SeaWorld Orlando has proudly opened Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, a world-first thrill attraction. Earlier than that was the multi-launch Ice Breaker, and rumors counsel one other coaster is on the best way. Why the sudden fixation with curler coasters? As Common’s Epic Universe continues robust, and Disney is lastly wrapping up on Epcot, what’s SeaWorld Orlando’s plan?
There’s a rumor that SeaWorld is engaged on a household coaster proper now, and if true, that’s one more coaster providing for the park. I believe SeaWorld is making an attempt to separate itself from Disney and Common. It must be distinct on this market, and it seems the park is strategically positioning itself in a market that’s filled with juggernauts.
SeaWorld Orlando’s Competitors
Disney has an iron grip on household, fantasy, and repair, even with complaints lately about Disney’s Park Go Reservation system and a rising variety of on-line complaints a few drop in service high quality.
Common’s dominance is demonstrated by Harry Potter and the Wizarding World (which I consider would be the best theme park IP land success of the previous decade), in addition to a current main win, VelociCoaster. Common additionally has the ever-growing Halloween Horror Nights, a world-wide identify related to high quality horror choices.
For funds journeys, Enjoyable Spot presents rides and video games for a fraction of the worth and their location at Previous City presents close by leisure, bars, automobile reveals, and nightlife.
Legoland Florida is a bit farther away, however does rather well for its regional space, and has executed a surprisingly good job at frequently including new reveals and rides to get repeat guests. Their world-first Peppa Pig Theme Park was a significant win as properly.
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
That takes us again to SeaWorld Orlando, in addition to their sister park, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Busch Gardens, Epcot, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom didn’t endure the identical activist destiny that SeaWorld Orlando endured with “Blackfish”. Even with SeaWorld’s arduous work to disprove false claims and vastly enhance dwelling situations for animals, they nonetheless get that warmth generally.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has maintained a powerful foothold of animal conservation, meals occasions, dwell music, and superb curler coasters. They don’t attempt to tackle Disney or Common, and so they don’t want too. They know they’re nonetheless one of many strongest park choices in the US, even when they appear smaller as a result of their neighbors are monstrous.
That’s the place we come to SeaWorld Orlando, who seems to be taking recommendation from everybody, in addition to pushing ahead on their very own path.
SeaWorld Orlando is adapting and making their very own path
Up to now 5 years, I’ve seen a stronger push for SeaWorld Orlando’s meals festivals. For my part, they rival all of the Florida theme parks for best-tasting meals, in addition to the perfect offers. I’ve additionally seen extra spiritual and college choices at SeaWorld than Disney or Common. The American flag flies excessive at SeaWorld and so they speak about veteran perks greater than Common or Disney (from what I’ve observed). The Christian faith-based present, “O Wondrous Evening” returned this 12 months after followers frequently requested for it.
As well as, SeaWorld has modified its animal reveals within the years since Blackfish. My mind tells me they’ve a secret new animal providing or present ready for the right second to supply one other world-class animal expertise.
Sesame Road Land was additionally a significant success for SeaWorld Orlando, and I actually suppose it got here at an ideal time. The land is nearly at all times the busiest space of the park.
I believe SeaWorld discovered a singular alternative. In obscure phrases, Common can have the teenagers, Disney can have the children, however SeaWorld needs three distinct audiences: toddlers, thrill seekers, and animal fanatics. These are wildly totally different individuals, however have a look at their promoting.
SeaWorld Orlando’s advertisements goal particular teams
Billboards, Instagram advertisements, passholder emails, and the yearly push for USA At the moment’s prime spot. SeaWorld Orlando, like all firm, has a target market. Whereas theme parks are open to everybody, the advertising cash must be particular.
After I take into consideration SeaWorld Orlando’s promoting, I see three major focuses. “New world-first curler coaster, go to as we speak!” Or maybe, “Children go to free all 12 months lengthy with father or mother admission!” Extra particular focused advertising entails, “Hey passholders, you may get a behind the scenes have a look at our animal experiences subsequent month free of charge!”
- Pipeline: The Surf Coaster was an bold endeavor, and I applaud SeaWorld for his or her work. They received a world-first, which is their’s to say eternally. They will use that to promote the park to thrill lovers, after which hold them with Mako, Manta, and the remaining.
- Persuade households to return to Sesame Road Land, the place SeaWorld Orlando presents rides and character experiences with a fraction of Disney’s wait occasions, and it’s cheaper to go to.
- Use die-hard followers (Annual Passholders and influencers) to spice up their repute within the animal care world. I used to work for SeaWorld Orlando, I noticed first-hand how arduous they work for these animals, however to persuade the general public is tough and can proceed to take years and years.
Give attention to what works
For now, SeaWorld appears to give attention to what works, and that has been main thrill rides and modified choices of opponents’ choices. Is Halloween Horror Nights too busy and costly? Howl-O-Scream presents nighttime curler coaster rides, nice reveals, scare zones, and haunted homes. I truly wrote an article about why it’s the excellent Halloween date night time.
Is Epcot’s Worldwide Meals and Wine Pageant busy and over-priced? Come to SeaWorld and get a lanyard, get monetary savings, and pattern drinks and meals.
The subsequent technology of SeaWorld Parks
I’ve no rumors or information to base this on, however I do hope the U.S.-based SeaWorld parks have a look at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. I actually consider if SeaWorld Orlando may convey a realm like considered one of Abu Dhabi’s eight to life, it might be a recreation changer. SeaWorld Orlando desperately wants indoor choices and an enormous indoor animal exhibit may cleared the path for animal conservation and extra choices.
I went to the grand opening of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and noticed a model of SeaWorld that competed toe-to-toe with Disney and Common requirements. The theming was past my expectations, the animals displays had been the perfect choices I had ever witnessed, and the format of the park was masterfully deliberate. This was a grand endeavor, and I don’t anticipate SeaWorld Orlando to demolish their park and rebuild this, however they’ll adapt sure features.
Methods for SeaWorld Orlando to create indoor realms
In a method, we have already got realm choices in Orlando. The Wild Arctic part is lacking its trip, however the theming and animal habitats are properly executed. For instance, the Belugas have quite a few view factors, which a key a part of the SeaWorld Abu Dhabi design. In an ideal world, I might eradicate the trip area that isn’t getting used year-round and add one other highly-themed indoor area. Possibly a puffin exhibit (they had been tremendous well-liked in Abu Dhabi), with year-round snow and a children tube slide. This could increase the arctic space with new animals and a kid-based attraction. They might even use this space for specialty occasions with an Ice Bar.
As we will see with building (and the rumors circling round), the Antartica part is being re-done with a (attainable) new family-style coaster, which may very well be one other step in direction of a realm. SeaWorld may construct a big roof construction over the world (even when it doesn’t absolutely lined the rumored coaster), and set up specialty lighting to showcase the ice and rockwork. Plus, it might permit extra shade and rain protection.
I do suppose SeaWorld is positioning itself for a selected target market. I believe it has to fastidiously choose its funds, however even with constraints it’s been daring at occasions. I encourage SeaWorld Orlando to proceed with its endeavors, and I hope nice choices will hold coming for years to return. Signed a 5+ 12 months passholder who has NO plans of stopping my help anytime quickly.
