SeaWorld San Antonio

SeaWorld San Antonio is a 250-acre (1.0 km2) marine mammal park, oceanarium, and animal theme park, located in the Westover Hills area of San Antonio, Texas. It is the largest of the three parks in the SeaWorld chain owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a division of The Blackstone Group, and the world's largest marine-life theme park. It is a member of both the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (formerly the American Zoo and Aquarium Association).

History

SeaWorld San Antonio (formerly SeaWorld of Texas) was developed by Harcourt, Brace, and Jovanovich (now Harcourt Trade Publishers) and opened in 1988. The park was built for $170 million and welcomed 3.3 million visitors in its first 12 months of operation, placing it among the TOP 10 attractions in Texas. At the time of the park's debut, it was billed as "the largest educational, marine-life theme park in the world."

In 1989, Harcourt, Brace, and Jovanovich (heavy in debt and fighting a hostile takeover) sold its SeaWorld and Boardwalk and Baseball theme parks to Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Plans to build a Boardwalk and Baseball park adjacent to SeaWorld of Texas were immediately abandoned.

On November 26, 1988, Kayla (stage named "Baby Shamu") was the first orca born at SeaWorld San Antonio.

Under Anheuser-Busch's watch, SeaWorld San Antonio closed less popular attractions such as the Texas Walk, the U.S. Map Plaza, and the Garden of Flags and added its popular Clydsedales to the park. The educational focus of the three parks were de-emphasized, and expansion focused on the addition of thrill rides (The Great White, Steel Eel, SeaWorld Orlando's Kraken, etc.) and water parks. In 1993, SeaWorld San Antonio opened its Lost Lagoon water park, and expanded with more thrills including the Rio Loco rapids ride till 2000.

In 1995, Anheuser-Busch successfully lobbied for legislation that allowed a company making less than 75,000 barrels per year of alcoholic beverages in Texas to sell their own product on premises they own. This legislation effectively legalized brewpubs in the state of Texas for the first time since Prohibition.

Attractions

Thrill rides

  • The Great White - The park's first coaster, a B&M Inverted that debuted in 1997.
  • Rio Loco - A River Rapids Ride that opened in 1992.
  • Steel Eel - Advertised as "the first and only hypercoaster in Texas," it reaches speeds close to 70 mph (110 km/h).
  • The Texas Splashdown - A Log Flume that opened in 1992 with two 60 foot drops.
  • Journey to Atlantis - The first ride of its kind in North America, it debuted in 2007.

Shamu's Happy Harbor (Children's rides)

  • Jumpin' Jungle - the Jumpin' Jungle lifts "tiny" guests two stories up in the air. Once at the top, the vehicle slowly drops and bounces as the guests laugh on the way down.
  • Pete's Pinwheel - SeaWorld guests will have a great time aboard Pete the Penguin's Pinwheel. This miniature ferris wheel is great for little kids and their parents.
  • Shamu Express - a family roller coaster themed to the park's signature killer whale. The killer whale-themed cars zip along 220 feet (67 m) of track at 14 mph (23 km/h).

Shows and exhibits

Shows

  • Believe - (Shamu Stadium) A new show featuring interaction with whale trainers at the park's Shamu Stadium. Compared to previous shows, Believe is much more visual, concentrating on acrobatics, dramatic original scores, and live underwater video projection. The Shamu Stadium was completely remodeled for this show.
  • The Cannery Row Caper - (Seal and Sea Lion Stadium) A comical "Who done it?" featuring sea lions Clyde and Seamore, who attempt to unravel the mystery of disappearing fish in a nearby cannery. Located at the park's Sea Lion Stadium, this show also features animals Walrus and Otter.
  • Cool Vibrations - (Ski Stadium) A live-action boat and water-skiing stunt show that runs throughout the park's summer months; formerly called Rockin' Ski Party prior to the park's 2009 Season.
  • Viva! - (Beluga Stadium) A first-of-its-kind for SeaWorld parks, this show features professional high divers, aerialists, and synchronized swimmers performing with Pacific white-sided dolphins and beluga whales.

Exhibits

  • Aviary Habitats - guests can view a variety of birds from pink flamingo, ducks and geese, among other birds from throughout the Americas.
  • Clydesdale Hamlet - view the famous Budweiser Clydesdales.
  • Dolphin Cove
    Main article: Dolphin Cove (Seaworld)
    - the popular Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are on exhibit here. SeaWorld staff educates the public on their behaviors and lifestyle. Guests can interact with the dolphins and purchase fish to feed the animals.
  • Penguin Encounter - Visitors step into the Antarctic wilderness on a moving walkway and view over 200 penguins in a variety of species. There are additional exhibits where one can read about the penguins and view other aquatic birds.
  • Seal And Sea Lion Community - a variety of seals, sea lions, walruses and otters can be found here. Everyone will be delighted to see the seals bask in the warm sunlight, the sea lions swimming in the cool water, and the otters just doing what otters do.
  • Sharks/The Coral Reef - SeaWorld guests can view some of the world's most exotic and fiercest sea creatures. Some animals that are found here include sting rays, eels, tropical fish, and a variety of sharks.
  • Alligator Alley - Alligators (American) lounging aroung Ski Lake.
  • Flamingo Cove - Visitors can stop by a see Flamingos by Shamu Stadium.

Entertainment

  • Boardwalk Games Center - A Game Center conjoined with the exit of the Great White Roller Coaster that features Midway Games and a Video Arcade.
  • Sea Star Theater A 4D Theater featuring Pirates! & Haunted Lighthouse (Summer Nights)
  • Shamu's Happy Harbor - A tropical themed area where visitors can bring their kids, which features a wacky water area, large sandbox, slides, net climbs, and sway bridges.

Animal Inventory

Orcas

SeaWorld's main attraction is its Orcas, several of which are housed in 7-million-gallon habitats that are each known as Shamu Stadium. Shamu was the name of the first Orca brought to SeaWorld San Diego in the 1960s. 'Shamu' is now used as a stage name for adult Orcas in performances at SeaWorld parks. The Orcas all have real names.

Orcas at San Antonio: Takara, Takara's Calf, Kyuquot, Keet, Unna, and Tuar

Dolphins

Bottlenose Dolphins at San Antonio: Alice, Brady, Fathom, Gilly, Hacksaw, Kai, Mattie, Nacha, Nikki, Notchfin, Osbourne, Ping, Puka, Punta, Scotia, Yoyo, and four yet-to-be-named calves.

Belugas

Belugas at San Antonio: Natasha, Crissy, Bella, Grayson, Luna, Martha, Oliver, Sikuu, Qinu, and Whisper.

NOTE:After living in San Antonio since March, Beethoven, the resident breeding male, was relocated to Atlanta, Georgia's Georgia Aquarium, where the aquarium's three resident beluga whales, Nico, Maris, and Natasha were residing. Nico died on SeaWorld's premises and Natasha, Maris's mother, stayed in San Antonio and Beethoven came with Maris back to Atlanta.

Lost Lagoon

Lost Lagoon is a water park that was added to SeaWorld in 1993. It's open April through September.

  • Activity Pool
  • Buckaroo Mountain
  • Castaway Cruisin'
  • Lil' Gators Lagoon
  • Sky Tubin'
  • Splash Attack
  • Wave Wash Pool
  • Sidewinders

SeaWorld San Antonio Summer Nights

Summer Nights offers entertainment during the night hours. During Summer Nights, the shows that they offer is Shamu Rocks Texas- Not only just Shamu, also today's hit music during the show similar to the Believe Show. Sea Lions Tonight- Where guests join these pranksters spoof about the days shows. R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse 4D- a 4-D movie in which takes place in Sea Star Theater. Pirates Plunder- Guests will join the ships captain and his crew as the captain battles for his bride and his ship against his nemesis, Captain Le Foe. A play like setting in Nautilus Amphitheater.

Howl-O-Scream

Howl-O-Scream is an annual Halloween event that takes place at SeaWorld San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. This year's event features the character Jack the Pumpkin King as the main icon, who is also featured at the event in Busch Gardens.

External links

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Tips & Hints
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Porfirio Reyes
16 March 2014
If you plan on being there all day, buy the All Day Dining plan, it's well worth it. 4 of us, paid $90 total for the dining plan, but we ate over $150 worth of food! And the food was good to boot!
Joei M
9 August 2016
An awesome place to go with you family and have an awesome time. I was so lucky to go. Although the lines cab be ridiculously long it's all worth it.
Steve B
12 March 2013
Get here early, take the fewest number of bags possible and wear comfortable shoes and clothing for the weather. also, only do the all you can eat if your really hungry and plan to get two meals.
Social News Network
25 March 2013
Get there right when they open to avoid long lines and you can hit all of the outdoor exhibits before it gets super hot. By the time it is blazing you can head straight to the water park!
Will Bermender
21 March 2018
Be prepared for long lines at events and food stands; the park is only open on weekends right now and the crowd is thick. Parking fills up fast! Exhausting walk for little ones -- consider a wagon.
Visit San Antonio
15 August 2011
For Shamu’s new One Ocean show, pick a spot in the splash zone where you are sure to get wet! After the show, wring out your shirt and see who collected the most water! –Race to the Alamo
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