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HYDROGEN BUSES FUEL SEAWORLD’S LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE
Orlando, Fla. (Feb. 20, 2008) – SeaWorld continues to lead the theme park industry along the road of environmental responsibility with the addition of two new hydrogen-fueled shuttles. SeaWorld is working with Ford Motor Company, Chevron Technology Ventures, Progress Energy and the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Energy Office as part of a pilot program working to determine the efficiency and application of hydrogen-fueled vehicles.
“We are honored to be part of this innovative pilot program and have a role in the effort to find alternative fuel sources,” said Dan Brown, SeaWorld’s executive vice president and general manager. “Conservation has always been part of SeaWorld’s DNA and this is one of the many initiatives we are committed to as a company.”
These Ford E-450 shuttles are powered by internal combustion V-10 engines that are modified to run on hydrogen, rather than gasoline. Compared with today's gasoline engines, these deliver up to 99.7 percent reduction in C02 emissions and include many of the benefits of a hydrogen fuel cell, but at a fraction of the cost.
“These buses represent part of Ford Motor Company’s strategy to deliver transportation solutions that emit less CO 2 and reduce our dependence on oil,” said Sue Cischke, Ford senior vice president. Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “We are pleased to partner with SeaWorld to place these buses into service so that visitors will be able to experience this unique form of clean transportation.”
SeaWorld will use the buses on a daily basis for the next two years, shuttling employees between SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica.
To help increase the knowledge about hydrogen-fueled vehicles and their impact on the environment, each morning SeaWorld will record the amount of miles and the amount of hydrogen fuel that was used the previous day and compare those figures to the gasoline-fueled buses. This data will be submitted to Ford and Chevron Technology Ventures for their review and measurement.
Ford is delivering 30 buses to customers across North America as part of a test fleet. The first vehicles for the U.S. were delivered in May 2007 to the Greater Orlando Airport Authority (GOAA) and the Orlando Convention Central District.
For more information on SeaWorld Orlando’s conservation efforts including coastal clean-ups, animal rescue programs and restoration of habitat loss, visit swbg-conservationfund.org.
The Worlds of Discovery parks include SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio; Busch Gardens Africa and Adventure Island in Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Europe and Water Country USA in Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove in Orlando; and Sesame Place near Philadelphia. Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark, is under construction in Orlando and is scheduled to open this March. To learn more about the parks, visit www.4adventure.com or call toll-free (800)4ADVENTURE. Additionally, Busch Entertainment Corporation created the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, a non-profit, private charitable foundation committed to supporting wildlife and habitat conservation, research, education and animal rescue programs worldwide.
SeaWorld Orlando Unveils Park's First "Family-Friendly" Rides
“Shamu Express” Roller Coaster Thrills Parents and Children Alike
(5-23-2006)
ORLANDO, FL. – SeaWorld Orlando has taken flight with the “Shamu Express” – the park’s first family-oriented roller coaster. Themed after SeaWorld’s famous killer whale, the “Shamu Express” will gently thrill 28 children and parents in killer whale-themed cars down more than 850 feet of track at 26 mph.
Two more brand new “kid-friendly” additions include a jellyfish-themed samba tower ride and a waterspout-themed tea cup ride. “Jazzy Jellies” will lift and spin families in jellyfish-themed seats while “Swishy Fishies” will enable adventurous youngsters to sit in themed seats while they spin around a giant waterspout. “This expansion adds even more thrills for our youngest guests, who may be riding a roller coaster for the first time” said Jim Atchison, executive vice president and general manager of SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove. “To further the family experience, parents can also ride with their children.” Currently, Shamu’s Happy Harbor is a three-acre children’s play area that offers SeaWorld’s littlest guests four stories of colorful climbing nets and tunnels, nine slippery slides and a splashy water maze. SeaWorld Orlando is the world’s premier marine adventure park with 200 acres of world-class shows, thrilling rides and unforgettable animal encounters. Millions of visitors have explored the mysteries of the sea with up-close animal interactions and exhilarating experiences. State-of-the-art rides give guests unprecedented thrills, while amazing animal encounters include killer whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks and more.
SeaWorld Launches "BELIEVE," the Most Ambitious Killer Whale Show in the Park's History
(5-23-2006)
Orlando, Fla. – SeaWorld parks across the U.S. have unveiled the most ambitious entertainment project in the brand’s 41-year history, a new production called “Believe.” Nearly four years in the making, “Believe” showcases SeaWorld’s majestic killer whales performing awe-inspiring choreography, an elaborate 3-story set including panoramic LED screens and an original musical score written exclusively for this show.
From Hollywood to Broadway, SeaWorld’s creative team collaborated with innovative entertainment icons to develop a show that would not only inspire guests’ emotions, but also re-ignite guests’ passions for their own dreams.
“Our ultimate goal for this show is to impassion guests to believe in themselves,“ said Dave Goodman, vice- president of entertainment. “We want guests to believe they can accomplish the seemingly impossible, as our trainers do in this show through their relationships with these top predators of the ocean.”
A first for SeaWorld, the intense choreography of this extraordinary show creates a breathtaking “killer whale ballet” of grace and agility, as every movement of the powerful whales – each weighing 6,000 to 10,000 pounds -- is matched to the corresponding beat of a stirring, original musical score created exclusively for this show. In fact, SeaWorld’s trainers developed a repertoire of nearly 100 killer whale behaviors, 60 of which will be part of the new show.
The centerpiece of the new set design is a 3-story tail fluke flanked by four, 20-foot-wide LED screens which 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 above- and below-water cameras, including, for the first time, a camera suspended directly over the main show pool.
The audio system for “Believe” is the most sophisticated ever constructed for a SeaWorld show. The design creates soundscapes for “Believe” that rival any show or concert experience, with nearly 100 speakers throughout the stadium. Guests will experience the original musical score which was performed by the Prague National Symphony Orchestra in a truly surround-sound experience.
Continuing the Revolution:
“Believe” continues the revolution which began last year with “Blue Horizons” – an entirely new breed of dolphin show. This theatrical spectacular was breakthrough in that it combined visions of Broadway with majestic animals, spirited performers and exotic birds. To create this dynamic show, SeaWorld collaborated with Broadway’s most inventive experts and married theatrical extravagance -- seen in the larger-than-life set and dramatic costuming -- with amazing animal behaviors.
In addition to SeaWorld, BEC operates Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Fla. and Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. near Philadelphia; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg. BEC and its parks employ nearly 20,000 people nationwide.
SeaWorld Orlando Launches New Group Events Options...And Redefines the Orlando Meeting Experience
SeaWorld Orlando Offers Meeting Planners Unprecedented Event Opportunities
5/23/2006
ORLANDO, Fla. (April 2008) – Ranging from the innovative “Shamuuze” event designed for large-scale groups to private beer tastings for smaller, more intimate affairs, SeaWorld Orlando is unveiling several new group event options specifically designed for meeting planners. Adding to an already diverse portfolio of world-class event options, SeaWorld is truly redefining the Orlando meeting experience.
“Our ultimate goal was to develop truly innovative events that could not be duplicated,” said Marcelle Stiff, Director of Special Events. “Our new ‘Shamuuze’ event really encompasses the SeaWorld brand and is certain to raise the bar across the meetings industry.”
SeaWorld’s new themed event, “Shamuuze” offers an unforgettable atmosphere where networking or “schmoozing” occur within a world of integrated opposites. Black and white, fire and ice, water and air, and all of the colors of the Northern Lights are intricately intertwined into the entertainment, ambiance and décor of the event.
Featuring entirely black-and-white décor accented with elaborate ice sculptures, enormous fabric “wave walls,” cirque-like entertainment and customized service bars made entirely of ice, “Shamuuze” slowly evolves into a kaleidoscope of color throughout the night as the colors of the Aurora Borealis come alive in a sudden, pivotal moment. Large illuminated fabric sculptures and detailed garden art become brightly colored displays as enchanting vignette performances capture the vibrant energy of the transformation.
This extravagant party can be held in a variety of locales throughout the park for up to 10,000 people. For more intimate gatherings, SeaWorld has developed the all-new “BrewMaster’s Club.”
This exceptional program enables attendees to experience a variety of foods, paired with a selection of Anheuser-Busch products. With each sampling, attendees will learn about fresh ingredients, historic brewing processes, and tips on bringing out the full flavor of their favorite Anheuser-Busch beverages.
During the tasting, an assortment of cheeses, fruits and chocolate are sampled to complement the flavor of the beer. From classic American lagers to full-bodied stouts, attendees will sample from an amazing portfolio of beers that only Anheuser-Busch can provide. Attendees may also get a chance to sample innovative new products before they are introduced to the public.
Offering unforgettable animal encounters, revolutionary animal shows and enchanting themed events, SeaWorld and Discovery Cove provide meeting planners with an expansive array of event options. Whether it’s an intimate gathering of 50 among the tranquil lagoons and lush greenery of Discovery Cove, or a company retreat of more than 10,000 at SeaWorld, SeaWorld and Discovery Cove offer meeting planners unparalleled event opportunities available no where else in Orlando.
SeaWorld lanza “Believe”, el espectáculo de ballenas más ambicioso en su historia
05/23/2006
SeaWorld lanza “Believe”, el espectáculo de ballenas más ambicioso en su historia
ORLANDO, Florida, EE.UU., mayo 2006 --- Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC) está ultimando detalles para el gran estreno en sus parques SeaWorld en Orlando (Florida), San Diego (California) y San Antonio (Texas) -este mes- de su nueva producción “Believe”, el espectáculo de ballenas más ambicioso en los 41 años de historia de estos parques marinos. En el nuevo show, las ballenas mostrarán toda su majestuosidad en una elaborada coreografía, combinada con música original y efectos multimedia de última tecnología. Todo esto, en un set de 3 pisos, especialmente concebido para este espectáculo.
Es la primera vez en SeaWorld que la coreografía tan compleja crea un “ballet de ballenas”, lleno de gracia y agilidad, en el que cada movimiento de estos poderosos mamíferos -que pesan entre 2,5 y 4,5 toneladas- está perfectamente coordinado con el ritmo de la música.
“Believe” va a ser presentado en los 3 parques en los Estadios de Shamu, que están entre los hábitats más grandes a nivel mundial para mamíferos marinos.
En SeaWorld Orlando, la gran parte de las estructuras que están sobre el agua en el Estadio de Shamu han sido removidas con el fin de obtener el espacio necesario para la nueva escenografía, que incluye la cola de ballena más grande del mundo que forma parte del set en “Believe”, así como para acomodar varias fuentes y colocar complejas piezas mecánicas del set y el equipo multimedia que incluye cámaras de video, aparatos de sonido y pantallas planas de video.
La gigantesca cola de la ballena, que es la parte central del set, está rodeada por 4 pantallas móviles de video de 6 metros de ancho cada una, que operan independientemente, pero también pueden unirse para crear una sola pantalla gigante de 24 metros de ancho en el centro del escenario. Las pantallas permitirán a los espectadores disfrutar de distintas vistas de las ballenas y sus entrenadores, incluyendo las tomas hechas por las cámaras sobre y debajo del agua. Además, por primera vez habrá una cámara suspendida directamente sobre la piscina principal del show.
El sistema del audio estereofónico con casi 100 cornetas en todo el estadio es el más sofisticado en la historia de los parques de BEC. La calidad y los efectos especiales del sonido pueden fácilmente rivalizar con cualquier concierto o show musical.
Thad Lacinak, vicepresidente del adiestramiento animal de BEC, dijo que los entrenadores de mamíferos marinos han estado trabajando en el desarrollo de nuevas destrezas de las 24 ballenas de SeaWorld por casi 2 años, basándose en 4 décadas de experiencia en el entrenamiento de las ballenas para espectáculos.
Los entrenadores de SeaWorld han desarrollado un repertorio de casi 160 destrezas de las ballenas, 100 de las cuales serán parte del nuevo show. “Nuestra filosofía de trabajo está basada totalmente en el reforzamiento positivo,” dijo Lacinak. “Con los animales tan grandes y tan fuertes, las relaciones basadas en la confianza son críticas.”
“Con este show haremos mucho más que entretener,” enfatizo Lacinak. “Queremos inspirar a nuestros visitantes a tener confianza en ellos mismos. Si nosotros logramos establecer este tipo de relación con las ballenas que pesan más de 3 toneladas, no hay nada imposible para nuestros visitantes.” De hecho, el nombre del show (“Cree” en español) hace una clara alusión a esta intención motivacional.
“Believe” continúa la onda innovadora que comenzó en BEC en 2004 con la preparación de Blue Horizons, un gran espectáculo teatral de delfines que se estrenó en SeaWorld Orlando en mayo de 2005, combinando toda la magia de Broadway con la gracia de los delfines.
SeaWorld pertenece a Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), uno de los operadores estadounidenses más grandes de parques temáticos y de aventura, que forma parte del gigante estadounidense Anheuser-Busch Companies, holding que agrupa a más de una decena de empresas. Los 9 parques de BEC incluyen SeaWorld en Orlando (Florida), San Diego (California) y San Antonio (Texas); Busch Gardens en Tampa Bay (Florida) y Williamsburg (Virginia); Discovery Cove en Orlando; Adventure Island en Tampa Bay; Water Country USA en Williamsburg; y Sesame Place cerca de Filadelfia (Pensilvania). Para más detalles sobre los parques de BEC, visite www.4adventure.com o llame gratis en los EE.UU. al 1-800-4-ADVENTURE.