SeaWorld’s orca show is going from tricks to teaching. Here’s how to save money on tickets.
Not many places tie together different generations quite like theme parks. The technology may change, but going to a theme park as a kid, wide-eyed and mystified, is a feeling that transcends age.
SeaWorld is one of those places that bridges the generations. For decades, the park has been defined by giant killer whales flying through the sky or splashing the crowd as they cheer, “Shamu! Shamu! Shamu!”
Now, SeaWorld’s Shamu show is coming to an end, at least the parts with killer whales doing tricks.
Shamu Stadium will be saying goodbye to “One Ocean,” the current name of the orca show, on Dec. 31. “Orca Encounter,” more of an educational experience, will replace it on Jan. 1.
“SeaWorld is excited about our new killer whale educational presentation, Orca Encounter,” said Dr. Chris Dold, SeaWorld chief zoological officer. “Guests will learn about killer whales’ role in the ocean ecosystem, behaviors the animals exhibit in the wild, the importance of conservation to their habitat, and animal welfare practices at SeaWorld.”
In California, the new show includes orcas, but they’re not performing the familiar, high-flying stunts. It is all about educating the audience on orcas. If that show is any indication of what we can expect in Orlando, Shamu Stadium will look a little different but the killer whales will still be around.
The change comes nearly 10 years after a trainer at the Orlando park, Dawn Brancheau, was killed by an orca named Tilikum. Tilikum also killed two other people: Keltie Byrne, a trainer at the closed Sealand of the Pacific, and Daniel Dukes, a drifter trespassing at SeaWorld Orlando.
Tilikum died in 2017.
After Brancheau’s death, the 2013 documentary Blackfish focused on Tilikum’s infamous behavior and how his captivity may have contributed to Brancheau’s death. SeaWorld has already phased out breeding of orcas, and the Orlando park is the last in the company to feature the killer whale show.
The Seaquarium in Miami, which is not affiliated with the SeaWorld parks, continues to feature its killer whale, Lolita, in a performance show.
At SeaWorld, visitors can catch a break on ticket prices before catching the final killer whale shows in Orlando. SeaWorld has put park tickets on sale, saving buyers $20.
SeaWorld tickets usually cost $105.99 for same-day and advance tickets. Now, tickets bought at least a day in advance are $85.99.
In 2018, 4.6 million people went to SeaWorld in Orlando, according to the Themed Entertainment Association. That’s up from 4 million in 2017 — a 16% increase.
Expect big crowds over the holidays, with the discounted tickets and the final days of Shamu’s show.
This story was originally published December 26, 2019 at 11:17 AM.
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