SeaWorld adds new show

‘One Ocean’ departs Dec. 31, while ‘Orca Encounter’ starts Jan. 1

SeaWorld Orlando will begin the new year by changing out its centerpiece killer-whale show, replacing “One Ocean” with “Orca Encounter,” the theme park has confirmed.

The final day for “One Ocean,” which debuted at the park in April 2011, will be Dec. 31. “Orca Encounter” will take over Jan. 1 at Shamu Stadium.

“Guests will learn about killer whales’ role in the ocean ecosystem, behaviors the animals exhibit in the wild, the importance of conservation to their habitat and animal welfare practices at SeaWorld,” Chris Dold, chief zoological officer at Orlando-based SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, said in a prepared statement.

“This educational presentation reflects our company’s mission to inspire people and protect the animals and wild wonders of our world through education, research, animal rescue and conservation,” he said.

The incoming show is “the continuing evolution” of SeaWorld shows, said Dennis Speigel, CEO of International Theme Park Services.

“They’ve got a new regime now, and I’m sure they’ve looked at this and studied it and said this will help put us back on track and this is the wave, literally, of the future,” he said.

Sergio Rivera took over as SeaWorld Parks CEO last month. That announcement coincided with third-quarter earnings for the company that showed nearly a 3 percent attendance drop for the quarter, some of which was attributed to the threat of Hurricane Dorian. Rivera replaced Gus Antorcha, who quit in September after seven months on the job.

The attractions industry con

tinues to build thrill rides, but there’s also growing interest in conservation aspects, Speigel said.

“There are a lot of areas particularly globally … that are looking at the natural, educational experiences more of the come and explain, show and tell,” he said.

“Orca Encounter” has been presented at SeaWorld San Diego for a few years. That production features several of their whales in the tank backed by images and graphics on a giant screen. The tone is educational, with facts presented by an unseen narrator as well as by SeaWorld trainers on the edge of the water.

Subjects include the physical attributes of the animals — including blowholes and dorsal fins and their uses — their hunting techniques and other behaviors.

“When they really want to be noticed, they breach,” the trainer announces right before one whale leaps straight up into the air.

While the animals and their behaviors are being explained, the whales go through some of the routines seen in “One Ocean,” including a goodbye wave at the end of the 23-minute show.

In the San Diego show, there is no mention of “Shamu,” a sort of stage name given to assorted SeaWorld killer whales. There is some crowd participation and the traditional drenching of audience members in the front rows.

The trainers also explain the medical care that SeaWorld provides and the interactions between team members and the orcas.

“One Ocean” revolved around a conservation theme. It was SeaWorld’s first show to be developed that did not include trainers in the water with the killer whales.

The changes came after the 2010 death of SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau, who was battered and drowned by a whale, and the safety review that followed. In 2013, the documentary “Blackfish” was critical of SeaWorld policies. PETA has pushed for the company to relocate its animals to coastal sanctuaries.