What are SeaWorld doing wrong?

It’s a sensitive subject and may of us have strong views for and against SeaWorld and the way they operate.

I have just returned from an incredible two weeks in Orlando and SeaWorld was my port of call for one and a half days (first day was rained off around 3pm).

SeaWorld Orlando opened on December 15, 1973. One Ocean, a new Shamu show which premiered April 22, 2011, is hosted here, along with, Blue Horizons, the park’s dolphin show, and, a new show that made its debut on June 14, 2015, Clyde and Seamore’s Sea Lion High. The park contains 4 roller coasters: Kraken, a floorless coaster based on the mythical sea creature, Manta, a coaster designed to simulate how manta rays move, Mako (opened July 2016), and the Shamu Express, a coaster oriented to kids located in Shamu’s Happy Harbor. It is also home to the original Journey to Atlantis Water Coaster.

The biggest draw to most is Shamu Stadium. this 7 million gallon tank is home to six killer whales and hosts the twice daily ‘One Ocean’ show. The show is emotional, inspiring, moving and uplifting. However my mind constantly thought what was truly going through the minds of these insanely intelligent creatures.

They were of course willing to do their famous flips and tricks for the crowd of 5,000 people but with this type of show coming to an end is it too little too late for SeaWorld? They have faced years of criticism with their Killer Whale breeding program to the point where attendance has taken a severe dip with an annual visit of nearly 6 million people in 2008 to just 3.9 million in 2017.

During my visit, whilst September is a quiet month, the park was truly empty. Any attraction had no more than a 5 to 10 minute wait. I couldn’t help but feel a little sad about this, SeaWorld is close to my heart after having a heart to heart with an employee on my last visit a few years back. The work they do to protect these animals is unbelievable.

So what are your thoughts?

Happy Cruising!

Ed x