One of Orlando’s big 3 theme park giants is about to get bigger.

SeaWorld Orlando has announced plans to create two new attractions in 2012 and an entire new “land” with an Antarctic theme in 2013. The additions will mark the biggest expansion in SeaWorld’s history.

One new attraction, called TurtleTrek, will take guests on the life journey of a sea turtle. The attraction will include a pair or aquariums, one filled with manatees and the other filled with sea turtles. After passing through the aquariums, guests will enter a domed, 3-D theater where images of sea turtles will appear to swim around and above those guests.

A second new attraction will be Freshwater Oasis, an exciting new environment to be built at SeaWorld’s sister park, Discovery Cove. Guests can wade through a rainforest spring while small marmoset monkeys play in the surrounding canopy. Guests will then enter a faux sinkhole where they’ll have an opportunity to swim along with Asian river otters.

Each of the new attractions should be open by spring 2012. Meanwhile, SeaWorld also plans to open a completely new area of the park based on the continent of Antarctica. This area will replace the existing Penguin Plaza and allow guests to experience Antarctica through the eyes of a penguin.

It must be summer. Orlando’s theme parks are full of music and adventure!At SeaWorld Orlando, Saturday kicks off the start of “Summer Nights at SeaWorld.” Events include the return of the fun-filled killer whale show, Shamu Rocks plus the night-ending fireworks and water fountain show called Reflections. A new adventure for summer at SeaWorld is a family friendly party zone - Summer Nights Central - that stretches along the path to Bayside Stadium. The area will also feature live music on weekends from now thru August 14.

SeaWorld Orlando also offers extended hours for the summer with the park open until 10 pm.

At Universal Studios, the weekend brings another round of the park’s Summer Concert Series. Special guest Nelly takes the Universal stage at 9 pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile, at Disney World Resort, the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series featuring tribute bands continues at Epcot. Shows on June 17 and 18 feature Hotel California - A Tribute to the Eagles. Beginning Sunday, June 19 and lasting all week, the musical performances will be dedicated to Stayin’ Alive - A Tribute to the Bee Gees.

Epcot’s Sounds Like Summer concerts are held at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.

Concerts at all three theme parks are included with regular admission.

Listen as the familiar sounds of joyous Christmas carols fill the air. Delight to a sparkling sea of trees that light up the waterfront. Enjoy figure skaters as they gracefully dance across the ice. It’s all part of the amazing Christmas Celebration waiting for guests at SeaWorld Orlando.Of course, you can also journey to the North Pole aboard The Polar Express Experience, or simple marvel at the live animal shows featuring sea lions, dolphins and Shamu! You can share a moment with Elmo and the gang from Sesame Street. Or experience thrills galore on epic rides like Manta the flying ray.

For more on SeaWorld’s annual Christmas celebrations, visit http://www.seaworldorlando.com/. Or go to http://www.westgatereservations.com/ to get details on special discount Orlando accommodations and vacation packages.

Looking for some friendly Halloween fun? SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular features an underwater “fantasea” where children can trick-or-treat, dance with sea fairies and pumpkins fishes, and help Sesame Street’s Abby Cadabby search for her magic wand in Abby Cadabby’s Halloween Adventure.

It’s all part of the annual SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular that takes place at SeaWorld Orlando October 9-10, 16-17, 23-24 and 29-31. The Spooktacular celebration is included with regular park admission.

Abby Cadabby’s Halloween Adventure offers a brightly colored outdoor maze where children will find Abby at the end. There’s also plenty of trick-or-treating among 35 costumed sea creatures.

These special Halloween events begin at noon on the Spooktacular days.

Possible add-ons include Count Von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast, a buffet with photo opportunities with Sesame Street Characters, and SeaWorld’s Spooky Spectacular Sleepover, an overnight stay in the aquarium for the Manta roller coaster which includes a pizza dinner and breakfast.

For more information on SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular and other Orlando area Halloween adventures, visit http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/.

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular

Select Weekends – October 2009
October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 30, and 31
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Trick or Treat! Kids of all ages can catch the Halloween spirit by joining the pumpkin fishes, friendly sea witches, sea fairies and more than 30 other fanciful sea creatures during SeaWorld Orlando’s annual Halloween Spooktacular celebration. With more 2 million pieces of sweet treats being distributed, there will be plenty of goodies for everyone!

As an added treat, you can use your Spooktacular map to search for hidden treasures and sweets at more than a dozen different stations throughout the park.

Sesame Street fans will be delighted by The Count and other Sesame Street residents at Count Von Count’s Spooktacular character breakfast. Sing and dance along to the Halloween beats while enjoying a delicious breakfast buffet!

SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular discount Orlando vacations