www.parkworld-online.com
Park Hoppin In association with Park Hoppin’with Susan Storey S
ummer in Florida is hot. And while Floridians are masters with air conditioners set to maximum, my New York origin
means I don’t like to freeze each time I step indoors. I’m in a constant temperature conundrum, so I like to find water. The beach, the neighbourhood pool, a water park, a friend’s pool, more beach. This summer we added a new water experience that took us ‘under the sea’ in a way that would make Ariel proud.
One of the great perks of living in Orlando is the proximity to Discovery Cove by
SeaWorld. As an all-inclusive and exclusive experience, visits to Discovery Cove are always special, and have become an annual visit for my son and I. It’s a full day we book months in advance and look forward to. Each time, we like to add something we haven’t done before - and this year that meant signing up for SeaVenture. The Discovery Cove SeaVenture experience is an add-on to the regular
reservation, providing a tour underwater among schools of fish and sea animals. The technology behind it - wearing a helmet that allows you to breathe and not get your hair wet - goes over my head, literally. This year, Aiden was old enough to take part, so into the sea we went. One of the biggest reasons I love being a part of the attractions industry is
the ability to immerse myself in memorable, unique environments - places that previously only existed in imaginations or the pages of books. This industry can bring far off locations close to home. The SeaVenture experience is a little of both, making the wonder and beauty of the ocean, accessible and safe. SeaVenture’s habitat connects with the park’s Grand Reef. The incredible body
of water features approximately 10,000 fish and rays - and 10 million gallons of salt water! During the SeaVenture experience, Discovery Cove ambassadors also take part, guiding guests along the walk, pointing out the different species and providing details about each. And while the cool technology means you won’t need a brush or a towel to dry your glasses when done, communication comes from something incredibly simple: a Magna-Doodle. Fun facts are shared on the classic child’s toy about all the species and animals in the habitat and are then magically erased to share more. Amazing how the simplest things often provide the coolest details. Our favourite part of the
SeaVenture adventure was getting close to the sharks. Granted, we were separated by an 8-foot-tall, 21-foot-long panoramic window, but there they were. The shark habitat features over 20 sharks, including blacktip reef, nurse, zebra, bonnethead sharks. While I can’t name them individually, my son took great delight in pointing them out, and challenging my lip-reading skills. Places like Discovery Cove, and the many other accredited zoos and aquariums around the world are not just for excursions of fun. They make the inaccessible accessible; the scary unscary; and nature’s wonder worthy of our care and attention. SeaVenture also supports Rising Tide Conservation, a non-profit dedicated to the protection of coral
SUMMER PART 3 2022 5
reefs through sustainable aquaculture. 5% of the proceeds from each guest experience is donated to the organisation. The entire SeaVenture experience included a video and individual
instructions before we went into the deep blue world. We got to hold a sea urchin, a starfish and stand in the middle of a feeding frenzy as the fish enjoyed a snack shared by our guides. Discovery Cove also provides go-pros to capture photos while you’re traipsing like an astronaut through their ocean. Most importantly, it was the look on my son’s face as he was surrounded by fish of all shapes, sizes, and colours that I will remember. When we got out of the water, he turned to me and said: “My heart is happy.” Clearly, we got much more than a break from the summer heat.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
