An animal theme park , also known as a zoological theme park , is a combination of an amusement park and a zoo , mainly for entertainment, amusement, and commercial purposes. Many animal theme parks combine classic theme park elements, such as themed entertainment and amusement rides , with classic zoo elements such as live animals confined within enclosures for display. Many times, live animals are utilized and featured as part of amusement rides and attractions found at animal theme parks.
17-456: 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
34-492: 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 . 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
51-470: 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). The nation's first combination roller coaster and flume ride, Journey to Atlantis , was installed in 1998. Kraken , a Bolliger & Mabillard floorless roller coaster,
68-454: A launched steel coaster, manufactured by Premier Rides . Pipeline opened in 2023 as the world's first surf coaster, manufactured by B&M. It is a revival of the stand-up coaster, featuring better restraints and offering a more comfortable ride experience. Penguin Trek opened in 2024 as a new launched family roller coaster manufactured by B&M, replacing the former Antarctica: Empire of
85-523: A ride. (A Zierer family coaster themed to a Shamu train) (A carousel themed to sea creatures with caricatured marine mammals and fish) (A short train ride themed to aquatic animals and sea creatures) (A spinning ride themed to a typhoon spinning around the sea) (A high tower ride themed to jellyfish) (A drop tower ride themed to a giant fiddler crab ) Former Attractions: (2012) (An outdoor/indoor exhibit featuring sea turtles , West Indian manatees , and American alligators . A former exhibit
102-555: The United States . 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. Busch was more experienced with theme parks and thus developed SeaWorld in
119-490: The Penguin dark ride. In summer 2014, as a part of the company's 50th anniversary, SeaWorld Orlando was separated into different areas, called "seas", each with a unique themed element. Starting at the lower center and continuing clockwise they are: 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
136-457: The Penguin , which was a motion-based , trackless dark ride , closed indefinitely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans for a new family-friendly roller coaster to replace the then abandoned Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin began in 2022. In September 2023, SeaWorld Orlando revealed the name for the roller coaster, Penguin Trek. In November 2023, SeaWorld Orlando revealed the trains for
153-1066: The country.) SeaWorld Orlando also has an adjacent waterpark , Aquatica Orlando , which opened in 2008, and is part of the greater chain of Aquatica water parks. Animal theme park Two examples of animal theme parks are Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida (580 acres or 2.3 square kilometres) and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida (335 acres or 1.36 square kilometres). These commercial parks are similar to open-range zoos and safari parks according to size, but different in intention and appearance, containing more entertainment and amusement elements (stage shows, amusement rides, etc.). The term "animal theme park" can also be used to describe certain marine mammal parks , oceanariums , and more elaborate dolphinariums , such as SeaWorld , which offers amusement rides and additional entertainment attractions, and are also where marine animals such as whales are kept, contained, put on display, and are sometimes trained to perform in shows. In 2010
170-602: 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. 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. Then in 2016, Mako opened as
187-533: The neighboring Universal Orlando parks until July 2011). Due to this selloff, the Hospitality House and Beer School were closed, also the Clydesdales and their barn were removed from the park. Then 2013, Blackstone sold 37% of SEAS in an initial public offering. On February 24, 2010, during a small show at "Dine with Shamu", one of the orca whales , Tilikum , pulled trainer Dawn Brancheau into
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#1732790970996204-612: The practice of keeping animals as trained show performers in theme parks was heavily criticized when a trainer was killed by an orca whale at SeaWorld Orlando in Florida. Most zoos have a carousel and/or Safari Train , but some zoos have more amusement attractions than that. Penguin Trek Penguin Trek is a family launched roller coaster located at SeaWorld Orlando in Orlando, Florida , United States. Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M),
221-496: The roller coaster at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Exposition. In February 2024, the track work for the ride was completed. The ride starts in an indoor Antarctic themed section with glaciers, snow, and an LED display before leaving outdoors, utilizing a linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch and taking a wide right turn. A series of twists and turns including
238-424: The roller coaster is the newest expansion and attraction at SeaWorld Orlando, opening on July 7, 2024. Penguin Trek reaches a maximum height of 65 feet (20 m) with a maximum speed of 43 mph (69 km/h) and a total track length of 3,020 feet (920 m). The ride features both indoor and outdoor sections, providing an experience simulating an Antarctic snowmobile expedition. In March 2020, Antarctica: Empire of
255-476: The water and ultimately killed her. 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. 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
272-513: 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
289-580: 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. 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
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