June gloom has hit us early in San Diego, but we still have a lot to share with you from SeaWorld.  The main entrance construction is rumbling along as the 50th anniversary of this seaside San Diego landmark gets closer and closer.  We then visit the still-in-existence freshwater aquarium and Shark Encounter.  And, of course, we’ll update you on all the major construction in the park as well as some Aquatica News.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central

Construction Central: Explorer’s Reef / The New Entrance

We begin this week with the biggest project in the park, the new entrance.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
All of the entrance buildings have been taken out, and by this time next year, a giant wave will be constructed here as our “portal” into Explorer’s Reef.
seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
New flags have been placed outside of the temporary entrance.
seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Here’s a look at all the dirt! Actually, you can see how vast the construction area is.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central

 

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Some buildings are still up in the former entrance, we don’t know if they are being re-purposed or removed.

 

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
The bakery, restrooms, and Shamu store are still open…for the time being…

 

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Walls have popped up on the path to Shamu Stadium. This area is also connected to the entrance complex.

Construction Central: Cirque 2013

The trampoline wall set has been completed and rehearsals should be starting very soon – if they aren’t already. The colors are bright and ready for show time.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
The rest of the set from afar.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central

Atlantis Improved

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
We didn’t mention this before, but a couple months ago, when Journey to Atlantis reopened from a lengthy refurbishment, it actually got a pretty decent refresh. They’ve added a soundtrack for the ride and have taken out the narration, a few new set pieces have been installed, and a new revamped scene has been added inside the tower. It needed it! We’ll bring you photos and video soon.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Walls have popped up behind Shamu Stadium. They seem to do this a couple times a year, so I don’t think we should expect much, if anything at all…

Construction Central: Madagascar Live

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Unlike our previous updates, we actually have something to talk about this week regarding Madagascar LIVE! construction.

 

First of all, work is being conducted on top of the theater.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Also, SeaWorld has posted a “teaser” for the upcoming show, which gives a hint as to what the show could be about…

It seems like the show could be about the characters going on vacation to SeaWorld San Diego. It may have nothing to do with that, but it’s just a guess coming from the teaser. I’m really hoping this show doesn’t disappoint.

50th Anniversary Talk

This week, we’ll be taking a look at some of the attractions around the park which could be upgraded or replaced for the 50th Anniversary next year.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
We begin with the tide pools and World of the Sea aquarium. I don’t think we’ll see anything with the tide pool, but the aquarium is in desperate need of a makeover.

 

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
We’ll be taking a look inside the aquarium in a future update.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Okay, you might be wondering why I put this show on the list since it’s coming back for another year (or maybe a couple years). I think it is clear that SeaWorld is working on something to put here but decided to continue the current show a while longer. Eventually, we should see something new, but it may or may not be in time for the 50th anniversary. I personally would like to see another acrobatic show. Change the name, change the set, add some effect, new acrobatics. Cirque – even though it’s getting some refresh each year has long since worn out its welcome.Time for something new-ish.
seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
A couple years ago, the SeaWorld Sky Tower was upgraded with modern machinery. Sadly, we haven’t seen the same thing done with these poor looking things! The SkyRide is a great ride and must be upgraded. Will we see this next year? I think we might have a good chance.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
The building is getting repainted…that’s a start…right?

 

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
WHAT? IT’S STILL HERE?!?!?!?!

Don’t expect anything to happen till the fall. I was thinking that it would be gone by now, but I think they’re waiting a couple months to work on all the new attractions and refreshes at the same time for the 50th.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Chomp chomp chomp

Okay, now we come to our focus: Shark Encounter. If there is any attraction dying for an upgrade (after the Penguin Encounter, of course) it’s this attraction. Let’s take a look inside.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Welcome to paradise in the 80s, where plastic trees and fake plants await you. Oh, but the sharks are real.
seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Awwwww…aren’t they cute?
seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Quick story: I remember when I was a little kid, I used to put my hand in this pool. And they didn’t bite. Now they have a sign saying not to put your hand in there.

 

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Okay, so after you finish the trail through paradise, you journey into the caves…

 

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Where you’ll find shark teeth in the rocks…

 

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
And then you get to the BEST part of the attraction and the real reason for the long queue – the underwater view on a moving sidewalk.

 

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Anybody have the Jaws theme playing in their heads right now?

 

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Kinda scary from down here…not so cute…

 

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
And this is the exit.
seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
After you exit, you’ll find yourself in the same plaza as Turtle Reef.
seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
By the way, those retail shops will be redeveloped along with the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Garden of Discovery.

 

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Nope…not going anywhere…but hopefully we’ll see Turtle Trek 360 added to the area one day.

 

Construction Central: Aquatica California

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
Here is where the flamingos will be as you float by in the lazy river.

The Aquatica Facebook page has uploaded some photos of construction for the water park formerly known as Knott’s Soak City.

seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
The food will be here.
seaworld san diego, SeaWorld San Diego is Construction Central
I’m hoping that they will significantly green up this park.

And that wraps it up for our dive into SeaWorld for this week. We’ll be back in a couple weeks for more SeaWorld San Diego and Aquatica California!

If you are looking for more SeaWorld info, please listen to our latest Unofficial SeaWorld Podcast:

What are you most looking forward to, Aquatica or the changes coming to SeaWorld San Diego?

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Joseph Thomas
Joseph Thomas writes many of the In the Parks articles relating to Sea World and the surrounding San Diego attractions for MiceChat. He is an avid theme park and roller coaster enthusiast centered in Southern California.