SeaWorld Adventure Parks (SeaWorld) is a chain of oceanariums, marine mammal parks and animal theme parks in the United States. The first SeaWorld Park was opened in San Diego in 1964 and since then, more than 100 million people have visited the famous parks (Malloy). SeaWorld currently operates parks in California, Orlando, San Antonio, Texas and Florida in United States with the three main parks located in San Diego, Orlando and San Antonio.
The experience of being at SeaWorld is breathtaking. Gigantic water-filled tanks, the numerous monstrous sea mammals, spectacular underground exhibitions and the constant water splashing conjure feelings of being in an ocean. Amidst a characteristic fishy smell, visitors get to have fantastic views of huge, intelligent animals like Bottleneck dolphins, sharks, orcas, beluga, whales, walruses, penguins among other animals. The animals do a variety of tricks after training and an occasional kiss from a beluga always makes a first time visitor to the park feel welcome and special! The gigantic polar bears are impressive. I had never imagined of an animal that large until I visited SeaWorld!
The shows and the rides are more exciting to children and adults visiting the park for the first time. Those visiting for a second or successive time can get the feeling that the park lacks to offer absolute entertainment as expected. Animal shows have lately been overridden by the acrobatic shows of their trainers and it would be more exciting to watch the animals. However, hitting a ride in the ski Lift Bucket to carry you over the ocean during sunset is an absolute thrill. Watching the sea lions barking at the fish and hearing the sound walruses produce as they swallow food is funny and leaves one yearning for more adventure from other animals. Killer whales kept in huge tanks called Shamu Stadiums, are the main attraction to the Parks. Shamu was the name of the first killer whale at SeaWorld San Diego during its opening in 1964. The monsters inspire awe in visitors due to their intelligence and might.
SeaWorld has spectacular thrill rides. Though the rides have lost some of the thrill they brought to visitors years ago, they still are awe-inspiring to first time visitors and children. The shark encounter takes visitors through an underwater acrylic tube into a shark tank; this is definitely the closest and the safest visitors get to the sharks (Malloy). The Wild Arctic, another popular feature, takes visitors through a simulated helicopter ride to the Arctic. The transformation of the wild Arctic into the Polar Express Experience during Christmas to enable visitors ride to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus and Polar Bears is a delightful experience for visitors to the park.
Since it was opened in 1964, SeaWorld has always been a fantastic place to visit. Visitors can enjoy watching a variety of marine mammal parks and experience the joys of fantastic thrill rides. The parks abound in numerous sea animals that ordinarily few people would have an opportunity to see and interact with in their lifetimes. Famous killer whales are the main attraction. Moreover, funny sea lions, intelligent dolphins, gigantic polar bears, graceful penguins among other animal abound in the SeaWorld parks. Taking a thrill ride such as the Journey to the Atlantis or a ski Lift Bucket ride at sunset is an absolute thriller. In line with its slogan, SeaWorld is ultimately a place “Where worlds connect” and visitors get to have a “Whale” of a time.
Works cited
Malloy, Betsy. Sea World San Diego About.com Guide. 2010. Web. 21 Feb. 2012
http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/casdmenu/ss/Sea-World-San-Diego.htm
