TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 29, 2016) – There’s a giant snake in the Tampa skyline this week, as Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay just completed construction on the two highest points of its unique, reptile-themed coaster, Cobra’s Curse -- a menacing 30,000 lb. snake king icon and a 70-foot vertical lift that will take riders within inches of its 4-ft. fangs.

With a grand opening slated for this summer, this family spin coaster is the only one of its kind in the world, taking riders on a whirlwind adventure of exciting explorations.

Snake King Icon
Dozens of artists united to design, engineer, fabricate and thematically paint the snake icon, creating a centerpiece for Cobra’s Curse that will bring riders just inches from its fangs. Standing at 80 feet tall, with 4-foot-long fangs and 3-foot-wide eyes, the icon was constructed of nine stackable pieces with an internal steel spine and an outer shell composed of carved foam and fiberglass.

Vertical Lift
The 70-foot vertical lift functions similar to an outdoor elevator taking riders up in their coaster car and putting them face-to-fang with the snake icon’s mouth. The three-and-a-half-minute ride will also feature a second inclined lift that sets up for the free-spin finale of the ride. The trek will cover more than 2,100 feet of track at 40 mph.

Additionally, guests will be just inches away from the 400-cubic-foot snake exhibit which will include Jameson’s mambas, Angolan pythons and rhinoceros and gaboon vipers. The design of the multi-level exhibit not only reflects the theme of the ride, but also features several animal husbandry and enrichment components designed with the snakes’ welfare in mind, including naturalistic design elements, controlled heat sources and humidity control.

Visit CobrasCurse.com for more information. Or, be the first to know about new events, special deals and future announcements by following the park’s blog at buschgardenstampablog.com, or “Like” the Busch Gardens Facebook page and follow @buschgardens on Twitter and Instagram.

Today we have a great update from Orlando as Renée takes us on a tour of Discovery Cove at Sea World Orlando. 
Definitely not your typical theme park day Discovery Cove gives you a great opportunity to get up close and personal with lots of awesome animals. Take a look!!! 

This past weekend, we spent the day relaxing at the all-inclusive Orlando resort Discovery Cove at Sea World Orlando​

Upon entering Discovery Cove, you look over the Wind-Away River and Freshwater Oasis. ​

Discovery Cove is a tropical paradise in the middle of Orlando, and it's not just all about dolphins. ​

Also in the Grand Reef, you can get up close and personal with sharks! ​

The dolphin swim is the main highlight, where guests share the water among them in a tropical setting with a trainer ​

Capricorn has been with Discovery Cove since the park opened in 2000, and he's even a movie star, featured in Jaws 3 ​

For a day away from the normal theme parks in Orlando, we highly recommend Discovery Cove! ​

Thanks again to Renée for the amazing update. This is definitely on the bucket list for sure. 

For more information on Discovery Cove visit Sea World Orlando's website. 

Coming 2017 - Ocean Explorer will combine multiple aquariums, exciting rides and digital technologies to engage park guests in an experience centered on exploration and adventure inspiring them to protect the wonders of our oceans

The heart and destination of Ocean Explorer will be a series of undersea research bases housing specially-designed aquariums and interactive activities displaying unique as well as elusive ocean animals.