SeaWorld's FAILED Expansion Plan - Will It Still Happen?

In the early 2010’s, the SeaWorld company was planning on restructuring their Orlando and Tampa parks. The company had a vision. A vision that looked to be the brightest SeaWorld had ever seen. However, In 2013, something happened that changed this company’s future forever. So today, let’s take a look at what’s on the horizon for SeaWorld Entertainment.

DISCLAIMER: All information discussed in this video are considered rumors and speculation as of the date this video is being posted. None of the in-depth details discussed within this video are officially confirmed by SeaWorld Entertainment themselves; they are just rumors from inside sources and theme park fans like you and myself!

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[vnana]

The info about trademarks was interesting!

[SeaWorldParksRock]

I don't believe Blackfish is the reason the projects were cancelled. As you can tell in the concept art, Infinity Falls and Sesame Street are both present - both additions added under CEO, Joel Manby. I believe this major expansion plan was cancelled due to the chairman of the board, Scott Ross. As evident by the latest additions at all the parks - Icebreaker, Emperor, Pantheon, etc, they all have a common reality. Theming is almost non-existent for each of them. The lack of theming is a stark contrast to Joel Manby's tenure which included building themed attractions - such as Cobra's Curse, Ocean Explorer, Mako, etc. The two CEOs that followed Joel Manby saw a dramatic reduction in theming. Additionally, in Joel Manby's book, Love Works, he described Scott Ross, as an activist board member - who wanted quick returns at the cost of reduced quality of attractions and guests experiences. As evident with all of SeaWorld's 2020/21 additions - a reduction in theming is very apparent - showing the effects of Scott Ross as the puppeteer of the CEO. I believe until the current chairman of the board is out - we'll continue to see new additions that are sterile of theming and nothing of significant caliber to the concept art shown in this video. Furthermore, with SeaWorld top "imagineer"/creative director Brian Morrow, no longer with the company - it may reflect in his leaving of SeaWorld that he knew his services in creating high themed attraction would be dwindled with reduced budgets due to the corporate restructuring.

[McBoomFly]

Too bad to see what Sea World could have been. However, it would have been amazing to see expansions for the orcas and dolphins. In my opinion that is where Sea World should have been focusing on enhancing.

[carminecdinoproductions]

I want those SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa restructurings to be brought back into development and fully realized sometime in the future while still keeping their focus on thrills and animals along with some edutainment attractions that teach guests about various creatures from around the world! I still want SeaWorld to still focus on thrills and animals and maybe that Shamu’s Happy Harbor area should still remain untouched with the theme and with some new attractions added in and that kids’ IP to have a Bay of Play themed sub-area located adjacent to the still remaining Shamu’s Happy Harbor and I wanna see more animal attractions and thrill rides coming to both the SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa parks in the future like a Primordial Seas section with rides like a roller coaster called “Megalodon” or “Mosasaur” and a spinning flat ride called “Sea Monster”, a fully-realized Surf Coaster for SeaWorld Orlando, a WaveBreaker rescue coaster for SeaWorld Orlando adjacent to Ice-Breaker, a Voyage to the Abyss dark ride, an on-site SeaWorld Orlando resort hotel for SeaWorld Orlando and an on-site Busch Gardens Tampa Serengeti resort hotel for Busch Gardens Tampa, more family rides and family friendly attractions for Shamu’s Happy Harbor like a Ferris wheel and an interactive edutainment aquarium dark ride, a Turtle Beach area with a Turtle Reef Voyage dark ride, a newly-revived Rhino Rally ride, and lots of other cool stuff!

[ratbones]

Wow looking at these expansion plan concepts it’s seems like that could’ve really helped Sea World and make it more of a competitor with Disney. Like seriously look at that themeing! Not to mention what looks like super upgraded animal enclosures. They look 10x better than what they have now. It’s unfortunate how much blackfish took a hit on the company. I wonder if the public knew of these plans before it would’ve been different.

[ThemeParkMedia]

Lemme just say a Busch Gardens Williamsburg hotel would be stunning in every aspect possible

[ThemeParkAvenue]

I would have loved to see a hotel called Busch Gardens Tampa and I’ve been brainstorming it for probably 7 years. It could turn the park into a true resort to help it complete with Orlando’s most popular resort parks.

[jimthar]

I would love for that version of Wave Breaker to come to fruition in Orlando. That rock work looked amazing and I think people would love that ride. Would also love to see that hotel happen though I know that would take many years to build.

[LChatmanFL]

I come back to watch this periodically. For all the good SeaWorld has done for marine animals for nearly 5 decades, one event outweighed all the rehabs & research. As a passholder for yrs, it would have been nice to see these plans come to fruition.

[tinsote]

This just made me hate Blackfish and CNN even more.

[shakaylathomas]

Why is SeaWorld entertainment cancel everything but the upcoming rides several years ago?

[bagofgroceries]

I would love that Busch Gardens resort. High quality hotel right in my hometown.

[themeparkguyproductions]

I’d love to see the Rescue coaster make it’s way to Orlando, as it really is a coaster that I feel like would be an excellent addition. Same with the Abyss dark ride, and maybe a RMC raptor where the Dolphin Cove and Turtle Trek are located.

[KyuquotAddiction]

I looked on the website earlier today for SWO, and I think it said something like Wave Breaker was opening in 2023 or smth. Most likely the orca stadium won't be torn down for a while, as the orcas will need to be somewhere until they all die off. Transferring them isn't an option, because it will mess up the other pod structures.

[DavidVitrano]

THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN! Not just only at Seaworld Orlando, But also San Diego!

[FernandoHernandez-vooo]

Wasn't the Abyss trademark originally slated for Texas Stingray? I remember channels like Coaster Studios talking about it

[orlandoparksinsider]

My man always outdoing himself every time, great video bro👊

[carminecdinoproductions]

3:45 I didn’t want this to happen! I wanted Shamu’s Happy Harbor to be the way it is with a Bay of Play sub-area adjacent!

[CoasterHour]

Very interesting video and hopefully we will see these amazing plans come to life eventually, but considering the financial toll the pandemic has caused, I don’t expect the hotels to be done until near the end of the decade at earliest.

Also I know it was just a tease but there is zero connection between that new B&M standup patent and the Surf Coaster. I actually think the new Standup Trains may replace the existing ones on either Green Lantern or Riddlers Revenge where they already have a floorless coaster.

[dallasblackford]

Do you have any tips to get over a roller coaster fear