See SeaWorld’s Halloween Spirit with SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular!

Orlando theme parks love to go all out for the Halloween season. You’re sure to find a Halloween activity that suits you at your favorite park. Unfortunately, some of these events may not be suitable for children and might be too scary for even some adults! But don’t worry, there is still plenty of Halloween fun the entire family can have at the parks and your Halloween doesn’t have to be scary at all. For a bit of a twist, how about spending your Halloween under the sea? SeaWorld Orlando plans to do just that with SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular.

The entire SeaWorld Orlando theme park will be converted into a Halloween paradise fit for the entire family. Starting October 3rd at 12 noon, families and children will be welcomed into an undersea Halloween wonderland. As a special treat, you can even come in costume to get into the Halloween spirit at this great event. Admission into the SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular is included with the cost of admission, so why not try to get some great discount SeaWorld tickets before you get to the park? You might want to save up for some of the cute SeaWorld merchandise available inside.

There are a number of great activities at this fun-filled event. There will be 15 different treasure stations where you can trick or treat for some great candy. Around 35 great costumed characters like Gummy Worm Wanda, Salt Water Taffy and Swedish Fish Suzy will be wandering around the park for some tricky fun. If you’re a Sesame Street fan you will love the Countdown to Halloween Live Musical Stage Show. All of SeaWorld’s shows will be given a Halloween twist and this one is no different. Count Von Count will join Elmo and Friends for a countdown to Halloween show full of music and fun the kids will surely love. Shamu’s Happy Harbor will also get into the Halloween and autumn spirit with pumpkins and scarecrows all around. Last but certainly not least, SeaWorld is even offering a Spooky Sleepover that includes a pizza party, snacks and a continental breakfast—what better way to spend Halloween than sleeping over at a theme park that’s all decked out for the occasion?

This event will run until October 31st, so look to DWTickets.com for the best deals on SeaWorld Orlando admission and get ready for some great Halloween fun.

Sleepover at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens

Don’t you hate it when your day at the Orlando theme parks is over and you have to go back to your hotel? It’s kind of like the post-trip blues—you never want your day to end. SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay have come up with the remedy for that with their “Explore the Park After Dark” sleepover camps for kids, families and groups. This set of sleepover camps and events will give guests a night they’ll never forget at two of the biggest theme parks Florida has to offer.

Over at SeaWorld, the new Manta ride will be the site of one of the sleepover events. Manta’s queue is an incredible collection of tanks that hold beautiful varieties of rays and fish that glide peacefully around and above you. A lot of times if someone “chickens out” in line or just doesn’t want to ride SeaWorld’s newest coaster, they’ll head back to the aquarium display and check it out until the rest of their group is done riding.

This is also a great option for children in the scout programs. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens have programs for both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. A park educator will work with the scouts (depending on their age and scout levels) to teach them about the animals living in the habitats they will be visiting. So not only will your children be having a fantastic time, they will be learning a lot about nature and wildlife as well! For families with children in grades K-5, you can have the same sleepover experience even on holidays! Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas are all open for family sleepovers at the SeaWorld theme park. The event starts at 6 p.m. with a pizza party and ends at 9 a.m. the next day with a Continental breakfast.

Over at Busch Gardens, you can camp out at the “Tiger Lodge." This air-conditioned area is an enclosed space over the tiger habitat in Busch Garden’s Jungala. The Busch Gardens sleepover package also includes a Sunrise Safari over their Serengeti Plain and a commemorative t-shirt and water bottle. There’s even a very special sleepover package at this Busch Gardens park—one that involves an animal encounter with wildlife celebrity expert Jack Hanna! Sleepovers for birthday groups and educators are also available with special package offerings catered to the kind of group that decides to camp out at the park.

Nighttime attractions like fireworks displays and animal shows are also available to the sleepover guests of both Busch Gardens and SeaWorld. This unique experience is available on select dates and holidays throughout the year, so get your sleeping bags ready and head on down to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Camps for Animal Adventurers

If you are tired of the every-day day-camps, sports camps, and sleepaway camps of summer, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens have a refreshing and adventurous change of pace in store for you! Adventure Camps by SeaWorld and Busch Gardens provide campers with the opportunity to care for, study, and interact with amazing animals at numerous sessions throughout the summer months.

At these interactive Adventure Camps, campers will get the opportunity of a life-time to work side-by-side with animal care specialists, trainers, and veterinary staff with some of the wildest animals on the planet. Beyond the fun on these experiences, the Adventure Camps act as inspiration for kids wanting a career path in animal sciences. With wildlife conservation and environmental awareness at the helm, this program gives campers not just animal experiences, but a true heightened awareness of the natural world around them and concrete ways about how they can make a difference in the world.

The Adventure Camps of SeaWorld and Busch Gardens go beyond just swimming with dolphins, diving with sharks, feeding giraffes, caring for rhinos, and petting penguins. Referred to as “camouflaged fun,” campers really learn through these amazing experiences. “Our parks become interactive classrooms,” says Judy Jenkins, SeaWorld Orlando’s Director of Education and Conservation. “We don’t just tell campers how much Shamu eats or how cold it is inside the Penguin Encounter. Campers actually have a change to help our animal trainers prepare fish buckets and step inside Penguin Encounter to feel just how chilly – and smelly – the exhibit really is.”

From these Adventure Camps, there is an amazing track record of over 150 former Adventure Campers who are now employed in the zoological departments of SeaWorld and Busch Gardens! This just goes to show how close to a real-life experience you get into the lives of working for these amazing animal parks.

Adventure Camps are available for campers from grades 5-12. From June to August there are five day camps (on select dates) that are available for paying campers, at both Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld Orlando. Campers can choose from a SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, or a combo-park experience. Housing, food, activities, and transportation are all included during the program. On top of that, campers also get the chance to take advantage of the amazing rides, shows, exhibits, and more at these parks.

These camps are a great experience for animal lovers, future animal trainers, and curious minds alike. More information on these Adventure Parks can be found at www.swbg-adventurecamps.com. However, if you are not one of the select few who get to try these amazing camps, don’t fret! You can join in on the animal fun with the option of seeing these animals at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with discount SeaWorld tickets and discount Busch Gardens tickets from DWTickets.com!

SeaWorld After Dark Rocks the Night with New Shows and Manta

It was eventful Memorial Day Weekend at SeaWorld with many more visitors enjoying the aquatic theme park then usual. And they has good reason to - not only did the highly anticipated new roller coaster Manta open on Friday, May 22, but the weekend ushered in another fun happening in the park: SeaWorld After Dark. Normally, SeaWorld closes at 7 pm, but beginning Saturday and continuing through the summer, the park stays open until 10 pm, adding on three new hours of shows, nighttime Manta fun, and an all-new fireworks spectacular.

You'll definitely want to stick around when the sun goes down for the great nighttime entertainment of SeaWorld After Dark, which will uplift you, make you tap your toes, and crack you up.

First up in the night's schedule is one of our personal favorites, Sea Lions Tonight. Featuring the park's comedia sea lion duo, Clyde and Seamore, this hilarious show will have you rolling in the aisles with its hilarious hijinks. WIth a little help from some otters and walruses, Clyde and Seamore parody other favorite SeaWorld shows, and their talent is truly amazing.

Then, the spotlight falls on Shamu ROcks, a high-energy rock n' roll extravaganza starring everybody's favorit e killer whale. Combining awe-inspiring moves from Shamu with a stunning light show and music from some of the hottest rock stars in the industry, Shamu Rocks is a popular favorite at the park and is only performed during After Dark and holidays, so don't miss it!

Finally, SeaWorld AFter Dark comes to a close with Reflections, a spectacular celebration of soaring fountains and dazzling fireworks. Accompanied by thrilling and inspiration music from the park's most popular shows, Reflections will dazzle you as it lights up the Orlando sky. Best yet, new seating at Bayside Stadium will allow guests to enjoy the show in comfort.

While you're enjoying the park's new nighttime hours, you're bound to get hungry. Instead of skipping dinner, take advantage of the Makahiki Luau, an evening extravaganza providing incredible live entertainment and a satisfying Polynesian-style feast. Guests will nosh on tasty entrees like Hawaiian Chicken and Polynesian-styloe barbeque spareribs while they enjoy a breathtaking fire dance.

Meanwhile, in between shows and the luau, guests can still enjoy their favorite SeaWorld rides and attractions, especially the high-flying and glidining Manta. This newly-opened roller coaster is an intense and wild ride during the day, so we can only imagine how thrilling it must be at night! The ride offers an incredible view of Orlando, sp at the least, it will be amazing to soar over the park and see the bright city lights.

There's no extra fee to enjoy SeaWorld After Dark; guests will get three extra hours of fun at the park for the same price of regular admission. So, you'd have to be silly not to take advantage of it! Check out discount SeaWorld tickets on DWTickets.com to save even more on this great deal and begin enjoying cool summer nights at SeaWorld.

Manta Will Open for Sneak Preview

You’ve been waiting all spring, and now, SeaWorld Orlando is rewarding you for your patience. The aquatic theme park will be opening its new roller coaster Manta early for a special sneak preview this Tuesday, May 5 (Cinco de Mayo). Manta will open at noon that day, as well as every day afterwards through the week until at least the following Sunday, May 10. Though guests should be prepared for periodic closures, it’s still a great chance to ride the ray before it officially opens.

Manta’s official opening date is May 22, but rumors have been circulating for a while now that the ride has come together so quickly and so well that guests will likely get to ride it for limited hours leading up to May 22.

“A lot of the locals and residents want to experience this before summer,” said SeaWorld spokesperson Nick Gollattscheck.

The sneak preview announcement was actually first made by Shamu via Twitter, who pronounced, “I have decided to open Manta early. Tuesday, May 5 at noon. Yes, I have that kind of pull. When you speak of me, speak well.” Needless to say, Shamu’s not a modest killer whale.

Manta will be a first for SeaWorld in many ways – though it’s not the park’s only roller coaster, it will be the first flying roller coaster of its kind in the park and in the world. Riders will begin by climbing into traditional seats and harnesses, but soon enough they’ll see what makes the ride so special as the entire seating assembly rotates forward, positioning riders horizontally.

From there, they’ll soar over the park like a Manta ray, flying headfirst at 56 mph. The coaster features a track-twisting pretzel loop, in-line spins, a close call with a waterfall, and a wing dip just inches from the water that throws out a 14-foot high, 60-foot long spray of water.

Adding on to the incredible experience is Manta’s aquarium; while waiting on line for the ride, guests will get a glimpse into the underwater worlds of tropical fish and rays. Floor to ceiling aquariums will showcase rare leafy sea dragons, colorful clownfish, and mysterious sea anemones. Smaller guests will even get to ‘pop up’ into an aquarium and come face-to-face with the aquarium’s inhabitants – which include three hundred rays and a massive Pacific octopus, which creeps along the interior of Manta’s saltwater habitat.

“Manta takes what SeaWorld does best – animal encounters and thrill rides – and blends
them to create something you can’t find anywhere else in the world,” said Dan Brown,
SeaWorld Orlando’s general manager. “Manta’s actually the next generation of what makes
Orlando so much fun. Orlando is the must-do vacation this summer, and Manta is the must-see."

So what are you waiting for? Get your first look at the must-see attraction of the summer, and grab your discount SeaWorld tickets from DWTickets.com. We can’t imagine a better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than by riding a manta ray at SeaWorld.

Get Closer to Your Favorite Animals with SeaWorld Tours

If you want to go get up close and personal with marine animals, go behind the scenes to meet a penguin, and plunge into the realm of the shark, chances are that a regular trip to SeaWorld Orlando just isn’t going to do it for you. But don’t fret! Those who want to experience the Orlando theme park in a truly unique way can try one of SeaWorld’s brand new tours. Perfect for those who have seen and done everything at the park or want a truly memorable trip out of their visit, these new 2009 tours blend adventure and education into an amazing day of fun with the animals.

First, there’s nothing like getting a close look at the inner workings of SeaWorld on the Behind-the-Scenes Tour. On the tour, guests will visit SeaWorld’s Rescue & Rehabilitation Center, explore a polar bear’s hidden den, come inches away from a penguin, and interact with a small shark. Best yet, ten percent of each tour admission is donated to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.

For dolphin and penguin fans, SeaWorld offers the Dolphin Spotlight and the Penguin Spotlight tours. The first offers the opportunity to learn from SeaWorld’s animal care specialists about what it’s like to work with dolphins. Guests will go backstage to the Whale & Dolphin Stadium and witness training sessions with the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Then they’ll get to practice what they saw at SeaWorld’s Dolphin Cove during a special training session.

During the Penguin Spotlight, guests will meet some of SeaWorld’s amazing puffins and penguins. They’ll learn about caring for these amazing birds from aviculture experts while exploring SeaWorld’s Penguin Encounter.

And for extra special visitors to SeaWorld, there’s the VIP Tour and the Elite VIP Tour. On the former, guests will embark on exhilarating thrill rides, enjoy spectacular shows and find out what it’s like to feed dolphins, sting rays, and sea lions. They’ll even get close to everyone’s favorite killer whale during Dine with Shamu, a poolside lunch.

On the Elite VIP tour, similar fun abounds with Manta, SeaWorld’s new flying coaster set to open May 22. Guests will get splashed by an 11,000 pound whale, encounter amazing animals, and meet a tuxedo clad penguin. The day finishes with dinner at the Sharks Underwater Grill.

But that’s not all; SeaWorld also offers Animal Connection Programs, which offer incredible opportunities to interact with amazing animals and experience up-close encounters. There’s the Beluga Interaction Program, which allows guests to step into the Wild Arctic’s chilly 55 degree water and come face-to-face with the beluga whale, and the Sharks Deep Dive, which puts guests into a wet suit and a Sea Trek helmet and plunges them underwater for a close encounter with more than 30 sharks.

All these amazing tours and programs require an additional ticket and can be reserved via SeaWorld’s website. However, SeaWorld admission isn’t included in that ticket and is required. So if you want to experience SeaWorld in a whole new way while saving money, be sure to visit DWTickets.com for discount SeaWorld tickets. And check out the park’s behind-the-scenes adventures and animal encounters for an adventure you’ll never forget.

Shamu Joins the Twitter Community

It is the latest craze that has swallowed up your favorite actors, politicians, and John Mayer. And now, even a star of SeaWorld Orlando has jumped on the bandwagon known as Twitter. Shamu, the black and white orca making a daily splash at the Orlando theme park, began posting to the free social network/micro-blogging community last week, and he’s already attracted close to 1,000 followers. In addition to clicks, squeaks, whistles, and trills, it would seem that the killer whale can also communicate via tweets, and he’s done plenty of that on a variety of topics.

“It turns out Shamu has a lot to say,” said Joe Couceiro, Chief Marketing Officer for SeaWorld’s parent company, Busch Entertainment Corp. “We knew he was a very popular whale, but I’m not sure anyone knew just how many subjects he held opinions on.”

Writing under the handle “RealShamu,” Shamu has twittered on topics such as Moroccan tree goats, Brazilian soccer teams, pubs in the English countryside, and the paint scheme on Southwest Airlines planes. The killer whale also disseminates a healthy dose of information about whale life, in addition to geography, anatomy, architecture, current events, history, and even punctuation. Who knew Shamu was so smart?

The killer whale has also shown himself to have a quick wit, too, commenting frequently on the overratedness of dolphins – a species he characterizes as “all hat and no cattle.”

And how, you might wonder, can a massive 8,000-pound whale with no discernible fingers to speak of type and make posts on Twitter?

“I have assistants, as you would expect of a whale of my stature,” Shamu has said to the often-posed question. Shamu also added that saltwater was detrimental to computers and cellphones, making human assistants particularly necessary.

Since signing on to Twitter, the killer whale has received a variety of questions from SeaWorld fans. For example, when recently asked if he likes to eat lobsters, Shamu declined via Twitter and explained, “They’re pinchy.”

In addition to being a way for the voice of SeaWorld to communicate with fans, Twitter is an interactive and unique new form of marketing for the park. Couceiro states that the online network is even allowing SeaWorld to enhance guests’ experiences in the park. “We’ve had visitors tweet with suggestions, problems, questions, photos, video, even jokes for Shamu – while they’re inside SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, or Busch Gardens."

Still, Shamu doesn’t spend all his time on Twitter. When he’s not communicating with his online friends, Shamu can be seen daily in SeaWorld’s revolutionary production, “Believe.” Taking place on an elaborate 3-story set, “Believe” features Shamu and the entire SeaWorld family of majestic killer whales performing awe-inspiring choreography with an original musical score by the Prague National Symphony Orchestra.

Guests can also get up close and personal with Shamu during Dine With Shamu, a VIP experience where they can eat alongside killer whales, dine with Shamu trainers, ask questions, and observe training sessions in an exclusive themed area.

To read Shamu’s latest nugget of whale wisdom, check out Twitter.com/RealShamu. And don’t forget to purchase discount SeaWorld tickets from DWTickets.com to meet your favorite orca in person and witness his amazing talents. Just be careful not to mention dolphins to him.

Viva Hispanic Culture with Viva La Musica at SeaWorld

If you’re looking for a festive celebration, you’ll definitely find it this time of year in Orlando; Universal Orlando is kicking up the fun a couple notches with its Mardi Gras celebrations, and SeaWorld and Busch Gardens recently had their own version of the festival with the Bud & BBQ event. But the Worlds of Discovery parks aren’t stopping there; as springtime begins to heat up the Orlando air this month, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens will also be turning the temperature up a few degrees with its Viva La Musica Festival, taking place on Saturdays and Sundays from March 7 through March 29.

A great event celebrating Hispanic culture at its best, Viva La Musica will spice up the usual fare at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens with live performances from a different award-winning Latin artist each day. In addition, guests will be able to enjoy the flavor of the heritage with popular Hispanic food as well as authentic arts and crafts. The fun starts on Saturdays at SeaWorld and Sundays at Busch Gardens, with the festival starting at 11 am and the concert beginning each day at 4 pm.

At SeaWorld, the Viva La Musica Festival will kick off this weekend with a performance from El Gran Combo on March 7, who will thrill the crowds with their legendary Puerto-Rican flavored salsa. On March 14, Tito El Bambino will take the stage with his reggaeton hits. On March 21, the world renowned “Princess of Salsa,” La India, will perform salsa hits from her Grammy-award winning career. And on March 28, the festival will wrap up at SeaWorld with a concert from Fonseca. At Busch Gardens, El Gran Combo will return to launch the concert series on March 8. On March 15, Puerto Rican reggaeton duo and 2008 Viva La Musica Festival performers RKM & Ken-Y will take the stage. On March 22, the popular meringue group Grupomanía will perform. And the festival will conclude on March 29 with Columbian band Guayacan, who’ll perform exhilarating salsa songs.

And to cater to the parks’ Hispanic guests, Busch Gardens and SeaWorld will be offering exclusive Spanish Language tours on the days of Viva La Musica. At SeaWorld, guests will be able to experience the Viva Behind the Scenes Tour, a 90-minute tour of the park that includes animal interactions and a behind the scenes look at animal habitats. Busch Gardens will offer two Spanish tours, the Viva La Musica Serengeti Safari, a 30-minute Serengeti Safari, and the Viva La Musica VIP Experience, a 5-hour group tour hosted by a Spanish-speaking tour guide. The Experience will include reserved seating for the day’s concert, a complimentary Latin lunch, front of the line access to most major rides, and a Serengeti Safari.

The tours cost extra, but admission to the Viva La Musica festival is free with a regular Busch Gardens ticket or SeaWorld ticket. So sign on for an amazing cultural celebration by getting your tickets today at DWTickets.com. Whether you’re Hispanic or not, you’ll be sure to enjoy the fiery beats and tasty Latin fare, along with all the usual rides, attractions, and shows of SeaWorld and Busch Gardens.

End-of-the-Year Fun With Music and Shamu at SeaWorld

In the last few blogs, we’ve talked about options for celebrating New Year’s Eve at Orlando theme parks – and boy, there are plenty. In addition to the fun on December 31st at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, there’s also going to be some incredible end-of-the-year festivities at SeaWorld Orlando. So head on over to your favorite water-themed park as they pull out all the stops for a memorable New Year’s Eve celebration.

On December 31st from 9 pm to 12:30 am, jazz and swing group Michael Andrew and his 18-piece Atomic Big Band will be keeping the party going with continuous music and excitement during their performances at SeaWorld’s Bayside Stadium. Guests can jump, jive, and wail along to the music, as well as enjoy their favorite thrill rides and classic SeaWorld entertainment late into the evening.

A live DJ will also be on hand providing plenty of tunes for dancing, and at the Waterfront at midnight, all eyes will look to the sky for a fabulous fireworks show over the water. SeaWorld will be open on New Year’s Eve from 9 am until 1 am, so it’s a great opportunity to enjoy your favorite park for extended hours for the price of regular admission.

In addition to enjoying all the park’s festivities and the jazz stylings of Michael Andrew and the Atomic Big Band, guests will also have a one-of-a-kind chance to dine with Shamu on December 31st. This unforgettable New Year’s Eve dinner with your favorite orca starts with a reception at Shamu’s Underwater Viewing. While they get to view SeaWorld’s most incredible orca, Guests will snack on canapés like Smoked Beef and Spiced Chicken and receive a Welcome Drink in a Lighted Souvenir Glass.

Then, it’s time for a delicious dinner buffet with chef-attended stations at the Dine with Shamu area (SeaWorld’s exclusive behind-the-scenes venue). Guests will nosh on tasty dishes such as tri-colored cheese tortellini, grilled Mahi Mahi, Spanish paella, and more; special kids’ selections will also be available. After dinner, guests will be treated to an elite Shamu interaction. That’s not all – after some fun with Shamu, guests will get to see the Shamu Rocks Show from VIP seats, in addition to the Michael Andrew jazz show, which they’ll also be able to enjoy from reserved seating. It’s an incredible VIP experience that ends with the explosive fireworks show at midnight. New Year’s Eve at Dine with Shamu requires a separate ticket in addition to regular admission.

If you can’t make it to SeaWorld on New Year’s because you have other plans, do try to squeeze in a trip before the end of the year; from December 26th through December 30th, guests can enjoy nightly holiday concerts by the Orlando Philharmonic, performing selections from The Polar Express. The concerts will be held at Bayside Stadium with fireworks immediately following, so it’s a fun precursor to a New Year’s Eve blowout.

So make a splash as you ring in 2009 this December with all the music, fun, and excitement at SeaWorld. And remember to save on discount SeaWorld tickets at DWTickets.com – it’ll make celebrating the New Year that much sweeter.

Jack Hanna to be at SeaWorld

One of SeaWorld Orlando’s most popular and beloved guests is returning to the park this November: celebrity animal expert Jack Hanna. Hanna, who was a guest at SeaWorld last year, is coming to the park for a special Jack Hanna Weekend on November 8th and 9th. Don’t miss Jack as he brings some of his exotic feathered, furry, and scaly friends from all over the world.

Hanna has been a valued guest at Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks for some time, and has made several television appearances with animals from both Busch Gardens and SeaWorld. Hanna first got his start working in a veterinarian’s office, where his love of animals led him to opening a pet shop, and then, eventually, directing the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford, Florida. Five years later, Hanna was named director of the zoo in Columbus, Ohio. While bringing the Columbus Zoo to new heights and increasing attendance with new programs and events, Hanna was invited to appear on Good Morning America and eventually The Late Show with David Letterman. It wasn’t long before he became a celebrated animal expert and wildlife correspondent, and his media appearances took up too much time from his director position at the zoo. He was appointed to Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo in 1992, and in 1993, he became host of Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, a nationally syndicated television series. After ten years of success with this program, Hanna decided to start a new unscripted show, Into the Wild, where he and his family travel all over the world in search of interesting animals and cultures. Into the Wild recently won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Series.

While SeaWorld Orlando already features a host of fun and exciting animals such as sea lions, dolphins, polar bears, walruses, whales, manatees, and orcas (including the famous Shamu), Jack Hanna’s visit to the park is a great opportunity to see some new animals, especially those that aren’t necessarily aquatic. Hanna has been known to appear with animals such as bald eagles, tigers and leopards, alligators and crocodiles, hyenas, armadillos, and more. Hanna often brings animals that are endangered species in order to educate people about the problems they face, such as over-hunting and habitat destruction.

Jack Hanna will be returning to SeaWorld again in late February with the Jack Hanna Animal Adventures. It will be a different show with all-new animals, so don’t miss Hanna this November if you can help it. The show is included in the ticket price, so there’s no reason not to get your discount Sea World tickets at DWTickets.com right now! Whether it’s with Jack Hanna’s November or February visit, all his fun and interesting animals will have you roaring with excitement!

Wheel of Fortune LIVE at SeaWorld Orlando

Wheel of Fortune fans will be excited to learn that the show is coming to SeaWorld Orlando! The gameshow, which is currently in its 26th season, will be taping four weeks of shows in Orlando for its Family Week. The tapings will take place on December 11th, 12th, 14th, and 15th, and are scheduled to air in 2009.

In the meantime, you might also catch the show taping various promos and commercials all over Orlando Florida in order to promote the broad range of places the city has to offer during the shows. Sources say you might see Vanna and Pat filming in Winter Park shops, cafes, and galleries, the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Resort, and Harry P. Leu Gardens.

During the episodes, Vanna will be featured at SeaWorld, swimming with beluga whales, talking to sea lions, and getting some face-to-face time with Shamu. The shows will also highlight SeaWorld’s newest water park, Aquatica.

If you’d like to try your hand at being a Wheel of Fortune contestant, be sure to stop by Seminole Towne Center on Saturday, October 4th, and Sunday, October 5th. The Wheelmobile, a 39-foot Winnebago, will be on site from 2 pm to 6 pm, looking for the perfect Central Florida residents to be their latest contestants. Look for the Wheelmobile in the grassy portion of the Center’s parking lot, adjacent to the United Artist Theaters and Sears Auto Center buildings.

To be a contestant, all you have to do is fill out an application and wait for the show to begin. The Wheelmobile staff will select applications at random, and if you’re lucky, they’ll call you on stage for a brief interview and a version of the Wheel of Fortune Speed-Up Round. Even if you don’t get called back, players will be awarded prizes such as Wheel of Fortune hats, t-shirts, and duffle bags. After all the players have been called up, a select few will then be chosen to participate in a final round of auditions, which will take place in Orlando at a later date in October. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, and the show is especially looking for mothers and sons or daughters, fathers and sons or daughters, and siblings.

Wheel of Fortune, which was created by Merv Griffin, first aired in 1975 and is the longest-running syndicated game show in American television history, as well as the most watched since 1984. Since its debut, Vanna White and Pat Sajak have hosted the show, in which contestants spin the wheel for a chance at solving a word puzzle and winning up to $1,000,000 in cash.

Be sure to buy your SeaWorld tickets now so you can catch an episode of one of America’s most beloved game shows and be a part of the Wheel of Fortune fun.

Shamu to Host a “Spooktacular” Event

No one celebrates Halloween like Shamu and SeaWorld! Join Shamu and all of his friends for one of the best, and most unique, Halloween parties in town! SeaWorld Orlando proudly presents “SeaWorld’s Spooktacular Underwater Fantasea.” The only event in the country where Halloween meets the sea, you will not want to miss it! Children are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes and trick-or-treat along their journey at SeaWorld! Trick-or-Treat along with friendly sea-witches, mermaids, pumpkin fish, and other underwater friends in a fantasy world your child will not soon forget!

The event is packed with tons of events and shows. Sesame Street presents “Countdown to Halloween LIVE!” Kids will love counting, singing, and playing along with Count Von Count, Elmo, and ALL of his friends! The Frozen Fun Zone is another great treat for the kids. As an interactive area, the Frozen Fun Zone presents a DJ, roller skating break dancers, and tons of interactive games and activities. And, don’t forget about all of the trick-or-treating stations and fun rides that SeaWorld has to offer! All of the great rides are available throughout the event! Try Kraken at nighttime for a bone-chilling thrill! And, make sure to stop by all of the fantastic shows! Halloween is one of Shamu’s favorite holidays, so who knows what kind of tricks will be up his sleeve! SeaWorld’s Spooktacular provides a safe, fun, and unique experience for children to celebrate Halloween! Plus, it is a GREAT alternative to the often terrifying, frightening, and gory Halloween options throughout town.

The event runs on October 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 24-26, & 31 starting at 11 am and IS INCLUDED in park admission! Make sure to get your SeaWorld tickets ahead of time, these days will tend to sell-out quickly! So, put on your favorite costume and head to SeaWorld for a spooktacular day!