SeaWorld recently announced they will replace their headline killer whale show “Believe” with a new show called “One Ocean.” The new show will debut in April at SeaWorld Orlando, and ultimately will be performed in all three SeaWorld Parks. Update April 9, 2011: SeaWorld announced the new show “One Ocean” will premiere on Earth Day – Friday, April 22, and released a new “behind-the-scenes” video (below) showing the creation of the new show. Continue after the break for the original article with more details regarding “One Ocean.”Original article from February 7, 2011: In SeaWorld’s video below, Kelly Flaherty-Clark, curator of animal training at SeaWorld Orlando, described the concept behind the new show as “celebrating unity,” illustrating how both humans and animals live in one world covered by one ocean.
The new show will be performed in Shamu Stadium, and will feature demonstrations of killer whale behaviors including signature, spectacular high-energy leaps. In addition, the stadium houses a three-story set, wrap-around panoramic LED screens, colored lights, and hundreds of surround-sound speakers. The special effects will be integrated with the whale’s behaviors during the show, including a scene where the whales will play amid giant fountains. Animal Ambassador for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Julie Scardina described the show as having an “unprecedented level of energy, excitement and passion.” You can hear more from Julie Scardina in the following video released by SeaWorld.
“One Ocean” will replace the previous headliner show “Believe” that played for the past 5 years in Shamu stadium. “Believe” focused on the relationship between the human trainers and killer whales. This new show has been in development for the past year since the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau by the male killer whale Tilikum in February 2010. Trainers have been banned from being in the water with the killer whales since that accident. The Orlando Sentinel’s Jason Garcia reports this new show will continue to keep the trainers out of the water with the killer whales.
Following Dawn Brancheau’s death, a congressional hearing called into question the educational value of SeaWorld’s shows. Therefore SeaWorld’s press release announcing the new show overtly stated the educational goal of this new show:
But even more important is the educational message the show imparts: we are all part of one world and have the power to make a difference. The message of caring and respect for the world we share is woven throughout the show – encouraging guests to make a difference through their own everyday actions.
Will you be heading over to SeaWorld to check it out? I certainly will. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the new show?
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