SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, firm’s first abroad park, to debut in 2023 – Orlando Sentinel

SeaWorld’s first theme park exterior america, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, will open within the United Arab Emirates subsequent 12 months with six marine environments, 5 flooring of indoor sights and nil killer whales.

John Linn, SeaWorld’s vice chairman of worldwide theme park improvement, mentioned the park is the fruits of over 50 years of SeaWorld’s theme park expertise and can embody “all of the cool issues we needed to do this we by no means obtained the approval to.”

“We’re not going to should work very laborious in any respect to distinguish ourselves [from similar attractions],” Linn mentioned. “Frankly, the issue I’m going to have personally is easy methods to clarify to our board that this phenomenal product that we’ve within the Center East — why aren’t we doing that in america?”

Talking Monday on the Worldwide Affiliation of Amusement Parks and Points of interest’ expo in Orlando, Linn declined to disclose particulars on park content material however mentioned it would rank among the many world’s greatest aquariums and marine sights.

“Whereas I can’t give away any secrets and techniques, I can say with out hesitation that what we’re doing, what we’re going to ship on, goes to amaze all people,” he mentioned. “It’s going to be one thing completely different and one thing distinctive.”

Abu Dhabi developer Miral, which is partnering with Orlando-based SeaWorld Parks & Leisure on the venture, said in September that it had reached 90% building completion on the Yas Island improvement and anticipated to open it someday in 2023. SeaWorld CEO Marc Swanson lately confirmed that normal opening timeline in a Nov. 9 earnings call.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi was announced in 2016 with an preliminary goal opening date of 2022. When it opens, the park will embody one of many world’s largest aquariums, with over 6.6 million gallons of water and 68,000 marine animals, along with interactive reveals, rides and a conservation-focused analysis and rescue heart.

For the reason that park’s announcement, SeaWorld has mentioned the park won’t embody orcas, additionally called “killer whales” for their natural hunting patterns.

SeaWorld has labored to distance itself from its fraught previous involving orcas over the previous decade. Backlash surged after the 2013 documentary “Blackfish” used the story of SeaWorld Orlando orca Tilikum, who induced the deaths of three individuals including trainer Dawn Brancheau, to focus on the hardships of orcas living in captivity.

Lately, SeaWorld has ended its killer whale breeding program, phased out its entertainment-based orca shows and emphasised its longstanding give attention to marine life conservation.

“Though killer whales will not be a part of the theme park, we’ll provide alternatives to coach the group and lift consciousness about this inspiring creature alongside different marine life species,” SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s web site reads.

In an unsigned assertion, SeaWorld mentioned the park will embody the United Arab Emirates’ “first devoted marine life analysis, rescue, rehabilitation and return heart” that can focus on indigenous marine life ecosystems within the Persian Gulf and work to advance world conservation efforts.

Swanson mentioned the park “actually showcases what the following technology of SeaWorld could possibly be and shall be” because it expands SeaWorld’s model to a world viewers.

The park’s habitats shall be utterly indoors, one thing Linn mentioned he was initially “scared to dying” about because of the attraction’s give attention to the pure world. However Miral has helped the venture exceed expectations, he mentioned.

“I couldn’t be prouder as to how we executed it,” he mentioned.

One problem of the indoor setting was recreating pure lighting for its resident sea creatures. Linn mentioned SeaWorld’s groups created modern lighting know-how to imitate the complete spectrum of daylight.

“I can’t share numbers, however you may purchase a minor, perhaps even a serious attraction for the quantity that we invested on this venture and the lighting for our animals,” he mentioned.

Theme park companies have selected Abu Dhabi to develop their manufacturers in recent times. Warner Bros opened the world’s largest indoor theme park, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, there in 2018 and announced a Harry Potter-themed addition to the park this week.

SeaWorld has tried to develop into the Center Japanese nation since 2006, Linn mentioned. The corporate’s first try, the defunct Worlds of Discovery Dubai project, was canceled after the 2008 monetary disaster.

He mentioned SeaWorld additionally regarded to construct an attraction in China however finally, “the UAE actually felt like the best place for us,” he mentioned on the panel titled “The Way forward for Leisure & Leisure within the Center East, UAE and Abu Dhabi.”

That turned out to be a fortunate determination, Linn mentioned, as China’s “zero COVID” policies have closed theme parks similar to Shanghai Disney a number of occasions through the pandemic.

“I’m thrilled that we landed the place we did,” Linn mentioned. “I can’t think about having labored on a venture like this … anyplace however Abu Dhabi.”

The property simply scratches the floor of SeaWorld’s enlargement plans. As the corporate completes that venture, it’s already planning for future worldwide properties elsewhere, Swanson mentioned Nov. 9.

“We proceed to progress discussions associated to different worldwide alternatives and count on to have extra to share in coming quarters,” Swanson mentioned.

krice@orlandosentinel.com and @katievrice on Twitter