SeaWorld San Antonio
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SeaWorld San Antonio is a 250-acre marine-life theme park located in the Westover Hills area of San Antonio, Texas. The park is a part of the SeaWorld chain owned by Busch Entertainment Corporation, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Busch also owns eight other theme parks, including SeaWorld San Diego and SeaWorld Orlando.
SeaWorld San Antonio is the world's largest marine-life theme park and is a member of both the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (formerly the American Zoo and Aquarium Association).
History
SeaWorld San Antonio (formerly SeaWorld of Texas) was developed by Harcourt, Brace and Jovanovich (now Harcourt Trade Publishers) and opened in 1988. The park was built for $170 million and welcomed 3.3 million visitors in its first 12 months of operation, placing it among the top 10 attractions in Texas.At the time the park opened, it was billed as the largest educational, marine-life theme park in the world, and at 7 million gallons, Shamu Stadium contained the largest salt water tank in the world.
In 1989, Harcourt, Brace, and Jovanovich (heavy in debt and fighting a hostile takeover) sold its SeaWorld and Boardwalk and Baseball theme parks to Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Plans to build a Boardwalk and Baseball park adjacent to SeaWorld of Texas were immediately abandoned.
On February 2, 1993, Baby Shamu "Kalina" (the first Orca calf born in captivity - born on September 26, 1985, at SeaWorld Orlando) gave birth to the first second-generation killer whale calf, "Keet," or commonly Grandbaby Shamu.
Under Anheuser-Busch's watch, SeaWorld San Antonio closed less popular attractions such as the Texas Walk, the U.S. Map Plaza, and the Circle of Flags and added its popular Clydsedales to the park. The educational focus of the parks were de-emphasised, and expansion focused on the addition of thrill rides and a water park. In 1993 the park opened its Lost Lagoon water park, and in 1997 the park debuted its first roller coaster, The Great White, along with Rio Loco, a water rapids ride.
Attractions
Thrill rides
- The Great White - guests are lifted high above the treetops with only the track above you and nothing below you as this shark places havoc everywhere.
- Rio Loco - guests travel through twisted caverns and caves as they make their way through rapids, waterfalls, and geysers.
- Steel Eel - the Steel Eel roller coaster provides riders with some adrenaline rush as you dip and drop numerous times around the "yellow" infested track.
- Texas Splashdown - riders board a hollowed-out log (similar to that of Splash Mountain at Disneyland and Walt Disney World) as they wind through the rivers edge of the Texas forest with some wild surprises included!
Children's rides
- Jumpin' Jungle - the Jumpin' Jungle lifts "tiny" guests two stories up in the air. Once at the top, the vehicle slowly drops and bounces as the guests laugh on the way down.
- Pete's Pinwheel - SeaWorld guests will have a great time aboard Pete the Penguin's Pinwheel. This miniature ferris wheel is great for little kids and their parents.
- Shamu Express - a family roller coaster themed to the park's signature killer whale. The killer whale-themed cars zip along 220 feet of track at 14 mph.
- Shamu's Happy Harbor - a tropical-themed adventure area for children
- Virgil's Paint Mixer - parents along with their children can ride in oversized paint jugs on this "tea-cup" type amusement park ride.
Shows and exhibits
Shows
- Believe - Shamu Stadium's new show featuring interaction with whale trainers. The show will be more visual concentrating on acrobaticts, music and live undewater video projection.
- The Cannery Row Caper - A comical who done it featuring sea lions Clyde and Seamore, who attempt to unravel the mystery of disappearing fish in a nearby cannery. Other animals appearing in this show are Walrus and Otter.
- Rockin' Ski Party - a live-action boat, water-jet and water-skiing stunt show.
- Viva! - A first of its kind for SeaWorld parks, this show features professional high divers, aerialists and synchronized swimmers performing with Pacific white-sided dolphins and beluga whales.
Exhibits
- Aviary Habitats - guests can view a variety of birds from pink flamingo, Ducks and geese, among other birds from throughout the Americas.
- Clydsedale Hamlet - view the famous Budweiser Clydsedales.
- Dolphin Cove - the popular Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are on exhibit here. SeaWorld staff educates the public on their behaviors and lifestyle. Guests can interact with the dolphins and purchase fish to feed the animals.
- Penguin Encounter - Visitors step into the Arctic wilderness on a moving walkway and view over 200 penguins in a variety of species. There are additional exhibits where one can read about the penguins and view other aquatic birds.
- Seal And Sea Lion Community - a variety of seals, sea lions, walruses and otters can be found here. Everyone will be delighted to see the seals bask in the warm sunlight, the sea lions swimming in the cool water, and the otters just doing what otters do.
- Sharks/The Coral Reef - SeaWorld guests can view some of the world's most exotic and fiercest sea creatures. Some animals that are found here include sting rays, eels, tropical fish, and a variety of sharks.
Entertainment
- The Great White Games Center - video arcade including virtual reality and motion simulator
- Sea Star Theater
Lost Lagoon water park (open April through September)
- Activity Pool
- Buckaroo Mountain
- Castaway Cruisin'
- Lil' Gators Lagoon
- Sky Tubin'
- Splash Attack
- Wave Wash Pool
External links
| Busch Entertainment Corporation Adventure Parks | ||
| Busch Gardens | Tampa Bay, Williamsburg | 
|
| SeaWorld | San Antonio, San Diego, Orlando | |
| Miscellaneous | Adventure Island, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place, Water Country USA | |
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