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The unofficial kickoff to summer, Memorial Day weekend, marks the beginning of Summer Nights at SeaWorld in San Diego. After the sun has set, the marine-life park is illuminated as SeaWorld’s family of killer whales star in their own rock ’n’ roll concert featuring hot lights and cool tunes. Laughter can be heard as silly sea lions and mischievous otters wreak havoc on stage. Then, as the evening comes to a crescendo, all-new “Into the Blue” fireworks light up the night’s sky along with orchestral music from SeaWorld newest show, “Blue Horizons.” Ah yes, San Diego’s annual tradition dubbed Summer Nights at SeaWorld returns. The marine-life park’s summertime extravaganza rolls out weekends, May 29–June 13, and continues nightly, June 18–Aug. 29 and Sept. 4–6.
Now, with so much to see and do at SeaWorld this summer, there’s never been a better time to visit. And, the park has rolled out an incredible offer called SeaWorld Cares: Now through Dec. 31, with each full-paid, SeaWorld single-day, adult admission purchased online for $69, children ages 3-12 receive a $5 admission. One hundred percent of each $5 kids’ admission goes to fund non-profit organizations currently working on wildlife conservation projects. Complete details are available at www.seaworldcares.com.
Here’s a look at the 2010 Summer Nights lineup
New this year!
• “Blue Horizons”: This awe-inspiring daytime show promises to unite the sea and sky as it showcases majestic animals and spirited performers. An array of energetic dolphins, amazing pilot whales, colorful exotic birds and talented aerial and diving performers will grace the stage in this all-new production scheduled to debut May 29.
Summer Nights Favorites
• “Shamu Rocks”: The world-famous killer whale takes center stage during Summer Nights in this 20-minute musical journey that transports Shamu around the globe, through awesome natural settings. Shamu’s visual experience is enhanced by images on four LED screens that move and rotate, dazzling the audience with a rockin’ show.
• “Sea Lions Tonite”: Summer Nights guests won’t want to miss “Sea Lions Tonite,” a hilarious adventure featuring famous California sea lions Clyde and Seamore. The prankster-loving pinnipeds poke fun at the stars of classic daytime SeaWorld shows, including the all-new “Blue Horizons,” “Believe,” “Pets Rule!” and “Cirque de la Mer.”
• Fireworks: “Into the Blue” fireworks brighten up the sky every Summer Nights’ evening along with seasonal nighttime-only animal shows. Note: On the Fourth of July, “Into the Blue” sparkles with an extended display of red, white and blue fireworks set to patriotic music and launches the flipping of the switch to turn on SeaWorld’s landmark 320-foot Skytower Tree of Lights for the 2010 summer season.
• Attractions, Rides and More: In addition to the special summer shows and activities, nearly all of SeaWorld’s other attractions remain open every evening during Summer Nights, including Journey To Atlantis; Wild Arctic; the SeaWorld Skytower; the Penguin Encounter; Sesame Street Bay of Play, a whimsical, 2-acre play area for kids with three family-friendly rides and character meet and greets; and Shipwreck Rapids, which now includes two body dryers that allow guests to warm up and dry off after a soaking journey on one of the nine-passenger raft rides. For just $5, up to six people may enter a dryer and get the blast of their life.
Summer Daytime Fun
• “Cirque de la Mer”: Returning for its 10th summer, this acrobatic odyssey is performed on land, water and in the air at SeaWorld’s bayside lagoon venue, the Amphibitheater. The popular summer daytime show features acrobats, hand balancers, aerialists, trapeze artists and comic performers. “Cirque de la Mer” opens May 29 and closes Aug. 15.
• Daytime animal shows: All of SeaWorld’s favorite year-round shows can be seen during the summer, including the all-new awe-inspiring “Blue Horizons” show, the hilarious “Sea Lions LIVE” sketch-based comedy show, “Believe” the magnificent killer whale show and the always-adorable “Pets Rule!”
Tips for making the most of your Summer Nights at SeaWorld
• Log on to the park’s Web site at www.seaworldsandiego.com and purchase tickets online using the Print Your Ticket at home option. Guests also can learn about park discounts and current operating hours online. For more information call (800) 25-SHAMU.
• During projected days of peak attendance, SeaWorld allows guests to enter the front of the park 45 minutes prior to full-park opening. Early birds can use this time to pick up a park map and check the show schedule, grab a light breakfast and plan their day.
• Arrive at animal shows at least 30 to 45 minutes before the scheduled show time to secure a good seat and enjoy interactive, crowd-pleasing, pre-show activities.
• Visit SeaWorld attractions while animal shows in the area are occurring: while thousands of guests are watching the “Blue Horizons” show, visit the Shark Encounter located just north of Dolphin Stadium.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates 10 parks across the U.S. including SeaWorld parks in San Diego, San Antonio and Orlando, Fla.; Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Fla. and Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove and Aquatica in Orlando; Sesame Place near Philadelphia, Pa.; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg.
The 10 parks play host to 25 million guests each year and employ 26,000 people nationwide. To learn more, visit www.seaworldparksandentertainment.com or call toll-free (888) 800-5447. Additionally, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment created the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, a non-profit, private charitable foundation committed to supporting wildlife and habitat conservation, research, education and animal rescue programs worldwide. Learn more at www.swbg-conservationfund.org.
