SeaWorld San Antonio providing greater than 50 % off tickets for anniversary
Celina Gonzales, 6, receives a kiss from Shamu while others look on on SeaWorld San Antonio’s opening day April 15, 1988.
Celina Gonzales, 6, receives a kiss from Shamu while others look on on SeaWorld San Antonio’s opening day April 15, 1988.
Photo: File Photo / Express-News
The opening day crowd for SeaWorld San Antonio heads for the Shamu Show April 15, 1988.
The opening day crowd for SeaWorld San Antonio heads for the Shamu Show April 15, 1988.
Photo: File Photo / Express-News
Fiesta 1988 – Stacy Bash and the SeaWorld float during the Battle of Flowers Parade.
Fiesta 1988 – Stacy Bash and the SeaWorld float during the Battle of Flowers Parade.
Photo: EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO
A crowd of Thousands of people jammed the front gate of Seaworld of Texas during the grand opening of the site. The 250 acre marine park opened to the public with speeches from Texas Governor Bill Clemens and San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros. PHOTO BY DENNIS DUNLEAVY / STAFF 5/28/1988
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A crowd of Thousands of people jammed the front gate of Seaworld of Texas during the grand opening of the site. The 250 acre marine park opened to the public with speeches from Texas Governor Bill Clemens and
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Photo: Dennis Dunleavy/EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO
Mayor Henry Cisneros with SeaWorld CEO George Becker and Southwest Airlines Chairman Herb Kelleher are shown during the inaugural season for San Antonio’s SeaWorld park on May 23, 1988.
Mayor Henry Cisneros with SeaWorld CEO George Becker and Southwest Airlines Chairman Herb Kelleher are shown during the inaugural season for San Antonio’s SeaWorld park on May 23, 1988.
Photo: Express-News File Photo
Nov. 26, 1988: Baby Shamu born.
Nov. 26, 1988: Baby Shamu born.
Photo: Express-News File Photo
April 15, 1988: SeaWorld San Antonio’s opening day.
April 15, 1988: SeaWorld San Antonio’s opening day.
Photo: Express-News File Photo
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Shamu and Sea World have captivated audiences in San Antonio since its first opening in 1988.
Shamu and Sea World have captivated audiences in San Antonio since its first opening in 1988.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Left to right: George Becker (Sea World CEO), Herb Kelleher (Chairman of Southwest Airlines) and Mayor Henry Cisneros (May 1988)
Left to right: George Becker (Sea World CEO), Herb Kelleher (Chairman of Southwest Airlines) and Mayor Henry Cisneros (May 1988)
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
A trainer surges with Shamu.
A trainer surges with Shamu.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Animal rights activists have protested against Sea World since its first year in 1988.
Animal rights activists have protested against Sea World since its first year in 1988.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Roy Goldman, with blueprints, discusses construction plans with other workers and Sea World officials at the site of the amusement park in 1986.
Roy Goldman, with blueprints, discusses construction plans with other workers and Sea World officials at the site of the amusement park in 1986.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
The construction of Cypress Garden at Sea world (1987).
The construction of Cypress Garden at Sea world (1987).
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Under construction in this photo, the Big Wheel opened in July 1988.
Under construction in this photo, the Big Wheel opened in July 1988.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Anchoring the Sea World blimp at Stinson Airport, 1987.
Anchoring the Sea World blimp at Stinson Airport, 1987.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Workers paint one of the sets for Sea World (1988).
Workers paint one of the sets for Sea World (1988).
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
This undated photo with a little brother in the dolphin stroller could be in any one family album.
This undated photo with a little brother in the dolphin stroller could be in any one family album.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
“Lady Bird” Johnson admires the statue of her late husband, President Lyndon Baines Johnson (1988).
“Lady Bird” Johnson admires the statue of her late husband, President Lyndon Baines Johnson (1988).
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Shamu and killer whale trainer Jim Clarke perform a behavior known as “spyhop.”
Shamu and killer whale trainer Jim Clarke perform a behavior known as “spyhop.”
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Sea World trainers ride killer whales.
Sea World trainers ride killer whales.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
A trainer rides Shamu in a performance (1988).
A trainer rides Shamu in a performance (1988).
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Shamu give trainer Reid Miller a “lift” during a performance in 1992.
Shamu give trainer Reid Miller a “lift” during a performance in 1992.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Celina Gonzales, 6 yrs., receives a kiss from Shamu while others look on (1988).
Celina Gonzales, 6 yrs., receives a kiss from Shamu while others look on (1988).
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
A “Spooktacular” performance.
A “Spooktacular” performance.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
The walrus greets visitors as they enter the grounds for the 1991 season of Sea World.
The walrus greets visitors as they enter the grounds for the 1991 season of Sea World.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Trainer Diane Godwin helps Annamary Johnson, 7, shake a flipper in 1989.
Trainer Diane Godwin helps Annamary Johnson, 7, shake a flipper in 1989.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Trainer Chris Bellows talks with a sea lion between shows (1988).
Trainer Chris Bellows talks with a sea lion between shows (1988).
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Aviculturist Julie Kelleher feeds a rockhopper penguin.
Aviculturist Julie Kelleher feeds a rockhopper penguin.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
A trainers swims with a beluga whales.
A trainers swims with a beluga whales.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Beluga whales interact with trainers in a 1992 performance.
Beluga whales interact with trainers in a 1992 performance.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Star sea lion Clyde greets Sea World education specialist Amy Toy with Jessica Violetta, Ariel Urby and Becky Wigdal.
Star sea lion Clyde greets Sea World education specialist Amy Toy with Jessica Violetta, Ariel Urby and Becky Wigdal.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Classic audience participation, 1991
Classic audience participation, 1991
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Students feed a bottlenose dolphin, 1988.
Students feed a bottlenose dolphin, 1988.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Ronald Southhall, 5, meets Starbuck the dolphin with the help of trainer Mark Boucher (1988).
Ronald Southhall, 5, meets Starbuck the dolphin with the help of trainer Mark Boucher (1988).
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
With his brother at the helicopter controls, Michaelangelo Nock hangs from his neck in a daring routine of aerial acrobatics, Independence Weekend 1988.
With his brother at the helicopter controls, Michaelangelo Nock hangs from his neck in a daring routine of aerial acrobatics, Independence Weekend 1988.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
Sea World San Antonio, through the years
Sea World San Antonio, through the years
Photo: ROBERT MCLEROY, San Antonio Express-News
SeaWorld celebrated its 50th anniversary Friday, March 21, and we’ve compiled memorable moments since the San Antonio park opened 26 years ago. Click through the photos to see the following moments in photos.
SeaWorld celebrated its 50th anniversary Friday, March 21, and we’ve compiled memorable moments since the San Antonio park opened 26 years ago. Click through the photos to see the following moments in photos.
Photo: ROBERT MCLEROY, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
SeaWorld San Antonio’s opening day.
SeaWorld San Antonio’s opening day.
Photo: Express-News File Photo
Baby Shamu born.
Baby Shamu born.
Photo: Express-News File Photo
Texas Splashdown and Rio Loco open, becoming the first rides at any SeaWorld park.
Texas Splashdown and Rio Loco open, becoming the first rides at any SeaWorld park.
Photo: Courtesy SeaWorld
Camp SeaWorld day camp debuts along with Shamu’s Happy Harbor children’s adventure area.
Camp SeaWorld day camp debuts along with Shamu’s Happy Harbor children’s adventure area.
Photo: TOM REEL, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
A six-year-old boy drowns in the wave pool at Lost Lagoon. His parents later sued the park for negligence, and the jury awarded $250,000 for the boy’s pain and suffering, and $800,000 to each parent for negligence. However, the boy’s parents were also found negligent, and because the father was found 75% negligent, he would not receive his share of the award. The mother was found equally negligent to SeaWorld.
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A six-year-old boy drowns in the wave pool at Lost Lagoon. His parents later sued the park for negligence, and the jury awarded $250,000 for the boy’s pain and suffering, and $800,000 to each parent for
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Photo: Edward Ornelas/Special To EN, Edward Ornelas
Sky Tubin’ opens in Lost Lagoon.
Sky Tubin’ opens in Lost Lagoon.
Photo: Express-News File Photo
The Great White opens, becoming the first roller coaster at any SeaWorld park.
The Great White opens, becoming the first roller coaster at any SeaWorld park.
Photo: Express-News File Photo
A second roller coaster, the Steel Eel, opens.
A second roller coaster, the Steel Eel, opens.
Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, San Antonio Express-News
Eighteen life-size bronze statues of notable Texans from the park’s ‘Texas Walk’ collection are donated to the city of San Antonio.
Eighteen life-size bronze statues of notable Texans from the park’s ‘Texas Walk’ collection are donated to the city of San Antonio.
Photo: San Antonio Express-News File Photo
Winnie, a female killer whale who had performed at the park since 1999, died; her age was estimated at 26 years. Pathologists from Brooks AFB were brought in to help determine a cause of death, which was believed to be from numerous items she’d ingested that blocked her upper gastrointestinal tract.
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Winnie, a female killer whale who had performed at the park since 1999, died; her age was estimated at 26 years. Pathologists from Brooks AFB were brought in to help determine a cause of death, which was
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Photo: Courtesy Photo
Sea Star 4-D Theater is introduced.
Sea Star 4-D Theater is introduced.
Photo: Jason Collier, Courtesy Photo
Children’s roller coaster, the Shamu Express, opens. Ky, a 12-year-old male killer whale, repeatedly dunks a trainer, forcing the early end of a Shamu show; the trainer was unhurt.
Children’s roller coaster, the Shamu Express, opens. Ky, a 12-year-old male killer whale, repeatedly dunks a trainer, forcing the early end of a Shamu show; the trainer was unhurt.
Photo: Courtesy Photo/SeaWorld
‘Believe,’ the new Shamu show, is added.
‘Believe,’ the new Shamu show, is added.
Photo: MARVIN PFEIFFER, San Antonio Express-News
Journey to Atlantis, the first-of-its-kind combination roller coaster and water ride, debuts.
Journey to Atlantis, the first-of-its-kind combination roller coaster and water ride, debuts.
Photo: BILLY CALZADA, San Antonio Express-News
Anheuser-Busch closes the Hospitality House and stops giving away free beer samples. New York-based private equity firm Blackstone Group purchases the SeaWorld parks from Anheuser-Busch InBev.
Anheuser-Busch closes the Hospitality House and stops giving away free beer samples. New York-based private equity firm Blackstone Group purchases the SeaWorld parks from Anheuser-Busch InBev.
Photo: MARVIN PFEIFFER, San Antonio Express-News
Instead of playing a concert at the park, rocker Bret Michaels, has an emergency appendectomy at a local hospital. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment lays off about 350 employees, including 17 in San Antonio.
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Instead of playing a concert at the park, rocker Bret Michaels, has an emergency appendectomy at a local hospital. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment lays off about 350 employees, including 17 in San
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Photo: Steven Lawton, FilmMagic
New killer whale show, “One Ocean,” debuts. Trainers are no longer in the water with the whales, following SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau’s death the previous year. The whale Tilikum had dragged her underwater by the ponytail. The Texas Splashdown log flume ride is retired.
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New killer whale show, “One Ocean,” debuts. Trainers are no longer in the water with the whales, following SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau’s death the previous year. The whale Tilikum had dragged
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Photo: Marvin Pfeiffer/Prime Time Newspapers
Ricardo Corpus, a 17-year air conditioning specialist at SeaWorld, dies when he’s electrocuted while working on an air conditioning unit; his wife later sued the company. The 20-acre Aquatica water park opens.
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Ricardo Corpus, a 17-year air conditioning specialist at SeaWorld, dies when he’s electrocuted while working on an air conditioning unit; his wife later sued the company. The 20-acre Aquatica water park
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Photo: Courtesty Photo
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. goes public on the New York Stock Exchange. The documentary “Blackfish” opens in theaters. It condemns SeaWorld for keeping killer whales in captivity, but the company has criticized it as slanted and misleading and says it had minimal effects on attendance.
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SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. goes public on the New York Stock Exchange. The documentary “Blackfish” opens in theaters. It condemns SeaWorld for keeping killer whales in captivity, but the company has
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Photo: Associated Press
Two of seven people accused of breaking into SeaWorld overnight said they did so as part of a fraternity initiation. They had been ordered to take pictures with the animals after dark. Roa’s Aviary, which will house 330 exotic birds, is set to open in Aquatica, the water park.
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Two of seven people accused of breaking into SeaWorld overnight said they did so as part of a fraternity initiation. They had been ordered to take pictures with the animals after dark. Roa’s Aviary,
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2016: SeaWorld announced the current generation of killer whales at all its parks will be the last. Theatrical killer whale shows are also set to be phased out.
2016: SeaWorld announced the current generation of killer whales at all its parks will be the last. Theatrical killer whale shows are also set to be phased out.
Photo: Chris Gotshall /Associated Press
