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]
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:
Port of Entry: The main entrance of the park features a Florida-inspired theme with tropical landscaping and a large artificial freshwater marina with a Shamu-themed iconic lighthouse.[18]
Sea of Ice: Sea of Ice, originally named Antarctica, is themed around the Antarctic continent. Penguin Trek, which replaced Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is the sole attraction in this area as a penguin exhibit.[18]
Sea of Delight: Sea of Delight includes a sub-area named The Waterfront, which resembles a seaside Mediterranean village. The park's Sky Tower ride is also here, it was integrated into the theme of The Waterfront village when the area opened in 2003. The only land animal show at the park, Pets Ahoy, was located here inside of the Seaport Theater. Outside of the Waterfront is where the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium viewing area stands.[18]
Sea of Mystery: The Sea of Mystery houses the Shark Encounter exhibit and the Shark's Underwater Grill, as well as the Nautilus Theater, which is currently used for seasonal shows and events. Mako, a Bolliger & Mabillardsteelhypercoaster opened in the area on June 10, 2016,[18] The current shark exhibit and the surrounding area has been renovated to become Shark Wreck Reef. As of 2018 this area also became home to the rapids ride Infinity Falls set in the sub area of sea of Infinity which is a rainforest area also featuring a food location, waterway grill.
Sea of Power: Sea of Power is host area of the SeaWorld's killer whale shows. The Shamu Stadium is located in the center with the Wild Arctic indoor pavilion next-door. Wild Arctic is an indoor animal exhibit hosting beluga whales, Pacific walrus, harbor seals and formerly polar bears. Shamu Stadium currently hosts "Orca Encounter" as its main show with "Shamu Celebration: Light up the Night" and "Shamu Christmas Miracles" showing seasonally.[18]
Sesame Street Land: Formerly Shamu's Happy Harbor and Sea of Fun, Sesame Street Land is a children's area located adjacent to Shamu Stadium and features family activities including Super Grover's Box Car Derby (a junior rollercoaster) and a water play area.[18] It is the only area within SeaWorld Orlando to be based on the educational television program, Sesame Street.
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.
A 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.
A 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.
A 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".
A 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.
A 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.
A 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).
A Mack Rides Flying Theater using sounds, Heat and A/C, and smells to immerse riders in an arctic landscape, taking the place of the old Wild Arctic building.
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
17
Shamu Stadium
1984
The 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
18
Dolphin Theater
1973
The 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
19
The Sea Lion and Otter Theater
1990
Hosts "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
20
Bayside Stadium
1983
Formerly 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
21
The Nautilus Theatre
1995
This 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
22
Seaport Theatre
1998
Formerly 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
23
Seafire Grill
2001
A 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.
24
Reflections
2006
A 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.
25
Wheel of Fortune Live!
2008
A taping of Wheel of Fortune that had shows taped at the park during 2008.
26
Sesame Street Party Parade
2019
A 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.
^"Autopsy report"(PDF). Office of the Medical examiner, district nine, FL. Archived(PDF) from the original on August 17, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
