4D Theaters and Dark Rides in SeaWorld's Horizon?

Screamscape has posted some incredibly interesting rumors about SeaWorld Orlando this morning. Indeed, it looks like in 2012 we'll receive a new 4D Theater, along with a small renovation of Shamu's Happy Harbor. But, the real deal should come in 2013, when the park will move the penguins in a new, better home, and... a new dark ride will be finally introduced! Read more, from Screamscape:

_________________________________________________________________________

2012 - Turtles 4D & Happy Harbor Water Fortress - Rumor - (7/20/11) I’ve heard from a sharp eyed guest that construction has begun behind the current Manatee attraction area for the park’s 2012 attraction, which is said to be Turtles 4D, a edited down in-ark 4D theater version of this summer’s “Turtle: The Incredible Journey” film. (see below)

    From what I’ve been led to understand the current Manatee attraction area will be revamped into a Florida wildlife themed area and serve as home to alligators, turtles, manatees and other local species, but allow for the tie-in with the new Turtles 4D attraction as well.

    I’ve also been told we can look for some other improvements to come to Happy Harbor this year as well, as the large fake ship will be removed and replaced with a new Water Fortress style attraction. (No word on if they will have a huge dumping bucket of water or not…)

2013 - Dark Ride / New Penguin Home - Rumor - (7/20/11) A old rumor has returned once again with a full head of steam, as I’m told that the entire Penguin Plaza area is slated to be removed sometime in the early 2012 to make way for a major dark ride attraction for 2013. Don’t cry for the penguins however, as I’m told that a brand new and improved home for them will be built as part of the massive 2013 project. Going along with that, I can only assume that the dark ride may have some kind of Antarctica theme as well. 

    As for the dark ride itself… it’s been said that SeaWorld Orlando was eyeballed for a ton of different dark ride concept ideas following the introduction of Curse of DarKastle at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. If you’ve never been on DarKastle, it’s basically a copy of the Spiderman style ride experience, themed within a haunted European castle full of ghosts, werewolves and other creatures of the night. In short… it’s an awesome alternative to Spiderman, and outside of the Orlando area, it really stands out in Williamsburg as a top notch E-Ticket attraction. 

    Curse of DarKastle opened way back in 2005 however, based on Spiderman’s basic concept from 1999. So by the time any new ride opens in 2013, one would expect to see some leaps forward in the technology department or even some changes in the overall concept as well. So while I can’t say that this will or wont be a copy of the same basic idea for sure, I have also heard a hint about ‘trackless cars’ being looked into for it as well. My only request is this… please do not make this themed to Happy Feet… ok?

_________________________________________________________________________

Yes, the 4D Theater concept is very interesting, but the dark ride... come on, we need it now!! Most of you, who have followed OTPN for months (if not years), already know how much we love highly-themed dark-rides, so if SeaWorld takes the great decision of finally building a dark ride, then we're all happy! What do you think?

Before leaving, we wanted to thank again Screamscape for keeping us up-to-date with all these interesting rumors!