www.parkworld-online.com
Park Hoppin’ In association with Park Hoppin’with Susan Storey I
live with someone who is obsessed with sharks. Since
he was born, my son has wanted to see sharks, swim with sharks, feed sharks, and I believe at one point, grow up to be a shark. That also
means that I fully embrace any opportunity to give him the chance to see them up close. We know we are not alone. For many years sharks, one of the apex predators of the sea, has both frightened and intrigued people of all ages. Seeing an opportunity to capitalise on this passion, in July 1988 the Discovery Channel developed and aired a week of content that centred on this fascinating species, the shark. What began as a mid-summer audience grab has since burst from the small screen to become part of pop culture. For 36 years Shark Week has educated and inspired millions of people around the world with tales of shark myth versus shark reality. Today, Shark Week remains the longest-running cable TV programming event in history. Over the years, the attractions industry has
found its place as part of the annual shark- focused phenomenon. The OdySea Aquarium in Phoenix, Arizona is one of our favourite aquariums. Aside from earning accolades for thing!) it is home to more than 14 species of creative charcuterie board snacking - with one of its daily tasks: feeding the sharks. The resulting image of the diverse menu the sharks eat each mackerel, squid, salmon, shrimp, capelin and superba krill, highlighting that each species has a its own diet. In addition, OdySea used the tray
to educate its guests about target shark feeding. The technique is used to teach each species of avoiding a feeding frenzy! OdySea also leaned local news station tell weekly, exclusive stories about its sharks.
here in Orlando, we have plenty of options to experience sharks. Located right down the road from my house is Sea Life Orlando Aquarium. 50 Sea Life aquariums are part of Merlin offers local ocean adventures for young families. Inspired by Shark Week, Sea Life extends its celebration with its annual Super Shark Summer. Shark-themed activities take place throughout the entire aquarium, complete with interactive and educational ways to learn. Leading the Sharks are known for their incredible senses and Sea Life has added education stations that teach participating guests how sharks smell, how good their eyesight is, and more. As guests visit a special stamp. Upon collecting each stamp, they then earn a commemorative souvenir. Just Sea Life has developed its own exclusive content for guests located far beyond the aquarium. A dedicated shark-focused series airs on its Instagram channel each Friday throughout the event, led and told by the aquarist team. share live information about each of species of sharks. Sea Life has five different shark species in its waters, each with unique characteristics. Merlin Entertainments will also soon welcome even more sharks for its guests. The new Sea Life Florida will open later this year at Legoland announced each type of marine life that will live at its newest theme park under the sea, current marketing messages repeatedly use one word: sharks!
Of course, SeaWorld Orlando also comes to
mind for Shark Week-themed experiences and Camp offers students in grades 6-8 the once 70,000-gallon aquarium to spend a few minutes sharing the water in the shark habitat. SeaWorld Orlando is home to 21 species of sharks, and the Shark Encounter aquarium has the many of two young great hammerhead sharks that came to the park from Georgia Aquarium in 2023. campers either remain in a designated shark cage or enter a back area of the aquarium that easy to write. As an annual camper, coming of age in our house meant finally entering the One of the themes that makes our industry
so unique is how parks, aquariums, zoos and traditions. Parents can mark age milestones with photos next to favourite characters, note growth with riding a new class of ride and make memories together. Our family has used through the Shark Encounter at SeaWorld there is a measurement stick on the wall. Two years ago, the marker and accompanying poster told us Aiden was the height of a Pacific metres) he is now the size of a leopard shark. share with friends, measuring and comparing which species we would be if we were the Discovery Channel.
JULY 2024
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