Today we're back at Busch Gardens, but the one that is 835 miles north of the one we were at yesterday. 

If you missed Steve and Jen's report from Bier Fest at Busch Gardens Tampa,  click here !! 

But today we're in Williamsburg with Renée who spent the weekend riding some amazing rides and drinking some amazing beer (bier?). Let's check out one of the best parks in the country!! 

Written by Renée Girard 

All weekend we were at Busch Gardens Williamsburg for Bier Fest. And some awesome coasters, too.

Might as well get started on the beer! Here is just some of what Busch Gardens VA has to offer for Bier Fest.

​RIP DarKastle.

​Alpengeist is still so good!!

​Well. Battle for Eire is... a ride?

​Happy 40th, Loch Ness Monster. You get even better with age! 

​I found my new home.

You can’t go wrong with any of the coasters Busch Gardens VA

​Ended the night with some amazing rides on Apollo’s Chariot!

​Back at Busch Gardens VA for some more coaster fun! First train of the day on InvadR, and the whole train to myself as well.

​Got a few more rides in on Griffon before things get busier.

​Delayed opening for Verbolten. The only new coaster for me left on this trip, so I’ll wait it out. 

​I’m seeing signs for these all over the park. I guess I’m out of touch with this fad. Are these the new fidget spinners?

​Verbolten was a surprise hit for me! There seriously are zero bad coasters at this park.

t’s the final day for Bier Fest. Gotta get another sampler card to try some more!

​Getting some gorgeous views on the Rhine River Cruise.

​Giving out fanny packs to riders for loose articles on Tempesto is something I’ve never encountered on a coaster before, but hey, it’s fast and it works.

The theming on all of the Busch Gardens VA rides are really top notch. Escape From Pompeii is short and sweet with just enough fire and water for an awesome ride.

​My face when I’m trying to sample all the beers on the last day of Bier Fest and it’s 90+ degrees outside and I only have 3 hours left. 

​The park is gearing up for Howl O Scream in a few days.

The last performance for the Happy Dutchman, closing out Bier Fest. Auf wiedersehen!

​Views from the Sky Ride.

For Bier Fest they also had some brewery talks, which I always find interesting to attend.

​This Busch Gardens doesn’t have quite as many animals as Tampa, but there are a few. Here are some random sheep.

​Prost! Had such a fun weekend

Last week we saw the quiet opening of two new attractions at SeaWorld Orlando's Discovery Cove: Shark Swim and Ray Feeding interactions. 
​Renée was lucky enough to get a preview of these two new amazing looking experiences. Enjoy!!

​We also included some press release info and B-Roll at the bottom of the update. ​

Two new attractions debuted last week at SeaWorld Orlando's Discovery Cove park: the shark swim and ray feeding interactions.

​Ray feeding takes place every day except Weds & Thurs at 7:00am. Discovery Cove aquarists bring guests to Grand Reef before the park opens

​During the first part of the ray feeding, guests sit among the rays and learn about them while aquarists begin the feed and the rays swim up

They are then brought to the center of the reef and shown proper ray feeding techniques, and get to feed the eager sting rays on their own

​There is also a huge variety of fish swimming throughout the Grand Reef, and guests have the opportunity to feed them as well.

Afterwards, they are free to snorkel in the Grand Reef prior to opening to other guests. Ray feed experience is additional $50 to admission

Discovery Cove's new shark swim is only open to 6 guests per day at an additional $85 charge.

​Aquarists guide guests in the shark area that had previously been off limits. It's incredible to come face to face with these amazing sharks

After swimming, guests can pet, hold and feed a shark while learning about how they are trained and cared for. A truly unique experience!​

SWIM WITH SHARKS AT DISCOVERY COVE
New Immersive Programs Bring Guests Closer to Marine Life than Ever Before

(Orlando, Fla.) July 13, 2017 –In celebration of Shark Awareness Day on July 14, guests at Discovery Cove can now take part in exclusive new animal experiences at the park. Discovery Cove has always been known for its memorable dolphin interactions, and now guests can enhance their visit with one of-a-kind, hands-on encounters with sharks and stingrays.
​
The awe-inspiring Shark Swim program provides closer-than-ever encounters with legendary predators. While guests have always been able to view park’s sharks, the new program takes them on a daring next step – swimming freely among five species: Pacific blacktip, reef whitetip, nurse shark, zebra shark, and a spotted wobbegong.

The immersive session is divided into two unique interactions and begins as guests meet with the park’s shark team and head into the water. Through hands-on interaction, guests learn about shark anatomy and the threats the animals face in the wild. Guests can also join the sharks in the deeper part of their habitat and embark on an exhilarating snorkel experience.

Discovery Cove works to dispel myths about sharks and to inspire guests to learn more about these mysterious creatures. As top predators, sharks play an essential role in maintaining the balance of ocean ecosystems worldwide by monitoring fish populations. Sadly, shark finning and overfishing threaten many shark species and disrupt that natural balance. Guests who take part in the new Shark Swim program will walk away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for these fascinating ocean ambassadors.

The Shark Swim experience is available to Discovery Cove guests ages 10 and older. The cost is $85 per person. For every shark swim package purchased, SeaWorld will donate 5% of the proceeds to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) in support of shark conservation and research.

In addition to the Shark Swim program, Discovery Cove has launched a new Ray Feeding experience. This exclusive opportunity gives guests the chance to feed the stingrays during a private tour of the Grand Reef. Guided by one of the park’s aquarists, guests ages 6 and older spend their session in the Grand Reef learning all about the species of rays as they hand-feed the incredible creatures. The Ray Feeding program is $50 per person.

The new interaction programs require a Dolphin Swim or Day Resort reservation at Discovery Cove to participate. Space for each program is limited and guests are encouraged to book in advance. For additional program and booking details, guests can visit www.discoverycove.com

Beginning August 1, Florida residents who book a day at Discovery Cove will also receive unlimited admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park, through January 2018 – including SeaWorld’s special holiday events.

​About Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove® in Orlando is an all-inclusive day resort where guests can enjoy a one-of-a-kind opportunity to swim with dolphins, snorkel among thousands of tropical fish and rays, hand-feed exotic birds, and encounter playful otters and curious marmosets. At the park, guests can relax and explore rocky lagoons surrounded by lush landscaping, tropical reefs, winding rivers and white, sandy beaches. Freshly prepared meals, snacks and beverages throughout the day and swim gear are included, plus unlimited, 14-day admission to SeaWorld® Orlando and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark®. Guests will experience the most exciting animal encounters the world has to offer in a breathtaking tropical atmosphere. 
 
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™ 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. The company is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, behavioral 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 30,000 animals in need over the last 50 years.
 
The company owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens® and Sea Rescue®. Over its more than 50-year history, the company has built a diversified portfolio of 12 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. 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.
 
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company. Visit www.seaworldentertainment.com for more information. 

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ORLANDO, Fla. (April 13, 2017) –SeaWorld Orlando announces its latest world-class attraction, Infinity Falls, to debut summer 2018. Thrilling rapids will roar through the brand new rainforest river experience, while adventure-seeking guests plunge down the world’s tallest river rapid drop. 

“We are constantly looking at new ways to amaze our guests - Infinity Falls will do that, and more,” said Jim Dean, President of SeaWorld Orlando Parks. “From the excitement of the thrilling rapids, to the unique vertical lift element, it will be an adventure that appeals to the entire family. Infinity Falls continues our commitment to investing in our park, and developing new ways to entertain and inspire our guests with meaningful, fun-filled vacations.”

To bring Infinity Falls to life, designers were inspired by the rainforests of South America and the flowing rivers found within.  Each raft will twist and turn through a lush jungle environment as guests experience the feel of exhilarating Class IV rapids. A unique vertical elevator will lift each raft for a dramatic launch into the river, 40 feet below.

“Water makes up more than 70% of our planet,” said Brian Morrow, Vice President of Theme Park Design Experience. “We developed Infinity Falls to tell new stories that showcase the beauty and sheer power of water and the amazing wildlife that lives in it.  The result is a new river rapids adventure for our guests to explore, and actively help freshwater ecosystems in a way that only SeaWorld can bring to life.”

The addition of Infinity Falls is the perfect addition to SeaWorld’s ever-growing ride portfolio. From the roller coaster thrills of Mako, Manta and Kraken to the water flume fun of Journey to Atlantis, Infinity Falls will soon join the park’s famed attractions as a must-do experience in Orlando. 

​Infinity Falls will be the centerpiece of a newly themed surrounding area, fully immersing guests in a rainforest canopy. After riding the rapids on Infinity Falls, the entire family can explore the village and take part in interactive experiences that combine play with education to create a positive impact on freshwater ecosystems. SeaWorld’s Animal Ambassadors will also provide up-close encounters with animals native to South America.
 
Infinity Falls will open at SeaWorld Orlando in summer 2018.

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