San Diego Approves Sea World Expansion Plan
The San Diego City Council has finally extended Sea World San Diego's lease on its Mission Bay property, and approved the park's expansion master plan. Look for more fireworks, a hotel and a roller coaster.
The San Diego City Council has finally extended Sea World San Diego's lease on its Mission Bay property, and approved the park's expansion master plan.
Here's the story, via Yahoo!
The plan calls for a 95-foot "splashdown" coaster and up to 150 nights of fireworks a year. Also slated are traffic improvements and a 300-room hotel.
A few novel items: Sea World must spend half a million bucks for a transit station near its front gate, and give a $5 discount to anyone who uses it to get to the park. And 75 percent of Sea World's attractions must include a "significant education or animal conservation element."
Which, of course, the cynic in me says that means three new flamingo ponds for every new roller coaster.... ;-)
Actually, in my experience, Busch and Sea World have always put up great parks. They were my second-favorite, behind Disney, for years until Universal's recent ascention. And with Disneyland's decline, Sea World San Diego is now my favorite Southern California theme park.
I can't wait to see what Busch does with it now that they got some more freedom to develop the property.
I just recently went there after a prolonged absence.
Just like Gertrude Stein said about Oakland, "There is no 'there' there.
I find it dull as dirt. They need roller coasters and not boring water rides. The San Diego city council in general, and member Donna Frye in particular, seem to think that any use of Mission Bay other than purely aquatic in nature is some kind of heresy or something. In my opinion, they are wrong.
And when they see the error of their ways, they can redevelop Belmont Park back to what it was in the early 70's-so it will once again be like the Santa Cruz Baordwalk!
It's about time. This is a much needed shot in the arm for SWSD. Hopefully this will pave the way for Kraken. I live 15 minutes from SWSD, but I only go once a year-and that's because I get free tickets from work. It's a cool place, but it needs some rides. Shipwreck Rapids is good for cooling down, but its not too fun. I have no idea why the city of San Diego has tried to get in the way of expansion. Sea World is the place all the tourists go after the zoo. If they can get another coaster in, i just might get a season pass. Adding a hotel is a great idea, but it won't open until 2011.
The city of San Diego has to know that without expansion a place like S.W. cannot survive. As they learned with the zoo, attendance will continue to drop if you don't keep things fresh and new. S.W. could be the jewel of Mission Bay if allowed to expand. I say let them build new coasters and whatever it takes to get people through the gates.
From R G
Posted July 24, 2002 at 12:26 AM
EXPAND EXPAND. I was just there in June after not going for 6 years. I had a great time, but even by giving away the season passes, I will not return anytime soon. That park is a huge break from all the other parks, but they need more shows, & more attractions.
I agree with you all, but jsut to be the devil's advocate, i live in Phoenix but stay in San Diego for 2 weeks every summer, i would Love to see a coaster there, but people on the bay and beach of mission don't think it needs em because they are an animal park, not a park competing with the others up north.
From Anonymous
Posted August 17, 2003 at 12:28 AM
It really needs EXPANSION!! With the new ride coming itll be great for the park. As for Kraken?NO I wouldnt want kraken,they could think of something better.Plus abbout the turn down on most of the parts of the master plan and Donna Frye trying to stop the construction of the new JTA ride so you wont see a coaster in awhile..hmm..
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