Multiple Attractions Shuttered and Shows Canceled as SeaWorld Orlando Goes Dark
March 18 marked a tough day for SeaWorld Orlando, as the park was forced to shutter multiple key attractions due to power problems.
SeaWorld Orlando, one of Florida’s iconic theme park destinations, has long been a place where marine conservation and thrill-seeking go hand in hand. Opening its gates in 1973, the park was built on offering guests intimate encounters with ocean life—everything from orca and dolphin shows to up-close experiences with sea creatures.
Still, SeaWorld’s recent history has been marked by controversy. The backlash stemming from the 2013 documentary Blackfish – as well as the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau, killed by resident orca Tilikum three years prior – sparked new conversations on the ethics of keeping orcas in captivity.
This conversation has lingered, despite the park’s moves to end its orca breeding program. Accusations from former employees regarding mistreatment of animals and poor working conditions further fueled negative sentiment, but SeaWorld is determined to shift its focus to the thrilling side of things, leaning heavily into high-speed coasters to attract a more adrenaline-seeking crowd.
Today, SeaWorld Orlando boasts some of Florida’s most intense roller coasters. Mako delivers towering drops and high speeds, Ice Breaker features a beyond-vertical spike, and Pipeline: The Surf Coaster introduces a unique standing ride experience. With these additions – alongside Kraken, Manta, and the park’s newest ride, the family coaster Penguin Trek – SeaWorld Orlando has positioned itself as the “Coaster Capital of Orlando.”
Outage Hits SeaWorld Orlando
When an unexpected power outage hit SeaWorld Orlando yesterday, the park’s attraction-heavy lineup left guests with limited options.
As reported by WESH 2, the power failure left parts of SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove in the dark for several hours, impacting the entire guest experience.
Guests took to social media to complain that rides in Sesame Street Land were down, while SeaWorld’s famous Orca Encounter show was also canceled. To add to the chaos, guests struggled to make payments throughout the park, which famously started transitioning to cashless operations in August 2023 (a move that becomes even more controversial when you consider circumstances like yesterday).
A spokesperson for SeaWorld confirmed the issue to WESH 2, assuring the public that power had been fully restored by the late afternoon. “The safety of our team members, guests, and animals is always our number one priority,” SeaWorld said in a statement. While the outage may have caused temporary disruptions, the park resumed regular operations, welcoming guests until closing time.
Previous Power Outage at SeaWorld San Diego
This isn’t the first time a power failure has shaken the SeaWorld brand. A particularly memorable incident occurred in 2014 at SeaWorld San Diego – which has recently faced a legal challenge over the impact its fireworks have on the local environment – when a power outage stranded 46 guests atop the park’s 320-foot-high SkyTower.
With riders trapped 220 feet in the air for hours, the situation became a tense ordeal. One of the stranded guests recalled the fear of not knowing whether the ride would “snap” or when they would safely descend.
Fortunately, the situation was resolved without any major issues. Park officials maintained constant communication with the guests and provided them with snacks and water until power was restored – and, as SeaWorld emphasized, guests were never in any danger.
Have you ever been impacted by a power outage at a theme park?
