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When my friends and I saw this on the park map, we looked at each other and said, "WHAT aviary?" Then, we tried to FIND it. Basically, it consists of an octagonal cage about 10 feet across that has a couple of birds inside, and has some of the nearby foliage growing through it. I think this exhibit would make a worthwhile entry in a list for a scavenger hunt. "Question #17 - What kind of birds are in the aviary?" No one would get it.
The location? HA! I'm not telling. :-p
Update: Two weeks after I added the above, the reference to the Aviary was taken off the map. The building still appears on the map, but the text identifying it is gone. Sigh. :-)
This area allows you to get within biting range of the Budweiser Clydesdale team. Keep your fingers away, and don't try to feed them. Often, a mare and her colt are in the pen in front of the barn. It's a great photo opportunity.
Several species of crabs inhabit a small rock-like structure in a very small exhibit at the North end of Shipwreck Rapids, right next to the sea turtles. It's very easy to miss as you're walking by. There's a small sign identifying it.
The lesser flamingos and the more familiar pink flamingos have been combined into one exhibit behind Forbidden Reef. The two species were segregated for a while, but now share the habitat. There's not much to do here other than watch birds be birds.
This area has a Bat Ray touch tank, and an underwater Bat Ray and Moray Eel viewing area. Food is available (for the Bat Rays, not the Morays!) for $3.50. Your best bet for being able to touch these creatures is to get there in the morning, or for one of the first two or three periods when the food booth opens. Later in the day, these animals get very people-shy and will skate (no pun intended) around just out of your reach.
This Tetra-sponsored exhibit shows you a variety of unusual freshwater species, many of which are available for display in your own home aquarium. Some of the tanks with the larger species were removed in late 1999 and their residents transferred into the Manatee Encounter tank.
I think Sea World's trying to land in Better Homes and Gardens. These types of exhibits seem to be sprouting up (sorry) at all of the parks. I can't say I'm too surprised; after all, have you ever paid attention to the impeccable landscaping at any of the Sea World parks?
This exhibit is built in an area that was formerly a patch of concrete next to the Freshwater Aquarium. It's a nice place to sit and relax for a while. It's also shows you things you can do in your own backyard. Exbibits include a weather station that reports to the National Weather Service, a "worm farm" that lets you see how plants benefit from earthworms, and tips on how to plant a water-saving garden.
I want a pair of those dolphin benches. Anyone know who made them?
This exhibit presents an underwater view of the five resident male manatees. The tank is not very large, but seems to accommodate the manatees comfortably enough. Recently, several fresh water fish were removed from the nearby Freshwater Aquarium and transplanted here. They seem to be getting on ok.
Our manatees came from Sea World Florida, which had rescued and rehabilitated them. Apparently, they are not good release candidates (one of them is missing a large chunk of his tail). I was told that part of the reason California got manatees was due to overcrowding in the Florida exhibit.
There are a few interactive displays explaining manatee anatomy and habitats scattered about. I suspect that some of this is lost on Californians, since this species is not native to our region. Still, it is interesting.
The exhibit area is air-conditioned, and between the cool temperature, the droning new-age music loop, and the slow pace with which the manatees move, it is easy to find yourself drifting off to sleep here later in the day.
A very interesting display of marine life under the bleaches of the Water Ski Stadium. Here, you can see such species as moon jellyfish, a giant octopus, and a spiny lobster that has to be at least 125 years old (it takes them 7 years to add one pound of weight, and this guy's big!). All of the exhibits are in one line on one side of a hallway, and it gets really crowded during the Summer. It's worth a look if you're in that corner of the park.
The San Diego exhibit has over 300 birds of varying species. Emperor, King, Macaroni and Adelie penguins are among the residents in the main exhibit. A second exhibit hosts alcids and puffins, close relatives of the penguins. In the main exhibit room, aducational videos play on monitors overhead and in front of large, backless benches.
One annoyance: Sea World Orlando has an outstanding educational exhibit in their habitat. We get a gift shop where the educational exhibit should be. Why, when there's an appropriately named gift shop right next door?
Two animal exhibits are featured in this area. Here you will find a dolphin interaction area (food available for $3.50, yipe!), and a display of Sea Otters.
The dolphin area is divided into two sections. On the West side (furthest from the sky tower) is a wave pool where the dolphins can go hang out when they're tired of being teased, er, fed. The East side has the interaction area, which accommodates a fair number of people. It has two acrylic viewing panels cut into the side of the pool so that you can see them underwater; these areas are relatively small and get pretty crowded.
There is some shade in the interaction area, but little of it is placed well to allow animal interactions while keeping you out of the elements. The hand washing stations however ARE strategically placed and are generally well stocked with soap and paper towels.
Tip: Go to this exhibit first or second thing in the morning, before the dolphins get tired of being teased. They tend to be most sociable just before the food booth opens for the first round of the morning. After that, the only chance you have to touch one is to buy $3 worth of bait. I have heard a lot of people complaining, including one person who emailed me.
An exhibit next door to the Sea Lion stadium where you can see, and for $3 feed, harbor seals and California sea lions. The two species are segregated into their own tanks. It makes for an interesting diversion, if you find watching these guys swim and sleep interesting (I do, for limited periods of time). There are several interpretive displays along the back walls, in case you feel like being educated.
This tiny area is where the Sea Turtles were relocated after their habitat was removed for the building of Shipwreck Rapids. It is very easy to miss. It is at the North end of Shipwreck, across from the Water Ski Lagoon, to the left of Crab Island.
This million-gallon-plus exhibit was built a few years ago as an area where guests could interact with the Killer Whales between shows. There were opportunities to feed them and wade into the pool. All of that changed just a few months later, when Sea World was asked to assist with the rescue of a stranded Gray Whale, who was named J.J. and was convalesced in this tank. Since J.J.'s release, they have let the Orcas back in, but now it just serves as an above- and underwater viewing opportunity.
Humourous (I think) note: Some of the whales react to small children in strollers sitting in front of the underwater viewing panel. It's great camcorder or camera fodder, but it really makes you wonder: Are the whales thinking about a light snack?
The shark exhibit is a very interesting place to observe rather strange animal behavior. I'm not talking about the sharks; I'm talking about the humans looking at the sharks. Oh, the exhibits are fascinating, but ever since Jaws, people totally freak out when they see a real shark. Now, put yourself on a moving walkway that moves through an underwater acrylic tube surrounded by some menacing-looking sharks with huge, pointy teeth and tell me your heart rate doesn't increase a bit.
The focus here is entirely on sharks. You can view the sharks on three different levels, including two sections where juveniles are kept. The penultimate viewing experience takes place on a moving walkway through an acrylic tube underwater in the main shark tank. Educational content is on the light side.
Traffic can move pretty slowly through areas of the exhibit. Visit while the Sea Lion and Dolphin stadiums are full of people watching shows. Be prepared to dash out afterwards when the shows let out, before the exhibit gets swamped.
Wild Arctic is part thrill ride, part animal exhibit. The ride is rather ho-hum (see the Spoilers page). The exhibit is very well themed. The exhibits afford above and below water views of Beluga Whales, Harbor Seals, Polar Bears, and Walruses.
Recently added, at selected times during the day you can meet and touch an Arctic Fox (Boris has the grey in his coat, Natasha is all white). Ask one of the Expedition Guides (employees) in the exhibit for the next showing time. They are guaranteed to be onstage at 3 PM daily, unless there are safety concerns. The viewing location changes according to crowd sizes and the mood of the foxes, but is frequently in front of the below-water Polar Bear viewing windows on the lower level.
The polar bears' names are Flake and Szenja (both females), and Charlie (male). They are all about 5 years old, but are not siblings.
The entire exhibit is air-conditioned; for some people it is downright freezing. It's a great escape from the Summer heat.
This aquarium puzzles me a bit. I'm convinced that it exists to provide an aquarium backdrop for whatever receptions or small conferences are held in the building, which has too much open floor space to have been designed just to see fish. There are a variety of exhibits here, most featuring species from the Eastern Pacific Ocean (that includes our West coast, for those who are geographically challenged). Also here is a tropical reef display, including a giant magnifying glass so you can get a closer look. Newly added to their display of schooling fish on the back wall is information on the preservation of the white sea bass, a target species of game fishermen.
Outside this aquarium is a wonderful interactive tide pool exhibit. Unfortunately, it is poorly staffed. I have many times seen people, mostly teens and young adults, pry a bat star off the rocks and toss it across the pool. Yes, I say something. No, it probably doesn't make a difference. I wish they'd add another staff member to help watch this exhibit, especially on the busier days.
