SeaWorld San Diego to Reopen for Zoo Special Event + SeaWorld Orlando Adds Operating Days

© SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego has been granted permission to reopen as a zoo only, following the footsteps of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom which reopened earlier this summer as the Marine World Experience.  No rides or indoor attractions are able to open, so the park has put together a new event called Zoo Days: Bayside BBQ & Brews.

The special event requires a special ticket to enter, and is a mixture of the park's outdoor zoo facilities (a partial selection) along with a food and beer event spread over 40 of the parks acres.  Season pass holders still are required to purchase a separate ticket to the event, though they will receive a steep discount off of the regular admission.  The event ticket comes with a special lanyard that allows for six tastings of the park's special BBQ themed food options, or a variety of beers, wines and cocktails.

The park will have several of their open-air exhibits open to visitors, including Sea Lion Point, Otter Outlook, Dolphin Point and Explorer's Reef Touch Pools.  There will be several animal presentations as well, such as the Dolphin, Sea Lion and the educational Orca Encounter.  All will feature proper socially distanced seating.

 

The park will also offer Sesame Street character meet and greets - distanced for safety - while the park is open.

 

Reservations for the event are required as the capacity for each day is limited.  The park will also follow all health and safety guidelines already in place at other SeaWorld Entertainment parks, including mandatory face masks, increased sanitization and social distancing throughout the park.

Zoo Days: Bayside BBQ & Brews will starting this Friday, August 28th, and take place each Friday through Sunday (plus Labor Day) until September 27th.

© SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando have also both shared good news, the parks are now going to be open 7 days a week through October 4th.  Plus, SeaWorld Orlando will now stay open until 10 pm on Friday through Sunday through Labor Day weekend.

SeaWorld Orlando is also extending their craft beer festival to Fridays (in addition to the weekend) with operating hours of 3 pm until 10 pm.  The park is currently presenting Electric Ocean Remix on weekend days through September 6th.  It's great to see the park having enough demand to open for additional days and hours!