Linda Mac's Orlando Adventures

This was my kind of day! Orange County's Mayor Rich Crotty proclaimed Friday, April 4th "Permission to Play" Day in Orlando to coincide with the Grand Opening of SeaWorld's new waterpark Aquatica. Like I need anyone's permission to play, including the mayor's, but it is still nice to know he was behind me.

Celebrating the first new park to open in Orlando in eight years, Aquatica's dedication ceremony and media event began at 10 am at the beach in front of Cutback Cove.

Guests included Mayor Crotty, SeaWorld executives, Animal ambassadors, Aquatica animals and the Winners of the "most frazzled families in the U.S" contest, sponsored by Aquatica's corporate partner Southwest Airlines.

The Aquatica Drummers entertained us before the ceremony started and some the contest winners were dancing and playing the drums as well. Joining them was Chuck Cureau, Aquatica's "Ambassador of Splash" who later in the event had the honor of officially opening the park. Chuck has been with SeaWorld for over 20 years and is also an animal trainer and entertainer.

Dan Brown, General Manager and Executive VP of SeaWorld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove is an industry veteran with 32 years of theme park experience. He spoke about how Aquatica, the South Seas-inspired waterpark, features attractions from serene to extreme.

Aquatica joins sister parks SeaWorld and Discovery Cove to create a trio of immersive marine life adventures found nowhere else in the world. Mr. Brown said "We're eager to share this truly one-of-a-kind experience with our guests".

He went on to say that SeaWorld "is committed to keeping Orlando at the forefront of family vacations". With concern for guest comfort, "we will restrict the number of guests that we allow in here so those who are inside will have wonderful experience".

Dan Brown touched on the new mega-attraction set to open in 2009, "It will be the new generation of SeaWorld thrills, the attraction will combine up close animal encounters and an innovative coaster experience".

According to Joe Courceiro, Chief Marketing Officer of Busch Entertainment Corporation who I spoke with later in morning, we can expect more details on the new coaster to be announced mid-May. He also told me that Aquatica has left for expansion in the future.

Mayor Crotty took the stage next and his short speech made me proud to be an Orlando resident. He proudly said "the Jewel of SeaWorld, Aquatica is one more step in the success of making us (Orlando) the World's Playground.

Following a brief speech by Mayor Crotty, Chuck the ambassador of splash returned to the podeim and explained the story of what inspired Aquatica.

There is a legend that at one time all the oceans and seas were still much like waters here at Cutback Cove. But when children began to inhabit the world and play on their shores all that changed. As they played, they laughed and that laughter created ripples across the once still waters.

And the more they played, the more they laughed the more ripples were created. The oceans seemed to rise up as if they were saying "Hey I want to play with you too". My friends, today you can play in the ocean here at Aquatica. Now ladies and gentleman, boys and girls we invite you to lift your voices and your laughter and have some fun here today as the seas rise here at Aquatica.

Let it be known far and wide that as it has been decreed by Mayor Crotty that today April 4th be declared Permission to Play Day or as we say here at Aquatica -- KIORA.