Ice Skating at SeaWorld Christmas Celebration

SeaWorld Orlando will be one of the few places Central Floridians can lace up and hit the ice. During the day, park guests will have the opportunity to ice skate at Bayside Stadium. Once night falls, they can sit back and relax as the pros show off what they got with “Winter Wonderland on Ice”. Christmas comes to life on a stage of ice, jewels, and lights as skaters dazzle and delight in this show-stopping, ice skating extravaganza. A sea of sparkling trees and towering fountains dancing in the background come together to create an experience the entire family will not want to miss.

All-New Magical Shows and Entertainment

There are even more ways for families to get into the holiday spirit this year at SeaWorld Orlando. At the end of the night during the Christmas Celebration, guests can be dazzled by the impressive “Holiday Reflections” fireworks show that showcases an impressive fireworks display set to the sounds of the season in the sky above the Sea of Trees.

Holiday cheer can also be found throughout the park with stilt walkers at the Waterfront and in Wild Arctic Plaza, jump-roping toy soldiers, and Elf Story Chair Stacking in Sharks Plaza. Guests also cannot miss the opportunity for photos with Santa, Rudolph and Bumble! Rudolph and Bumble have found a new home this year in Wild Arctic, while Santa can be found at his new workshop in the Shoppes at the Waterfront. Guests can also dine with Santa throughout the Christmas Celebration for an additional cost.

The magical holiday fun continues in Sesame Street Land with the return of the popular Sesame Street Christmas Parade, where guests can see all their favorite Sesame Street characters getting into the holiday spirit. For an additional cost, families who come to the park on Saturday mornings can have breakfast with their friends from Sesame Street. Elmo’s Christmas Wish is also back this year on event mornings at SeaPort Theatre. Visitors can join Cookie Monster, Grover, Zoe and Rosita as they work together to help Elmo find his Christmas wish!

Decadent Holiday Drinks and Treats at SeaWorld Christmas Celebration

Guests to SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration can savor the flavors of the holiday season with ALL-NEW food and beverage offerings this year. Traditional flavors like gingerbread, eggnog and peppermint can be found all around the park in new and unexpected ways. There will also be a very special holiday doughnut from an Orlando-based doughnut shop. 

Some of the NEW food offerings guests can taste at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration include:

• Monty Cristo Waffle – ham, turkey, Swiss cheese & cranberry glaze
• Santa’s Sweet & Savory Treat Doughnut Chicken Sandwich – honey Sriracha & pickles
• The Main Event – fried turkey breast, andouille stuffing, cranberry gastric & brown gravy
• Corn Husk Enconchada Tamale – carnitas & ancho mole poblano sauce
• Christmas Bread Pudding – brioche bun, white chocolate, raspberry sauce & whipped cream
• Arroz con Dulce – cinnamon dust & Caribbean rum raisin
• Fresh Baked Deep-dish cookies – M&M, S’mores & Chocolate chip

Guests will be able to sip NEW seasonal drinks while strolling around the park. They can drink either a hot or frozen hot chocolate, or a frozen eggnog or coquito. There are also several NEW holiday cocktails to try, including:

• Holiday Peppermint Eggnog – eggnog, white chocolate liquor, vanilla vodka & peppermint schnapps
• Christmas Beer Sangria – apple cider, Tito’s vodka, maple syrup, Christmas ale& cinnamon
• Chai Swizzle – chai tea, Bailey’s Irish Cream, simple syrup & cinnamon
• Winter Wonderland Hot Toddy – Jack Daniels Honey Whiskey, Jack Daniels Winter Cider & chai tea

Best Way to Enjoy Holiday Cheer

One of the best ways for guests to experience SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is with a SeaWorld Orlando 2023 Fun Card, which offers park admission through December 31, 2023, for one low price of $132.99. Guests will have admission to SeaWorld Orlando for a full calendar year to experience thrilling rides, amazing animal encounters and energizing entertainment. For even more unbeatable benefits, guests can purchase a SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass for as low as $14/month + tax with no down payment. With an Annual Pass, guests will enjoy 12 months of visits with special benefits like free parking, free guest tickets, access to special VIP events, savings on merchandise and more! Some restrictions and blockout dates apply. Annual Passes and Fun Cards can be purchased at SeaWorldOrlando.com.

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Aquatica, boasting more waterslides than any other waterpark in Orlando, offers something fun for everyone with high-speed adventures that get hearts racing, kid-friendly water play areas, a vibrant selection of dining experiences, and white-sand beaches offering the perfect spot to relax. Modified with enhanced health and safety protocols, each park experience includes increased cleaning and sanitation, temperature checks, face covering requirements, and limited capacity. 

“We are thrilled to introduce Riptide Race, an experience you won’t find anywhere else in Florida. Aquatica is the first waterpark in the state to have a dueling racer and we know our guests are going to love the fun of challenging their friends and family in a race to the finish,” said Kyle Miller, Park President. “Riptide Race is the perfect addition to our attraction portfolio, complementing what is already one of the most family-friendly waterslide lineups in Orlando. Health and safety continue to be a top priority for our parks, and we can’t wait to see our guests enjoy this new ride.”

About Riptide Race

Riptide Race is the world’s tallest dueling racer waterslide. Starting atop a 68-foot tower, riders grab a two-person raft before racing along the 650-foot slide—with low walls, so they can keep an eye on their opponents. It’s a dash to the splash as guests compete in this side-by-side raft run through high-speed tunnels, twists, and turns. Riptide Race features a height requirement of 42 inches to appeal to families with children. Riptide Race was originally slated to open in 2020 but due to Covid closures, the opening was delayed.

For ticket info, park hours and safety precautions please visit the Aquatica website.

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In addition to enhancing the park’s already strict health and safety measures including increased cleaning and sanitation, temperature checks, and face covering requirements, capacity will be significantly limited to create more open space for guests to enjoy their experience, while maintaining physical distancing in a safe environment. 

Kids are also in for a very special treat with the launch of two fan-favorite events to kick off the year: Sesame Street Kids’ Weekend (January 23-24), and Elmo’s Birthday Celebration (January 30 to February 3)! Families can experience these events plus all of the park’s kid-friendly annual events with unique features like specialty beverages for tots at the Seven Seas Food Festival, kids dance parties at Electric Ocean, trick-or-treating and meeting spooky-fun characters at Halloween Spooktacular, photos with Santa and millions of twinkling lights at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, and more, with the 2021 Preschool Card for their little ones, now available exclusively to Florida Residents.

How to Get Your Free SeaWorld Preschool Card

To be eligible for the free Preschool Card for unlimited visits to SeaWorld through December 31, 2021, kids must be ages 5 and younger. Advance registration must be completed online and is only valid for children ages 5 or younger at the time of redemption at the park. Registration is required by February 3, 2021 and first visit ticket redemption must occur by February 28, 2021.

To learn more and to register for the Preschool Card, Florida residents can visit: https://seaworld.com/orlando/tickets/preschool-free-admission/

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To bring the merriment to life, SeaWorld’s creative team consulted with medical experts to offer a modified event with required reservations and limited capacity that celebrates the spirit of the season safely. This seasonal event features open-air entertainment and experiences as well as enhanced health, safety measures, including increased cleaning and sanitation, temperature checks, face covering requirements and physical distancing. Included in park admission, park guests can safely enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of the holiday season with specialty shopping, physically distant holiday shows, tasty holiday treats, and beloved holiday traditions.

New for 2020

• It’s a Wonderful Night: A New Story to Tell-You haven’t experienced the spirit of the season quite like this before. SeaWorld is bringing over 30 of your favorite Christmas carols back to the stage with new clever surprises and lighthearted laughs. Check back soon for details on this reimagining of an old favorite for the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration, coming to the Nautilus Theater with limited capacity and physical distancing.
• Ice Skating at Bayside Stadium-All-new for this year, guests can now experience outdoor ice skating! You and your family can skate alongside the water of SeaWorld’s central lagoon throughout the day in our beautiful winter wonderland. Capacity will be limited to promote physical distancing and all guests must wear crew length socks and gloves. Additional charge required which includes rental of ice skates, socks and gloves can also be purchased.
• Hanukkah Celebration-This year, SeaWorld will be celebrating more holidays than ever before. For the first year ever, join us as we honor the festival of lights! From December 10 through 18, gather with your friends and family in a socially distant experience to view the traditional lighting of the menorah throughout Hanukkah.
• Kwanzaa Festivities-Another new experience for the holidays this year, SeaWorld will celebrate the festivities of Kwanzaa! Taking place December 26through January 1, guests can enjoy a joyous time of reflection and celebration of African heritage with the nightly lighting of the kinara.
• Photos with Santa Claus-Take a visit to the top of the world to meet the Arctic’s most famous resident, Santa Claus, at SeaWorld’s Wild Arctic for a safe alternative to family photos with everyone’s favorite jolly elf! One party at a time will greet Santa in the expansive family room and have the opportunity to sit (physically distant) in Santa’s sleigh with Santa seated above and behind, separated by a plexiglass partition. *Photo packages available.
• Happy Holidays from Sesame Street Land-It’s furry and bright on our favorite street! Join us as we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with our Sesame Street friends as they sing and dance to their favorite holiday songs.

Holiday Shows and Special Events at SeaWorld Christmas Celebration

• Rudolph’s Movie Experience– Rudolph and his friends star in this movie that will get the entire family in the holiday spirit, playing daily in the Sea Port Theater with limited capacity and physical distancing. This special movie experience is approximately 10 minutes long and begins every 30 minutes.
• Sea of Trees-Take a walk through a wintery, watery wonderland and immerse yourself in the expansive holiday Sea of Trees Located in SeaWorld’s lagoon where the glistening forest sparkles to music and lights up the water—and your eyes. With 360-degree views from around the park, there is plenty of space to enjoy with safe physical distancing. As the lights dance to holiday classics, your heart will soar with wonder and delight at this truly awe-inspiring Christmas treat. Plus, a magnificent centerpiece towers 70 feet above the water.
• Winter Wonderland on Ice-Christmas comes to life on a stage of ice, jewels and lights as skaters dazzle and delight in a show-stopping, ice skating extravaganza with physically distant seating arrangements. A sea of sparkling trees and towering fountains dancing in the background come together to create a don’t-miss experience for the holidays that the entire family will enjoy.
• Rudolph’s Christmas Town-Returning for another year of festive fun, guests can immerse themselves in the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Rudolph’s Christmas Town. Stroll outdoors past life-size story book vignettes featuring the classic tale, and meet beloved characters including Rudolph and Bumble. This attraction has limited capacity to promote physical distancing.
• Christmas Market-Nestled along the park’s Bayside Pathway, the Christmas market features festive entertainment and delicious culinary delights from an all-NEW chef and mixologist created holiday menu. Guests will also encounter playful elves and a charming model train village. Relax near the warm glow of the fire pit with a fan-favorite seasonal beer or mulled wine, or chose from a variety of NEW unique holiday inspired beverages rooted in classic Christmas traditions.  Limited capacity and physical distancing measures will be in place. These unique limited time options include specialty cocktails like the “Winter Wonderland Hot Toddy” made with winter cider, honey whiskey and a chain infusion and the festive “Peppermint Cocoa” made with peppermint schnapps. 

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration Dining Options

• Sampler Lanyard-The spirit of the season is in every bite of holiday food pairings throughout the park such as the ale-cured and smoke-cured pork slider, the mini chicken philly or the “Traditional Christmas Dinner Stack” which layers roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce over texas toast.  The market also features a variety of peppermint desserts like the peppermint bark cheesecake. The best way for guests to savor and save during the holidays is with a Christmas Celebration Tasting and Brew Sampler Lanyard, starting at ONLY $35.00 for a 5-punch lanyard or a 10-punch lanyard for $50.00.
• Dinner with Santa-The wonders of Christmas come to life this season in an experience that’s destined to make memories for the young and young at heart. Dinner with Santa invites you to a sumptuous holiday meal with all the trimmings and a delightful opportunity to take a (physically distant) photo with Santa Claus himself! Featuring protective food service barriers, widely spaced single-party tables, sanitation between meals and more, guests of all ages will delight in this safe holiday tradition.
• Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast-Join your favorite furry friends for a fun-filled holiday breakfast feast. This experience combines a delicious meal with exciting (but physically distanced) character appearances. With protective food service barriers, widely spaced single-party tables, sanitation between meals and more, it is a safe, fun time for the whole family!

SeaWorld Ticketing Info

For a limited time, buy a 2021 Fun Card and get the rest of 2020 FREE or upgrade to an Annual Pass starting as low as $11.75 per month with no down payment. Annual Pass Members* receive 12 months of visits, now with the best benefits ever such as FREE parking, up to 6 free guest tickets, Pass Member VIP Ride Nights, and up to 50% savings on merchandise, photo prints, Quick Queue, and more.

The Fun Card gives park-goers unlimited access to the park to visit again and again for the remainder of 2020 calendar year and all of 2021¹ for one low price, but does not include the additional pass benefits!  Visit www.Seaworld.com/Orlando for more information, park hours and to purchase tickets.

We have enjoyed our visits to the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration in years past. Our favorite has always been O Wondrous Night! I’m looking forward to seeing how they re-imagined that show into It’s a Wonderful Night: A New Story to Tell!

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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Summer Nights

In addition to the recently added Big Bird Weekends and upcoming debut of the Wildly Amazing! animal program, Summer Nights has been extended each Friday-Sunday now through Labor Day weekend. Park guests can enjoy extended hours on Florida’s best thrill rides and limited-time barbeque and s’more-inspired dishes before they head to physically-distant seating arranged on the park’s expansive Festival Field for the NEW laser and fireworks finale. Cooler nighttime temperatures and enhanced health and safety measures provide guests at Busch Gardens a more comfortable summer escape with their favorite thrills.

Adventure Island

Good news for water park fans! Guests can now enjoy an extra splash of summer during the week with Thursdays now on the calendar at Adventure Island through Labor Day. Adventure Island has been a Tampa Bay summer staple for 40 splash-filled years, offering guests a variety of experiences to beat the heat with lots of space to cool off: a winding lazy river, massive wave pool, exciting play areas and thrilling water slides like the NEW Solar Vortex, which just opened this season. From high-banking rotations and rapid descents, Solar Vortex sends riders on a swirling journey through two open tailspin features and three dynamic AquaLucent elements – harnessing the power of the Florida sun into colorful patterns.

SeaWorld Orlando

Good news for SeaWorld fans! Guests can now enjoy an extra day of summer fun during the week with Thursdays now offered at SeaWorld Orlando through Labor Day. All guests with existing tickets, Fun Cards, or Annual Passes must make a reservation to visit in advance in order to manage park capacity and maintain physical distancing.  Requiring reservations allows the park to limit the number of guests on property each day, further enhancing the park’s vigorous safety protocols.  Seaworld.com/orlando/tickets/reservations/ 

Special Events

Electric Ocean Remix: Fridays and Saturdays, through September 5 and Sunday, September 6

As the sun goes down, SeaWorld comes alive with the glow of Electric Ocean Remix, premiering July 24 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Guests are invited to stay late on summer weekends to enjoy electrifying dance music and a brilliant evening of energy that sparks as the sun sets, while maintaining safe physical distancing. The fun glows on with Light Up The Sky, a fireworks and pyrotechnic spectacular that brings the brilliance of the sea to the sky above for guests.

Flicks and Fireworks: Fridays and Saturdays through September 5 and Sunday, September 6

Experience the fun, nostalgia and magic of a drive-in-movie experience under the stars with SeaWorld’s park-and-view drive-in movie theatre! Start the night by enjoying locally-sourced food trucks, then sit back in the comfort of your car and watch the park’s spectacular fireworks display. Then…the main event, enjoy the movie of the evening with friends and family. This package is only available through Labor Day Weekend, and only at SeaWorld Orlando. https://seaworld.com/orlando/events/flicks-and-fireworks/

We will do our best to keep you updated on any other changes with the parks in the SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment family.

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“We are thrilled to be able to bring Orlando’s number one summer nighttime event, Electric Ocean, back to SeaWorld in a ‘remix’ that will keep all of our guests safe while allowing them to enjoy this electrifying event,” said Park President Kyle Miller. “Safety is a top priority for our park team, and we’ve worked hard to modify elements of Electric Ocean while keeping all of the energy and excitement that our guests have come to love with the launch of Electric Ocean Remix.” 

Electric Ocean Remix Entertainment

Sea Lions Tonight

Sea Lions Tonight is a favorite show of ours. We love to laugh at Clyde, Seamore, and the SeaWorld Mime as they try to experience the shows, attractions, and occasional frustrations of a day at the park in only 20 minutes! Parodies of your favorite SeaWorld moments turn the park upside down with all-new laughs and a few classic favorites this summer during SeaWorld’s Electric Ocean Remix!

Light Up the Sky Fireworks

Each evening comes to an amazing end when “Light Up the Sky” erupts across the park’s lake. This new fireworks spectacular will pay tribute to shows of summers past with a high-energy musical score, towering flames, and dazzling pyrotechnics. The best part of all, the fireworks can be enjoyed from anywhere around SeaWorld’s large central lake, which will help everyone stay safe and healthy by maintaining a proper physical distance. Showtime is at 9:00 p.m. during Electric Ocean Remix evenings.

Add to the shows, the atmosphere entertainment, featuring a DJ, dancers and other physically distanced fun which keep the energy level high and you have an amazing day of summer fun at SeaWorld Orlando.

Important Electric Ocean Info

• Fridays and Saturdays, July 24 through September 6
• During Labor Day Weekend: Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6
• Those with existing tickets, Fun Passes, or Annual Passes must make a park reservation in advance to help control park attendance and allow for physical distancing.
• Temperatures will be taken before entering the park.
• Face coverings must be worn by all guests over the age of 2.
• Please follow all physical distancing markers around the park.
• Wash your hands often.

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Gather your family and meet your festive friends at SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration, taking place from November 23 through December 31. For five weeks only, the park is transforming into a winter wonderland with more than 3 million sparkling lights. Experience award-winning entertainment, from the ALL-NEW Sesame Street Christmas Parade to seasonal shows like O Wondrous Night; rub noses with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; or head to Wild Arctic and visit Santa himself. Also NEW this year, park-goers have the added chance to dine with jolly ol’ Saint Nick over a sumptuous holiday meal with the help of his Kitchen Elves. Don’t miss the unforgettable Christmas Celebration you can only find at SeaWorld.

Holiday Shows

• Experience the power and beauty of killer whales in our nighttime holiday show: Miracles^TM. From the sweeping vocal majesty of a unique soundtrack to the visual majesty of SeaWorld’s killer whales, Miracles will take you on a stirring voyage into the heart of the holidays.
• In O Wondrous Night, enjoy a live nativity complete with more than 30 carols, life-sized puppets and animals in a spectacular Christmas favorite based on The Christmas Story. Told through the eyes of the animals that were there, O Wondrous Night is a touching, light-hearted and glorious musical with a host of angels, animals and the true glory of Christmas.
• Christmas comes to life on a stage of ice, jewels and lights as skaters dazzle and delight in a show-stopping, ice skating extravaganza. A sea of sparkling trees and towering fountains dancing in the background come together to create a don’t-miss experience for the holidays that the entire family will enjoy.
• Excitement is also running high for Sea Lion High’s Christmas pageant, join the students and faculty of Sea Lion High for their hilarious new Christmas Special.  
• Join Santa’s elves and this festive team of adopted dogs, cats, birds, rats and even pigs as they work together, play together, and create heart-warming holiday memories in an all-new SeaWorld Pets Ahoy experience.

Special Events

• Returning for another year of festive fun, guests can immerse themselves in the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Rudolph’s ChristmasTown. Stroll past life-size story book vignettes featuring the classic tale, and meet beloved characters including: Rudolph, Clarice, Bumble and Yukon Cornelius.
• As part of SeaWorld’s transformation into a winter wonderland, don’t miss the all-new Sesame Street® Christmas Parade, with fantastic floats decorated for the celebration.
• Guests of all ages can also share wishes and dreams with Santa Claus while exploring SeaWorld’s Wild Arctic this Christmas. Experience amazing animal encounters and a heart-warming visit with Santa in a holiday adventure.
• Take a stroll through a wintery, watery wonderland immersed in a Sea of Trees that sparkle to music as they light up the water. Dazzling images come to life on over 100 trees, including a giant glistening centerpiece that towers 70 feet above the water. Walk along the water’s edge for some holiday shopping at the Shoppes at Waterfront as a magical flurry of snow falls over SeaWorld Orlando while holiday sounds and smells fill the air.
• Next, nestled along the park’s Bayside Pathway, The Christmas Market features festive entertainment and delicious culinary delights. Complete with playful elves, a charming model train village and seasonal entertainment, the market is the centerpiece of SeaWorld’s Christmas event. Plus, relaxation is in order near the warm glow of the fire pit with a holiday cocktail while experiencing a wonderful view of the vibrant Sea of Trees.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration Dates and Ticket Info

You can enjoy SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration on select evenings in November and December. The best way to experience SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration and New Year’s with family and friends is with a SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass or Fun Card. For a limited time, Florida residents can become a Pass Member for as low as $10.25 per month, with offer ending on December 3. Pass Members receive park benefits and rewards, including priority access to new attractions, FREE parking, in-park discounts and much more. And for those guests who prefer the Fun Card, should they purchase a 2020 Fun Card, they can enjoy the rest of 2019 for FREE.

• November 23-25
• November 29
• December 1-2
• December 6-9
• December 13-16
• December 20-31

SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration is a Central Florida Must-Do. If you are visiting make sure you add it to your travel itinerary.

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I was surprised at how readily Ron agreed to accompany me since he has a bit of a fear of heights. My fear isn’t of heights but of falling so I was pretty sure I’d be fine in the ICON Orlando 360 capsule. We boarded our capsule for the approximately 20 minute ride and never had a problem. The observation wheel rotates so slowly you don’t really realize you are moving, the capsule is very stable. As I was doing my Facebook live (below) I had comments from friends how they would never try it but I assure you, you can do it! We enjoyed having this unique vantage point of the Orlando area. We hope to come back in the future and visit Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Orlando.

Located in the heart of Orlando’s International Drive entertainment district, ICON Orlando 360 is home to an array of unique dining experiences. From authentic Spanish and Mexican fare to traditional American eats, ICON Orlando 360 offers selections to please any palate. Nightly live music, shopping venues and a central courtyard with fountain and choreographed water displays, complement the experience. “Whether entertaining out-of-town guests, toasting the holidays with friends or co-workers, or looking for an iconic Orlando vacation experience, these new offers deliver memorable moments and substantial savings,” said Cindy Dykman, director of sales and marketing at ICON Orlando 360.

ICON Orlando 360 New Seasonal Experiences:

• Holiday Friends & Family Pass – (Groups of Three or More) – Share the experience with your loved ones this holiday. A group of three riders on ICON Orlando pays less than $22.00 per person, per rotation and can fly during any time of the day or night. For groups of more than three riders, the admission price drops to just $14.99 per additional rider, compared to the listed $29.99/adult and $24.99/child general admission pricing.
• Fly Before 4 and Save – Take a flight on ICON Orlando before 4 p.m. and pay just $14.99 per person, per rotation – a savings of $15.00 per standard adult and $10.00 per standard child admission rates. (*Block out dates include Nov. 24 & 25 and Dec. 24, 2018-Jan. 1, 2019.)
• Florida Residents Anytime Flight – Florida residents riding ICON Orlando enjoy a savings of 25 percent with prices at $19.99 for adults and $14.99 for children when purchased online.
• Sky Bar 360 – ICON Orlando now offers private Sky Bar 360 beverage capsules for up to 10 guests, starting at just $29 per person. An ideal experience for a holiday gathering of friends and colleagues, Sky Bar 360 capsules include options for a bottomless selection of beer and/or wine plus two full rotations (44 minutes) on ICON Orlando. Beer options include Bud Light, Corona and Blue Moon with wine offerings including an array of white, red, sparkling, and Prosecco. Guests of the Sky Bar 360 capsules must be 21 years or older. Customization for quantity and selection of beverage offerings is available upon request. (Not available Dec. 31).
• Holiday Light Show – More than 64,000 LED lights will bring the tallest observation wheel on the east coast of the United States to life in a kaleidoscopic 10-minute show, synchronized to a festive holiday soundtrack. The light show runs Nov. 17, 2018-Jan. 6, 2019 (Sun.-Thurs. at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. at 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and
• Fly & Dine – Announced in October, Fly & Dine includes one flight aboard ICON Orlando, along with a choice of dinner options at seven of ICON Orlando 360’s fast casual and full-service restaurants. The set menu options start at just $32 for fast casual or $45 for full-service dining at participating restaurants, including Sugar Factory Orlando, Tin Roof Orlando, Tapa Toro Spanish Restaurant, UNO Pizzeria & Grill and others.
• New Year’s Eve – Exciting plans are underway for an iconic New Year’s Eve celebration at ICON Orlando 360. More information will be announced soon!

For more information on how to purchase tickets and to view the all-new options, visit Iconorlando.com. Guests are encouraged to share their experience on social using the hashtag #ICONOrlando360.

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Commemorative activities and offers are planned throughout 2019 as a part of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s 60th Celebration – including the return of two complimentary beer samples included in park admission. At Garden Gate Café or Serengeti Overlook Pub, guests age 21 and older can enjoy two complimentary samples each park visit in 2019, going back the park’s roots as a beer garden when it first opened in 1959. While the beer samples are available for all adult guests at the park in 2019, only pass members will receive this EXCLUSIVE benefit during the month of October 2018 as a preview of the 60th Celebration.

Busch Gardens introduced a new tiered annual pass program including Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum passes. The Annual Passes do not require a down payment and for a limited time, introductory prices start as low as $9.99 per month for Florida residents. Guests can pick the Pass with the benefits they want most, pick their parks, then gear up for a calendar full of special events plus exciting new attractions coming in 2019.

•  BRONZE PASS | Flexibility equals savings. While some blockout dates apply, guests save on parking, dining, and more.
• SILVER PASS | Membership made easy. Unlimited admission, free parking, one free guest ticket, and extra benefits.
• GOLD PASS | Big savings, best value. Save more with free preferred parking, two free guest tickets, bigger discounts, plus valuable extras like a free animal encounter, free annual PhotoKey and more.
• PLATINUM PASS | The ultimate way to play and save. Add unlimited admission to 11 SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Parks nationwide, free ride-again privileges, reserved show seating and more.

PASS MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: Pass members at Busch Gardens have much to look forward to in 2019 with the recent announcement of TigrisTM, Florida’s tallest launch coaster, opening next spring. An innovative triple launch coaster, Tigris will catapult riders through an exhilarating array of looping twists with forward and backward motion, breath-taking drops, a 150-foot skyward surge, and an inverted heartline roll, all at more than 60 miles per hour. Pass members will have EXCLUSIVE RIDE TIME when Tigris opens in spring of 2019.

For 2019, the best value for Floridians is the NEW FLORIDA PARKS PASS, which includes admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Adventure Island, SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando. With the opening of Infinity Falls at SeaWorld Orlando and a new waterslide, KareKare Curl, coming to Aquatica, 2019 will be an exciting year to experience everything new at all of the Florida parks. Full details and benefits for each pass are available online at BuschGardensTampa.com

In addition to a new thrill ride in 2019, Busch Gardens offers 52 weeks of seasonal events for a full year of fun, including the following fan-favorites:

• Real Music. Real Masters. – Monday – Saturday January 7 – March 16
• Sesame Street Safari of Fun Kids’ Weekends – Select dates throughout 2019
• Food & Wine Festival – Saturdays & Sundays March 16 – April 28
• Summer Nights –May 31 – August 10
• Christmas Town – November 23 – December 31

To learn more about construction updates, new events and future announcements, fans can follow the park’s blog or join the social conversation by following @BuschGardens on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Discovery Cove Oasis Spa

Guests of the new Oasis Spa enter a special spa cabana that overlooks the peaceful waters of the park’s Freshwater Oasis and indulge in a 25-minute massage performed by a licensed therapist.* The tranquil sounds of nature only add to the experience, and solo and couple’s massages are available to guests ages 18 and older. Spa sessions are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis as guests arrive at the park each morning. A 25-minute session starts at $59, but guests can reserve-back-to-back slots and upgrade to a 50-minute session if they prefer. Massages here are done with a special jojoba oil that has a similar pH to human skin and is non-allergenic. Best of all, though, jojoba oil is animal-friendly, which is essential at a park where the animal inhabitants greatly outnumber their human guests.

Discovery Cove Animal Trek

To get a better look at and a true understanding of many of those animal residents, guests ages 6 and older can join a 90-minute Animal Trek tour with Discovery Cove animal experts, who take participants behind the scenes to interact with many of the park’s birds and small mammals. The new experience includes a private tour of the Explorer’s Aviary, where guests can feed and handle birds, and a special viewing opportunity in the Freshwater Oasis, where participants have a special experience with the park’s family of playful otters. Each tour also includes the possibility of interacting with an anteater and a sloth, two of the park’s most popular small mammals. (All interactions are dependent on the animals’ interest in participating, but in general this tour will be full of great photo opportunities.) Woven into the experience are need-to-know facts about the risks of illegal exotic pet trade, bird longevity and the Species Survival Plan that is so important to Discovery Cove and its sister parks, aquariums and zoos. The experience starts at $79 per person, and guests ages 6 to 13 must be accompanied by a paying adult. There will be two 90-minute sessions each day, with each tour limited to just 12 guests.

The Animal Trek is among the new experiences Discovery Cove has introduced in response to guests’ requests for more interaction with animals. Last summer the park introduced Ray Feeding and Shark Swim programs, giving guests the opportunity to spend time in the water with some of the world’s most misunderstood sea creatures. During the Ray Feeding session, which takes place early in the morning just as the park is opening, guests hand-feed playful rays and get a private tour of the Grand Reef, which is home to the rays and thousands of tropical fish. In the Shark Swim program, guests meet with the park’s shark team and get to see the animals up close, learning about their anatomy and the threats the animals face in the wild. As a second part of the experience, guests can join the sharks in the deeper part of their habitat, embarking on an exhilarating snorkel experience that allows them to swim above sharks and sometimes even come face-to-face with them. Discovery Cove donates 5 percent of the proceeds from Shark Swim to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which conducts scientific research and hosts educational programs aimed at conserving the marine environment.

With all that adventure, it’s no wonder that the spa cabana has already proven to be a popular new addition to a day at Discovery Cove. For those looking for a little piece of paradise, the park is introducing 12 spacious daybeds. Starting at $79 and able to accommodate up to four people, this is the perfect place to lay out in comfort and catch some rays with your group. The park also offers private cabanas that come complete with tables and chairs, overhead fan, private locker, fresh towels, stocked refrigerator and – perhaps best of all – a cabana host who ensures your every need is met.

Each of these experiences adds an extra level of exclusivity to a trip to Discovery Cove, which only admits 1,300 guests each day. This paradise of rocky lagoons, tropical reefs, winding rivers, and pristine white-sand beaches is a lushly landscaped park that feels more like a secluded island than an easily accessible attraction in America’s vacation capital. A day’s admission includes breakfast and lunch, unlimited beverages and snacks, lockers, animal-safe sunscreen, snorkel gear, and parking. In addition, guests get unlimited admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica for 14 consecutive days around their Discovery Cove reservation. For additional program and booking details, please visit www.discoverycove.com.

I have visited Discovery Cove once, several years ago for the opening of the Grand Reef. Discovery Cove is an amazing and beautiful place. I dream of going back there some day and doing the Dolphin Swim and the Animal Trek. I highly recommend this beautiful oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a typical Orlando vacation.

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