November 20, 2012
SeaWorld To Open Aquatica Waterpark In San Diego For 2013
San Diego, CA — SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announced it has acquired Knott's Soak City waterpark in Chula Vista, California from Cedar Fair Entertainment for an undisclosed sum.
The park located south of San Diego in Chula Vista will undergo an extensive renovation during the coming months and reopen as the third Aquatica branded waterpark from SeaWorld. The company presently operates Aquatica waterparks in San Antonio and Orlando.
SeaWorld has purchased the Knott's Soak City waterpark in Chula Vista, California and will reopen the park as Aquatica San Diego in 2013 after extensive renovations and upgrades.
"These parks reflect the highest standard of quality in attractions, entertainment and theming, but the presence of animals makes the experience something truly special. Aquatica San Diego, like its sister parks, will feature guest experiences with a variety of exotic animals," said Jim Atchison, President and Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. "Having animals in our Aquatica parks adds an educational component to a waterpark visit that is both unexpected and enriching."
SeaWorld introduced the first Aquatica to the Orlando market in 2008 and it immediately became one of the nation's most visited waterparks. An estimated 1.5 million guests visit the Orlando waterpark each year.
SeaWorld's Aquatica waterparks feature unique themes with live animal exhibits and interactions in addition to the traditional attractions typical found at waterpark. The signature attraction at Aquatica Orlando is the Dolphin Plunge, an enclosed body slide that features clear acrylic tubes that pass through an aquarium featuring Commerson's dolphins.
Earlier this year SeaWorld opened a second Aquatica waterpark its park in San Antonio. The San Antonio waterpark offered several unique attractions including Stingray Falls, a family raft ride that concludes with a leisurely float beneath an aquarium filled with southern stingrays.
"When the gates of Aquatica San Diego open for the first time next June, guests will see what visitors to Orlando and San Antonio already know: No theme park company can deliver a waterpark experience quite like SeaWorld," said John Reilly, President of the company's San Diego attractions. "Aquatica will be a great complement to SeaWorld and help us continue to bring value to our guests and enhance this destination."
SeaWorld has not announced an official opening date, but it is expected that Aquatica San Diego will debut around Memorial Day 2013.
Aquatica artwork courtesy of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
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