[Inside the Magic]

SeaWorld Orlando today announced plans for an expansion of its theme parks during 2012 and 2013, adding three new attractions with themes that span the globe. While Discover Cove will receive a new “flooded” rainforest area, the SeaWorld Orlando park itself will feature a new “hyperreal’ 3D movie as well as a whole new area and ride inspired by the frozen climates of Antarctica.

The announcements were made during an elaborate media event, which took attending press (myself included) through multiple rooms, immersed in themed lighting, projections, and even an icy tunnel.

The expansion reveal took place at SeaWorld Orlando’s Ports of Call, beginning with the announcement of Turtle Trek, a new 3D movie set to debut at the park in Spring 2012, located at the existing manatee rescue facility.

SeaWorld will utilize new technology, projecting the 3D film on a dome that guests step into, allowing lifelike images to appear not only around but also above viewers, who will don 3D glasses and stand (with optional lean rails) throughout the experience.

The movie itself, which represents the life journey of the sea turtle, will feature “hyperrealistic” computer generated imagery, offering saturated visuals shown at 13 times HD resolution. Behind the scenes, the six-minute movie will be shown via 34 projectors that seamlessly join images together using 368,000 lumens of light. A 3D sound system will bring surround sound to a new level, placing sound effects throughout the room using 22 discrete audio channels played back at 32,00 watts. But in the end, guests won’t see the technology behind it all, instead witnessing an immersive surround 3D movie experience like no other in Orlando.

But the movie itself is only part of the Turtle Trek experience, which begins with up-close encounters with manatees and sea turtles and ends with an interactive retail area, where purchases will trigger special effects within the store. From beginning to end, the whole experience will last around 18 minutes.

See the full story with many pictures here: http://www.insidethemagic.net/2011/11/details-of-announced-seaworld-orlando-expansion-include-new-ride-3d-movie-and-rainforest-experience/