Tag: Kraken

Posted on

SeaWorld Confirm Kraken Unleashed VR Opening Date

Hey Thrill Seekers,

SeaWorld are really spoiling us today!

Another big thing for SeaWorld is the re-naming of their roller coaster ‘Kraken‘ to ‘Kraken Unleashed‘ which will debut on June 16th 2017 we already know that the new addition to the ride will include virtual reality headseats or in this case helmets. For those of you who don’t know much about virtual reality on coasters (really, where have you been?!) then here’s a fun fact for ya! The VR helmets will synchronize a video with the twists, turns and loops of the ride to enhance the experience.

Kraken originally opened on June 1st 2000 and whopping 17 years later (thank you, thank you I know my maths is great) guests will finally get to see the mighty Kraken.

These images show what kind of sea creatures and surroundings riders will find when they are immersed in the lost City of Atlantis during the ride. One of the creatures is called a Liopluredon. SeaWorld say that the unique creature was “an apex predator of the Middle to Late Jurassic seas.”

Born from tales that struck terror in sailors for centuries, SeaWorld Orlando’s mighty Kraken is a monster coaster like no other.

With the element of virtual reality, creatures such as the 21-foot Liopluredon will come to life. The already brilliant Kraken roller coaster includes a 149 foot dive, top speeds of 65 mph and 7 different times that see riders upside down. I think that the use of VR will completely change the whole experience of Kraken for the better and guests will really feel as though they are in the moment.

Kraken is a floorless coaster that see’s riders feet dangle as they are seated in open sided seats on a pedestal above the track. I think a spray of water during the ride would enhance the experience of being underwater even more. 😉

‘Kraken will feature custom digital overlay with uniquely designed virtual reality headsets, fully integrated both mechanically and electronically into the coaster train delivers a new one-of-a-kind adventure.’

I cannot wait for this to debut on the 16th June!

Smiles Included,

Abby

Posted on

SeaWorld’s Top Attractions 2016

Hey Thrill Seekers,

SeaWorld is renowned for its hugely thrilling coasters as well as its incredible shows so there’s a lot of competition within this park. Storming in at first place is the unique Manta.

manta

Manta is a one of a kind coaster on which you will experience a impressive amount of G’s! You’ll glide like a Manta Ray experience inverted nosedives, loops, twists and turns all whilst laying flat on your back , parallel to the track. You will sometimes be above the track and sometimes below as you continue to switch orientation throughout the whole ride.

It’s known to be one of the smoothest tracks in the world and totally different to your every day coaster which is why I think it has been voted as the top attraction at SeaWorld this year!

Second Place: Mako – Its Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest coaster and is named after one of the oceans fastest sharks, Mako is our offices favourite coaster at SeaWorld.

Third Place: Kraken – This is Orlando’s only floorless roller coaster and is based on a underwater mythological beast. Your feet will dangle as you speed your way around this enthralling track.

kraken VR

Fourth: One Ocean – Watch majestic killer whales tell a story and be careful if you opt to sit in the splash zone you will get VERY wet!!

Fifth: Dolphins Up-Close Tour – This hands on experience lasts around 60 minutes and allows you to interact with the beautiful bottlenose dolphins and even learn some of the hand signals used to communicate with them!

Smiles Included,

Jess

banner-oat-new (00000002)

Posted on

Kraken Set To Be The First VR Coaster In Florida

Hey Thrill Seekers,

We’re not one’s for burying the lead, so the headline pretty much says it all! Today SeaWorld Orlando will announce that their awesome coaster Kraken will become the first coaster in Florida to have a permanent virtual reality experience.

kraken VR

Scheduled for the summer of 2017 Kraken will be fitted with headsets that will plunge the rider into the depths of the sea where they will encounter mythical (obviously a Kraken) and prehistoric beasts.

Brian Morrow, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Vice President of theme park experience design told the Orlando Sentinel;

We’re developing sort of our own technology on how we’re going to pull this off, It’s nothing that you’ve seen from other parks.

Riders will be given the option of using the headset or not, which will cover not only the visitors eyes but also their ears.  Music specially composed for the ride will accompany riders and SeaWorld hope this along with the VR experience will offer a new ride perspective. SeaWorld wouldn’t comment yet on whether the images will be 3-D.

SeaWorld will also be revealing a new night time show called Electric Ocean, which will play at the Bayside Theatre. The show will feature music, fountains, bioluminescent lighting and fireworks. They will also confirm that their Dolphin Nursery will also receive a makeover. All these changes are expected for the summer of 2107.

We’ll keep you updated if SeaWorld release anything further.

Smiles included…

Jamie

banner-oat-new (00000002)

Posted on

Our Top 5 Fastest Roller Coasters In Florida

Hey Thrill Seekers,

I feel the need, the need for speed!!!…

We love a roller coaster that takes you up in the air and drops you so you’re belly exits via the top of your head, its brilliant fun and separates the weak from the strong. However we also love a coaster that’s purely all about the speed, it doesn’t apologise its about that rush of adrenaline you can only get from amazing acceleration!

Today’s post is about our favourite fastest rides in Florida.

1) The Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster

The lean, green speed machine is a favourite of mine. Located at Universal’s Islands of Adventure this bad reaches a top speed of 67 mph, the most impressive part is the very start of the ride which see’s riders launched from 0-40mph in 2 seconds!

The-Incredible-Hulk-–-The-Ride-

2) Cheetah Hunt

Nothing says speed more than a Cheetah. Cheetah Hunt reaches speeds of up to 60mph, similar to the Hulk ride Cheetah Hunt includes 3 separate launch sections. It fits perfectly in with the theming of the ride as Cheetahs when hunting tend to stalk their prey before sprinting as they tire easily.

cheetah hunt fam trip

3) Rock N’ Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith 

Are there any people on earth that live faster than a rock n’ roller? Located at Disney Hollywood Studios the Rock N’ Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith hits speeds of up to 57 mph and also features a launching start that see’s rider go from 0-57 mph in 2.8 seconds plus its indoors which makes the whole thing feel a lot faster.

rock-n-roller-coaster-starring-aerosmith

4) Kraken 

Kraken at SeaWorld Orlando is often overlooked in preference of its more visually appealing sister Manta, but don’t forget this bad boy coaster reaches speeds of 65mph. Hitting these speeds while navigating through corkscrews, dive loops and zero g-rolls will make you realise why Kraken is named after a mythological sea beast.

seaworld_kraken

5) Dragon Challenge 

Yep there are faster coasters… however 2 coasters are always better than one. Found at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Hogsmeade this dualling coaster offers two totally separate coasters offering a slightly different ride experience.

The Hungarian Horntail (blue) hits speeds of 55 mph while it feister cousin, the Chinese Fireball hits speeds of up to 60 mph. I’m counting that as a combined total of 115mph!

dragon challenge


 So there we have it, our top 5 coasters if you love your attractions speedy. Have I missed your favourite ride off?

Smiles included…

Jamie

oat-banner-2

Posted on

Kelly Reviews SeaWorld Orlando

Hi Thrill Seekers,

I am unhappy to say that I am now home and my FAM trip hosted by the wonderful team at Seaworld Parks and Entertainment went far too fast for my liking, but I am very excited to tell you all about my time in Orlando.

Once I reached Florida (I missed my original flight, but thats another story) we were given our itinerary for the week, Day number 1 would take place at Seaworld, Orlando. This was literally a few minutes walk from our hotel and couldn’t have been easier to get to.

Arriving at SeaWorld we were lucky enough to be met by a Seaworld tour guide who was going to show us around so we didn’t miss anything. I was keen to get as much information from the guide as I could and she  proved to be very knowledgeable and helpful. First stop was to the amazing Dolphin Cove to feed the Dolphins.

10351152_10154918753135643_4957325279432900471_n

Dolphin Cove gives you the opportunity to watch a playful group of bottlenose dolphins in their everyday habitat, you can also touch them and feed them I found this amazing. Before this trip I had never physically seen a Dolphin let alone touched or fed one so this for me really was a dream come true. I would advise if you don’t want to get wet don’t get too close as they are very playful and splash around an awful lot, I think I came away looking as though I went for a swim with them.

Once the tour guide had peeled me away from the Dolphins we then headed off to feed the Stingray’s at Stingray Lagoon. This is where I discovered I’m not the biggest fan of Stingray’s. I did try to feed them but I just couldn’t keep my hand in the water long enough, I can honestly say I acted like a complete girl when they got close to me (This became a bit of a theme, see Kelly V’s Falcon’s Fury). This wasn’t the same for the rest of the group or in fact anyone else around the Stingray Lagoon – one of the Stingrays did show their appreciation of me dropping their food by splashing me in the face!

After all the fun with the animals, it was onto our first ride “Manta” and not Mantra as I’d been calling it previously. Manta is the only flying roller coaster of its kind in the World. Once seated and all strapped in, your seat is tilted so you are facing the floor. I won’t lie my hands got extremely sweaty at this point and I kind of wanted to get off, but before panic could set in we were off travelling up a 140 foot chain lift, there was no going back now, when we reached the top Manta began by nose diving back down the 140 feet adding loops, twists and turns throughout the ride plus a few of my screams. I can honestly say my stomach has never been left behind before as much as it was on Manta but I loved it! I could have stayed on it all day but we had a tight schedule and a lot more of the park see. So we thought it was best to get the rides in before lunch so it we were straight onto Kraken.

10272723_909817289030055_5594799980527869534_o

Kraken is the only floorless roller coaster in Orlando. It features a total of seven inversions including two vertical loops, a dive loop, a zero-g roll, a cobra roll and a corkscrew – its safe to say I felt like I was a space cadet when I came off my head was definitely in a spin.

After lunch and a very nice one at that – it was onto the Shamu Stadium for the One Ocean Show home to the majestic Killer Whale. One Ocean touched me in a way I didn’t think was possible. Although the whole show from start to finish is breathtaking with its vivid colors and vitality it is also extremely emotional and you really do connect with these thrilling sea creatures. I didn’t shed a tear but I did leave with a very big lump in my throat.If you are there in the right season you can also catch the seasonal Shamu’s Celebration: Light up the night and Shamu Christmas Miracle night shows.

If just seeing the Whale’s is not enough for you – you can also Dine with Shamu, this is a memorable family dining experience where you can enjoy a delicious poolside meal and get a glimpse into the interactions that occur between the Seaworld trainer and the beautiful Killer Whales. Unfortunately I was not lucky enough to do this experience with our busy schedule – so if you do get the opportunity please share this with me as I would love to know about it.

10429252_10154918761900643_1703306353176045393_n

Next on our list was Turtle Trek a 3D 360 degree dome theatre experience which tells the story of a Sea Turtle’s journey through life from birth to adulthood. The theatre uses 34 projectors to seamlessly cover the entire surface of the dome allowing you to watch from every angle, even above you. This attraction surprised me, it was quite fascinating to see the life of a Sea Turtle and all the dangers and hazards they face as they mature. I would definitely try and fit this into your day if you are visiting SeaWorld.

Before entering the dome you can visit two natural habitats one filled with manatees and several species of freshwater fish, the other home to more than 1,500 saltwater fish and over a dozen Sea Turtles – these I think is a brilliant touch to an attraction like this.

Our day was nearly over but last but not least we head to Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin this is SeaWorld’s newest attraction. The attention to detail that has gone into this area is unreal, it feels as though you are actually in Antarctica, it’s truly stunning. The Antarctic: Empire of the Penguins ride itself is aimed at families and tells the story of Puck, a young Gentoo Penguin who gets lost in a snowstorm. You have the option of a wild or mild ride. We did the Mild ride which I have been told is not too much different from the Wild. Once the ride was over we were able to get close to some real Gentoo Penguins, as well as Adelies, Kings and Rockhoppers. A little tip when visiting, the environment has obviously been built for the Penguins so it can feel pretty cold, so take a jacket or jumper in with you if you have one, so you can look at the penguins in detail.

10805843_10154918763960643_4220067990830375399_n

So that was it the end of my very busy day at SeaWorld – one I did not want to come to an end, but everything has to right? Roll on day 2 which was Aquatica so look out for my next blog where I will explain in detail all about Orlando Attraction Tickets first experience of Ihu’s Breakaway falls.

Smiles included…

Kelly

 

Posted on

Guess How Many Calories You Burn In A Day At SeaWorld Orlando?

Hey thrill seekers,

There are many important questions in life, such as; how did the pyramids actually get there? Did man really descend from apes? Why are there so many yellow ones in a packet of M&Ms? And of course, most importantly…Just how many calories am I burning when I visit a theme park?

SeaWorld-logo-smallRecently I blogged about ‘How Many Calories I Burned at Busch Gardens‘ just because that’s the sort of data we like to collect here at Orlando Attraction Tickets – I know, we are theme park nerds! So when Visiting SeaWorld Orlando recently I decided to collect the same data.

I used a Nike Fuel Band to clock my daily calories and steps. Read on to find out just how many I burnt and how I did it, you’ll be surprised! Here’s how my day panned out;

1) Journey to Atlantis – Water/Thrill ride

 journey-to-atlantis

What better way too start the day than with a water ride! Water ride enthusiasts are in for a thrill as this mythical paradise reveals its darker side. This exciting flume ride/roller coaster hybrid treats you to more than its share of surprises as you explore dark, watery passageways through the sunken city before being flung from its gates down a thrilling plunge into the waters below.

2) Kraken – Rollercoaster

 kraken

SeaWorld mighty Kraken is a monster coaster like no other. Consistently ranked one of the world’s top coasters by ride enthusiasts, this blazing fast floorless steel coaster rises high above the horizon. Kraken; The mythological beast has been unleashed to lift you higher, drop you longer, and spiral you faster than any other coaster in Orlando.

3) Manta – Rollercoaster

manta

Manta lets you find out what it’s like to spin, glide, skim and fly like a giant ray when you experience the only flying roller coaster of its kind in the world. A seamless blend of up-close animal encounters with a head-first, face-down thrill ride! Riders are taunted by a head-first, face-down inverted nosedive…and that’s just the beginning. This powerful ray leads bold adventurers on a journey to experience the full force and power of riding the high seas, all on one of the smoothest tracks in the world.

4) One Ocean – Shamu Show.

 one-ocean-shamu

Amazing Killer Whale Splash Show! Dive into the exhilaration of the sea in our all-new Shamu show, One Ocean. The energy and spirit of the ocean envelops you in a multi-sensory celebration of life underneath the sea that entertains as it educates and inspires. Majestic killer whales join you on a journey into a world that drenches your senses in the vivid colours, vitality and global rhythms of the ocean. Dancing fountains set the stage as you connect with thrilling sea creatures and realize we are all part of one world, one ocean.

Break for lunch

I took a quick pit stop at Mango Joe’s – If you like wraps and fajitas then you cant go wrong with this place. But they are loads of great places to grab a bit to eat so whether you like pizza, burgers etc you are sure to find something tasty to tuck into. One tip would be to either have a late lunch or an early lunch. Between 12:00 and 13:00 hours are the busiest periods so queues are very likely.

5) Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island – Sea Lions, Walrus and Otter Show

 clyde-seamore-take-pirate-island

Wow! What a funny show! Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island, and instead take the stage using the one language we all share—fun! This sensational tale of lost loot, pirate plunder and misadventure is full of hilarious hijinks. Come aboard for some slap-flap comedy and pure family fun. Look out for the mime at the beginning of the show who keeps everyone entertained while you take your seat.

6) Turtle Trek  – 3-D Turtle exhibit

 turtle-trek

The first 3-D movie presented in a domed theatre! No animal’s life journey is more incredible than that of the sea turtle. From hatching on a beach and making the mad dash to open waters to the dangers and hazards they face as they mature and return to the very same beach to lay their own eggs, their tales of life underwater have in the past been impossible to show. And no theme park in the world is better equipped than SeaWorld to share that journey with millions of people. Check out this post for a complete Turtle Trek photo walk through  

7) Dolphin Show – Blue Horizons

blue-horizons-seaworld-dolphin

An amazing show with spectacular Dolphins. Join a young girl named Marina as she discovers the secrets of the sea and sky in a mesmerizing blue world of adventure and wonder. This unique, theatrical spectacular features dolphins, tropical birds and acrobats. Let Blue Horizons take you on a journey usually reserved for dreams.

8) Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin – Exhibit

 antarctica-march-of-the-penguin

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin™. This epic exploration of a mysterious world blends animal encounters with an exhilarating family ride for a one-of-a-kind experience the whole family will enjoy. Be transported to an icy world like you’ve never seen before. Experience the majestic grandeur of the South Pole and see it through the penguins’ eyes on an exhilarating, first-of-its-kind family ride. Check our our recent review of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. 

So after a full day at SeaWorld how many calories did I actually burn? Well I actually burnt 786 calories and took just under 10,000 steps. Not as many calories or steps as I did at Busch Gardens but you have to admit it’s still pretty impressive, especially, when all I was doing was having fun! 

 *Remember that we all burn calories in different ways. My data is based on my own personal experience and body type.

Here is the information you’ll need if you plan on visiting SeaWorld Orlando;

SeaWorld Orlando is included within the following tickets

If there is a better way to burn calories, I’d be interested to hear from you.

Thanks for reading 🙂

Karl

oat-banner (2)