KareKare Curl Update

Hey Thrill Seekers,

We’ve got new attractions and updates coming out of our ears at the moment! But we’re not complaining!!

***UPDATE***
KareKare Curl is opening on the 12th April 2019!

It looks as though Aquatica’s newest raft ride is going to be open soon enough! Aquatica have posted some pics showing that KareKare Curl slide pieces have arrived and the new slide is starting to really come together. 😀

“KareKare” means “waves”, here at Aquatica and when combined with “Curl” meaning in a curved shape – this new ride could be described as a “curve shaped wave” which riders will experience when climbing the vertical wave wall. “


KareKare Curl is a 2 person raft ride which will have a weightless feel about it.

Let’s take a look at how its all starting to take shape..


Aquatica was recently voted the top water park in the U.S. via a national poll and with last years introduction of Ray Rush and now the plans for KareKare you can see why!

Can’t wait to try this one out.

Smiles Included,

Abby

Teresa’s day at Aquatica

Hey Thrill Seekers,

During her recent trip to Orlando to visit everything SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has to offer in Orlando Teresa done a daily blog, check out this one from her day at Aquatica which was recently voted as the best Water Park in a national poll!

Find out how her experiences were different both times she rode Ray Rush – Aquaticas newest slide, how she nearly lost her contact lenses and have a giggle at her trying to pronounce some of the slides. 😉

Teresa has also just confirmed to me that because of this miserable weather we’re having, she’s wishing more than ever that she was back chilling at Aquatica. Me too!

Smiles Included,

Jess

What can we expect from the SeaWorld parks in the next couple of years?

Hey Thrill Seekers,

Lets take a look at all of the confirmed and rumoured attractions coming to the SeaWorld parks (SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens) in the next few years!

What? Infinity Falls Where? SeaWorld When? 2018

This was supposed to open in summer this year however we are still patiently awaiting the chance to be able to ride this awesome raft attraction! It’s going to feature the worlds tallest river rapid drop of 40ft!

What? Tigris Where? Busch Gardens Tampa When? 2019

We cannot wait for this new coaster!  It’s going to be Florida’s tallest launch coaster and will feature a TRIPLE LAUNCH with both forward and backward motions.

What? Sesame Street Land Where? SeaWorld When? 2019

Sesame Street is set to transport  guests into the colourful and creative world of Sesame Street through immersive theming, character interactions and interactive play.

What? new coaster Where? SeaWorld When? 2020 (rumour)

There are lots of rumours flying around that SeaWorld’s next big attraction is going to be a coaster (first once since Mako which opened in 2016) the coaster is rumoured to be similar to Wave Breaker Coaster at San Antonios SeaWorld! If this one is true then i’m all for it!

What? Gwazi revamp Where? Busch Gardens Tampa When? 2020

When Busch Gardens announced Tigris the other day they also let slip a little secret which is that Gwazi is going to be revamped into a ride that will make you want to ‘hold on to your seats’ Yippeeee!

What? water coaster Where? Aquatica When? 2020

Water Country USA Williamsburg is building a brand new water coaster for 2019 called Cutback. Behind The Thrills have said that the slide is said to be making it’s way to Orlando, with a much tighter and quicker footprint. Instead of huge sprawling track, it will double on itself and be located in between the two wave pools. :O

SeaWorld really know how to bounce back don’t they! I hope the rumours are true too!

Smiles Included,

Abby

Construction of Ray Rush is in Full Swing

Hey Thrill Seekers,

I’m extremely excited about Ray Rush which is opening in the Spring of 2018 and yesterday Aquatica uploaded some construction pics, lets take a look..

As we can all see, the primary colours of the slide are blues and greens – sticking with the ocean animal theme of rays.

Lots of parts ready and waiting to become a piece of Ray Rush!

I can see parts that look like pizza slices in the right side of this photo, I wonder what part of the slide they will be home too…     I’m  not sure if the guy on the right is taking the photo or scratching his head as to say ‘I’ve left the instructions at home Dave’

Here we can see that Hooroo Run is no more so that we can make way for Ray Rush which will now be next to Walhalla Wave on the left hand side of the photo and is closed until Ray Rush opens in Spring.

Who’s excited for this to open?! If you can’t remember what Ray Rush is going to look like then see below..

Triple your fun with the three-in-one thrills of Ray Rush, new at Aquatica Orlando. Ray Rush is the fully-loaded water adventure with three ways to slide, splash and soar like never before. First, water jets launch your raft from zero to awesome in just seconds. Your adventure takes a twisting turn as you spin inside a colossal water sphere. Finally, dive into the giant manta wings, swooping up and down a different path each time. Fill your raft with family and friends for three times the thrills on the exciting Ray Rush at Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark.

It looks and sounds awesome!

Smiles Included,

Abby

New Attractions to Look Forward to in 2018

Hey Thrill Seekers,

2017 has nearly come to an end, we’ve had loads of cool new attractions / parks arrive in Orlando this year such as Volcano Bay and Pandora – The World of Avatar and lucky for us 2018 is not going to disappoint either with loads of new rides set to open in the coming year.

I’m going to start with Hollywood Studios as we are eagerly awaiting the opening of Toy Story Land here at OAT towers. Two new rides and a food spot have been officially named for Toy Story Land which is opening in the summer of next year; Slinky Dog Dash – a family coaster where you will find  yourself zipping, dodging and dashing around a track that Andy has created to stretch Slinky to his limits. Alien Swirling Saucers where aliens will be flying around in their saucers trying to capture your rocket toy vehicle with ‘The Claw’ and Woodys Lunch Box which will be a quick service window to grab some of Andy’s fave food.

Next up is Universal Studios where Fast & Furious – Supercharged is set to open in Spring. Now this is one i’m personally super excited about as I LOVE  the Fast & Furious films. Guests will be immersed in their own Fast and Furious story, escaping the enemy with familiar faces such as Dom, Letty and Hobbs. The new ride will also feature a Virtual Line just like in Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.

SeaWorld is also opening a brand new ride in the summer called Infinity Falls. Infinity Falls is a river rapids ride with a twist. It will be a 4+ minute ride featuring a 40ft plunge down the tallest drop of its kind. Riders will get to experience the excitement and thrills of category 4 white water rapids and use a ‘unique elevator lift’ which will create the worlds tallest drop on a river raft ride.

Aquatica is also debuting a brand new ride; Ray Rush. This ride is set to open in Spring and will be the only water ride in Florida to offer a water jet propel system which will launch riders (4 at a time) at 33 feet per second. It will have a height requirement of 42”.

LEGOLAND are also in the mix of opening new rides in 2018 with The Great LEGO Race: Opening in Spring – a new virtual-reality roller coaster adventure. This new coaster will feature virtual reality technology, a cast of wacky LEGO minifigures and is replacing the current Project X coaster.

Take a look at myself and Gavins recent OAT Live where we discussed everything we are looking forward to in 2018 (as well as my rubbish attempt at playing a Kazuu) and also another cool video below to round up all the new things to look forward to next year;

Personally, the one i’m most looking forward to is Fast & Furious – Supercharged. Whats yours?

Smiles Included

Abby

 

New Ray Rush Ride To Open At Aquatica Orlando

Hey Thrill Seekers,

We’ve previously speculated on OAT Live about a new ride coming to Aquatica and this morning SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment have confirmed that we were spot on.

The new ride will be called Ray Rush and will be a family raft ride where visitors will travel through tubes and transparent spheres before encountering an open-air half pipe shaped like a manta ray.

Ray Rush will be the only water ride in Florida to offer a water jet propel system which will launch riders (4 at a time) at 33 feet per second. It will have a height requirement of 42”.

“Ray Rush will offer a ride experience you won’t be able to get anywhere else in Florida. Aquatica will be the first waterpark in the state to combine these three unique elements into one attraction” said Cathy Valeriano, Aquatica Orlando vice president. “Ray Rush is the perfect addition to our attraction portfolio, complementing what is already one of the most family-friendly waterslide lineups in Orlando.”

Ray Rush will replace HooRoo Run which will close permanently Oct. 31. The new ride will take off from the same existing tower as Walhalla Wave, which will shut down temporarily after Oct. 31. It will reopen with the launch of Ray Rush.

Aquatica are confident that Ray Rush will open Spring 2018.

Smiles included…

Jamie

Day 4 – Abby’s Orlando Vlog

Hey Thrill Seekers,

Day 4 and Abby’s been a busy girl not only has she visited SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica but she’s also moved hotels…

Today she starts her Disney adventure, tune in tomorrow to find out how she got on.

Smiles included…

Jamie

Abby’s Pre-Orlando Adventure

Hey Thrill Seekers,

Its nearly time…….

If you watch our bi-weekly Facebook Lives you’re bound to know that i’m due to go on a ‘Super Fam’ trip and in particular, how excited I am about it! Well it’s time and i’m finally leaving tomorrow to embark on what is sure to be the best trip EVER.

If you follow our Facebook or Instagram accounts you’ll be seeing loads of videos and photos from yours truly over the next week including all things Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. Before I start packing (yes I know I’ve left it very last minute) I thought I would give you guys a run-down of what my trip is going to involve.

Soooo.. I arrive in Orlando at 5pm -ish on Sunday and by 9.30pm i’ll be at Universals Halloween Horror Nights!! Nothing like throwing us in at the deep end aye?! I’m absolutely terrified but also mega, mega excited for this (I do feel sorry for the people who are going to have to keep picking me up off the floor in the houses though) The house i’m most excited for is SAW: The Games of Jigsaw, SAW hasn’t featured at HHN for 8 years now and i’m pretty eager to see what’s going to be involved this time around.

For the first few days i’m going to be staying at Universals Cabana Bay Beach Resort which I’ve heard is very nice indeed. 😛 On my first full day i’ll be visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley, Hogsmede Village and Universal Studios. I’m absolutely buzzing to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – I’ve heard so many amazing things about it and I just can’t wait to see it all for myself and i’m especially excited for  Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™.

On to the next day.. On this day I will be visiting Volcano Bay in the morning and Universals Islands of Adventure in the afternoon, woooo!!! I can’t wait to ride Krakatau™ Aqua Coaster and teeny bit scared to do Ko’okiri Body Plunge™ I feel like this is going to be a fantastic morning and I can’t wait to get loads of snaps of the Volcano! For Islands of Adventure I’ve been warned not to wear white tops or any denim and this is because i’m bound to get ABSOLUTELY SOAKED on the water rides.. Hopefully it’s a warm day (oh I forgot to mention, the weather forecast for next week is BEAUTIFUL.) Oh i’m also very eager to ride The Incredible Hulk Coaster We have a surprise evening with Universal on this day and i’m super excited to see what this is going to be, of course, i’ll keep you updated!

Day 4 is the day i’m most excited about… anyone who knows me will understand why. Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to swim with a dolphin and now i’m lucky enough to have the opportunity to do it YAY!!! If you haven’t guessed already, i’ll be visiting Discovery Cove in the morning. I’m not going to lie there will probably be some tears buy hey, who cares it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity! After Discovery Cove i’ll be travelling over to Busch Gardens where I cannot wait to ride all the big coasters and ALL of the pressure is on me to ride Falcons Fury.. i’ve got this!

On day 5 i’ll be visiting SeaWorld in the Morning , Aquatica in the afternoon and back to SeaWorld for the evening! 😉 Very excited to ride Manta and Mako at SeaWorld as everyone in the offices always raves about how good they are. Especially excited to be lucky enough to ride them in the dark also! Psyching myself up for Ihu’s breakaway falls at Aquatica!

I’ll be staying over night at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, ready for day 6.. On day 6 i’ll be visiting EPCOT in the morning and Animal Kingdom in the afternoon. Can’t wait to visit all of the different countries at EPCOT and i’m so buzzing for Pandora – The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom, the reviews i’ve read about Avatar – Flight of Passage have all been great so I cannot wait to experience it for myself too.

On the 7th Day i’ll be off to Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom, I am really looking forward to seeing Cinderella’s Castle, meeting all of the characters and getting to experience the iconic rides and attractions such as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. I also hope I get to watch Happily Ever After, could possibly shed a tear or two here as well!

On my last day I get to go SHOPPING at the Orlando International Premium Outlets and the Florida Mall, I’ve got all my pennies saved up for this I’m just hoping i’ll have enough room in my suitcase!! After that it’s home time 🙁 🙁

Only 1 more sleep to go and i’ll finally be off!! If you would like to follow my action packed week make sure you keep checking our Facebook and Instagram as i’ll be trying to post as much and as often as possible.

See you all soon!!

Smiles Included,

Abby

 

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s Retired Attractions

Hey Thrill Seekers,

Of course, we have looked at Disney and Universal’s retired attractions so there is only one other place to look…SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment! Anheuser Busch (better known as Budweiser, Abby’s favourite drink) bought SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in 1989.

During the ownership time’s of Anheuser Busch, there was a hospitality lounge where you would get free beer samples and be able to see Clydesdales whilst sipping your beer!

In 1992 they introduced their first simulator ride to SeaWorld Orlando, Mission: Bermuda Triangle, based on the real life Bermuda Triangle (Devil’s Triangle). This was then re-themed into Wild Arctic which was combined with the amazing animal exhibit when you exit the ride. Here you can view the gorgeous Beluga whales and walruses.

Wild Arctic is also known for having seasonal changes every so often including turning into The Polar Express at Christmas time! Although this wasn’t seen last year, you never know if it will return! I hope so because I love The Polar Express!

SeaWorld used to have a fairly large penguin habitat which was upgraded into Antarctica: The Empire of the Penguin a trackless dark ride in 2013. You’ll meet Puck the Penguin and be able to follow him on his adventures around the Antarctic. You can even choose whether you would like a ‘mild’ or ‘wild’ experience!

Once you disembark from the ride, you’ll enter into the breathtaking penguin exhibit. When I say breathtaking, it literally will take your breath away with the freezing cold as well as the beautiful penguins! Some might call this a ‘2 for 1’ attraction, with the ride and the animal exhibit. Another 2 for 2 attraction is Manta. It opened in 2009 and has one of, if not the smoothest tracks in the world and is a one-of-a-kind ride with riders taunted by a head-first, face-down inverted nose dive. At the end of the ride you have the Manta Aquarium and the Stingray Lagoon.

SeaWorld is also known for it’s many stunning shows. The most popular and well known show has got to be One Ocean where you can capture Orca’s performing the most amazing flips and somersaults. One Ocean opened in 2011 after Believe was there from 2006.

Over in Tampa Bay, you can visit Busch Gardens which is also part of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment!

Python was the park’s first roller coaster that opened in 1976 with corckscrew and U-turns. Python was demolished in 2006 to make way for Jungala.

Busch Gardens also had African Queen Boat Ride which closed in 1989 to make way for Tanganyika Tidal Wave which is still in the parks to date so you can get a soaking on a hot, sunny day!  Crazy Camel was a coaster that closed in 2003 to be replaced by Sand Serpent which is also still around today.

Sandstormer was an oribter ride that was running from 1980 all the way through to 2013 before they took it down to make way for Falcons Fury which opened in 2014. Not only that, but there was Rhino Rally that opened in 2001, another water boat ride but this one was closed down for Cheetah Hunt to open in 2011.

The one ride that most people know about closing down in 2015 has to be Gwazi. I think me and Gwazi had a love hate relationship like most people! At 90 feet tall it was the park’s only wooden roller coaster!

 

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment also own Aquatica and Discovery Cove however Aquatica being their newest park, nothing has yet been replaced and Discovery Cove is already perfect just the way it is! 🙂

What else can you think of that’s no longer at any of these parks that maybe you’re happy are no longer there, or that you’re sad to see them gone?

Smiles Included…

Louise

 

SeaWorld And Aquatica Introduce New Photo Entry System

Hey Thrill Seekers,

You stroll up, you scan your Orlando Attraction Tickets gate ready ticket, you pop your finger in the biometric scanner and in you go…

Well not anymore, in a move to speed up the admission process and eliminate the potential for theft by protecting the ticket from being used by another person SeaWorld and Aquatica are introducing a new photo entry system.

This will involve guests having their picture taken at the entry gates and it, in turn being linked to the unique barcode on their admission ticket. The photo will then appear on all following visits to the parks upon presenting their ticket for entry. This will replace the finger print scan previously used.

seaworld entry

Why the change to a new process?
This new process will allow our Ambassadors to focus  more on our guests’ arrival experience by speeding up  the entry time into the park. A smoother process and
shorter wait equals more time for our guests to enjoy  the park.

How does this new process work?
You will start to see our front gate Ambassadors using new handheld devices to scan tickets and Passes. Upon  the guest’s fist visit, a photo will be taken and stored
for future visits. We request no hats or sunglasses be  worn for accurate identification. This new entry system  will replace the process that required use of the guest’s  index finger.

Which tickets or Passes require the photo?
Photos are required for all Annual Passes, Fun Cards,  and multi-day tickets. Photos are not currently required  for single-day tickets.

Why is a photo required?
The photo is used to verify the guest with their ticket  product, which will eliminate the potential for theft by  protecting your Annual Pass or ticket from being used  by another person.

Does my child need to have their photo taken?
Parent permission is needed for our team to take your  child’s photo. Your child’s photo would be stored locally  and retrieved only upon park entry. If you do not wish to  have your child’s photo taken please inform our team.

What if I decline having my photo taken?
You can choose to bypass having your photo taken.  Instead, you would need to show a photo ID each time  you enter the park. Guests under the age of 14 do not  need to present a photo ID.

Will the photo be printed on my Pass?
No. The photo will be used for internal use only and is  designed to verify the Pass Member or multi-day ticket  holder when they enter the park. It will not require a  new Pass or ticket to be printed.

When will this change take place?
The transition will occur late 2016 through early 2017.

Smiles included…

Jamie

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