New Killer Whale Show at SW!

[SimonV]

SeaWorld has just announced it will debut a brand new whale show at Shamu Stadium next spring, called Believe, which will be one of their most ambitious entertainment offerings to date. Additionally, there will be 3 new kiddie rides, a Shamu coaster, a jellyfish tower and a wave swinger (geared towards the 4-10 year age group). Here's the latest press release on Believe:

SeaWorld Orlando is set to launch new killer whale show “Believe” in spring 2006. This new show is the most ambitious entertainment project in SeaWorld’s history and blends new killer whale behaviours with elaborate set pieces, music, choreography and state-of-the-art multimedia. “Believe” will take place several times daily at SeaWorld Orlando, and until then the existing killer whale shows will continue in the main pool with construction taking place around the show schedule.

REDESIGNED STADIUM

Construction at the Shamu Stadium is scheduled to begin week commencing 17th October and the new set will boast a huge whale tail (or “fluke”); fountains, and multimedia equipment that includes video cameras, LED screens and sophisticated sound design.

The centrepiece of the new set design is a three-storey tail fluke flanked by four, 20 foot-wide video screens which can operate independently and also move together to create a single, 80-foot long panoramic screen. These screens provide guests at Shamu Stadium with views of the whales from cameras both above and below the water.

The audio system for “Believe” is the most sophisticated ever constructed for a Busch Entertainment show with nearly 100 speakers throughout the stadium creating a surround sound experience. The musical score has been composed exclusively for the show and the killer whale behaviours are choreographed to match each beat.

SEAWORLD ORLANDO KILLER WHALES

The trainers have been working on the new behaviours with the park’s killer whales for nearly two years and the new choreography of “Believe” will capture the grace and agility of these powerful killer whales, each one weighing 2.5 to 4.5 tonnes. Thad Lacinak, BEC’s vice-president of animal training, said “We will do much more than entertain with ‘Believe,’ we want to inspire our guests to believe in themselves. If we can build this kind of relationship with 6,000-pound killer whales, there’s nothing they can’t do.”

SeaWorld’s trainers have developed a repertoire of nearly 160 killer whale behaviors, 100 of which will be part of the new show. “Our training philosophy is built entirely on positive reinforcement,” he said. “With animals this large and powerful, relationships built on trust are critical.”

NEW SHOWS AT SEAWORLD ORLANDO

“Believe” is the second new show to open at SeaWorld Orlando, the first being “Blue Horizons”, a spectacular theatrical show combining dolphins and whales, daredevil performers and exotic birds all brought together with a hint of Broadway magic. The show is a based upon the dreams of a young girl, which sets the stage for an action packed show both above and below the water. A cast of divers and aerial acrobats plunge from bungees, soar on swings and perform alongside graceful dolphins, ominous false killer whales and a rainbow of exotic birds to provide this unique show.

In addition to SeaWorld Orlando, “Believe” will also launch at SeaWorld parks in San Diego and San Antonio in 2006.

 

[rapunzal]

Just wondering if the Shamu shows will be cancelled...like they did to the dolphins during construction?

 

[Andrea]

that sounds cool, i hope the show is not cancelled

 

[SimonV]

No, there should be no cancellations, they say. Most of the construction is due to take place outside park and show hours, so they intend to keep going on a daily basis. I suspect they may have to cut back the number of shows they do at some times so, instead of 4 a day, there may only be 2. But there should certainly be no days when the Shamu Show is not running as it is too much of an integral part of SW's entertainment.

 

[DisOrBust]

So when do they think this will open? We are going in Feb...maybe...

 

[CatLady]

Most of the construction is due to take place outside park and show hours, so they intend to keep going on a daily basis. I suspect they may have to cut back the number of shows they do at some times so, instead of 4 a day, there may only be 2.

There have been many days recently when there have only been 2 shows -- generally 3:00 (packed to the point that they must turn people away) and 6ish (much less crowded). They have to have "quiet" time for the whales to rest as well as having time for the cosntruction crews. I think that on the weekends that Spooktacular is running, they have had more shows to accommodate the higher crowds.

 

[mill4023]

Sounds interesting. Next time I talk to my cousin, I'll ask him what he knows about any schedule changes during construction. He's the trainer in the wetsuit in the picture below.

 

[Nellas Elensar]

On New Year's Day, I watched the Orlando Citrus Bowl Parade on TV (I live in KY and our local FOX station was carrying it). They had a SWO float on there as well as some singer singing the "title song" for Believe. The MC's for the parade said that the new show will open in May. Does anyone know when in May it'll most likely open?

Nellas Elensar

 

[USA Here I Come]

Sounds interesting. Next time I talk to my cousin, I'll ask him what he knows about any schedule changes during construction. He's the trainer in the wetsuit in the picture below.

Wow, your cousins a trainer? Lucky him! I bet he has no complaints going to work in the mourning

I can't wait for this new show, it'll be interesting to see how it turns out

 

[LaLa]

Very cool. We are thinking of going in May as well and hope it will be open by then.

 

[mill4023]

Wow, your cousins a trainer? Lucky him! I bet he has no complaints going to work in the mourning

I can't wait for this new show, it'll be interesting to see how it turns out

Yep. It's definitely one of those dream jobs that most people never have the chance to do. The pay sucks and it includes lots of time spent scrubbing fish buckets, but he loves it. When he was 8 years old, he was already volunteering for a wildlife rescue organization and used to take injured animals home to take care of. So it's definitely a dream come true for him.

Plus, we now get free Sea World tickets and get to pet the whales.

 

[riu girl]

Wow, three new childrens rides.
We will be at SeaWorld for the first time in December and I can't wait to see them!!

 

[Jenny]

i think that last year, blue horizons, officially opened on or right before memorial day weekend so i'm wondering if this new show will do the same....i hope not or at least i hope there will be soft openings in early may - i'm looking to go to sea world on may 7.

 

[Jenny]

will all of those kiddie rides, etc be open near the stadium in may?

 

[tink too]

Can't wait to see it! Looking forward to those new kiddie rides for DD, too! We're also thinking about the "Dine with Shamu" lunch as well!

I'm in over-drive planning our trip!

 

[USA Here I Come]

Yep. It's definitely one of those dream jobs that most people never have the chance to do. The pay sucks and it includes lots of time spent scrubbing fish buckets, but he loves it. When he was 8 years old, he was already volunteering for a wildlife rescue organization and used to take injured animals home to take care of. So it's definitely a dream come true for him.

Plus, we now get free Sea World tickets and get to pet the whales.

Aaaawww thats so awesome that he got to be a trainer. I've always wanted to work with marine mammals since I was five years old not as a trainer per se but maybe work in research but living in rural England kind of puts down that idea. Ah well I can dream I guess, its great to hear of people who actually acheive this dream and its great for you guys getting free tickets too

 

[DisOrBust]

Ant ews on offical openings of Believe and "new" rides!

 

[DIS NURSE]

When we will we get to see this new show?
Thanks to all of you who have updated us!