SeaWorld Opens Its Biggest Attraction Ever - JOURNEY TO ATLANTIS!

     SeaWorld San Diego has debuted its 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. 
     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 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 is the only one in the Western Hemisphere 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. 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.

This Summer at SeaWorld!
     SeaWorld will continue its Independence Day tradition with a spectacular Fourth of July fireworks display, one of the biggest in the county. The 20-minute display, set to patriotic music, will begin at 9:50 p.m. July 4 and the park will be open until midnight. A shorter version of the fireworks can be seen every night all summer long at SeaWorld during Mystique de la Mer - June 19 through Labor Day - also featuring extended park hours, live music and nighttime animal shows.
     SeaWorld Adventure Camps feature one-of-a-kind, behind-the-scenes, hands-on interactions with amazing animals. Campers meet whales, feed dolphins, and interact with SeaWorld veterinarians, animal trainers and keepers. Camp sessions begin in June and run through Sept. 3. Prices range from $70 to $1,600. To book a reservation or learn more, visit www.seaworld.org or call 800.23.SHAMU.
     Also this summer, look for Club SeaWorld Presented by Pepsi, a concert program presenting up-and-coming and national musical acts, every Thursday night, July 8 through August 26 at the park's Main Gate Plaza.
     The 189-acre adventure park features more than 20,000 fascinating mammals, fishes, reptiles and birds including manatees at Manatee Rescue; killer whales including Shamu; and polar bears, beluga whales, arctic foxes and walruses at Wild Arctic. Other attractions include R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse, a 4-D movie based on the original story written by world-famous "Goosebumps" author R.L. Stine; Pets Rule! - a zany show where clever canines, curious cats and unpredictable pigs take charge and show humans who's the boss; Fools With Tools sea lion and otter show; Shipwreck Rapids; spectacular animal shows, interactive attractions, aquariums, rides and dining facilities. Purchase a Fun Card and return again and again to experience Journey To Atlantis, a splash-down ride and Commerson's dolphin habitat, and all that SeaWorld has to offer for one great price.