SeaWorld Orlando's Future Plans

[UniversalRBLX]

New Attraction Confirmed

https://seaworld.com/orlando/rides/sea-quest/

It's a dark ride. Good to see them add more family-friendly attractions, but I really hope this is well done and not botched like Expedition Odyssey.

 

[GAcoaster]

Word is it will use Vekoma’s suspended dark ride system— let’s just hope the budget for scenery and not just plush stapled to walls…

Suspended Dark Ride | Vekoma Rides Manufacturing BV

www.vekoma.com

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Word is it will use Vekoma’s suspended dark ride system— let’s just hope the budget for scenery and not just plush stapled to walls…

Suspended Dark Ride | Vekoma Rides Manufacturing BV

www.vekoma.com

Probably best to lower expectations and be surprised later on.

They haven't even started on significant construction yet, so the turnaround to get this is ridicously short. My worry is that this will be similar to The Seas with Nemo and Friends which is essentially just Coral Reef props mixed with screens. Works for Nemo since the characters are recognizable, but not sure it can work for a non-IP based experience.

I wonder why they didn't go with something Sesame Street.

 

[SeventyOne]

Probably best to lower expectations and be surprised later on.

They haven't even started on significant construction yet, so the turnaround to get this is ridicously short. My worry is that this will be similar to The Seas with Nemo and Friends which is essentially just Coral Reef props mixed with screens. Works for Nemo since the characters are recognizable, but not sure it can work for a non-IP based experience.

I wonder why they didn't go with something Sesame Street.

So it's fake fish, like the old Nautilus, not actual aquariums? I swear I've read two releases about this, still no clue.

 

[GAcoaster]

Im assuming it’s sculpted scenery around screens.

 

[Wild Atlantis]

What if it's a submarine, but it's outside through cheap sets with a TV screen game in the ride vehicle, and it's always broken? SeaWorld would never build that.
In all seriousness, the timeframe is very short to build a full dark ride in a new building and there announcement is very vague with no real renderings.

 

[GA-MBIT]

Where is this going in the park exactly? Do we have a location scoped out for it yet?

At least this Quest ride seems to be indoors, unlike some others of note.

 

[Wild Atlantis]

It's going to be in the parking lot and event area to the right of and behind Wild Arctic.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Something like this.

Can't tell the size of it just yet (or exact location), but it seems to enter at the Wild Arctic gate as they don't appear to be touching the event pavilions.

 

[Tobias]

If this ride system was announced in almost any. other. park...I would be excited. Unfortunately, I just can't get excited as time and time again they keep showing dark rides just aren't their forte....and with the current state of the company, that doesn't help either.

 

[Wild Atlantis]

SeaWorld hasn't built a good dark ride since it was owned by Busch, and I just don't see that changing under current management. They should use highly themed animal exhibits and shows to fill the dark ride void.

 

[Clive]

SeaWorld hasn't built a good dark ride since it was owned by Busch, and I just don't see that changing under current management. They should use highly themed animal exhibits and shows to fill the dark ride void.

The lack of real renderings is the tell, IMO.

Fool me once...

 

[OrlLover]

Hoping for the best and to be pleasantly surprised.

 

[SkiBum]

Though not practical, having the ride go through a tunnel surrounded by an aquarium (at least on the sides) would be fun. I realize that they already have that with shark encounter but it might help with the immersiveness.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Though not practical, having the ride go through a tunnel surrounded by an aquarium (at least on the sides) would be fun. I realize that they already have that with shark encounter but it might help with the immersiveness.

Before Nemo took over, The Living Seas finale was a tunnel that viewed into the large tank. (where Crush projection tunnel is now).

It's certainly doable, but sounds more expensive than just a simple flat screen w/ coral reef theming surrounding the edges lol

 

[Wild Atlantis]

Unless this thing opens in like December 2026, I just don't see there being enough time to build a new large aquarium. It will probably be screens and simple reef sets. It will be interesting to see if they build a themed queue and facade because they certainly didn't for Expedition Odyssey. Also, SeaWorld will be back to the pre-COVID reality of having a mid dark ride and a crappy simulator.

 

[GA-MBIT]

It will be interesting to see if they build a themed queue and facade because they certainly didn't for Expedition Odyssey.

I'd argue they barely even tried with Penguin Trek. That queue is sad.

 

[Wild Atlantis]

Penguin treck has an amazing facade and Queue. Now that is because it’s all left over from empire of the penguin but if it ain’t broke don’t fix it

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I'd argue they barely even tried with Penguin Trek. That queue is sad.

I will say, what they did with the "dark ride" section of Penguin Trek is nice, but it's part of a coaster so the lack of any physical figures and heavily reliance on screens is ok. But a full on dark ride needs animatronics and more physical structures/props/figures.

My worry is that this ultimately ends up like Expedition Odyssey.