SeaWorld Celebrates 50 Years With A Sea of Surprises

What's a good way to celebrate a 50th anniversary?  How about an eighteen month long series of special events, promotions, and other fun?  Sounds good to me!

SeaWorld will mark its 50th anniversary in 2014, with the original SeaWorld park having opened in San Diego in 1964.  To mark that milestone, all three SeaWorld parks will participate in the Sea of Surprises, an eighteen month long celebration that highlights some of the most memorable SeaWorld experiences.

During the 50th anniversary celebration "visitors will be invited to take part in new interactive experiences, shows and pathway performances, even more up-close animal encounters throughout the parks and the SeaWorld "Surprise Squad" treating guests with prizes every day."

The celebration will kickoff in March when SeaWorld San Diego debuts an all new entrance plaza, named Explorer's Reef.  The area has been under construction for many months now, and when complete will feature design elements inspired by waves crashing over a reef, including encounters with marine life.  The new entrance will also feature beach themed concierge style ticketing where admission, tour, dining and animal interaction tickets can be purchased at once.

Other special events at all three parks include surprise encounters with animal ambassadors during the day, including Magellanic penguins, lemurs, or even a parade of flamingos.  The Surprise Squad will roam the parks giving out prizes and gifts, everything from front of the line passes and behind the scenes tours to shirts, Shamu merchandise and more.

New animal shows will also debut at the parks, including some that take place spontaneously on the park's midways.  These mini-shows will include costumed performers with sea-inspired props.  There will even be a "bubble brigade" and "splash mob." As a nod to the park's commitment to the environment, giant sea life sculptures made from debris from the ocean floor will be displayed at the SeaWorld parks.

The official website for the Sea of Surprises celebration can be found at this link!  Also of note, even after just opening Antarctica, an entire new land and attraction, SeaWorld Orlando will be announcing something new for 2014 this fall.  Stay tuned!