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SeaWorld Aims for June Opening of Waterpark

Construction workers are busily transforming a portion of Chula Vista into something resembling an island beach resort, as the parent of SeaWorld San Diego aims for a June 1 opening of its Aquatica San Diego waterpark.

“The general theme is akin to a lush tropical island, something with the feel of a South Seas type of setting,” said David Cromwell, a vice president with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in charge of the new Aquatica.

Florida-based SeaWorld acquired the former Knott’s Soak City San Diego from Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. in late 2012. It will be the company’s third park to operate under its Aquatica SeaWorld’s Waterpark brand, after prior openings in Orlando and San Antonio.

Strong Customer Response

Cromwell said the concept has garnered strong customer response since its 2008 debut in Orlando, but the company does not report exact attendance figures for its individual parks. SeaWorld officials have said in the past that the Orlando location draws approximately 1.5 million guests annually.

The Chula Vista park will operate on a seasonal basis, similar to Knott’s Soak City, from late spring through early fall. Cromwell said the local park will employ approximately 450 full- and part-time workers.

SeaWorld is not divulging financial terms of its acquisition or renovations in Chula Vista, but extensive changes are in progress to bring the park in line with elements of its other Aquatica locations.

The park is touting at least 11 rides and attractions, including Big Surf Shores, a wave pool with more than 500,000 gallons of water and a large sandy beach; and HooRoo Run, featuring two enclosed and two open-air slides taking riders down an 80-foot descent.

Also on tap is Loggerhead Lane, a tropical-themed attraction with a winding 1,250-foot-long “lazy river” and an up-close view of more than a dozen Caribbean flamingos. Operators say the flamingos will parade across the park twice a day.

Keeping with SeaWorld’s animal education programs, there will also be a habitat with several species of fresh-water turtles, in an exhibit featuring under- and above-water viewing. Lounge chairs with shaded seating for relaxation are being placed throughout the waterpark, with personal cabanas available poolside at Big Surf Shores.

SeaWorld San Diego spokesman David Koontz said the Mission Bay theme park is already partnering with the new attraction on various cross-promotion and marketing efforts. Aquatica has been incorporated into local and statewide tourism promotion programs.

Global Marketing

Koontz said SeaWorld’s longtime affiliation with Visit California, the state’s main tourism promotion agency, is likely to bring a strong contingent of international visitors to the new waterpark. State efforts have recently been especially effective at boosting visits to the Mission Bay park by visitors from Asian countries.

“Visit California has been very active in marketing California attractions globally, especially in the Pacific Rim,” Koontz said.

Aquatica San Diego is located at 2052 Entertainment Circle, off Otay Valley Road. The Chula Vista acquisition followed a series of recent multimillion-dollar investments at SeaWorld San Diego, including the Manta roller coaster that debuted last year and the current ongoing renovation of the park’s main gate area into a reef-themed attraction, set for completion in March 2014.

IPO Filing

The Orlando-based parent company, registered as SeaWorld Entertainment Inc., recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to conduct an initial public offering of stock, which would raise at least $100 million.

SeaWorld employs 21,000 at its 11 U.S. theme parks. It is a portfolio company of New York-based private equity firm Blackstone Group, which company officials have said will likely sell some of its stake but remain majority owner following the IPO.

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