SeaWorld Orlando suffered some major operational complications yesterday.
First opened in 1973 as a marine-themed park focused on animal exhibits and live shows, SeaWorld Orlando quickly became a major player in Florida’s theme park scene. Known for its orca and dolphin performances, the park blended education with entertainment, offering up-close encounters with marine life. Over the years, it expanded into a full-fledged theme park, adding roller coasters and immersive attractions while still maintaining its focus on ocean conservation and wildlife rescue efforts.
In recent years, SeaWorld has faced ongoing controversy, largely stemming from backlash against its use of orcas for entertainment. The documentary Blackfish (2013) kickstarted a more negative public sentiment toward keeping killer whales in captivity, impacting attendance and ultimately leading to the end of SeaWorld’s orca breeding program. This backlash continues even years later, with a former trainer alleging in the summer of 2024 that animal care quality had declined at the park and that it was “bullying” its employees.
To shift its image and attract thrill-seekers, SeaWorld has leaned heavily into high-intensity roller coasters. The park has introduced major rides like Mako, a hypercoaster with towering drops and high speeds, and Ice Breaker, a launch coaster with a beyond-vertical spike. Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, added in 2023, introduced a standing coaster concept to Florida. These additions have helped redefine SeaWorld as a destination for adrenaline junkies, balancing marine exhibits with its burgeoning reputation as the “Coaster Capital of Orlando.”
SeaWorld Orlando Goes Dark
Yesterday, however, SeaWorld Orlando’s many attractions hit a major snag.
As per WESH 2, a power outage impacted portions of SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando (SeaWorld’s Florida water park), and Discovery Cove (its neighboring park where guests can interact with marine animals, such as bottlenose dolphins) in the afternoon of March 18.
While it’s not totally clear which sections of each park were affected, guests reported that the rides in Sesame Street Land were out of action, while performances of Orca Encounter: Killer Whale Presentation were canceled. There were apparently also issues with making payments within the park.
The good news is that everything was back up and running later on in the day. A spokesperson for SeaWorld gave an update to WESH 2, confirming that power was restored at all three parks and that they remained open to all guests until their regular closing times.
“The safety of our team members, guests, and animals is always our number one priority,” SeaWorld Orlando said. “Guests should visit the parks’ websites or apps for updates on attraction and show schedules.”
Past Incidents at SeaWorld
This isn’t the first time a power outage has impacted operations at a SeaWorld theme park.
In 2014, a power outage at SeaWorld San Diego famously left 46 guests stranded 220 feet in the air on the park’s 320-foot-high SkyTower. The attraction came to an abrupt stop, forcing maintenance crews to work for four hours to resolve the issue.
“We didn’t know if and when we were getting down or if we should be worried for our safety, given that this thing could or could not snap,” one passenger told NBC.
According to a statement from the park, “The guests were never in danger and park officials were in constant communication with them while the power failure was being addressed. Two SeaWorld employees were also in the SkyTower providing guests with water and snacks.”
Were you affected by the power outages at SeaWorld Orlando yesterday?
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