Discovery Cove plans new saltwater reef attraction in Orlando

by Leigh Caldwell on

SeaWorld Orlando’s Discovery Cove is known as the place where you can swim with the dolphins, but starting in 2011, visitors will be able to swim among sharks, tropical fish and other sea life, as well.

The theme park has not made an official announcement about the reef, but it did confirm the project to the Orlando Business Journal.

The 875,000-gallon saltwater reef project will also include a nature trail, so that visitors can interact with sea life while on dry land, too. Construction permits show that material costs for the project have already exceeded $17 million.

Discovery Cove’s marquee experience is semi-private time to swim and interact with a dolphin. In addition, the Orlando, Florida, park offers an aviary, beaches, a tropical reef and a lazy river.

The price tag for a day at Discovery Cove starts at $199, and all tickets are all-inclusive, which means all your food and drink and other amenities, such as towels, lockers, sunscreen, snorkeling equipment and parking are included.

Only 1,000 guests per day are allowed in Discovery Cove, so it’s essential that you make a reservation in advance.

Disney Hawaii hotel to start accepting reservations for August 2011

by Melanie Nayer on

Ready to trade in palm trees for orchid leis? If Orlando is getting stale, but you still want the magic of Walt Disney, it’s time to start thinking ahead to Hawaii. Word on the Disney blog is that Disney plans to begin accepting reservations for its new Hawaii resort hotel in a few weeks.

Reservations for The Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawaii, will begin on Aug. 2. The resort is scheduled to open about a year later, on Aug. 29, 2011.

The resort will feature 21 acres of oceanfront property near historical sites and will be the first Disney hotel that’s not next to a theme park. Book one of the 360 hotel rooms or 481 two-bedroom suites, and hang 10 with Mickey & his friends on the west side of Oahu.

This first Disney Hawaii hotel will be at Ko Olina Resort & Marina and near a Marriott hotel and other resorts and condominiums. For more information and to book reservations, visit the resort’s Web site: www.DisneyAulani.com

Holiday World owner Will Koch dies suddenly

by Leigh Caldwell on

Theme park fans and the attractions industry are mourning the death of Holiday World owner and president Will Koch.

Koch died suddenly at his home Sunday night. He was 48.

“Will was not only our leader, he was our dear friend,” park spokeswoman Paula Werne said in a statement. “Our park family is in mourning for this sweet man who worked tirelessly to bring fun and happiness to so many families in the 20 years he ran the park.”

Koch’s family attributed his death to complications from Type 1 diabetes. Koch had been diagnosed with the disease in college, and he worked to raise money for diabetes research.

I visited Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, last fall. I was touched by the people who worked there, and their appreciation for their colleagues and the history of Holiday World. One visit had me convinced that Holiday World truly deserved the multiple industry awards it has won for cleanest park and friendliest staff.

Koch, the grandson of park founder Louis J. Koch, was known internationally as a leader in the attractions industry. He oversaw the addition of the Splashin’ Safari water park in 1993 and numerous roller coasters.

“Will and the Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari team championed industry innovations such as offering free soft drinks, free sunscreen, and free parking for guests,” said Charles Bray, president and CEO of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

“We’ve lost a true industry pioneer and friend in Will Koch.”

Holiday World remains open for business. Park officials say the theme park will remain under the ownership and leadership of the Koch family.

Alabama Adventure theme park offers Father’s Day deal: $50 per carload

by Leigh Caldwell on

It’s one week until Father’s Day. Have you made plans with your dad?

The folks at Alabama Adventure near Birmingham suggest a day at the theme park. After all, what says, “I love you, Dad” more than screaming in his ear during a ride on the Rampage wooden roller coaster or digging your fingernails in his arm while being catapulted 185 feet in the air on the Space Shot?

Next Sunday, June 20, Alabama Adventure is offering a great deal for dad’s day: $50 admission for a carload. Now, they’re limiting that “carload” to six people, so don’t even think about sneaking the neighbor kids in in your trunk.

Still, that works out to $8.33 per person — less than a trip to the movies and way less than the general admission price of $29.99.

Alabama Adventure will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Father’s Day.

Dutch theme park in Japan plans to add a casino to boost visitor numbers

by Scott Carmichael on

When the Japanese city of Nagasaki wanted to honor their historic relationship with the Netherlands, they decided that a monument was just not going to be enough – so they built an entire Dutch city.

The Huis Ten Bosch theme park opened its gates in 1992 – and it has never turned a profit. Initially, the builders expected up to one million international visitors a year. Sadly, much to their surprise, international visitors preferred to visit the real country over a mock one.

In March, Japanese travel agency H.I.S. took over from the previous owners of Huis Ten Bosch, and hope to revive the park. Part of their plan is to add a casino and an outlet mall – because looking at old buildings was clearly not enough of a draw.

The first steps to raising visitor numbers were probably more effective than anything else – they slashed ticket prices and added more attractions.

Still, if you ask me, the best way to see The Netherlands is to actually visit The Netherlands.

(Photo from Flickr: Joone4u)