SeaWorld announces opening day for Expedition Odyssey ride

[Disney4me]

SeaWorld Orlando has set an opening day for its Arctic-based Expedition Odyssey attraction and the public debut of the Pacific walrus calf rescued in Alaska.  The ride and orphaned animal named Uki will join the theme park lineup on May 1, SeaWorld announced Friday.

Expedition Odyssey is a flying-theater type ride that will virtually transport visitors through glaciers, over the tundra and into the depths of the Arctic Ocean.  The exclusive footage — shown on a curved screen 50 feet in diameter — includes encounters with orcas, beluga whales, polar bears, seals and walruses.  The scenes were filmed in three two-week excursions spread over a year.

The new attraction, located in the former Wild Arctic space, is “an adventure unlike anything our guests have experienced before, combining thrilling, immersive storytelling with powerful, real-world animal connections,” Jon Peterson, park president, said in a news release. “The newest addition to our park is unlike anything we have ever done before and brings to life the wonder of the Arctic in a way only SeaWorld can do.”

SeaWorld gives name, details for new flying Arctic ride

Ride previews for SeaWorld annual passholders will begin April 26, starting with the platinum level cardholders. More levels are added daily through April 30, leading up to the grand opening.

The height requirement will be 39 inches, SeaWorld said.

SeaWorld worked with Mack Rides, a German company, for the flying theater, which is a style called Airific. For the film, it worked with UK-based Mousetrap Media and Norway-based PolarX.

SeaWorld is new home for orphaned walrus from Alaska

The post-show experience for the new ride will feature an Arctic-animal habitat, including Uki, the walrus calf rescued by the Alaska SeaLife Center and declared non-releasable. She has been under the care of SeaWorld’s animal-care experts since September.

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