Park Journey
Menu

Christmas Celebration 2019 at SeaWorld Orlando

12/17/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Today we continue our coverage of Holiday events from Coast to Coast at SeaWorld Orlando.

Lots of holiday fun to be had all around the park including snow, food, carolers, Sesame Street and floating trees!

Let's check it out!! 

​Getting into the holiday spirit this evening at SeaWorld Orlando. Originally went for a shopping trip but stayed for the food and lights! 
Picture
Picture
The Waterfront is where it’s at for lights, music and lots of SNOW! 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
The holiday food and drink booths are no joke. The sampling lanyard, especially with a discount, is an awesome value. My previous visit I had totchos, bread pudding cone, and a few craft beers, which were all delicious! 
Picture
Had some Mac and Cheese and S’mores in a cone. And beer. All good! 
Picture
Picture
It’s a bit warm in Orlando right now (70 degrees) but that doesn’t stop us from gathering around the fire for some Christmas carols.
Picture
The Sea of Trees light up and dance to the music a few times throughout the evening.
Picture
Picture
​I didn’t get a chance to attend the shows tonight, but Winter Wonderland on Ice is always a crowd favorite.
Picture
​Rudolph’s Christmastown has returned, and there was quite a line to meet the famous reindeer and his pals. 
Picture
​Happy to see so many holiday decorations at Sesame Street. Love the rubber ducky in Ernie’s hat! They also have a Christmas parade usually running twice daily as well.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
As always, SeaWorld Orlando has put together another wonderful Christmas event. Hopefully I can make it back there once or twice before it ends on December 31!
Picture

Related Videos

Related Updates: 
  • Christmas Town 2019 at Busch Gardens Tampa - November 18, 2019
  • 20 years of Fear at Busch Gardens Tampa Howl-O-Scream - September 23, 2019
  • Iron Gwazi Hard Hat Tour at Busch Gardens Tampa - September 12, 2019
  • Busch Gardens Tampa Bier Fest and 2020 Construction Update - August 20, 2019
  • Busch Gardens Tampa Sunset Update - July 31, 2019


If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

If you have any comments, please share them below
0 Comments

SeaWorld Orlando Infinity Falls Preview and Opening Date Announcement

9/28/2018

0 Comments

 
SeaWorld Orlando has announced the opening date for Inifinity Falls. But before we get to that, we have a few pics from the Employee Preview last night!!! 
​Team member previews are happening today at SeaWorld Orlando for Infinity Falls. Finally!
Picture
Picture
Picture
​You definitely get soaked on Infinity Falls. The elevator lift before the finale drop is very cool. A great addition to the already awesome lineup of rides at SeaWorld Orlando!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Check out even more pics below and the details of the Infinity Falls opening date!! 

Picture
SEAWORLD ORLANDO ANNOUNCED INFINITY FALLS
GRAND OPENING OCTOBER 4
Get ready to drop, scream and get soaked on the record setting thrill ride
​
​ORLANDO, Fla. (September 28, 2018) – Today, SeaWorld Orlando announced the Grand Opening of the world-class attraction, Infinity Falls, will take place on October 4 at 12:00 pm. Guests may be able to preview Infinity Falls September 28 through October 3 during the soft opening period.
 
Infinity Falls features roaring rapids, soaking fountains and a record-setting 40-foot waterfall drop, all against the backdrop of a rainforest utopia. Guests will have the opportunity to take on the role of a conservationist on a journey through the rainforest and learn about the importance of freshwater conservation through interactive games and stories throughout the ride experience. 
 
Mark Pauls, President of SeaWorld Orlando Parks said “From the excitement of the thrilling rapids, to the unique vertical lift element, Infinity Falls is an adventure that appeals to the entire family.”
 
The opening 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 joins the park’s famed attractions as a must-do experience in Orlando. 
 
– SeaWorld Orlando –
 
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 33,000 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.



0 Comments

Trip Report: First Visit to Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando

9/7/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
A week or so ago I headed out to Florida for a work trip so I took it upon myself to head out a day early and visit a couple of parks that had long been on my "theme park bucket list". Despite multiple trips to FL I had just never managed to get to these two parks. 

They were both totally worth the wait as both were amazing. 

Written by Gregg Condon
Flying into MIA at about 6am ... flying out of MIA at about 7am on my way to TPA. 

If that seems like a quick connection in an airport as big as MIA ... you are correct. 
Picture
Picture
After a quick breakfast at IHOP (seriously, I could NOT find a Waffle House on the way from the Airport) it was time for Busch Gardens Tampa. 
Picture
Picture
Wouldn't you know, just as the park was about to open a huge storm hit. It wasn't even one of those 5 minute FL storms, it was a good 1/2 hour. 

Good thing after that though is we had a relatively dry day. 
Picture
Our first stop of the day was Cheetah Hunt ... and in typical Intamin fashion the ride was down. 

We did get to ride later in the day and I loved it. Would have loved to ride more, but the ride just was having a bad day. 
Picture
Beautiful park 
Picture
So while they were figuring out what's going on with the Intamin, we headed to Cobra's Curse. 

​Totally loved this ride. Unexpectedly longer than I thought it would be. 
Picture
Picture
Next up was Montu ... and wow, this B&M did not disappoint. Fun in the front and the back. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Some more of Cobra's Curse 
Picture
A lot of the rides at Busch Gardens go near walkways, so I'm guessing this has been an issue in the past? 
Picture
Kitty!! 
Picture
Tunnel of Humidity 
Picture
Ok, Falcon's Fury. 

I'll be honest, I'm not a "screamer" when it comes to rides, unless we're just being silly. But VERY rarely does a ride make me scream from freaking me out. This one did. And it was AMAZING. 

I had thought they should add the same seats to Lex Luthor at SFMM, I'm re-thinking that. It may be too much. Lol. 
Picture
Scorpion was great fun as well. 
Picture
Oh yeah, some of Team Park Journey came out for the day as well. We had so much fun. 
Picture
Boo, Kumba was closed. Guess I'll have to come back. Shucks. 
Picture
Mad Kitty ... seriously, he did NOT like us, well me. 
Picture
Well, if you insist. =) 

Most amount of wet we've ever gotten on a log flume ever. And it was glorious. 
Picture
I don't get why these dive machines get such hate. Are they the most intense rides ever? No. But they sure are fun. 
Picture
Picture
Flaming-O's for my wife. 
Picture
The Kangaroos are down for rehab. Not sure if drugs or physical. =) 
Picture

So after a fun day at Busch Gardens, and having had only an hour or two of "plane sleep" I drove out to Orlando.

Instead of going to sleep in my hotel I decided to go find Shake Shack. I honestly didn't even realize it was at the same place as the Orlando Eye. 
Picture
The next morning it was up bright and early for SeaWorld. Well, I slept for like 11 hours in the hotel, and it was again ... amazing. 
Picture
Picture
More Flaming-O's. 
Picture
Ok, here it is kids. I've gotten a LOT of flack over the years due to my dislike of Tatsu at Magic Mountain. I'm just not a fan. I would have much preferred a flying coaster that had some tunnels or hugged the terrain a bit, not just built on top of a hill. It's an eyesore, it needs a paint job, it's got no pacing ... shall I go on. 

​Which brings me to Manta 
Picture
I loved, loved, loved, loved, loved, LOVED Manta. I don't understand how anybody who has ridden both of these coasters could put Tatsu above Manta. Manta has EVERYTHING a Flying coaster should have. Aerial stunts. Check. Pretzel Loop. Check. Awesome looking trains. Check. Near misses with Rocks and Water. Check. Great ops. Check. 
Picture
Picture
I really loved this ride if you can't tell. 
Picture
A little slo-mo of the part of the ride nobody has ever seen. Lol. 
Picture
Oh, my other favorite part of the park, for those of you who know me this is NO surprise. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
This area blew me away. And the Penguin Encounter at SeaWorld San Diego is a pale comparison. 

​But more on that in another article soon. 
Picture
I know the ride gets a lot of hate, and it's probably pretty justified, but I enjoyed it for what it was. 

If you are riding this thinking it's going to be Pooh at TDL you will be SORELY disappointed. 
Picture
OMG, Penguins. I could have stayed in here all day if it wasn't so cold. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Love the underwater viewing. 
Picture
Picture
NEED!! (No I didn't buy it) 
Picture
Picture
Journey to Atlantis was a lot of fun. I was warned not to sit in the front row. I did not sit in the front row. I see why I was warned not to sit in the front row. 
Picture
Picture
Where to even begin with this ... 
Picture
Yes, you read that correctly, 354 seconds between dispatches. And that doesn't even include the ride cycle time. This VR thing HAS to die. I would have loved to ride this more than once, but I couldn't handle it. It was ridiculous. 

I did wait for a front row ride, but because of how they have the VR "Bags" set up, it didn't matter. 
Picture
Another ride that seems to get a lot of hate for no apparent reason. Solidly in the middle of the B&M Hypers, but that's not a bad thing AT ALL. 

First ride it was raining, and I was in the front row. It stung. 
Picture
As you can see, it wasn't busy. I rode this 8 times in about 45 minutes. Could have ridden more if I didn't have to walk around every time. 
Picture
Picture
Had to pay a visit to the Sharks 
Picture
Picture
And the Turtles 
Picture
Alright, that's going to wrap it up. I had an amazing two days at two amazing parks. 

I did get over to Disney Springs and Hoop De Do Review later in the day with more of Team Park Journey, and that was amazing as well. Maybe I'll put that report up one of these days. =) 

Hopefully you enjoyed this report, I will be visiting FL a few more times for work soon so I'm looking forward to trying a few more parks I have yet to get to and seeing more of the state. 

​Related Updates: 
  • Ocean Explorer Media Day at SeaWorld San Diego
  • Sneak Peek of Ocean Explorer at SeaWorld San Diego
  • SeaWorld Orlando announces Infinity Falls for Summer 2018
  • SeaWorld San Diego announces Electric Eel for 2018
  • Coaster Crusade at Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando


If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

If you have any comments, please share them below
1 Comment
<<Previous

    Categories

    All
    2014 Attractions
    2015 Attractions
    2016 Attractions
    2017 Attractions
    2018 Attractions
    2019 Attractions
    2020 Attractions
    Aquatica
    Bier Fest
    Busch Gardens
    Busch Gardens Tampa
    Busch Gardens Williamsburg
    Christmas Celebration
    Christmas Town
    Cobra's Curse
    Discovery Cove
    Discovery Point
    Dolphin Days
    Dolphin Nursery
    Electric Eel
    Emperor
    Evil Encore
    Explorers Reef
    Food And Wine Festival
    Halloween Spooktacular
    Howl O Scream
    Infinity Falls
    Iron Gwazi
    Kraken VR
    Mako
    Ocean Explorer
    Penguin Encounter
    Penguin Up Close Tour
    SeaWorld
    SeaWorld Orlando
    SeaWorld San Antonio
    SeaWorld San Diego
    Tigris
    Wave Breaker

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    March 2015
    July 2014

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Six Flags
  • Cedar Fair
  • Universal Studios
  • Disney Parks
  • SeaWorld Parks
  • Other Parks
  • Beyond The Parks
  • The Other Side of the Tracks
  • Industry News
  • Cruise Journey
  • Park Journey Shop
  • Theme Park Art
  • Past Updates
    • 2019 Updates
    • 2018 Updates
    • 2017 Updates
    • 2016 Updates
    • 2015 Updates
    • 2013 and 2014 Updates
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Six Flags
  • Cedar Fair
  • Universal Studios
  • Disney Parks
  • SeaWorld Parks
  • Other Parks
  • Beyond The Parks
  • The Other Side of the Tracks
  • Industry News
  • Cruise Journey
  • Park Journey Shop
  • Theme Park Art
  • Past Updates
    • 2019 Updates
    • 2018 Updates
    • 2017 Updates
    • 2016 Updates
    • 2015 Updates
    • 2013 and 2014 Updates
  • Contact Us