SeaWorld Orlando's Future Plans

[Brian G.]

SeaWorld Forms Resort Development Group

The company announced the formation of its Resort Development Group and the appointment of Steve Iandolo to the position of Vice President of Resort Development, effective February 1. Iandolo is responsible for leading the resort construction and development effort that was introduced in November as part of the company's plan for organic and strategic growth. Iandolo has nearly 30 years of successful experience in design and construction in the hospitality industry. While with Universal Studios Parks and Resorts, he was creative director for the development of Orlando's Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino Bay Hotel. Iandolo joined the company in February from Herschend Family Entertainment where he was Vice President, Hospitality Development.

 

[Mad Dog]

SeaWorld Forms Resort Development Group

The Universal resort hotels are certainly a feather in anyone's resume. If the rest of his portfolio is as impressive as those three resorts, this may be a nice move on Sea World's part.

 

[WAJAS]

I'm gonna put this here because it seems like this is the SeaWorld new project thread.

I forgot to take pics, but between TurtleTrek and Dolphin Cove a new overlook is being built. It looks over the rescue and rehabilitation pools for some of the rescue operations and also has a general view of the rescue ops area.

 

[SeaWorldRocks]

When does everyone think SeaWorld will announce their next projects for Orlando? What could those be too? I would love to see a resort announced and possibly replacement shows for Blue Horizons or One Ocean. What does everyone else think? Will they ever officially announce Blue World isn't coming? With all the announcements going on everywhere else I would love to see SeaWorld get some love. I know we got Mako coming but not all of us are coaster lovers lol. I love SeaWorld don't get me wrong I am just excited to see some new things coming.

My gosh Lego Land even announced 5 new projects today.

 

[WAJAS]

When does everyone think SeaWorld will announce their next projects for Orlando? What could those be too? I would love to see a resort announced and possibly replacement shows for Blue Horizons or One Ocean. What does everyone else think? Will they ever officially announce Blue World isn't coming?

I have a feeling the announcement for next year's attraction will be coming either 1) before summer yet after the Mako has its final announcement or 2) after summer but before HHN marketing picks up.

I think next year's attraction will be our version of the SeaWorld Rescue rides. The truck one to be more specific, and I think it will go either where the Terrace BBQ is or where Wild Arctic is. For the the following major attraction in 2018, I would put money on either a new show or a dark ride on the scale of Dark Kastle at BGW. The 2019 minor will probably be a small yet significant renovation of a current ride like Kraken, Atlantis, or an animal exhibit. Lastly, if Blue World still happens, then I would put money on that being the 2020 new major attraction.

On another front, an Asia, Middle East, or even South American park may be in the future if they want to have a fallback in case another Blackfish disaster occurs.

 

[SeaWorldRocks]

I have a feeling the announcement for next year's attraction will be coming either 1) before summer yet after the Mako has its final announcement or 2) after summer but before HHN marketing picks up.

I think next year's attraction will be our version of the SeaWorld Rescue rides. The truck one to be more specific, and I think it will go either where the Terrace BBQ is or where Wild Arctic is. For the the following major attraction in 2018, I would put money on either a new show or a dark ride on the scale of Dark Kastle at BGW. The 2019 minor will probably be a small yet significant renovation of a current ride like Kraken, Atlantis, or an animal exhibit. Lastly, if Blue World still happens, then I would put money on that being the 2020 new major attraction.

On another front, an Asia, Middle East, or even South American park may be in the future if they want to have a fallback in case another Blackfish disaster occurs.

Thanks for your replies. I think it’s always fun to speculate and look to the future. I am excited to see what the future brings to SeaWorld for sure. I am curious what the place will look like in the next 5 - 10 years.

I would think that the Terrace area would be good for a new attraction but with the very popular pass member lounge that just opened there I can’t see them getting rid of that just yet. It’s always packed when I go it seems. Now Wild Arctic definitely could use some help. Another real quiet area of the park is the pathway between Turtle Trek and Journey to Atlantis. Unless a show is going on the foot traffic over there is nonexistent.

Another area I would like to see used and grown is the Bayside Pathway. Yes I know it’s used for special events but over half the year nothing goes on there and a good size of the park is closed. I would like to see it utilized in some way.

 

[IzzyB]

Thanks for your replies. I think it’s always fun to speculate and look to the future. I am excited to see what the future brings to SeaWorld for sure. I am curious what the place will look like in the next 5 - 10 years.

I would think that the Terrace area would be good for a new attraction but with the very popular pass member lounge that just opened there I can’t see them getting rid of that just yet. It’s always packed when I go it seems. Now Wild Arctic definitely could use some help. Another real quiet area of the park is the pathway between Turtle Trek and Journey to Atlantis. Unless a show is going on the foot traffic over there is nonexistent.

Another area I would like to see used and grown is the Bayside Pathway. Yes I know it’s used for special events but over half the year nothing goes on there and a good size of the park is closed. I would like to see it utilized in some way.

I agree I think Arctic is where the next thing goes. I disagree with Bayside. It is used for special events which brings them money that is keeping them alive. It will stay until they can survive without events. I actually wouldn't be shocked if they add in another event in May and another in September to be honest with you.

To add, they use that path actively at least during the weekends for Feb, March, June, July, August, October, end of November, and December. If they add in May and Sept the only months it would not be used is January (bring a friend for free gives them money this month) and April (spring break crowds).

 

[SeaWorldRocks]

To add, they use that path actively at least during the weekends for Feb, March, June, July, August, October, end of November, and December. If they add in May and Sept the only months it would not be used is January (bring a friend for free gives them money this month) and April (spring break crowds).

I love events so I am all for that. They have not used the path for Summer Nights the last several years. The only time its used in the summer is July 4.

Thanks for adding your comments I love seeing peoples ideas.

 

[IzzyB]

I love events so I am all for that. They have not used the path for Summer Nights the last several years. The only time its used in the summer is July 4.

Thanks for adding your comments I love seeing peoples ideas.

Interesting. They used to use it for summer events, I wonder why they stopped. I have not been there the last two summers because of the heat and being pregnant and then havign a young baby.

 

[GAcoaster]

The staff required to open the path is more than they want to spend or can make from it being open. That and when they used to open it for the summer nights, they would open the gates out to the parking lot to let people out after the fireworks, which would lose the business of those guests passing the shops and food on their way out.

 

[Kumba's Roar]

I think they may announce the next attraction after Mako opens so they can bring in those people who may wait to go for Mako for when the next attraction opens. That said, they may begin construction before that if it's needed for the project. Hoping it will include Arctic as well.

About the Bayside area, if they were looking to keep that area open, I think they could add new attractions to the area. I know some may not be too thrilled, but they could probably fit in a Tempesto clone over there. A new coaster is a new coaster and if they market it better than BGW did with Tempesto, it could be a great addition. Add a restaurant and a few shops and they could easily leave that part open.

 

[WAJAS]

Don't really know where to put this, but Blue Horizons, the dolphin show, is almost done with its modified performances. The only part that is not in still is the divers. The rest of the aerial acts, like the one with the "flying" rope system, have returned.

Also, the Manatee / SeaWorld Rescue pool overlook area by TurtleTrek is almost done.

Lastly, the first new sponsor since the Blackfish situation is here and its Nathan's hotdogs.

 

[Nick]

So this is kinda a big shift for SeaWorld... Campaign

 

[Jon84]

So this is kinda a big shift for SeaWorld... Campaign

Can only be a good thing in terms of the parks making money.

With the aim of the parks being conservation over theatre, they'll be sure to smooth things out.

Anyone know how old their youngest Orca is?

EDIT: the youngest is 1 year old, so this investment is long terms seeing as they could live for 40 years or longer.


This exciting transformation will start in our San Diego park next year, followed by San Antonio and then Orlando in 2019.

Orlando has a few years to wait till they begin construction, I wonder if the theatrical shows will continue in this time

 

[Nick]

Can only be a good thing in terms of the parks making money.

With the aim of the parks being conservation over theatre, they'll be sure to smooth things out.

Anyone know how old their youngest Orca is?

Yup.

I'm not someone who is "PETA crazy", but I also don't care about any of the Orca shows there.

 

[Jon84]

I'm not someone who is "PETA crazy", but I also don't care about any of the Orca shows there.

I feel exactly the same. I don't dislike it (SW) enough to not go to the park, I feel that my admission will at least contribute to their care costs.

But I do avoid the shows.

 

[UNIrd]

Wow. This is huge news that was delivered extremely well. I love how they enforce the attitudinal shift in society largely in part to people's own experiences with SeaWorld. It's true. They've made that kind of impact over the years.

 

[WAJAS]

I feel like this was a very smart nor for the company, both in timing and message. They don't act like they are the bad guys of the situation by immediately changing policy but instead wait till it seems that they are changing with society's mindset.

 

[Disneyhead]

I started a thread regarding the new campaign. I was thinking we could keep this thread more about stuff they are building without having to wade through pages of discussions about ethics.

 

[Scott W.]

Wow. This is huge news that was delivered extremely well. I love how they enforce the attitudinal shift in society largely in part to people's own experiences with SeaWorld. It's true. They've made that kind of impact over the years.

I thought it was delivered extremely well too.

This is an interesting step for SeaWorld to take and I hope it works well for them.