History of SeaWorld Orlando in Timeline

SeaWorld Orlando is an animal theme park in Orlando, Florida, owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts. Promoted alongside Discovery Cove, Aquatica, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, it attracted approximately 4.45 million visitors in 2022, making it the 10th most visited amusement park in the United States. The park was notably featured in the 1983 film Jaws 3-D.

December 15, 1973: SeaWorld Orlando Opens

On December 15, 1973, SeaWorld Orlando opened as the third park in the SeaWorld chain, two years after Walt Disney World Resort's Magic Kingdom.

1976: SeaWorld Sold

In 1976, SeaWorld was sold to Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

1983: SeaWorld Orlando Featured in Film

In 1983, SeaWorld Orlando was featured in the film "Jaws 3-D".

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1989: SeaWorld Sold to Anheuser-Busch

In 1989, SeaWorld was sold to Anheuser-Busch, who were the owners of Busch Gardens.

1992: Mission: Bermuda Triangle Installation

In 1992, SeaWorld Orlando joined the simulator ride trend by installing Mission: Bermuda Triangle, which was later rethemed into Wild Arctic.

1998: Journey to Atlantis Installation

In 1998, Journey to Atlantis, the nation's first combination roller coaster and flume ride, was installed at SeaWorld Orlando.

1999: Georgia Scorcher Opening

In 1999, Georgia Scorcher at Six Flags Over Georgia opened. It was the most recent stand-up coaster before Pipeline opened in 2023.

2000: Kraken Roller Coaster Added

In 2000, Kraken, a Bolliger & Mabillard floorless roller coaster, was added to SeaWorld Orlando.

2008: AB InBev Purchases Anheuser-Busch

In 2008, AB InBev purchased Anheuser-Busch and sold off Busch's parks to Blackstone Inc.

2008: Aquatica Orlando Opens

In 2008, Aquatica Orlando, an adjacent waterpark to SeaWorld Orlando, opened as part of the greater chain of Aquatica water parks.

2009: Manta Wins Theme Park Insider Award

In 2009, the flying coaster Manta won the Theme Park Insider Award for the best new attraction.

February 24, 2010: Trainer Killed by Orca Tilikum

On February 24, 2010, during a "Dine with Shamu" show, the orca Tilikum pulled trainer Dawn Brancheau into the water and killed her.

August 2010: SeaWorld Cited for Safety Violations

In August 2010, the United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited SeaWorld of Florida LLC for three safety violations related to the death of Dawn Brancheau, resulting in a $75,000 penalty and a mandate to install protective barriers between trainers and whales during shows.

July 2011: Blackstone Ownership of Universal Orlando

Until July 2011, Blackstone Inc. were the 50% owners of the neighboring Universal Orlando parks.

2012: Exibit

In 2012, SeaWorld Orlando had a exhibit that featured sea turtles, West Indian manatees, and American alligators.

2012: Turtle Trek Exhibit Introduced

In 2012, SeaWorld Orlando introduced the Turtle Trek exhibit, featuring a 360-degree, three-dimensional movie theater.

2013: Blackstone Sells SEAS Stake

In 2013, Blackstone sold 37% of SEAS in an initial public offering.

2013: Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin Pavilion Introduced

In 2013, SeaWorld Orlando introduced the Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin pavilion, featuring the country's first trackless dark ride system and a renovated penguin exhibit.

2014: Park Separated into Seas

In the summer of 2014, as part of the company's 50th anniversary, SeaWorld Orlando was separated into different areas, called "seas", each with a unique themed element.

2016: Mako Hypercoaster Opens

In 2016, Mako, a hypercoaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard, opened in the "Sea of Power" area near the Shark Encounter at SeaWorld Orlando.

2019: "Sesame Street Land" Opens

In 2019, SeaWorld Orlando revamped the "Sea of Fun" area into "Sesame Street Land", themed after the television series Sesame Street.

March 2020: Park Shutdown Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, SeaWorld Orlando had to temporarily shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin dark ride closed

In 2020, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin dark ride closed.

2022: Estimated Guest Count

In 2022, SeaWorld Orlando hosted an estimated 4.45 million guests, which ranked it as the 10th most visited amusement park in the United States that year.

2023: Pipeline Opens

In 2023, Pipeline opened at SeaWorld Orlando as the world's first surf coaster.

2023: SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center

In 2023, the Turtle Trek exhibit was closed and repurposed into the SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center, the largest public-facing facility dedicated to coral conservation in the country.

September 2024: Employee Injured by Killer Whale

In September 2024, an employee at SeaWorld Orlando was injured by a killer whale.

2024: Penguin Trek Opens

In 2024, Penguin Trek opened at SeaWorld Orlando as a new launched family roller coaster, replacing the former Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin dark ride.