According to several guests at SeaWorld Orlando on Sunday, employees were telling riders that the kids coaster, Shamu Express would have it’s last ride. While we have tried to confirm this with the park, at the time of publishing this article, we have gotten no response.
Several guests told us that operators of the coaster were telling riders that Sunday, April 8th would be “Shamu’s last ride”, and would not be reopening.
We know that SeaWorld Orlando is clearing out the existing kids area, Shamu’s Happy Harbor to make room for an all new Sesame Street themed land. We also know that there will be a mix of existing attractions, and new attractions in the new land when it opens. What we don’t know is what attractions will be replaced, and which will be staying.
Since Shamu’s Express is being closed, what does this mean for the rest of the area? Has Shamu’s Happy Harbor seen it’s final day as well?
Demolition plans filed withe city show that four new buildings will be erected, and during construction, the pathway between Happy Harbor and Shamu Stadium will be closed. The rope nets, pirate ship and train are all expected to be removed as well.
Other than that, it was always assumed that Shamu Express would be staying. Of course, it was also assumed that it would get a Sesame Street overlay, much like Air Grover at Busch Gardens Tampa and Alpine Express at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It looks like we’ll have to wait and see what becomes of Shamu Express.
We expect to hear some kind of announcement about the closure of the coaster, and the land sometime this week.
Hope you got your last rides in.
Sesame Street is looking like a 2020 opening (possibly sooner), though no specific time frame has been given. With the coaster closing this early, however, it looks like some major work is about to start.
Meanwhile, SeaWorld Orlando is gearing up to open their new raft ride, Infinity Falls, just around the corner from Happy Harbor.
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