SeaWorld Looks Forward to its Biggest Attraction Ever -  JOURNEY TO ATLANTIS!

Journey To Atlantis, opening May 29, tells the tale of the mythical island nation through earthquake tremors, floods and other dazzling special effects. Photo credit/SeaWorld San Diego
     After a wet and wild adventure on Journey To Atlantis, riders can enjoy a look at a marine mammal many people have never seen before: Commerson's dolphins. Known for their speed and agility, these exotic animals are found off the southern tip of South America. 
     Mark your calendar! This Memorial Day weekend, SeaWorld San Diego will open the largest and most exciting attraction in its 40-year history: a wet and wild thrill ride, and a new 130,000-gallon dolphin exhibit. Journey To Atlantis, based on the legendary tale of the mythical island nation, opens Saturday, May 29.
     Journey To Atlantis is full of surprises that will delight guests, with twists and turns that blur the line between myth and reality. Riders board eight-passenger Greek fishing boats for a mystifying voyage that tells the tale of Atlantis through simulated earthquake tremors and floods, as well as other dazzling special effects, such as projected lights, fog and water cannons.

     Dolphin spirits guide passengers through their journey, which lasts more than six minutes. Along the way, riders experience thrills and chills again and again, including a splashy, 60-foot plunge into a lake and other unpredictable drops. 
     After their mystical and watery journey, guests enjoy an underwater view of a marine mammal many people have never seen before: Commerson's dolphins. SeaWorld's display of these rare animals will be the only one in the United States and one of only a few in the entire world. 
     Named after French physician/botanist Philibert Commerson, the exotic, black and white dolphins are seen swimming in their Atlantis-themed habitat through a 36-foot, four-paneled, acrylic viewing-window. 
Commerson's dolphins are a protected but not endangered species. Their distinct coloration - coupled with their small size and great agility and speed - set them apart from other cetaceans.
     "We're really excited to have the Commerson's as part of Journey To Atlantis," said William Winhall, assistant curator of mammals for SeaWorld. "Many people have never seen them before because their natural habitat, at the southern tip of South America, is mostly inhospitable to humans. When Journey To Atlantis opens, all our park guests can get a close-up look at these beautiful and rare dolphins." 
     The Commerson's dolphins have been a part of the SeaWorld family since 1983, and were on display at the park's Underwater Theater from 1984 to 1998. Since then, they have been cared for in a behind-the-scenes area. Another highlight of the park's world-renowned breeding program, 14 Commerson's have been born at SeaWorld San Diego.
     Journey To Atlantis is just one of many exciting reasons to visit SeaWorld in 2004. Guests can expect to see all of their SeaWorld favorites this year: Shamu the killer whale in The Shamu Adventure show, California sea lions Clyde and Seamore in the Fools With Tools sea lion and otter show and much, much more. 

SeaWorld, located off I-5 Freeway at SeaWorld Drive, is open year-round, including holidays. . Click here for discounted tickets!

Looking for a place to send the kids for summer break? Look no further as SeaWorld San Diego offers SeaWorld Adventure Camp, with weeklong sessions starting in June and running through August. Activities include preparing fish, feeding dolphins, behind-the-scenes tours at Wild Arctic, kayaking on Mission Bay and much more. For camp descriptions, registration forms and information call 800.23.SHAMU.