{Consideration provided by SeaWorld San Diego, who hosted my family during this event}
Behind the scenes at SeaWorld San Diego, I watch as my son fires away questions at the trainer. This is the boy that remembers the names of the sea animals he learned about once in Science class, and I’m not the only one intrigued by his insight. Having grown up in Southern California, a visit to SeaWorld was a tradition…something we did together as a family every few years. Last week, I had an opportunity to see the park from my kids’ eyes. I watched my daughter’s eyes light up with excitement as she finally *mustered up enough courage to touch a dolphin, my son giggle as a bat ray sucks a squid from his hand, and my kids watch in awe as the killer whales display their power and grace.
Rescue and Rehabilitation at SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld has a longstanding history of immersing guests in unique educational experiences featuring marine life. Located in San Diego, California, SeaWorld includes an oceanarium, an outside aquarium and a marine mammal park. In addition to its animal habitats, the park also features live shows, rides, play areas, and VIP experiences. As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, SeaWorld also conducts research on marine biology and provides education and outreach to the public regarding marine issues. And through their Rescue Program, more than 29,000 animals (+17,000 in San Diego) have been rescued over the past 50 years. Their rescue team works with state, local and federal agencies to provide care to orphaned, ill and injured animals 24/7. I appreciated the fact that SeaWorld always attempts to rehabilitate every rescued animal into the wild. The small percentage of animals that could not survive are provided lifelong care at SeaWorld or another accredited facility. Their innovative care has resulted in saving sea turtles with cracked shells using honey and baby ointment, creating prosthetic beaks for injured birds, and developing animal wetsuits so injured manatees can stay afloat.
Behind The Scenes at SeaWorld San Diego
During our visit, we had an opportunity to go behind-the-scenes. The tour offered an inside look at how animals are cared for at their Animal Care Center. We learned how the animals are rescued and treated at the “hospital” by veterinarians and caught a rescued dolphin playing and thriving nearby. We stepped inside the freezer for a whiff of the restaurant-quality fish fed to these animals and got a glimpse of their schedules. I appreciated SeaWorld’s transparency, allowing us to go behind the scenes and answering even our toughest questions. What’s great about this tour is that visitors can go behind-the-scenes for an additional $20. A portion of tour sales is donated to SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund to support projects across the globe.
SeaWorld Ends Killer Whale Breeding Program
Last year, SeaWorld announced that it would be ending its killer whale breeding program. As the last generation of orcas at the parks, guests will experience these fascinating animals in a brand new experience called All Day Orca Play. The animals, which cannot survive in the wild, will have new habitats. I found it interesting to learn that SeaWorld has not collected an orca from the wild in nearly 40 years. The Humane Society of the United States commended SeaWorld’s bold move to end the program and has partnered with them to advocate against the commercial killing of whales and other marine mammals, end shark finning, protect coral reefs and marine species, and raise awareness of animal welfare, including sustainable seafood.
7 Unique Experiences at SeaWorld San Diego
As the sun was setting, my kids knew that our day was coming to an end. After waving goodbye to the penguins, my daughter asked when we would visit SeaWorld again. She has a list of animals she still wants to see. It has been years since my last visit to SeaWorld, and there was a vigor I felt…a change is coming. This summer, SeaWorld San Diego will launch a number of new experiences for families including new rides, animal encounters, and a nighttime spectacular.
- All Day Orca Play: For nine weeks (through May 20th), guests will have access to SeaWorld’s killer whales throughout the day. This all-day experience includes live chats with orca behaviorists and educators, an inside look at killer whales and comprehensive knowledge about these remarkable animals. Experiences include live behaviorist talks, up-close killer whale training presentations and exclusive videos.
- Orca Encounter: Launching at SeaWorld San Diego this summer, this new encounter will feature Orcas displaying their natural behaviors in their habitats. Guests will earn about their hunting behaviors and intricate ways of communicating. This live documentary-style display will also feature a large infinity video screen showcasing orcas in the wild.
- Ocean Explorer: This new deep-sea discovery experience will feature three new family-friendly, sea-inspired rides, including Submarine Quest, which introduces guests to a host of undersea animals. Additionally, there will be multiple aquariums with pop-ups and digital technologies designed to teach families about sea life and how to protect our oceans. Some of the animals featured have never been seen at SeaWorld and include Japanese spider crabs, moray eels, and tropical octopuses. (Summer 2017)
- Electric Ocean: This nighttime spectacular will offer guests a distinct experience after dark. The ocean will come to life with bioluminescent lighting, a dance club and pathway entertainment. (June 17, 2017)
- Dine With Shamu: Before the Shamu show, guests who book this hour-long experience have the opportunity to witness orcas with their trainers and enjoy an expansive buffet featuring sustainable and organic food choices. I enjoyed watching the killer whales more natural behaviors before the show. Because you are seated around their pool, the views of these animals are magnificent.
- Dolphin Encounter: Touch, feed, and train SeaWorld San Diego’s bottlenose dolphins during this experience. This trainer-guided experience lasts approximately 15 minutes and provides a unique opportunity to get hands-on with these animals.
- Sea Lions Up-Close Tour: This tour includes a visit to the Animal Care Center (behind-the-scenes) where you will learn how SeaWorld cares for rescued sea lions and seals. The tour lasts one hour and includes an up-close interaction with an opportunity to feed a sea lion or seal.
Exclusive SeaWorld Ticket Promotion
Right now, you can purchase a SeaWorld Fun Card for $87 and visit the remainder of the year. This annual pass is good for visits throughout 2017 but does include some blackout dates. Single-day tickets to SeaWorld San Diego start at $55.
For more information about SeaWorld San Diego, visit their website or follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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