 COBRA’S CURSE COILS UP, INSTALLS HIGHEST POINTS OF RIDE 80-Foot Snake Icon and 70-Foot Vertical Lift Rear up in the Sky 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.  About SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The company collectively cares for what it believes is one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals. The company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld rescue team has helped more than 27,000 animals in need over the last 50 years. The company owns or licenses a portfolio of globally recognized brands including SeaWorld®, Shamu® and Busch Gardens®. Over its more than 50-year history, the company has built a diversified portfolio of 11 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection of over 800 species of animals. The company’s theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests. Copies of this and other news releases as well as additional information about SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. can be obtained online at SeaWorldEntertainment.com.  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!!! Written by Renée Girard 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.  In the large free-flight aviary, you encounter a variety of birds who love to snack on the food provided. 
In the Wind-Away River, you float through falls and caves around the park, and also into the aviary.   In the Grand Reef, you can snorkel and swim right alongside hundreds of tropical fish and rays.
 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   Groups of up to 9 people can interact with dolphins, under the guidance of knowledgable trainers.  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.  Animal Experiences The jellies exhibit will consist of hundreds of colorful jellies displayed in oval and round kriesel aquariums. Water flowing along the edges of the aquarium walls will create a gentle current for the jellies to swim safely and freely. Giant Pacific and tropical octopuses will each live in habitats that will mimic their natural ocean environments. Japanese spider crabs, the world’s largest arthropod, will dwell in a large rocky reef-designed aquarium that guests can enjoy from multiple viewing locations including crawl tubes.  Rides As adventurers on a global mission of scientific discovery, guests will travel to Ocean Explorer’s remarkable animals aboard submarines, the signature ride of the attraction. Embarking on these mini subs, visitors will become researchers on a mission to collect data and learn how they can help animals. This three-minute experience will include an onboard digital navigation dashboard, as well as a few other surprises along their journey, enhancing the riders’ understanding of the ocean ecosystem. Ocean Explorer will also feature an exhilarating wave swinger ride where guests will literally fly through thousands of real bubbles in chairs suspended from the tentacles of a giant jelly. Three family-friendly rides will round out the fun of this immersive, new attraction.  Construction Begins 2016 Construction on Ocean Explorer will begin in summer 2016 on a 3-acre site where the Animal Connections exhibit and the Circle of Flags are currently located on the southeast side of the park. This multi-million dollar attraction is scheduled to open in late spring of 2017. |
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