SeaWorld Kicks Off 50th Anniversary Celebration

Park entrance decorated for the 50th © SeaWorld

The trio of SeaWorld parks have officially kicked off their 50th anniversary celebration, which will run for 18 months and feature a variety of special events.  The original SeaWorld park, located on Mission Bay in San Diego, opened in March of 1964.  Later came the Orlando, Ohio, and Texas parks - though Ohio is no longer operating.

"For nearly five decades, SeaWorld has surprised and amazed guests with unique entertainment, thrilling rides and up-close encounters with animals. During SeaWorld’s 50th Celebration visitors will be invited to take part in the excitement through new interactive experiences, shows and pathway performances, even more up-close animal encounters throughout the park and “The SeaWorld Surprise Squad” treating guests with prizes every day."

Special entertainment for the 50th © SeaWorld

While the celebration is taking place at all three parks, SeaWorld Orlando has a robust set of events and activities planned for visitors.  Shamu's Celebration: Light Up The Night will be a new high energy show with original music and production elements will open on June 21st.  The SeaWorld Surprise Squad will also patrol the park giving out prizes that include "exclusive access to rides, behind-the-scenes experiences, Shamu themed merchandise, reserved seating and more."

Giant parrot fish © SeaWorld

The park also features really cool giant sea life sculptures, one of which can be seen above, that are made from garbage that has washed ashore from the ocean.  SeaWorld commissioned art group The Washed Ashore Project to create the sculptures, some of which weight more than half a ton.  They are made up of mostly plastics, and emphasize the need to clean up and maintain the Earth's oceans.  SeaWorld Orlando will display sculptures of parrot fish, a sea horse, a sea anemone reef and an octopus.

To learn more about the 50th Celebration taking place at all the parks, hop on over to the official website for the event.

Also for fans of the SeaWorld parks, the below video is a must-watch - it chronicles the history of the chain and all their achievements: