New SeaWorld attractions and whale show

[SimonV]

It seems no sooner do we get our new edition ready to roll than the parks start announcing changes for 2006

After Disney announced their car park charge going up from $8 to $9 (well, they didn't actually announce it, they just put the prices up), SeaWorld have just released news of a completely new Shamu show, with a new soundtrack and a new look, for May 2006, along with 3 extra kiddie rides (a Shamu-coaster, wave swinger and jellyfish tower - very similar to what Cypress Gardens currently has, or in Disney's California Adventure if you go to Disneyland). The changes do all make good sense and should add an extra string to SeaWorld's bow, but i just wish they might let us annual publications know a little in advance. Ho hum.....!

 

[cazzie]

I hope the new Shamu show is up and running when we go May 11.

 

[JanElliott]

3 new kiddie rides at Seaworld - good news to me. I'm too chicken to do the big rides. Infact thought I was mega brave doing Atlantis and I keep telling the family that once was enough

 

[wicket2005]

Sounds good to me.

 

[SimonV]

Here's some more detail from their latest press release:

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.

 

[wilma-bride]

Sounds great Simon - especially as we're going to be staying just across the road next year so plan to visit a couple of times.

 

[Amyrlin]

Now I have to go next year to see the new shows!!!!!!

 

[SimonV]

If they do as good a job with Believe as they did with the new Blue Horizons, SeaWorld will have 3 of the very best shows anywhere when you add in Odyssea too. They are doing an amazing job with their live entertainment there. I honestly wasn't convinced when I heard the theming for Blue Horizons, but the reality was much, much better, and well worth seeing twice on any visit to SW, IMHO.

 

[wicket2005]

The new killer whale show sounds fantastic. It will be nice to see something different. I wasn't that impressed with Blue Horizons.

 

[lenny l]

deleted

 

[Aceman88888]

Blue Horizons went belly up when we were there. There were problems with the harness of the main 'red' performer and one of the dolphins escaped into the pool whilst the whales were in there. Whilst just random problems, we were treated to a 10 minute lecture upon the dangers of putting whales and dolphins in the same pool and the mating possibilities it can create!

 

[Double k]

The new show sounds fantastic can't wait to see it.

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

I saw the new show a few weeks ago and it was great. The staduim is really nice too.

Just wondering if there is going to be any disruption to the current Shamu show with all this building work.

 

[SimonV]

No, they say there shouldn't be any disruption as re-building and re-modelling will take place around the show-times. I suspect they may well cut back on the number of shows each day, while the main work is being carried out, but it shouldn't stop running at any stage.

 

[Double k]

Thats good to know

 

[tink too]

We were there last December while they were preparing the new Blue Horizons Show and they did cut back the amount of regular dolphin shows but allowed viewing of some training sessions, too.

Won't be back until October next year so can't wait to catch these new shows and kiddie rollercoasters will please our DD4 - she can't understand why she's not allowed on Kraken!

Is Mystify still running? We didn't see that last year either but it sounded soo good! One of the best night-time shows we've ever seen was a firework/laser/image projection show for 4th of July at Sea World about 8 years ago!

 

[SimonV]

Mistify only runs in peak season, through the summer, unfortunately.

 

[Queenie]

That sounds excellent! I'm hoping that my mum will be coming with us next year. She's never been to Seaworld and really wants to go next time so this will be great for her.

Disney's parking charge increase annoyed me, it happened whilst we were there. One day we drove in and paid $8, the next day we paid $9. I'm glad that day we paid with a $10 note instead of exact money like normal!