Pre IAAPA 2008: A Whale's Tale, 11/16/08

Arrived at Sea World Orlando, my favorite themer, about 1030am. Figuredout the Sesame Place platinum pass got us preferred parking, right nextto the $25 valet. Please, can we stop the construction some day.

Straight to Believe at Shamu stadium. Great show, suprisingly no boo'swhen Auggie the 4th came on. But, the real reason, it was a great show.To see 3 whales at once is like the old days, Sea World Ohio days whenthey peaked. They use about 5 different whales today, including ayounger whale. I love seeing the guests get drenched. How can theysuprised?

The Polar Express Experience was much better than the movie itself, butwell themed, and well placed in a holiday setting. Santa was on handnext to the ploar bears to greet guests, both young and old. 8/10. Afree trip on the sky tower, again, with the platinum pass, affordedbeautiful clear views and Aquatica, and the surroundings. 8/10.

Then to a superb lunch at Shark's Grill. This is THE place to eat. Offto the Dolphin Show, same as a few years ago. Much more enjoyable thistime. I think I saw a turkey buzzard go by. Maybe not. Then fed thedolphins, stingrays, and penguin encounter. Finally the Sea Lion andOtter show. Many errors, which adds to the personality. RIP Seymorefrom Ohio.

Then to Kracken. Q-ed up for the 2nd row, then snuck in the first whenonly 3 stacked in. 2 trains running, but not the A team for a crew.They will need to step it up when Manta opens. Still a very good ride.9/10. Then the long walk to Shamu Express, and it was good. Again, alack of general supervision, 6/10. Overall 9.5/10.

SWO is one of my favorite theme parks as well. However, I was very disappointed by the Believe show, although the show was brand new last time we visited and may have been improved since then. I didn't like how the show tried to appeal to people's emotional side, it seemed completely unnecessary. Why does there have to be an emotional reason behind a whale show?

I freely admit I'm a sucker for the heartstring thing, but I liked SWSA's version of Believe. I don't mind adding a bit of an emotional pull to the show.

Rob Ascough said:Why does there have to be an emotional reason behind a whale show?

If it makes people think just a little bit more about the environment and our impact on it, then I say all the better. Then again, I stand with Al Gore, so maybe I'm not entirely representative. ;)

I'm not against a show that tugs on the heartstrings, nor am I against anything that increases awareness of environmental issues. It just seemed to me that Believe tried too hard. I remember some crap about how the trainers had these dreams of working with whales when they were kids and it really had nothing to do with the show. If you're going to exploit emotions, why not say more about the whales and the troubles they have in the natural habitats instead of trying to make the trainers out to be some sort of fabricated heroes?

We have a problem with a show titled "Believe" telling a story of trainers dreaming of working with whales as children and seeing that dream come true?

In a show called Believe. :)

I've never seen it, but as someone who hasn't, that's exactly the kind of schmaltz I'd expect considering the name of the show.

I was just disappointed we didn't get to see Cher in her 1,000,000th costume - a Bob Mackie-designed skintight whale trainer's outfit. Now that I could "Believe". :)

Ooh! Does Cher get to ride the whale?

Guys, I try to write a nice story about SWO, and you want to see Cher in a skintight outfit riding Bette Midler on stage. I am always up for a Vegas run, but count me out of that one.

Lord Gonchar said:
In a show called Believe. :)

I've never seen it, but as someone who hasn't, that's exactly the kind of schmaltz I'd expect considering the name of the show.

Good point, but like most people, I go to Sea World to see marine life, not be told the stories of why people decided to get into that line of work.