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Event includes Taiko drummers and cultural dancers, delicious Asian-inspired food and drink offerings, and more Guests are invited to celebrate Lunar New Year at SeaWorld San Diego on February 10 and 11 as the sights, sounds and aromas of Asia come alive during a one-of-a-kind festival that’s fit for the whole family. Cultural entertainment, authentic food & beverage options, and festive décor will take over Wild Arctic Plaza for this special cultural celebration included with park admission. The Lunar New Year Festival Stage will feature cultural performances from the local community, including Taiko drumming, lion dancers, and cultural dance shows. Families will be awed by these high-energy performances by local community groups. Lucky red envelopes will also be handed out, each containing a special surprise or saying to symbolize good wishes and luck for the year ahead. Delicious, Asian-inspired food and beverage options will also be available in the area to celebrate. Guests can enjoy chicken and veggie fried rice, chow mein, veggie pot stickers, beef bulgolgi, mango mochi, and more! Drink options will include Lucky Dragon Punch with lychee popping boba, Shiso Highball, and a Fortune Fizz cocktail. With new offerings introduced for 2024, SeaWorld San Diego has the best benefits ever for 2024 Annual Pass Members. For as low as $13.25 a month, with NO DOWN PAYMENT, guests can enjoy up to $2,365 worth of special benefits, including unlimited year-round admission for amazing animal experiences, thrilling attractions, and incredible seasonal events. Members receive 12 months of visits with the best benefits ever, including FREE parking, up to six free guest tickets, and special savings on merchandise, Quick Queue, and more. Pass Members are first for everything, first to ride any new attraction, first to view new animal exhibits, and first to know about major park announcements. In 2024, Pass Members will be the first to view SeaWorld’s newest exhibit, Jewels of the Sea, A Jellyfish Experience, the immersive and interactive aquarium. For more information on SeaWorld and to purchase Annual Passes and Fun Cards visit SeaWorldSanDiego.com. ABOUT: SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life themed rides and attractions, special events and exciting entertainment. For more than 60 years SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of marine life in and outside its parks through science, education, and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, helping more than 40,000 animals to date. The SeaWorld Conservation Fund, a non-profit foundation established in 2003, has provided more than $20 million to nearly 1,400 organizations to advance critical research on every continent. A portion of park proceeds goes toward supporting these longstanding conservation commitments. SeaWorld parks are in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). SeaWorld is part of the SeaWorld Entertainment (NYSE:SEAS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit us at SeaWorld.com. Universal Studios Hollywood's World Famous Behind The Scenes Studio Tour Celebrates 60 Years1/23/2024
Universal Studios Hollywood’s World-Famous Behind-the-Scenes Studio Tour Attraction, Which has Entertained More Than 200 Million Guests Worldwide, Celebrates a Milestone 60 Years with Exciting Entertainment Planned for Spring and Summer The Iconic Attraction was the Genesis of Universal Studios Hollywood and Set the Stage for the Development of Universal Destinations & Experiences Global Theme Parks Universal City, California, January 23, 2024 – In 1964, Universal Studios Hollywood, originally referred to as Universal City Studios, rolled out its fleet of Glamor Trams, inviting tourists to “see film rushes of current productions, both feature and television, being made at Universal City,” according to the attraction’s original press release issued on July 4, 1964. It was a novel concept to invite the public to be a fly on the wall of movie and television production. After all, no one else had ever conceived of the idea. The iconic red and white Glamor Trams, with their ruffled awnings, were staged five times a day, each lasting just over two hours, Monday through Friday. 2024 celebrates the Studio Tour’s milestone 60 years, the more than 200 million guests who have experienced this attraction and, ultimately, Universal Studios Hollywood’s storied history. More information will be shared soon highlighting the exciting program planned for spring and summer in support of the Studio Tour’s 60th anniversary. During its inaugural year, behind-the-scenes special effects featured a brief make-up demonstration, a display of costumes by renowned costume designer Edith Head, an energetic two-man stunt performance and a tour of picturesque outdoor film sets. The following year, Universal expanded its scope of entertainment to feature a series of live entertainment that included a stunt show, animal show and screen test comedy theatre—all a precursor to what would eventually lead to the development of the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park. The point of entry for visiting guests at that time was at The Tourist Center, located at the Universal Commissary Building, where make-up artist demonstrations, trick photography and special props were on display. That was 60 years ago, and while much has transpired in six decades, the Studio Tour has remained true to its roots of immersing guests in the awe-inspiring world of movie-making magic and providing remarkable access to production sets on a real studio lot. The once celebrated Glamor Trams are long gone and have been replaced with a contemporary 60-minute experience, infused with advanced technology that enlightens and entertains millions of film buffs, theme park fans and tourists alike visiting from across the globe. With its sights on the future, the Studio Tour is in the midst of converting its fleet of 21 diesel-hydraulic engines to electric trams to help reduce carbon emissions and improve the guest experience by reducing noise associated with the diesel-hydraulic engine. And yet, aspects of the Glamor Tram have remained constant over this astonishing six decade span. Studio Tour Guides were central to the operations of the Glamor Tram tours then and remain vital to the success of the Studio Tour today. Numerous times a day, professionally trained Studio Tour Guides interact with guests, educating them on the inner workings of the movie and television lot, armed with insider information and first-hand accounts, and entertain them with tours in both English and Spanish. The role of a Studio Tour Guide has become a highly sought-after position in recent years with candidates auditioning from around the globe for a coveted spot – and for good reason. Studio Tour Guides have evolved over time into a Hollywood “apprenticeship.” Future filmmakers, budding actors and executives in-the-making are empowered to take advantage of a variety of opportunities and Hollywood-insider perks, that may include intimate group symposiums with prestigious industry professionals, free acting classes, participation in an actor’s showcase with top industry casting directors and chances for job placement positions within the company. Dozens of producers, directors, performers, movie and TV professionals as well as industry executives began their careers as Studio Tour Guides, and to this day, rank among the leaders shepherding the Studio Tour and Universal Studios Hollywood into the future. The Studio Tour of today continues to build on its rich history and like many great blockbuster films, creates a foundation for the next big sequel…and therein lies the origins of Universal Studios Hollywood. From ushering guests past iconic sets from the renowned film Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock – one of the very first film sets accessible for visitors to see up close and personal in 1964 – to the evolution of Universal Studios Hollywood, immersing guests in innovative, groundbreaking rides and attractions themed to compelling film and television properties, Studio Tour was “act one” in the development of the notable Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) portfolio of global theme parks. As the landmark Studio Tour turns a milestone 60, the juxtaposition of then and now shines a spotlight on its evolution to the theme park of today. Beginning with the modern day, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™--touted as a revolutionary addition to Universal Studios Hollywood when it expanded its scope of movie and television themed attractions to include the popular Super Mario™ video game property—celebrates its one-year anniversary. This collaboration with Nintendo was a placemaking endeavor for the global entertainment destination when it debuted the first SUPER NINTENDO WORLD in the United States. From the moment guests pass through the signature giant green pipe, they are transported into the Mushroom Kingdom to become a part of its exhilarating universe. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is a visually spectacular land, filled with vibrancy of colors and architectural ingenuity and where guests can gather to experience the groundbreaking “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge.” This technologically advanced ride, inspired by the popular Mario Kart™ video game series, seamlessly fuses cutting-edge augmented reality with projection mapping technology and actual set pieces along a moving ride track. With its broad cross generational appeal, SUPER NINTENO WORLD envelops guests in its unique world complete with interactive activities, Toadstool Cafe™ signature restaurant, 1-UP Factory™ store and walk-about characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad. In partnership with Universal Creative, the visionary design and development division of Universal Destinations & Experiences, Universal Studios Hollywood has crafted an ambitious blueprint for its future. The historic journey is nothing short of remarkable and the evolution of breakthrough, next-generation thrill rides has continued to revolutionize Universal Studios Hollywood, renowned for its innovative collaborations with influential Hollywood filmmakers and creatives, including Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Michael Bay, Chris Meledandri, Jordan Peele and Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo’s creative team, whose credibility reinforce Universal Studios Hollywood’s authenticity Over the past 60 years, many rides have opened, and others were bid a fond farewell. For a walk down memory lane, here’s look back at some of the many milestone rides and attractions that have helped to shape the destination:
These just touch on the spectrum of adventure at Universal Studios Hollywood as the entertainment options are inclusive of daily theme park operations and acclaimed seasonal and special events. From its engaging character interactions, popular Halloween Horror Nights and Grinchmas™ celebrations to the VIP Experience, a premium off-shoot of the iconic Studio Tour with enhanced behind-the-scenes access, there is so much to see and do at Universal Studios Hollywood…with much more on the way. More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Alliance Set to Revolutionize Guest Experience  ARLINGTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX), the world’s largest regional theme park company and the largest operator of water parks in North America, today announced that it has launched the largest digital alliance in the theme park industry, partnering with Google, HCL Tech, Dell, Snowflake, Fueled, and Pure Imagination Studios. The digital alliance—a first of its kind in the theme park industry— will offer cutting-edge technologies from best-in-class companies to benefit both guests and team members. The technological advancements spearheaded by this alliance aim to redefine the guest experience across multiple touchpoints. Our initiatives focus on streamlining pre-visit planning through intelligent recommendation systems, elevating real-time engagement during the visit with personalized, AI-driven notifications and virtual assistant support, and enriching post-visit interactions via insightful analytics that tailor future recommendations and offers. "Our guests are at the center of everything we do, and we want to give them the best possible experience when they visit our parks," said Selim Bassoul, CEO of Six Flags. "By partnering with the best-in-class companies, we are using data and technology to accelerate innovation and revolutionize the theme park industry." "Six Flags is leading the way on technology, harnessing the power of an alliance to accelerate innovation and seamlessly blend brands into the guest experience through multiple touchpoints in the park," said Omar Jacques Omran, Chief Digital Officer at Six Flags. "Our guests will benefit from the latest technology to make their visit more personalized, enjoyable, and memorable." Alliance members will play an important role in advancing innovation in the industry by harnessing their unique capabilities and technology:
The new latest technologies will revolutionize the guest experience by introducing immersive and interactive elements that are unparalleled in the theme park industry. Leveraging data-driven personalization, we'll provide tailored experiences for each guest, setting a new standard for customer engagement. The digital alliance is poised to unveil these groundbreaking innovations in the coming months. About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 27 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 63 years, Six Flags has entertained hundreds of millions of guests with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions. Six Flags is committed to creating an inclusive environment that fully embraces the diversity of our team members and guests. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com. Universal Studios Hollywood’s Philanthropic Discover A Star Foundation Raised $1 Million in 2023 to Benefit Greater Los Angeles Community Nonprofits Supporting Critical Poverty and Children’s Issues and Raises the Stakes in 2024 as Foundation Marks a Milestone 30 Years  Universal City, California, January 16, 2024 – Renowned for creating innovative, groundbreaking rides and attractions, Universal Studios Hollywood is also committed to philanthropy through its Discover A Star Foundation, which raised in excess of $1M in 2023 to benefit nonprofit groups within Los Angeles County that empower individuals and families to lead more fulfilling lives. For 29 years, Discover A Star (DAS) has been at the forefront of providing grants to select Los Angeles nonprofit organizations working to alleviate homelessness and poverty as well as critical children issues. “Giving back to our community and making a difference in people’s lives is as important to us as creating exceptional rides and attractions for our guests,” said Scott Strobl, Executive Vice President and General Manger, Universal Studios Hollywood and President of the Discover A Star Foundation. “I believe it is our responsibility to lead by example and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and the invaluable impact we consistently make year over year within our community. As Discover A Star marks its 30th year of giving in 2024, we look forward to making an even greater impact in the years to come.” In 2023, the $1M+ was raised to benefit 38 notable nonprofit groups with the remarkable ability to affect the lives of more than one million Los Angelenos. Below follows a partial list of the Discover A Star 2023 nonprofit beneficiaries:
Since its inception, Discover A Star has raised over $12M. Funds are raised annually through a variety of programs and opportunities supported by Universal Studios Hollywood that include the Discover A Star Charity Classic Golf Tournament, Discover A Scare Halloween Horror Nights event, and the Round Up for Charity program across the theme park and select venues at Universal CityWalk, among other outreach approaches. For more information about Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk, guests can visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com; like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.
An all-new dining experience with rescued animals, a jellyfish-focused Aquarium Lab tour, and more offer guests endless ways to spend their day learning about animals from the park’s dedicated team of animal care specialists SAN DIEGO, CA (January 8, 2024) – Inside Look is returning to SeaWorld San Diego on Saturday, January 13 and continuing on select dates through Sunday, January 21. During the event, which is included with park admission, park visitors will have special access to areas of the park normally not open to general park guests, including the Rescue Center, as well as all-new opportunities to hear from animal care specialists about the park’s belugas and otters, see jellyfish up close, and learn about rescued animals. “Inside Look is an awesome opportunity for our guests to learn about our incredible animals in new and unique ways as well as meet our zoological specialists as they share their passion for the animals they care for. Education and wildlife conservation have been the core of SeaWorld’s mission for 60 years, and we hope that guests will take home a little piece of inspiration to make a change in their daily lives that will help protect our planet’s wildlife” said Eric Otjen, Vice President of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld San Diego. “We’re especially excited to share what we’re learning about jellies as we gear up for the opening of Jewels of the Sea, our new jelly exhibit opening this year.”
Guests can check the daily schedule to make sure they don’t miss any of the all-new and returning exclusive experiences, including: All-New Aquarium Lab Jellyfish Tour: This paid upgrade allows guests to go behind the scenes at the Aquarium Lab to see and learn more about moon jellyfish, a species that will be featured in The Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience exhibit opening in 2024. Guests will have the opportunity to hear about and interact with archer fish and cleaner shrimp. All-New Inside Look Dine with Animals: For the first time, guests can upgrade their day and have the exciting ability to enjoy a delicious meal while learning more about unique rescued animals for an additional fee. At Nautilus Pavilion, guests will listen to the powerful stories of these incredible rescued marsupials, primates, and reptiles while enjoying a delicious chef-curated buffet meal. Animal Care Inside Look: In addition to daily animal presentations, SeaWorld Animal Care Specialists will be hosting special Trainer Talks where guests can learn about animal behaviors, feeding, and husbandry. These 20-minute presentations will be offered daily at Orca Encounter, Dolphin Point, Sea Lion & Otter Stadium, Penguin Encounter, and for the first time, Wild Arctic Beluga Viewing Area and Otter Outlook. Inside Orca Care Program: During this paid upgrade, visitors will meet and hear from the dedicated animal care specialists who safeguard the health and well-being of our killer whales. Park guests will view a learning and training session between the orcas and their animal care team to better understand the dynamics of caring for SeaWorld’s largest residents. Inside the SeaWorld Rescue Center: Guests will have a special opportunity to tour areas of SeaWorld Rescue Center, a back area of the park where the Rescue Team brings hundreds of rescued animals each year for rehabilitation. During this experience, members of the SeaWorld Rescue team will share stories about recent rescues and tour guests through the Rescue Center showing the animal care hospital and rehabilitation areas. In addition, guests will get an up-close look at the rescue truck and inflatable boat used in rescues. Inside and Underwater at Turtle Reef: At the Turtle Reef exhibit, guests will be able to watch zoological scuba divers interact with the turtles in the reef and play games with guests while educators share information and answer questions. Meet Animal Conservation Ambassadors: Guests can learn and see a variety of unique rescued animals during the Feathers, Scales, and Furry Rescue Tails presentation located at Nautilus Amphitheater. This fun and educational presentation at Mission Bay Theater shares the story of Conservation Ambassadors, animal care, and rescue. Guests will meet many incredible rescued animals, such as marsupials, primates, and reptiles, and learn about their unique stories. Connections with Conservation Partners: Inside Look will spotlight conservation organizations in the local community that SeaWorld partners with as a part of “Inside Look Connections” on Skytower Lawn. Organizations such as Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, Living Coast Discovery Center, Project Wildlife, Helen Woodward Animal Center, Surfrider Foundation, as well as SeaWorld Rescue, will have booths where guests can ask questions and learn about their important work. To further enhance their Inside Look experience, guests can pick up an Inside Look passport and visit certain Inside Look locations for a special stamp. Inside Look is included with park admission. Event times are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Please see seaworld.com/san-diego/park-info/theme-park-hours for the daily schedule. Best Way to Play is with a SeaWorld San Diego Annual Pass With new offerings introduced for 2024, SeaWorld San Diego has the best benefits ever for 2024 Annual Pass Members. For as low as $13.25 a month, with no down payment, guests can enjoy up to $2,365 worth of benefits including unlimited year-round admission for amazing animal experiences, thrilling attractions, and incredible seasonal events. Members receive 12 months of visits with the best benefits ever, including FREE parking, up to six free guest tickets, and special savings on merchandise, Quick Queue, and more. Pass Members are first for everything, first to ride any new attraction, first to view new animal exhibits, and first to know about major park announcements. In 2024, Pass Members will be the first to view SeaWorld’s newest exhibit, Jewels of the Sea, A Jellyfish Experience, the immersive and interactive aquarium. For more information, visit SeaWorldSanDiego.com. Be sure to follow SeaWorld San Diego on Facebook and Instagram for the latest park updates and information. About SeaWorld SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life themed rides and attractions, special events and exciting entertainment. For more than 60 years SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of marine life in and outside its parks through science, education, and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, helping more than 40,000 animals to date. The SeaWorld Conservation Fund, a non-profit foundation established in 2003, has provided more than $20 million to nearly 1,400 organizations to advance critical research on every continent. A portion of park proceeds goes toward supporting these longstanding conservation commitments. SeaWorld parks are in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). SeaWorld is part of the SeaWorld Entertainment (NYSE: SEAS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit us at SeaWorld.com. |
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