TAMPA, Fla. – Worlds of Discovery parks offer real, up-close, don’t-just-read-about-it…do-it experiences that create memories to last a lifetime. You can’t put a giraffe under the tree, but you can package the possibility. Worlds of Discovery offers gift cards for many of the unique experiences offered at the Florida parks.
Someone you love can swim with a dolphin. Your child can have an unforgettable summer experience of up-close encounters with animals. The dream of going on African safari can be realized.
Did you know that, according to industry reports, 40 percent of gifts are a disappointment for the recipient? That a whopping 78 percent of U.S. households expect to purchase at least one consumer electronics product as a gift this year? Gadgets, virtual experiences and material objects under the Christmas tree just create waste, and the newest and greatest electronics quickly need to be replaced. But how do you top a trip to Africa? A meal with a killer whale? You can’t. A full year admission to Worlds of Discovery parks is a possible 365 days of fun.
What will your true love give to you? Here’s hoping it’s the gift of a "real” experience.
Worlds of Discovery’s Twelve Days of Christmas Experiences
12 Months of Fun Card
The greatest value for adventure all year long is the 2009 Fun Card. For the cost of one day’s admission, Florida residents can enjoy unlimited visits to SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2009 without any blackout dates. With a Fun Card, guests also have unlimited access to an exciting lineup of special performances and signature events at both parks throughout the year, including Bud & BBQ, Viva La Musica, SeaWorld AfterDark and Busch Gardens Summer Nights.
11-pound Gentoo Penguin Encounter
Travel from pole to pole on the Penguin Spotlight Tour at SeaWorld, and get up close to a variety of penguin species, from Gentoos to Rockhoppers. You’ll go behind the scenes at Penguin Encounter to hear from animal care experts what it takes to care for these unique birds, then get the rare opportunity to take a picture with a puffin and interact with penguins. The new tour kicks off Jan. 1.
10 Days in Africa
Go on safari in Kenya, visiting many of the wildlife areas and research projects the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund supports. Learn how black rhinos are protected from poachers at Ol Pejeta; what research is helping elephants and people to co-exist in Samburu; and how the Fund is supporting local communities and children in Masai Mara to not only protect wildlife but better the lives of these future wildlife stewards. During the trip, you will have the opportunity to view such species as black rhinos, rare bongo antelope, chimpanzees, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards, elephants, buffalos, baboons and more. There is also the chance to go hot air ballooning and fishing. The expedition is Oct. 21 to 31, 2009. For more information, visit www.swbgconservationfund.org
9 Foot-Long Shark Encounter
Dive into the water at SeaWorld Orlando’s Shark Encounter and come in contact with the underwater predators – some more than nine feet long – on an amazing underwater two-hour encounter. Sharks Deep Dive sends you below the water in an authentic shark cage, where you’ll get so close you can touch them!
8th Graders through Pre-schoolers Can Experience an Unbelievable Summer
Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Day Camps offer fun, quality educational experiences that allow your child to make new friends, try new things and get hands-on experiences with the many aspects of the parks. Your child can focus on rides, animals or even baking! There’s something for all ages at Adventure Camp.
7 Coasters to Conquer during Busch Gardens’ Thrill Tour
Send your serious thrill seekers on an adrenaline-filled adventure through Busch Gardens as a coaster-crazed tour guide takes you to the front-of-the-line at all of Busch Gardens’ major rides. SheiKra takes you 200 feet up, then 90 degrees straight down. Challenge the dueling forces of Gwazi, or the 3.85 G-force of Montu – seven coasters in all.
6 White Rhinos
View the grazing creatures’ nighttime behaviors on a Serengeti Night Safari, a new experience offered at Busch Gardens. The two-hour nighttime experience allows you to view rhinos, reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra and other exotic African animals with night-vision monoculars. The excursion also includes a walking tour of Edge of Africa to view hippos, hyenas and lions by moonlight and a campfire experience featuring African stories. You’ll also enjoy appetizers and Anheuser-Busch beverages in the exclusive Safari Club, and a nightcap including dessert, coffee and tea, during this tour that begins after sunset. A daytime Serengeti Safari is also available for a different experience on the Serengeti Plain.
5 Parks in Florida to Enjoy
At SeaWorld, experience all the wonder of the sea, from world-famous Shamu to spectacular stage shows to animal encounters. Aquatica is the new waterpark only SeaWorld could create. The South Seas-inspired park features water attractions from serene to extreme. Discovery Cove rounds out a trio of immersive marine experiences in Orlando, offering the chance to snorkel with rays and swim with a bottlenose dolphin.
At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, discover Jungala, the park’s newest attraction that connects families with the jungles of the world through up-close animal interactions, multi-story family play areas, rides and live entertainment. Across the street, Adventure Island is 30 acres of water-drenched fun in the sun featuring the ultimate combination of high-speed thrills and tropical, tranquil surroundings for guests of all ages.
Pick two parks, pick three parks, pick all five parks! Whatever your interest, there’s a ticket package that can provide you all the world-class thrills of the Florida parks.
4 Meter-Long Beluga Whale
SeaWorld Orlando’s Beluga Interaction Program lets you get close enough to touch and interact with these enchanting and mysterious creatures of the sea. Learn the habits and lifestyles of these majestic animals, which average 3.4 to 4.6 meters (11.2 to 15.1 feet) for males and 3 to 4 meters (9.8 to 13.1 feet) for females.
3 Opportunities Each Day to Dine with Shamu
Enter through a behind-the-scenes entrance, enjoy your meal beside these massive mammals and — the highlight of the day — experience an interaction with the intelligent killer whales. The unique experience is offered three times a day, or opt for a special New Year’s Eve Dine with Shamu.
2 Endangered Species To Discover Behind the Scenes
The Heart of Jungala Tour at Busch Gardens takes you behind the scenes to visit endangered Bengal tigers and orangutans. Venture into their state-of-the-art facility and talk to the keepers who care for these animals during the 30-minute tour. A portion of the proceeds from this tour benefit the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.
1 Chance of a Lifetime to Swim with Dolphins
Make someone’s wish come true by giving them a Discovery Cove gift card, which you can buy online. Gift cards are available in denominations of $50, $100 and $300. In addition to interacting with dolphins, they can also snorkel among thousands of fish and rays, hand-feed exotic birds and relax on pristine beaches. Florida resident rates are available through Feb. 28, 2009 — a savings of $70 off regular admission. Book your dolphin encounter or purchase gift cards at DiscoveryCove.com.
Consumers can find more information about any of the animal encounters, tours, camps or experiences listed by visiting worldsofdiscovery.com or calling (888) 800-5447.
Media: For photos, videos or more information, contact Public Relations
at (813) 987-5090.
The Worlds of Discovery parks include SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio; Busch Gardens Africa and Adventure Island in Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Europe and Water Country USA in Williamsburg, Va.; Aquatica and Discovery Cove in Orlando; and Sesame Place near Philadelphia. Additionally, Busch Entertainment Corporation created the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, a non-profit, private charitable foundation committed to supporting wildlife and habitat conservation, research, education and animal rescue programs worldwide.