The August heat has caught up with SeaWorld San Diego. But we’ve found a few ways to beat the heat. And while we’re at it, we’ll show you a few little bits of news from the park as well. We think you’ll agree, it’s pretty cool.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

Coca-Cola Swelter Stopper

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

We’ve been seeing Coca-Cola almost everywhere in the park since it replaced Pepsi as sponsor. Now, Coke has parked a bus just outside the park which is called the “Coca-Cola Swelter Stopper”.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

Before entering the bus, we guessed – and hoped – it would be a Coca-Cold Happiness truck – just like this one…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVap-ZxSDeE . However, this differs greatly.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

Inside, a DJ throws down a few tracks while guests mingle…in air conditioning!

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

And most importantly, guests can sip on free samples of ICE cold Cokes! Hits the spot on a hot summer day.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

Guests can also play the latest Xbox games and watch the Olympics – since Coca-Cola is sponsoring the London games.

Wild Arctic

There’s another ice cold spot at SeaWorld San Diego, Wild Arctic.

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This is much more than an attraction. It’s a fully themed experience.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

Wild Arctic is one of the older SeaWorld attractions. It opened in the early nineties, yet it is still one of the more popular attractions in the park.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

When entering, guests are given the option of traveling to the Wild Arctic by helicopter or by foot. If you travel by foot, there is no wait time for you, and you’ll walk right into the animal attraction just beyond. However, if you travel by helicopter, you’ll (normally) have to wait in line a bit before you can hop a ride.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

We’ll be traveling by helicopter today…hope you don’t mind…it might be a bumpy ride.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

Upon entering the show building, we line up in a small pre-show area.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

Here, we see a quick video which sets up the ride and let’s us know the safety instructions.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

When the video ends, the ride doors open, and we enter the passenger seating area in the helicopter.

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If you haven’t gotten it yet, you’re not actually riding a motion simulator in the style of Star Tours.

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Remember the old version of Star Tours at Disneyland? There’s a scene in this ride where you enter a glacier which will give you flashbacks.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

It’s not spectacular as a stand alone attraction, but it’s really just the first act which sets the stage for the real star of Wild Arctic . . . the animals!

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

After you leave the ride, you find yourself in a research station in the Arctic.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

Guests witness the great and powerful Beluga whale, however because they are usually underwater, you’ll want to travel along and catch a better glimpse of them further along the path to catch a better view.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

The next set of windows feature some cute but deadly giants.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

THE POLAR BEAR…isn’t he cuuuuuutttee?

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This is normally how it is. You’ll be very lucky if you see them (and by “them” I mean more than one) walking and interacting with different things, or better yet, swimming around in their pool.

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Just past the Polar Bears, you travel through an icy cave…

…with real, wet ice…

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SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

…which leads you to the great and powerful walrus!

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As you walk down another ramp, you’re on your way to the underwater viewing areas.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

But before you get there, you must (well you don’t really have to) walk through…

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THE POLAR BEAR DENS!!! Well it’s more for little kids, but it’s a small “cave” that you walk through and a huge roar will suddenly ring out and scare everybody. BOO, Polar Bear is going to eat you. Enjoy that kids? We thought so.  😉

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And then, you reach the underwater viewing areas…

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Where you can reunite with our graceful friends, the Beluga whale.

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Of course, like any good themed attraction, the grand finale is … a gift shop.

It may be old, but Wild Arctic is a fantastically themed series of attractions and exhibits. This is the sort experience that any theme park would be proud to offer guests. This park needs more attractions on this scale.

CIRQUE DE LA MER TAKES A FINAL BOW

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

SeaWorld recently announced on their Facebook page that after a twelve year run, Cirque will take it’s final bow on Sunday, August 12. While I was predicting that it would be closing sooner rather than later, I didn’t think it would be this soon – especially with all the new additions this year. So, here is a final look.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

My favorite addition this year was the trampoline act. It was so well done and I am sad to see it go.

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

If you haven’t seen it yet, here is a look…

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

 

SeaWorld, SeaWorld San Diego Swelters

Like I said earlier, Cirque will take its final bow on Sunday, August 12. If you’re at the park, make sure you stop by.

SeaWorld hasn’t announced what the new show will be next year, however it did say that it will be “exciting”. There are countless possibilities for different shows to go here. What do you think SeaWorld will do next?

 

 

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.