Archive for February, 2009

The energy was almost a pulse in the room, just absolutely contagious. I walked into the Boardwalk Event Center at SeaWorld San Antonio to a thumping beat, down a dark hallway until entering to see a changed room. Changed not by decorations, but by the sheer fun and excitement flowing from every team member.

It was my first SeaWorld San Antonio Rides Rally and I was just blown away. I expected to have fun, how can you be around some of the most enthusiastic team members at the park and not crack a smile? But I wasn’t prepared for the sheer exuberance from this group. The Rides Rally is an event hosted by the managers of SeaWorld San Antonio’s Ride Operations Department. Imagine combining a pep rally, congratulations for passing training, reminders while in the park working with guests with a dance contest and you might have something close to this extravaganza. Each ride was represented by hand-painted T-shirts the team members working it wore. Rio Loco team sported navy blue, the Great White team was decked out in black, you get the picture.

The team members started the rally with a Fan Tunnel that would have made ANY sports team proud. Throughout the entire event, chants and cheers broke out from each ride, sometimes so loud my ears hurt. As an honorary rides team member, I got to cheer along with the rest. I even presented the Steel Eel team with their plaque commemorating their winning of the 2008 SeaWorld Coaster Challenge.

I was just so amazed that even though each ride had an individual team and will compete against the other rides for guest comments throughout the season, all the team members understood that they were just part of the whole Ride Operations department. This is an incredibly delicate balance to achieve in any work setting. The ability to walk the tightrope between representing the smaller, individual, competing ride teams and then coming together as a cohesive, whole department with such young and new team members is a great credit to their leadership. Later this week, I’ll post pictures from this almost indescribable event.

Only 3 more days to go until the Rides Team gets to strut their stuff for the public. We can’t wait!

Today we launched our new Fun Card program at SeaWorld San Antonio by donating 1,000 Fun Cards to the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio. I think it’s cool that the kids receiving these cards will get to enjoy SeaWorld San Antonio, some of whom might not normally come out to the park otherwise. I loved SeaWorld San Antonio as a kid. Let’s face it, I still love coming to the park, even on my days off.

I hope our new Fun Card will allow even more people to take advantage of everything you can do at SeaWorld. Fun Card gives SeaWorld San Antonio guests unlimited admissions until the end of the year for the price of a single day ticket. Meaning more coaster rides, more shows and more fun for less cost. We’re also introducing a few other surprises for 2009. Just see what our general manager had to say at our Fun Card Launch:

Just remember 9 days until park opening, and counting… I can’t wait!

One of the things I love about working at SeaWorld San Antonio is getting to learn about all of the new happenings at not only my park, but also at our sister parks. I’ve been excited about this addition since we heard mention of the coaster last spring.

Being strapped into a seat on SeaWorld San Antonio’s Great White is thrilling enough, but I can’t even imagine what it will be like getting on SeaWorld Orlando’s newest creation Manta, a “flying coaster.” Named after the largest species of ray in the world, guests will get to become part of a manta ray on this coaster. Inspired by the underwater flight of these beautiful animals, you will be buckled underneath the belly of a coaster train shaped as the giant manta. Guests will fly face-down in a horizontal position on this ray-shaped ride.

Check out the latest, exclusive video from our sister park, SeaWorld Orlando:

WOW! I can’t wait until I get the chance to ride this amazing addition to SeaWorld Orlando. Manta opens on May 22. Stay tuned for interesting Manta facts. Until then, have fun and keep riding!

Countdowns are everywhere! Many people countdown to their birthdays (mine’s in
three months) and some even countdown to their favorite holidays. Valentine’s
Day, for example, is only eight days away. NASA counts down the shuttle
launches, teenagers count the days until Spring Break.

The most important countdown of my year has begun…

22 days and counting!

Only 22 days to get everything ready. Only 22 days to make this place shine.
Only 22 days until our guests get to come back and spend another year making
memories at SeaWorld San Antonio. Everyone at SeaWorld is gearing up for this
year. Paths are being pressure-washed. SeaWorld mechanics are finishing their
work on the Steel Eel and Great White, two of our biggest rides in the park.
Training for our rides team members is beginning. It’s Spring fever in February
here at the park, all in preparation to go into operation on February 28,
SeaWorld San Antonio’s opening day. Each day the number get’s smaller. Each
day brings us closer to the kick-off of the season.

Just remember, 22 days and counting…