Busch Gardens Endangered Species Safari Now Includes Up-Close Cheetah Experience

Agile Cats Are Living Behind the Scenes Until
New Cheetah Run Habitat Opens Next Spring

Friday, Jan. 27, 2001 (Tampa, FL) – Guests who experience Busch Gardens’ popular Endangered Species Safari this spring will have the opportunity to meet some very special members of the adventure park’s animal collection.

Five cheetahs recently arrived at the park in accordance with the international cheetah Species Survival Plan. Next spring, Steelman, a 12-year-old male, Ngoma, a 10-year-old female, and littermates Jagati, Iraja and Juno – all born in October 2009 – will be part of Cheetah Run, the innovative new habitat opening alongside the Cheetah Hunt launch coaster that will bring guests face to face with these agile predators and teach them about cheetahs’ plight in the wild.

During the Endangered Species Safari encounter, guests will learn that while these five cats came from the White Oak Conservation Center in Jacksonville, FL, their wild cousins are highly endangered. There are less than 10,000 cheetahs left in the world, and repopulation is made difficult by low birth rates and many natural and man-made threats to their survival.

Busch Gardens’ zoo educators will also talk about the efforts of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, which has donated almost $100,000 to cheetah efforts in Africa since 2005 and also helps fund conservation programs for white rhinos, marine animals and many other species around the world.

The 45-minute Endangered Species Safari also includes up-close encounters with giraffes, zebra and rhinos on the 65-acre Serengeti Plain. The experience is $39.95 per person, plus tax, and park admission is required, but not included.

To book an Endangered Species Safari, click here or call 1-888-800-5447

Universal Orlando Resort Completes Its Nationally Renowned Mardi Gras Music Line-Up With The Roots

The “Legendary Roots Crew” Joins the Biggest Celebration Outside of New Orleans on March 19

Orlando, Fla. (January 28, 2011) – The Roots – one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s “twenty greatest live acts in the world” – will perform live at Universal Orlando Resort on March 19 as part of Mardi Gras.

The band is famous for its jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop, and currently performs on national television as the official house band of NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” The band is nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album for “Wake Up!,” their latest album done in collaboration with John Legend, and Best Rap Album for “How I Got Over.”

The Roots completes this year’s diverse concert line-up during Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration. Other headliners include Neon Trees, The B-52s and Pitbull. For a complete list of this year’s performers and dates, visit www.universalorlando.com/mardigras.

Universal Orlando will kick off the best party outside of The Big Easy on February 12, running every Saturday and select nights through April 23. In addition to top-name talent, the event features an authentic Mardi Gras parade, dozens of colorfully costumed performers, authentic Cajun cooking, and hand-picked New Orleans bands to capture the look, feel and fun of New Orleans – all inside Universal Studios Florida. Guests can enjoy the Mardi Gras event and great theme park entertainment for the price of regular admission.

SEAWORLD ORLANDO’S OFFICIAL HOTELS PROVIDE HOT DEALS FOR WINTER AND SPRING BREAKS

Book a SeaWorld Vacation Now and Eat Free All Day Add Aquatica or Busch Gardens Tampa for just $39

At a glance:

·         Staying at one of SeaWorld Orlando’s official hotels now provides unique & exclusive benefits

·         Booking a trip through SeaWorldVacations.com brings even more value, including free all-day dining deals

·         SeaWorldVacations.com is a one-stop shop for Orlando vacations

ORLANDO, FL (Winter, 2011) – Floridians are looking for a getaway and with spring break just around the corner, SeaWorld rolls out Orlando’s hottest, all-new vacation deals and values.

Staying at one of SeaWorld Orlando’s six official hotels now means more value than ever and the best deals in Orlando, including:

·                Early entry to SeaWorld on select days during peak seasons

·                Complimentary front-of-the-line access to SeaWorld’s thrill rides

·                Discounts on select food and gift purchases at SeaWorld and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark

·                Complimentary transportation to SeaWorld, Aquatica, Discovery Cove and Universal Orlando

·                Exclusive access to the SeaWorld Rescue Tour

No matter how they’ve booked their vacation, all guests staying at an official SeaWorld hotel will receive the exclusive benefits.  Families need only visit the hotel’s guest service desk – staffed by knowledgeable staff from Expedia Local Expert – to receive their privileges.

SeaWorld Orlando’s official hotels represent a broad spectrum of lodging types, from affordable “select service” brands, to full-service resorts and even fully furnished vacation villas.  Each of the six hotels will offer the exclusive benefits and each hotel is within walking distance of SeaWorld.

Looking for more information on the special benefits and SeaWorld’s official hotels or to book now?  SeaWorldVacations.com is the place.

There’s additional good news for families who want to have the most fun but still keep an eye on their expenses.  And Orlando vacation now can include value, convenience and maximum fun.

SeaWorldVacations.com is their one-stop vacation shop to book hotel rooms and purchase theme park tickets.

For a limited time only, each trip booked through SeaWorldVacations.com includes free all-day dining deals at SeaWorld and the opportunity to include admission to Aquatica and/or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for only $39 each.  Guests buying admission to those parks eat free all-day there, too.

SeaWorld Orlando immerses guests in the mysteries of the sea through up-close animal discoveries, amazing attractions and rides and unforgettable performances. Whether riding a flying manta ray –  on Orlando’s must-see roller coaster, Manta – getting drenched by Shamu, meeting dolphins, braving astounding thrill rides, counting the teeth on a shark or feeding seals and sea lions, vacation adventures become lifelong memories at SeaWorld.

Aquatica is Orlando’s one-of-a-kind waterpark that could only come from SeaWorld. Inspired by a whimsical take on the South Seas, Aquatica immerses guests in the playfulness of the sea, taking them in, over and under the water with the world’s most unique water rides and animal encounters. Aquatica mixes animal experiences, waters from serene to extreme, high speed waterslide thrills and wide, sandy beaches to create a day of non-stop fun.

For more information, go to SeaWorldVacations.com.

SeaWorld Orlando’s official hotels include:

Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld

§  http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcosr-renaissance-orlando-at-seaworld/

Doubletree by Hilton

§  http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/MCOSRDT-Doubletree-Resort-Orlando-International-Drive-Florida/index.do

Hilton Grand Vacations at SeaWorld

§  http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/ORLSWGV-Hilton-Grand-Vacations-Suites-at-SeaWorld-International-Center-Florida/index.do

Hilton Garden Inn at SeaWorld

§  http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=ORLSEGI

SpringHill Suites at SeaWorld

§  http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcoss-springhill-suites-orlando-at-seaworld/

Fairfield Inn at SeaWorld

§  http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcofw-fairfield-inn-and-suites-orlando-at-seaworld/

THIERRY COUP PROMOTED TO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CREATIVE STUDIO FOR UNIVERSAL PARKS AND RESORTS

ORLANDO, Fla. (January 27, 2011) – Thierry Coup has been named Senior Vice President of the Creative Studio at Universal Creative, the planning and development division of Universal Parks and Resorts. In his new role, Coup leads the creative development activities for upcoming attractions at all of Universal’s theme parks world-wide.

Coup began his career with Universal Creative more than 10 years ago and has played an integral part in shaping the award-winning rides and attractions at Universal’s theme parks ever since. His work in creative theme park development has taken him around the world to Japan, Shanghai, Hollywood, Paris and to Universal Orlando Resort, where he served as Creative Director for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the most innovative theme park ride ever — Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Additional attractions to his credit include, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Shrek 4D, The Revenge of the Mummy and King Kong 360 3-D. Currently, Coup is leading the creative team developing the new Transformers attraction for Universal’s theme parks in Hollywood, Calif., and Singapore.

“Thierry has a tremendous reputation of delivering unparalleled attractions and experiences for our guests,” said Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative. “He is an industry leader and continues to bring strength to our team with his creativity and vision.”

Prior to his work in theme park and attraction development, Coup worked in the film and TV commercial industries, creating visual effects and stop-motion animation for movies ranging from the Oscar-winning “Total Recall,” to “Gremlins” and TV commercials for many of the world’s iconic brands.

VIDEO NEWS RELEASE SAN DIEGO ZOO WELCOMES BIRTH OF BABY HIPPO

Tears and cheers erupt among Zoo guests watching as birth happens before their eyes

     A bouncing, baby hippo was born today (Wednesday, January 26, 2011) at the San Diego Zoo in front of about a hundred Zoo guests. Two okapis from the adjacent exhibit also strained to watch the event through a fence. The crowd had gathered during the two-hour labor of mother Funani.  At 11:30 a.m., Funani backed into the pool in her enclosure and soon a baby hippo, known as a calf, popped up in the water beside her.
     The crowd that had been urging her to "Push! Push!" gasped and cheered. Tears poured from the eyes of Karen Grupe, a visitor from Wisconsin. Her husband, Keith Grupe, said the family, which included three children, had waited an hour at the exhibit for this moment.
     "You saw her (Funani) fidgeting and fidgeting and all the sudden there was a baby in the water with her," he said. "It's the coolest thing you could ever see."
     His daughter, 10-year-old Rachel Grupe, gasped: "I cant wait to go home and tell my friends I saw a hippopotamus born!"
     The birth is something San Diego Zoo keepers have been hoping for. Two years ago, male hippo Otis, 36, came from the Los Angeles Zoo to meet Funani, 26, at the San Diego Zoo.  There were fireworks right away as the Hollywood hippo and Funani, who had been in the exhibit for more than a decade, struggled for dominance. But after a cooling-off period and re-introduction, they became an affectionate couple. Otis recently garnered national attention when a photo of him "smiling" went viral.
     Keepers began to see breeding between the two in April 2010. Typically, a hippo's gestation period lasts 8 months. Otis was taken off exhibit a few weeks ago because he has not fathered a calf at the San Diego Zoo and keepers did not know how he would react to a newborn. Funani is an experienced mother who had three babies with Jabba, the previous male hippo in the exhibit. Otis came to the Zoo in hopes of diversifying the hippo population.
     "Since June 2010, Funani has gained about 300 pounds," said Matt Akel, a San Diego Zoo animal care supervisor. At this point, the calf has not been named, keepers do not know its sex, and there are no plans for whether it will stay at the Zoo after it is weaned or be moved to another zoo for breeding purposes.
     The hippopotamus is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, known as the IUCN. The primary threats to hippos are illegal and unregulated hunting for meat and ivory (found in the canine teeth) and habitat loss. Hippos can still be found in a number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
     The 100-acre San Diego Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats. The organization focuses on conservation and research work around the globe, educates millions of individuals a year about wildlife and maintains accredited horticultural, animal, library and photo collections.  The Zoo also manages the 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo Safari Park (historically referred to as the Wild Animal Park), which includes a 900-acre native species reserve, and the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research.  The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.

SEAWORLD ANNOUNCES INTERACTIVE SEA TURTLE ATTRACTION FOR SUMMER 2011

Come summer 2011, SeaWorld San Diego is going to the sea turtles!  A new attraction called Turtle Reef will allow guests to get an up-close look at more than 60 threatened or endangered sea turtles here in the marine-life park, as well as learn more about the threats sea turtles face in the wild.  In addition, it will feature thousands of tropical fish, and a new ride that takes passengers on an exciting rescue mission of their own.  SeaWorld broke ground for Turtle Reef in November 2010 and construction is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2011.

The focal point of Turtle Reef will be a nearly 300,000-gallon aquarium featuring adult Hawksbill and green sea turtles — some more than 50 years old — as well as younger green sea turtles that hatched at SeaWorld in 2009. 

“We are thrilled to feature these amazing creatures, some of which are endangered species,” said Thad Dirksen, the park’s curator of fishes.  “And our hatchlings are a testament to our stellar husbandry practices and ability to design habitats that allow animals to thrive.”

As guests make their way through Turtle Reef, they will take a journey through the life cycle of sea turtles, learning about where they live, how they nest, what they eat and what threats they face.  The total immersive experience also will include a game called Race for the Beach, and a touch screen map, Turtlelink, where guests can learn about sea turtle tracking and SeaWorld’s rescue efforts and conservation.  Riptide Rescue, a new ride just outside the aquarium, will spin passengers in boats on a rescue mission of their own.

The new sea turtle attraction will also illustrate how trash and pollution can affect the species, with two cylindrically-shaped aquariums:  one with jellyfish and one with trash that can be mistaken for food.  This exhibit will help illustrate how sea turtles often confuse trash for food and can die after ingesting these items.

“I think it’s important that our guests can learn that they too can play a role in keeping trash and pollution out of the sea turtles’ ocean environment,” said Dirksen. 

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a portfolio company of The Blackstone Group (NYSE:BX), operates 10 parks across the U.S., including SeaWorld parks in San Diego, San Antonio and Orlando, Fla.; Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Fla. and Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove and Aquatica in Orlando; Sesame Place near Philadelphia, Pa.; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg. 

The 10 parks play host to 23 million guests each year and employ 20,000 people nationwide.  To learn more, visit www.seaworldparksandentertainment.com or call toll-free (888) 800-5447.  Additionally, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment created the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, a non-profit, private charitable foundation committed to supporting wildlife and habitat conservation, research, education and animal rescue programs worldwide.  Learn more at www.swbg-conservationfund.org.

FROM ANAHEIM TO ADVENTURE: SEAWORLD AND GRAY LINE OFFER FREE RIDE

SAN DIEGO (Jan. 26, 2011) -- SeaWorld San Diego and Southern California Gray Line have teamed up to make a trip to the marine-life park more convenient and more affordable than ever.  Back by popular demand, this incredible offer allows passengers to take advantage of free round-trip transportation from Anaheim to SeaWorld San Diego.  Once at the park, they’ll experience a whole world of discovery, including the world-famous killer whale Shamu, the park’s newest dolphin show “Blue Horizons,” the hilarious “Sea Lions LIVE” comedy, and dozens of other shows, exhibits, rides and attractions. 

 Free transportation service is provided to guests who purchase a full-priced admission ticket to SeaWorld San Diego directly through Southern California Gray Line or companies who work directly with Southern California Gray Line.  The offer allows guests to board a Gray Line coach, departing from various Anaheim-area hotels daily starting at 9 a.m., and travel to SeaWorld.  The schedule of return trips to the hotels varies according to SeaWorld park hours.  

 “By partnering with Southern California Gray Line, we’re providing our guests with an incredible value and convenience,” says SeaWorld San Diego Vice President of Marketing Marilyn Hannes.  “And with all the exciting attractions we have in store for 2011, we know that families visiting Southern California won’t want to miss a trip to SeaWorld.”

    This year, SeaWorld will unveil an exciting and interactive attraction that will allow guests to get an up-close look at more than 60 threatened or endangered sea turtles in the marine-life park, as well as learn more about the threats turtles face in the wild.  Turtle Reef — also featuring thousands of tropical fish, interactive games and maps and a new ride— is scheduled to open summer 2011.    
The Southern California Gray Line transportation via motor coach bus is included with full-priced single-day admission to SeaWorld ($69.99 for ages 10 and older; $61.99 for ages 3–9).  To make reservations, passengers can contact their travel provider, check with their hotel staff, visit www.seaworldsandiego.com, or call (800) 828-6699 or visit www.graylineanaheim.com.

Southern California Gray Line offers the most complete selection of transportation services available.  With over 20 years of safe, reliable and friendly service, Gray Line offers a variety of unique and affordable sightseeing tours, attraction shuttles and group charter packages.  Tours depart daily from the Gray Line Anaheim Tour Center and are narrated by professional driver guides.  Other services include the Disneyland Resort Express service which offers direct service between Los Angeles International Airport and Orange County’s John Wayne Airport to the Anaheim Resort.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a portfolio company of The Blackstone Group (NYSE:BX), operates 10 parks across the U.S., including SeaWorld parks in San Diego, San Antonio and Orlando, Fla.; Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Fla. and Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove and Aquatica in Orlando; Sesame Place near Philadelphia, Pa.; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg. 

The 10 parks play host to 23 million guests each year and employ 20,000 people nationwide.  To learn more, visit www.seaworldparksandentertainment.com or call toll-free (888) 800-5447.  Additionally, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment created the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, a non-profit, private charitable foundation committed to supporting wildlife and habitat conservation, research, education and animal rescue programs worldwide.  Learn more at www.swbg-conservationfund.org.