New activities have been installed at SeaWorld Orlando, including a street parade, a cirque-style stunt/hip-hop show and a refreshed realm to explore.
Theme park visitors can see the So Much More to Sea parade, which celebrates the company’s 60th anniversary, then go inside for “Xceleration’ with BMX, roller skating and unusual acrobatics.
They can also get very close to penguins and see some new options in the park’s Antarctic area, although an opening date has not been announced for Penguin Trek, the new indoor-outdoor roller coaster.
Street strut
What it is: So Much More to Sea Parade makes a loop through a section of SeaWorld with two short show stops along the route, where folks are encouraged to learn some dance moves and attempt a front-to-back wave among the floats.
It features a half-dozen floats with retro costumed characters and an array of performers such as dancers and stilt walkers.
What makes it SeaWorld-worthy: There’s also a soaring SeaWorld-esque theme song piped in, and they’ve nailed the color scheme throughout. The Shamu character wears a sequined aqua vest.
Hot tip: The park’s pathways aren’t as wide as a parade might need, and there’s some confusion about where to stand. (Folks tend to ignore the stickers on the ground like they were asking for social distancing.) The parade is about 10 minutes long, but it does choke off traffic flow in some areas. If there’s somewhere you need to be a show time – on the parade route or off – it’s best to be there 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
Ramping up
What it is: ‘Xceleration,’ a stunt show with dancing and other physical feats inside Nautilus Theater. Acts include BMX bikers, roller skating maneuvers, an aerialist, trampoline gymnasts, a dance troupe and more. The soundtrack is hip-hop, and the stage morphs seamlessly between acts, some of which appear daring. (“Oh, hell no,” remarked an audience member during an on-edge-of-seat maneuver.)
What makes it SeaWorld-worthy: There’s no watery theme here, but that goes with the flow of this 2,000-seat theater, which at other times of the year is host to a show with Jack the Ripper themes or camels fronting a nativity scene.
Hot tip: You actually can be too close to the stage to appreciate everything, so skip the very front rows even though it’s not a splash zone situation. Some seats on the far edges of the theater are marked as “obstructed views” as well.
Cold comfort
What it is: Antarctica, home of penguins, the future Penguin Trek ride, merchandise and eating options.
What makes it SeaWorld-worthy: The existing land has a new coat of paint/snow going for it, and the look is immersive. Folks can get pretty close to real penguins here (no touching) in all-but-freezing temps, then transition to an entertaining multilevel space that shows off the underwater swimming skills of the animals. The exit is through a gift shop that’s heavy on penguin merchandise and some retro SeaWorld goods.
Back out in the snow-capped section, there’s a new walk-up bar here named South Pole Sips, an extension of the expedition theming. Although the coaster is not operating, folks can still walk beneath the rails and explore the area. Both entrances of Antarctica are in use.
Hot tip: SeaWorld has added tarps in the dining area for heat relief, but for air-conditioned seating, walk toward the hut with a sign that reads “air-conditioning seating” over the doors. This is not a faux front but a hidden AC gem. On a recent weekday at lunchtime, it was about half full.
Show times of the parade and show can vary, so check seaworldorlando.com or the park’s app for specific days.
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