SeaWorld San Antonio
Encyclopedia
SeaWorld San Antonio is a 250 acres (101.2 ha) marine mammal park
, oceanarium
, and animal theme park
, located in the Westover Hills area of San Antonio, Texas
. It is the largest of the three parks in the SeaWorld
chain owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
, a division of The Blackstone Group, and the world's largest marine
-life theme park. It is a member of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA).
). Built for $170 million, it opened on Memorial Day weekend in 1988 and welcomed 75,000 people during the grand opening. It had 3.3 million visitors in its first 12 months of operation, placing it among the Top 10 attractions in Texas. At the time of the park's debut, it was billed as "the largest educational, marine-life theme park in the world."
In 1989, Harcourt, Brace, and Jovanovich (heavy in debt and fighting a hostile takeover) sold its SeaWorld
and Boardwalk and Baseball
theme parks to Anheuser-Busch
, Inc. Plans to build a Boardwalk and Baseball
park adjacent to SeaWorld of Texas were immediately abandoned.
On 26 November 1988, Kayla (stage named "Baby Shamu
") was the first killer whale born at SeaWorld San Antonio.
Under Anheuser-Busch
ownership, SeaWorld San Antonio closed less popular attractions such as the Texas Walk, the U.S. Map Plaza, and the Garden of Flags and added its popular Clydsedales to the park.
parks to The Blackstone Group.
"After 20 years of chills and thrills at SeaWorld San Antonio, the log flume ride, Texas Splashdown, will make its final splash on Friday, May 13. The ride has been enjoyed for more than two decades, and SeaWorld is inviting guests to experience it one last time before the ride closes.
Added in spring 1991 as one of the nation’s largest water flume rides, Texas Splashdown became the park’s first thrill ride. This towering log flume ride is located between Steel Eel and Great White. Four-passenger boats transport guests through a twisting, turning half-mile route that includes two exciting plunges from as high as six stories at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.
“Since Texas Splashdown debuted more than 20 years ago, it has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of SeaWorld guests,” said Dan Decker, SeaWorld San Antonio’s park president. “The ride has had a great run of service.”
While we are not making any immediate announcements for a replacement attraction, its closing allows the park to plan for new entertainment experiences, whether it’s a ride, show, animal encounter or other attraction.
SeaWorld is constantly changing to offer guests new experiences and new reasons to visit. Last year we closed Shamu’s Happy Harbor and reopened the area this spring with the new Sesame Street Bay of Play. In June, SeaWorld will debut a new Shamu show, “One Ocean,” which replaces the popular “Believe” show that enjoyed a five-year run.
So don't miss your chance to come ride Texas Splashdown one more time! (Okay, you can ride it a couple more times.)"
Rides:
Activities:
Shows:
The killer whales at San Antonio are Takara
, Sakari (Takara's calf), Kyuquot
, Keet
, Unna, and Tuar.
On April 17th, Imaq, the adult male beluga from Vancouver Aquarium, secretly arrived to Sea World San Antonio on a 5-year breeding loan.
This is the 3rd of three beluga whales on a breeding loan from Vancouver Aquarium to SeaWorld: Nanuq, Allua, Imaq.
Luna gave birth to a healthy female beluga calf on June 23rd, 2010. Sea World San Antonio had a naming contest to name Bella, and Luna's calf has been named Atla, which means "unique" in the Inuit language of Inuktitut.
In 2009, Nico, Maris, and Natasha from the Georgia Aquarium were moved to SeaWorld temporarily to keep them away from the worst of the noise during construction at the Georgia Aquarium. Nico died on 31 October 2009. A preliminary necropsy was unable to determine if Nico's death was caused by the move or by something else. On 3 March 2010, Maris and a new male, Beethoven, were returned to the Georgia Aquarium while Natasha was paired with a potential mate and remained in San Antonio.
that opened on March 1, 2008. Some of popular water attractions like The Sidewinders tower (with 4 tube slides and 2 large bowl slides) will be re-themed, painted and renamed to Tassie's Twister. The splash attack play structure will be staying but it will be renovated with new theming, new slides, new interactive elements, new landscaping, and new zero-entry pool and will be named Walkabout Waters. The Activity pool will stay but will also be renovated with new theming, new interactive elements, new pool updates, new landscaping, new beach lounge chairs, inviting waterfalls and a renaming. Those 4 existing water attractions will be kept during the Aqautica Texas re-theming. The new expansion is scheduled to be open by Memorial Day weekend May 2012.
Marine mammal park
A marine mammal park is a commercial theme park or aquarium where marine mammals such as dolphins, beluga whales and sea lions are kept within water tanks and displayed to the public in special shows. A marine mammal park is more elaborate than a dolphinarium, because it also features other marine...
, oceanarium
Oceanarium
An oceanarium can be either a marine mammal park, such as Marineland of Florida, or a large-scale aquarium, such as the Lisbon Oceanarium, presenting an ocean habitat with marine animals, especially large ocean dwellers such as sharks.- Marine mammal parks :...
, and animal theme park
Animal Theme Park
An Animal Theme Park, also known as a Zoological Theme Park, is a combination of a theme park and a zoological park, mainly for entertainment, amusement, and commercial purposes. Many animal theme parks blend classic theme park elements, such as themed entertainment and amusement rides, with...
, located in the Westover Hills area of San Antonio, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It is the largest of the three parks in the SeaWorld
SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a United States chain of marine mammal parks, oceanariums, and animal theme parks owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. The parks feature captive orca, sea lion, and dolphin shows and zoological displays featuring various other marine animals. There are operations in Orlando,...
chain owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a family entertainment company owned by The Blackstone Group. SeaWorld is responsible for the operation and maintenance of eleven theme parks located throughout the United States...
, a division of The Blackstone Group, and the world's largest marine
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
-life theme park. It is a member of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums was founded in 1924 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.The AZA headquarters is located in Silver...
(AZA).
History
SeaWorld San Antonio (formerly SeaWorld of Texas) was developed by Harcourt, Brace, and Jovanovich (now Harcourt Trade PublishersHarcourt Trade Publishers
Harcourt was a United States publishing firm with a long history of publishing fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. The company was based in San Diego, California, with an Editorial / Sales / Marketing / Rights offices in New York City and Orlando, Florida.In 2007, the U.S...
). Built for $170 million, it opened on Memorial Day weekend in 1988 and welcomed 75,000 people during the grand opening. It had 3.3 million visitors in its first 12 months of operation, placing it among the Top 10 attractions in Texas. At the time of the park's debut, it was billed as "the largest educational, marine-life theme park in the world."
In 1989, Harcourt, Brace, and Jovanovich (heavy in debt and fighting a hostile takeover) sold its SeaWorld
SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a United States chain of marine mammal parks, oceanariums, and animal theme parks owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. The parks feature captive orca, sea lion, and dolphin shows and zoological displays featuring various other marine animals. There are operations in Orlando,...
and Boardwalk and Baseball
Boardwalk and Baseball
Boardwalk and Baseball was a theme park built near Haines City, Florida, United States, on the east corner of the intersection of US 27 and Interstate 4. It replaced Circus World at the same location, and was owned by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich...
theme parks to Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. , is an American brewing company. The company operates 12 breweries in the United States and 18 in other countries. It was, until December 2009, also one of America's largest theme park operators; operating ten theme parks across the United States through the...
, Inc. Plans to build a Boardwalk and Baseball
Boardwalk and Baseball
Boardwalk and Baseball was a theme park built near Haines City, Florida, United States, on the east corner of the intersection of US 27 and Interstate 4. It replaced Circus World at the same location, and was owned by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich...
park adjacent to SeaWorld of Texas were immediately abandoned.
On 26 November 1988, Kayla (stage named "Baby Shamu
Shamu (SeaWorld show)
Shamu is the stage name given to the SeaWorld orca shows and to the "star" of those shows, beginning with the original Shamu in the late 1960s and early 1970s...
") was the first killer whale born at SeaWorld San Antonio.
Under Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. , is an American brewing company. The company operates 12 breweries in the United States and 18 in other countries. It was, until December 2009, also one of America's largest theme park operators; operating ten theme parks across the United States through the...
ownership, SeaWorld San Antonio closed less popular attractions such as the Texas Walk, the U.S. Map Plaza, and the Garden of Flags and added its popular Clydsedales to the park.
Anheuser-Busch and InBev Merge
On June 12, 2008, InBev announced that it made a US $46 billion offer for the brewing firm Anheuser-Busch. This merger joined two of the world's four largest brewing companies (based on revenue) and created a company that brews three of the top beers in the world - Bud Light, Budweiser and Skol. InBev also stated that the merger would not result in any U.S. brewery closures and they would also attempt to keep on management and board members from both companies. Soon after, the newly merged company sold the SeaWorldSeaWorld
SeaWorld is a United States chain of marine mammal parks, oceanariums, and animal theme parks owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. The parks feature captive orca, sea lion, and dolphin shows and zoological displays featuring various other marine animals. There are operations in Orlando,...
parks to The Blackstone Group.
Roller Coasters & Thrill Rides
- The Great WhiteThe Great WhiteMaking its debut in 1997, The Great White was the first inverted roller coaster in Texas and the first roller coaster to be built at a SeaWorld park....
- The park's first coaster, a B&M Inverted that debuted in 1997. Top speed of 50 mi/h. Lift height is 108.2 ft. Total track = 2,562 ft. - Shamu Express
- Steel EelSteel EelMaking its debut in 1999, the Steel Eel is a custom roller coaster built by Chance Morgan, Inc. At a height of 150 feet, Steel Eel is the tallest roller coaster at not only SeaWorld San Antonio, but at any Sea World park. It was the second coaster built by SeaWorld, following The Great White ,...
- Advertised as "the first and only hypercoasterHypercoasterA hypercoaster can mean one of two things:*Any continuous-circuit roller coaster with a height or drop measuring greater than 200 feetOr, more narrowly:*A style or model of roller coaster with three features:**A height of 200–299 feet...
in Texas," it reaches speeds close to 70 mi/h. - Journey to AtlantisJourney to AtlantisJourney to Atlantis is the name shared by three water roller coasters located at SeaWorld theme parks. These attractions, while different from one another, tell a similar story of a trip to the mythical land of Atlantis. Each one combines roller coaster elements, such as chain lift hills and steep...
- The first ride of its kind in North America, it debuted in 2007. - Rio Loco - A River Rapids RideRiver rafting rideA river rafting ride is an amusement ride that simulates whitewater rafting.-History:The river rapids ride concept was proposed by Bill Crandall and developed by Intamin AG...
that opened in 1991. - The Texas Splashdown - Permanently closed on May 13, 2011.
"The Final Splash of Texas Splashdown"
On April 14, 2011, an article was posted on SeaWorld's blog announcing that the Texas Splashdown will be closing permanently on May 13, 2011."After 20 years of chills and thrills at SeaWorld San Antonio, the log flume ride, Texas Splashdown, will make its final splash on Friday, May 13. The ride has been enjoyed for more than two decades, and SeaWorld is inviting guests to experience it one last time before the ride closes.
Added in spring 1991 as one of the nation’s largest water flume rides, Texas Splashdown became the park’s first thrill ride. This towering log flume ride is located between Steel Eel and Great White. Four-passenger boats transport guests through a twisting, turning half-mile route that includes two exciting plunges from as high as six stories at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.
“Since Texas Splashdown debuted more than 20 years ago, it has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of SeaWorld guests,” said Dan Decker, SeaWorld San Antonio’s park president. “The ride has had a great run of service.”
While we are not making any immediate announcements for a replacement attraction, its closing allows the park to plan for new entertainment experiences, whether it’s a ride, show, animal encounter or other attraction.
SeaWorld is constantly changing to offer guests new experiences and new reasons to visit. Last year we closed Shamu’s Happy Harbor and reopened the area this spring with the new Sesame Street Bay of Play. In June, SeaWorld will debut a new Shamu show, “One Ocean,” which replaces the popular “Believe” show that enjoyed a five-year run.
So don't miss your chance to come ride Texas Splashdown one more time! (Okay, you can ride it a couple more times.)"
Sesame Street Bay of Play (Kiddie Rides)
Formerly Shamu's Happy Harbor, Sesame Street's Bay of Play (opened in March 2011) is an interactive children play area based on the long running television series "Sesame Street". Shamu Express kiddie coaster remains the only unchanged attraction from the old Happy Harbor.Rides:
- Grover's Roundup (Carousel)
- Abby Cadabby's Rocking Wave (Rocking Unit)
- Big Bird's Spinning Reef (Mini Ferris Wheel)
- Shamu Express (Mini Roller Coaster)
- Elmo's Dolphin Dive (Mini Drop Unit)
Activities:
- Splish 'n' Splash (Water Play Area)
- Little Bird's Splash (Small Children's Water Play Area)
- Tot's Ahoy (Small Children's Playground)
- Net Climb
- Playground
Shows:
- Sunny Days (Sing & dance with some of your favorite Sesame Street characters)
Dining
- Shamu's Smokehouse (formerly Voyagers)
- Rosita's Cafe (formerly Mango Joe's Cafe Ole)
- Rio Loco Grille (formerly Rio Loco BBQ)
- Azul Treats (formerly The Oasis)
- SeaFire Grille
- Castaway Cafe
- Shamu Soft Serve
- Eats Beach Grill
- SeaStar Market
- Polar Parlor
- Seaside Coffee
Shows and exhibits
Shows
- One Ocean - (Shamu Stadium) A new show featuring interaction with whale trainers at the park's Shamu Theater.
- The Cannery Row Caper - (Seal and Sea Lion Stadium) A comical "Who done it?" featuring sea lions Clyde and Seamore, who attempt to unravel the mystery of disappearing fish in a nearby cannery. Located at the park's Sea Lion Stadium, this show also features animals Walrus and Otter.
- Cool Vibrations - (Ski Stadium) A live-action boat and water-skiing stunt show that runs throughout the park's summer months; formerly called Rockin' Ski Party prior to the park's 2009 Season.
- Azul, Lure of the Sea - (Beluga Stadium) This show features professional high divers, aerialists, and synchronized swimmers performing with Pacific white-sided dolphins and beluga whales.
- Pirates 4-D - (SeaStar Theatre) - Combines the latest 4-D special effects technology with multi-sensory theater effects. Guests will experience sprays of water and other surprises during their adventure with the sea's most hapless band of pirates. The voyage begins aboard a pirate ship in the Caribbean with Captain Lucky.
Exhibits
- Aviary Habitats - Guests can view a variety of birds from pink flamingoFlamingoFlamingos or flamingoes are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus , the only genus in the family Phoenicopteridae...
, duckDuckDuck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered...
s and geese, among other birdBirdBirds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s from throughout the Americas. - Animal Connection Conservation Center - Get close to various types of animals along with Animal Ambassadors.
- Dolphin CoveDolphin Cove (Seaworld)Dolphin Cove is a SeaWorld attraction, which can be found at all SeaWorld parks and holds about of water....
- The popular Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are on exhibit here. SeaWorld staff educates the public on their behaviors and lifestyle. Guests can interact with the dolphins and purchase fish to feed the animals. - Penguin Encounter - Visitors step into the Antarctic wilderness on a moving walkway and view over 200 penguinPenguinPenguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, especially in Antarctica. Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins have countershaded dark and white plumage, and their wings have become flippers...
s in a variety of species. There are additional exhibits where one can read about the penguins and view other aquatic birds. - Seal & Sea Lion Community - a variety of sealsPinnipedPinnipeds or fin-footed mammals are a widely distributed and diverse group of semiaquatic marine mammals comprising the families Odobenidae , Otariidae , and Phocidae .-Overview: Pinnipeds are typically sleek-bodied and barrel-shaped...
, sea lionSea LionSea lions are pinnipeds characterized by external ear-flaps, long fore-flippers, the ability to walk on all fours, and short thick hair. Together with the fur seal, they comprise the family Otariidae, or eared seals. There are six extant and one extinct species in five genera...
s, walrusWalrusThe walrus is a large flippered marine mammal with a discontinuous circumpolar distribution in the Arctic Ocean and sub-Arctic seas of the Northern Hemisphere. The walrus is the only living species in the Odobenidae family and Odobenus genus. It is subdivided into three subspecies: the Atlantic...
es and otterOtterThe Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
s can be found here. Everyone will be delighted to see the seals bask in the warm sunlight, the sea lions swimming in the cool water, and the otters just doing what they do. - Sharks/The Coral Reef - Guests can view some of the world's most exotic and fiercest sea creatureAnimalAnimals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...
s. Some animals that are found here include sting rays, eelEelEels are an order of fish, which consists of four suborders, 20 families, 111 genera and approximately 800 species. Most eels are predators...
s, tropical fishTropical fishTropical fish include fish found in tropical environments around the world, including both freshwater and salt water species.Tropical fish are popular as aquarium fish, due to their often bright coloration...
, and a variety of sharkSharkSharks are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago....
s. - Alligator Alley - Alligators (American) lounging aroung Ski Lake.
- Flamingo Cove - Visitors can stop by a see Flamingos by Shamu Stadium.
Entertainment
- Boardwalk Games Center - A Game Center conjoined with the exit of the Great White Roller Coaster that features Midway Games and a Video Arcade.
- Sea Star Theater A 4D Theater featuring Pirates and Haunted LighthouseHaunted LighthouseR.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse is a short 4-D film. It debuted in several United States theme parks, including SeaWorld San Diego & SeaWorld San Antonio, in 2003, and stars Sara Paxton, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Matt Weinberg, and Bobby Edner. "Weird Al" Yankovic has a bit...
(Summer Nights). Later, there was "Lights, Camera, Imagination!" in 2011.
Killer whale
SeaWorld's main attraction is its killer whales, which are housed in 7-million-gallon habitats that are each known as Shamu Theater. Shamu was the name of the first killer whale brought to SeaWorld San Diego in the 1960s. 'Shamu' is now used as a stage name for adult killer whales in performances at SeaWorld parks. The killer whales all have real names.The killer whales at San Antonio are Takara
Takara
Takara Co., Ltd. was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955, that merged with another prominent Japanese toy company, Tomy Co., Ltd., on March 1, 2006 to form Takara Tomy, also known in English as TOMY Company Ltd....
, Sakari (Takara's calf), Kyuquot
Kyuquot
Kyuquot, meaning "people of Kayukw" in the Nuu-chah-nulth language, may refer to:* Kyuquot, British Columbia, an unincorporated settlement on northwestern Vancouver Island, British Columbia...
, Keet
KEET
KEET is a digital-only public television station in Eureka, California, broadcasting locally on channel 11 as a PBS member station. Founded in 1969, the station is owned by Redwood Empire Public Television, Inc...
, Unna, and Tuar.
Dolphins
The bottlenose Dolphins at San Antonio are Ansley, Alice, Brady, Brie, Cisco, Donley, Fathom, Gilly, Hacksaw, Kai, Mattie, Nacha, Neelee, Nikki, Notchfin, Nueces, Osbourne, Ping, Puka, Punta, Scotia, and Yoyo.Belugas
The belugas at San Antonio are Natasha, Crissy, Bella, Martha, Oliver, Sikuu, Luna, Atla, and the most recent, ImaqOn April 17th, Imaq, the adult male beluga from Vancouver Aquarium, secretly arrived to Sea World San Antonio on a 5-year breeding loan.
This is the 3rd of three beluga whales on a breeding loan from Vancouver Aquarium to SeaWorld: Nanuq, Allua, Imaq.
Luna gave birth to a healthy female beluga calf on June 23rd, 2010. Sea World San Antonio had a naming contest to name Bella, and Luna's calf has been named Atla, which means "unique" in the Inuit language of Inuktitut.
In 2009, Nico, Maris, and Natasha from the Georgia Aquarium were moved to SeaWorld temporarily to keep them away from the worst of the noise during construction at the Georgia Aquarium. Nico died on 31 October 2009. A preliminary necropsy was unable to determine if Nico's death was caused by the move or by something else. On 3 March 2010, Maris and a new male, Beethoven, were returned to the Georgia Aquarium while Natasha was paired with a potential mate and remained in San Antonio.
Lost Lagoon
Lost Lagoon is a water park that was added to SeaWorld in 1993. It's open March through September. Lost Lagoon is closing from September 5, 2011 - May 30, 2012 to be replaced by Aquatica Texas. A separate gated water park based on the original Aquatica OrlandoOrlando
Orlando is a major city in the U.S. state of Florida.Orlando may also refer to-Places:* in Florida** Orlando, a major city** Greater Orlando, the 27th-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
that opened on March 1, 2008. Some of popular water attractions like The Sidewinders tower (with 4 tube slides and 2 large bowl slides) will be re-themed, painted and renamed to Tassie's Twister. The splash attack play structure will be staying but it will be renovated with new theming, new slides, new interactive elements, new landscaping, and new zero-entry pool and will be named Walkabout Waters. The Activity pool will stay but will also be renovated with new theming, new interactive elements, new pool updates, new landscaping, new beach lounge chairs, inviting waterfalls and a renaming. Those 4 existing water attractions will be kept during the Aqautica Texas re-theming. The new expansion is scheduled to be open by Memorial Day weekend May 2012.
- Activity Pool
- Buckaroo Mountain
- Castaway Cruisin'
- Lil' Gators Lagoon
- Sidewinders
- Sky Tubin'
- Splash Attack
- Wave Wash Pool