June 5, 2012). "False killer whale Jozu dies at SeaWorld Orlando". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  41. ↑ Kirley, James (September 16, 2012). "Too soon to tell if surviving pilot whales can be released". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on September 22, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  42. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2008 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 2, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  43. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2009 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 2, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  44. 1 2 "TEA/AECOM 2011 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  45. 1 2 "TEA/AECOM 2013 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  46. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2014 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 4, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  47. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2015 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 18, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
  48. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2016 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  49. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2017 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  50. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2018 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2019. Alt URL Archived June 26, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  51. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2019 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  52. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2020 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  53. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2021 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  54. ↑ "Attendance at the Seaworld Florida theme park from 2009 to 2022". Statista. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  55. ↑ "Happy Birthday, Aquatica!". SeaWorld. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  56. ↑ "Aquatica SeaWorld Orlando's Third Park To Open March 2008". Ultimate Rollercoaster. Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023.

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Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a 422-acre (1.71 km2) amusement park in James City County near Williamsburg, Virginia, United States, located approximately 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Virginia Beach. The park was developed by Anheuser-Busch (A-B) and is owned by United Parks & Resorts. The park opened on May 16, 1975, adjacent to Anheuser-Busch's brewery and near its other developments, including the Kingsmill Resort complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SeaWorld San Antonio</span> Theme park in San Antonio, Texas

SeaWorld San Antonio is a 416-acre (168 ha) marine mammal park, oceanarium and animal theme park in the Westover Hills District of San Antonio, Texas, on the city's west side. It is the largest of the three parks in the SeaWorld chain owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts. As North America's largest marine-life theme park, and one of the world's largest marine-life theme parks, it is focused on conservation, education and animal rescue. It is a member of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SeaWorld San Diego</span> Theme park in San Diego, California

SeaWorld San Diego is a theme park in Mission Bay Park in San Diego, California. It is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, public aquarium, and marine animal rehabilitation center. SeaWorld, the theme park's proprietor, is owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legoland Billund Resort</span> Original Legoland Park

Legoland Billund Resort, the original Legoland park, opened on 7 June 1968 in Billund, Denmark. The park is located next to the original Lego factory and Billund Airport, Denmark's second-busiest airport. Over 1.9 million guests visited the park in 2011, and 50 million guests have visited the park since it opened. This makes Legoland the largest tourist attraction in Denmark outside Copenhagen. The Legoland parks that have since been built are modelled upon Legoland Billund, most noticeably the Miniland area, which is made up of millions of plastic Lego bricks.

This is a summary of notable incidents that have taken place at various United Parks & Resorts-owned amusement parks, water parks or theme parks. This list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of every such event, but only those that have a significant impact on the parks or park operations, or are otherwise significantly newsworthy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Parks & Resorts</span> American theme park and entertainment company

United Parks & Resorts Inc. is an American theme park and entertainment company headquartered in Orlando, Florida. The company owns and operates twelve recreational destinations in the United States, including eight theme parks and four water parks. Notable brands within its portfolio include SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. In May 2018, Themed Entertainment Association and the global management firm AECOM reported that the then SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, operating under its previous name, ranked ninth in the world for attendance among theme park companies, led by parks SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chimelong Ocean Kingdom</span> Theme park situated in Hengqin, Zhuhai, China

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is a theme park situated in Hengqin, Zhuhai, People's Republic of China. It was designed by PGAV Destinations. The park broke ground on November 28, 2010 and soft-opened on January 28, 2014. The grand opening occurred on March 29 of that year. The first phase of the park cost RMB 10 billion to build. It is part of the Chimelong International Ocean Tourist Resort, which aims to become the "Orlando of China". In 2023 the park hosted 12.52 million visitors, making it the sixth-most visited theme park in the world and the most visited theme park in the world that is not a Disney or Universal park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abby's Flower Tower</span> Ride at SeaWorld Orlando

Abby's Flower Tower is a flower-themed spinning samba tower ride located in Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando in Orlando, Florida, United States. Manufactured by Zamperla, the ride lifts and spins riders to heights of 30 feet in the air. Jazzy Jellies was opened to the public in 2006. It closed in 2018 to retheme the ride to Abby's Flower Tower as part of the changing from Shamu's Happy Harbor to Sesame Street Land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunny Day Carousel</span> Ride at SeaWorld Orlando

Sunny Day Carousel is a Sesame Street themed carousel ride located in Sesame Street Land at SeaWorld Orlando in Orlando, Florida, United States. Manufactured by Chance Rides, riders board colorful horses and float up and down as the carousel revolves. The ride opened to the public as Sea Carousel opened in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sesame Place</span> Theme park chain

Sesame Place is a theme park chain based on the children's educational television program Sesame Street. In the United States, it is owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts under an exclusive license from Sesame Workshop, the non-profit owner of Sesame Street.

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