For as many issues as I have with the over-reliance of animals at the Busch parks (they’re zoos with rides, and I serious issues with zoos), I have a bigger issue with the fact that Busch Gardens and SeaWorld both could create dark rides and narrative attractions that are fun, exciting, and educational.
For SeaWorld:
Sesame Street: Goes to the Beach - A slow moving dark ride where the Sesame Street gang goes to the beach and learns about protecting beaches, tide pools, and coral reefs
The Trench - Dark ride/coaster hybrid where you’re part of an expedition into the Mariana Trench
Operation: Ocean Rescue - Scoop-style RV dark ride where you respond to animals caught in nets, a gyre, an oil spill, and coral bleaching.
For Busch -
Operation: Serengeti Protection - Scoop-style RV dark-ride where you assist crews in stopping a gang of poachers across the African Serengeti.
Sesame Street: Takes a Hike - Slow moving dark ride with the Sesame Street gang to learn about forest protection and conservation.
Stanley’s Myths and Monsters - A slow- moving dark ride that explores various mythological creatures and the real animals that inspired them.
Like, I get that narrative attractions like this are way more expensive and take longer to develop. But for all the broader corporation’s focus on conservation efforts, it’s always bugged me that their presentation is always so sanitized. They could do fascinating, challenging attractions if they wanted.