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Sea World Left in the Dust?

Sea World Orlando: Is Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin enough for Sea World to keep up?

From David L.
Posted September 9, 2012 at 3:35 PM
Universal and Disney are expanding their parks and opening multiple new attractions every year, but Sea World only got Turtle Trek and is getting Antarctica. Beyond that, there aren't even rumors of new attractions. They also lack a hotel despite having three adjacent parks. I don't think what they're doing now is enough to regain their status before Wizarding World came along (Sea World's attendance used to be greater than both Universal parks). I think that they need to be opening new attractions, shows, and exhibits every year for the next five years in addition to building a hotel if they want to keep up. Do y'all think they need to open more new attractions? And what do they need to open?


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Duncan Henny
Posted September 9, 2012 at 3:57 PM
i think sea world is doing just fine as i visit from the u.k and hit all of the parks anyway sea world is i nice relaxing day and change of pace from the other parks.

From Manny Barron
Posted September 9, 2012 at 8:12 PM
There are rumors circling around about a new ride in the old Clydesdale area of the park.

From Rob P
Posted September 10, 2012 at 3:43 AM
I have to agree with Duncan.
Seaworld is a different type of Park from Universal and Disney and there's a limit to what they can do before they become just another ride-fest.
It's done very well, in my opinion, in introducing a number of rides to draw in the crowds but that sort of attraction has never been the main reason why we like to go there.
True - we enjoy some of the rides but, essentially, we visit Seaworld for the shows and to see ( and interact with ) the animals.
I'm pretty sure that the new Empire of the Penguin will be an excellent move forward for Seaworld and that it will bring more people through the turnstiles.

From Tim Odom
Posted September 10, 2012 at 5:59 AM
Sea World fills a niche that, quite honestly, is going away in Orlando. It is a rather relaxing theme park, one you don't have to run through to get onto rides or face 3 hour lines. When I go to Florida, I use Sea World as my 'day off', a day that I just leisurely stroll through a park, enjoying my time.

Yeah, it is not getting huge expansions, nor do I think they really can get said expansions (their room seems limited.) But I think they will be fine.

From Carrie Hood
Posted September 10, 2012 at 6:01 AM
Seaworld isn't on the same level as Universal or Disney, their not a "Ride Park" nor are they really a "theme park" per say. They have much more in common with a large zoo or aquarium then with a true theme park, adding in some rides helps to draw people in but I don't see them changing their focus off the animals anytime in the future. They may not have the numbers that Disney or Universal do but their a smaller park that has always had a very healthly attendance even before Journey to Atlantis (the first true 'Ride') went in.

From Daniel Etcheberry
Posted September 10, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Sea World should buy the rights for a Jaws boat ride.

From Dominick D
Posted September 10, 2012 at 10:51 AM
^You do realize Jaws is by Universal, right?

From Daniel Etcheberry
Posted September 10, 2012 at 10:57 AM
I know, I'm just kidding.

From Carrie Hood
Posted September 10, 2012 at 11:24 AM
LMAO! That would fit so much better they shot a lot of JAWSIII in Orlando! ;)

From Bradley Keith
Posted September 10, 2012 at 3:04 PM
I do know it's not all about coasters, and this may suprise you.

Yet, here I go again from the coaster standpoint. Sea World opened a good new ride in San Diego this year, so nothing major could have really happened anywhere else. I predict the next Sea World coaster (whenever this may be) will be in Texas, as another launched coaster like Manta in SD. I agree with the pace thing as well. Sea World Orlando is a nice place to slow down compared to a day at Universal or BGT. Sea World has no problem yet. In my opinion Universal is going down (again from a coaster standpoint) and Disney has never been a coaster park, but they'll never slow down. Sea World isn't opening a major thing this year, but they still are a place I can really enjoy.

From David L.
Posted September 11, 2012 at 5:40 PM
I find it interesting that so many people still love SeaWorld the way it is, yet until last year, its attendance was dropping. I personally love it and think it is on the same level as Disney and Universal because of its great themed areas, beautiful landscape, amazing shows and animals.

From Andrew Dougherty
Posted September 11, 2012 at 7:17 PM
One does not go to Seaworld for their rides they go to visit the animals. I think it's a good thing that Seaworld hasn't strayed from the path of what Seaworld is about and that is all about the animals. Think of it as more of an aquarium and not a theme park.

From David L.
Posted September 11, 2012 at 7:29 PM
An aquarium that has a higher attendance than most theme parks in the world??? To me, it's a theme park. Theme parks aren't all about the rides. Look at Epcot or Animal Kingdom or Busch Gardens Tampa. An aquarium only uses mild themed decor outside of the tanks and rarely has the shows and attractions that Sea World boasts.

From Ryan Spann
Posted September 11, 2012 at 9:36 PM
SeaWorld isn't even in the same category to me as it's other Orlando native parks. I feel like it stands strong on it's own and doesn't really need to be compared to Disney or Universal because that's not what they want. SeaWorld is still a major theme park, so that isn't the question, but they don't need to be a part of the Orlando rivalry. It's clear they can remain solid on their own.

From Andrew Dougherty
Posted September 12, 2012 at 3:44 PM
My point is that sea world is more of a huge fantastic high tech aquarium. So much that it dosnt look like a theme park because of all the sealife and animal based things.

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