SeaWorld to open new attractions at every US park in 2024
SeaWorld has U.S. parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, and they have "whale-y" big news for what's to come in the new year: All three parks are slated to open family-friendly, marine life-themed attractions in 2024.
This exciting news shouldn't come as any big surprise to theme park fans who have been following SeaWorld's other major developments in recent years. Since 2022, SeaWorld Orlando has added two thrilling coasters to its lineup — Ice Breaker and Pipeline: The Surf Coaster — bringing the park's total coaster count to seven. That's more than any other individual Orlando theme park.
SeaWorld San Antonio also added a new "screaming swing" attraction in 2022 called Tidal Surge, and this year, SeaWorld San Diego opened an all-new area for kids called Rescue Jr. The Rescue Jr. area uses rides, play areas and real-life equipment and experts to promote the park's message of animal conservation and education in a kid-friendly way.
It's clear 2024 is shaping up to be an even bigger year for SeaWorld parks across the country, with more attractions and more fun.
Penguin Trek — SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando is already the coaster capital of Orlando, but it'll soon have an even tighter grip on that title when Penguin Trek opens in 2024. This family-friendly launch coaster will send riders on an icy rescue mission through Antarctica aboard ride cars designed to look like snowmobiles.
The coaster travels indoors and out, has two heart-pumping launches and reaches a top speed of 43 miles per hour. With a minimum height requirement of only 42 inches, Penguin Trek is a coaster that the whole family can enjoy together. When you reach the end of your ride, you'll exit into the park's real-life penguin habitat, where you can observe the very animals you were on a mission to save while on the coaster.
Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience — SeaWorld San Diego
Jewels of the Sea: The Jellyfish Experience will be an interactive and educational attraction in SeaWorld San Diego's "Ocean's Explore" area. The immersive experience will make guests feel like they are in the colorful underwater world that jellyfish call home, with aquariums featuring many different varieties of these ethereal creatures.
The exhibit will have three distinctly themed galleries and some of the tallest jellyfish cylinders in the world; this includes an 18-foot-tall jellyfish habitat, a 10-foot-tall "living arch" of jellyfish that guests can walk under and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to upgrade their jellyfish experience with a behind-the-scenes, hands-on tour for an additional fee.
Catapult Falls — SeaWorld San Antonio
When it opens in 2024, Catapult Falls will be the world's first launched flume coaster. It will also feature the world's steepest drop in a flume ride and North America's only vertical lift in a flume coaster. The project was announced in 2022 and originally planned for a summer 2023 opening, but it was delayed until 2024.
A flume coaster, as the name implies, is a cross between a roller coaster and a water flume ride. Rather than a traditional lift hill, Catapult Falls will transport your raft to the top of the 55-foot-fall hill via an open-air elevator (hence the "vertical lift" designation). Not to state the obvious, but you will get wet.
With a fast-paced launch and multiple opportunities to get drenched, this combination coaster and water ride will surely make a splash.
Bottom line
New rides are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the things you can experience at SeaWorld parks. You can also observe and interact with marine life, learn about their rescue and rehabilitation and discover what you can do to ensure their health and safety for the future. Doing all that in one place is definitely something to "shell-ebrate."
Related reading:
- Southern charm and thrill rides: Ultimate guide to Dollywood
- 8 quirky US theme parks you have to see to believe
- 11 regional theme parks that are closer to home but just as fun as the big names
- 8 ways to make the most out of a theme park trip
- 8 best theme parks in California for thrill-seekers and families
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees