SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 19, 2019) – SeaWorld San Antonio will launch its 2019 season Saturday, Feb. 23, with the first of four new Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends featuring fun for the entire family.

Opening later this spring will be a new and interactive sea turtle attraction, two thrilling new rides and the tallest drop slide in Texas, which will give guests something special to experience and bring more waves of adventure to SeaWorld and Aquatica.

“We’re looking forward to an exhilarating season jam-packed with a wide assortment of features every member of the family will enjoy,” said SeaWorld & Aquatica San Antonio Park President Carl Lum. “With the addition of Turtle Reef, Sea Swinger, Riptide Rescue and Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, we’ll further expand our parks’ appeal to kids of all ages.”

This year’s lineup includes the following exciting, family-friendly events, rides and attractions – all included with park admission or an Annual Pass:

NEW: Super Grover’s Box Car Derby: Grand Opening Feb. 23

Super Grover’s great box car race takes place in the form of a family-friendly coaster that’s full of hills and thrills, including big turns and mini-dives. This action-packed “race” is the perfect first steel roller coaster for kids and adults.

NEW: Sesame Street® Kids’ Weekends: Feb. 23-24; March 2-3; Aug. 17-18 and Aug. 24-25

In celebration of Sesame Street’s 50th anniversary, SeaWorld will kick-off a year of Sesame Street celebrations with special festivities and experiences, beginning with Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends. Guests can join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby and all their favorite furry friends for hands-on activities, photo opportunities, a live DJ and much more. Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends, which will be held in the park’s Sesame Street Bay of Play area, are included with park admission.

NEW: Ihu’s Breakaway Falls: March 9

The tallest multi-tower drop slide in Texas, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, drops in to Aquatica San Antonio just in time for Spring Break. Riders will climb nearly 70 feet to the top of an eight-story tower and step in to one of two colorful breakaway boxes, or face the plummet slide. As the door closes, riders cross their arms and give a thumbs up in preparation for their drop – not knowing when the floor beneath them will disappear. Facing each other, riders watch as fellow riders fall. After dropping in, riders descend at 20-24 feet per second into a spiraling speed slide before racing into a final splashdown.

Inside Look: Weekends, March 30-31; April 6-7; April 13-14 and Weekends, Aug. 17-18, Aug. 24-25

Guests can go behind the scenes and visit animal care facilities previously not open to the public. SeaWorld’s renowned veterinarians and animal experts will offer an intimate look at the day-to-day care they provide for animals large and small. This will be an excellent opportunity to meet animal experts and animal rescuers and learn about their fascinating work. These visits will take place during normal park operating hours and are included with park admission.

Seven Seas Food Festival: Weekends, April 19 – May 27

The popular Seven Seas Food Festival is returning to SeaWorld in the spring with more than 100 dishes to devour. As guests sip and sample their way through the park, they will discover globally-inspired flavors and enjoy outstanding wines, craft cocktails, imported beers, live entertainment and fusion food from around the world.

NEW: Turtle Reef: Opening Spring 2019

Turtle Reef is an interactive sea turtle attraction that will give guests an up-close look at threatened and endangered sea turtles, plus identify threats they face in the wild. The focal point of Turtle Reef will be a 126,000-gallon reef-themed environment with a unique and natural bio-filtration system, the first of its kind in the world. This reduces water and energy consumption and allows for a bio-diverse, multi-species habitat, including green sea turtles and hundreds of multi-colored fish.

NEW: Sea Swinger: Opening Spring 2019

Sea Swinger, a new pendulum family ride coming to the new Turtle Reef area will spin and swing guests 180 degrees in both directions on one of the most-thrilling swing rides in the state of Texas.

NEW: Riptide Rescue: Opening Spring 2019

Also situated in the Turtle Reef area, Riptide Rescue will enable families to set out on their own exciting sea turtle rescue mission. This adventure will take place on a fast-paced, three-armed ride putting “rescuers” into exhilarating spins.

Jack Hanna and Guy Harvey: Memorial Day Weekend, May 25 – 26

Renowned animal experts “Jungle Jack” Hanna and Guy Harvey will highlight Memorial Day Weekend with multiple guest appearances. Widely known for his TV appearances, Hanna will host live shows at SeaWorld and recount his personal animal encounters, as well as introduce guests to terrestrial animals from around the world.

Harvey, world-renowned conservationist and marine wildlife artist, will visit with park guests and hand-sign his popular signature clothing line and art. As conservation partners, SeaWorld and Harvey work together to increase public awareness and collaborate on science and research efforts, notably ocean health and the plight of sharks in the wild.

Sesame Street Party Parade: Daily, June 1 – Aug. 11 (excluding Wednesdays)

Sesame Street Bay of Play will be a focal point for summer fun with a colorful, musical, show-stopping parade featuring everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends. The parade showcases 10 larger-than-life themed floats, including iconic Sesame Street favorites such as Mr. Hooper’s Store and Count’s Castle. The Sesame Street Party Parade also includes a pair of impressive, interactive show stops. At the first stop, performers jump rope, hula hoop and groove with their favorite Sesame Street friends and dancers. The second stars Rosita, a Sesame Street favorite, who likes to play the guitar and is fluent in English and Spanish. The toe-tapping good times are included with park admission.

Electric Ocean: Daily, June 14 – Aug. 11

A nighttime celebration – Electric Ocean – headlines SeaWorld’s summer offerings with exotic worlds of light and music. Guests will enjoy IgNite, a fireworks display, plus vibrant night shows – Shamu’s Celebration: Light Up the Night, Sea Lions Tonite and HydroPower: Xtreme FX. There’s also a party zone with electronic dance music that creates an electrifying dance club atmosphere.

Bier Fest: Weekends, Aug. 31 – Sept. 15

Inspired by more than 200 years of Oktoberfest traditions, Bier Fest will feature a lineup of more than 100 beers from around the globe, including a variety of local favorites. The Bavarian celebration will also feature festive music and authentic German food designed to perfectly pair with the brew selection.

Howl-O-Scream: Weekends, Sept. 20 – Oct. 27

SeaWorld’s “Howl-O-Scream” will transform a theme park into a scream park, with sinister haunted houses, thrilling live shows, themed bars and scare zones – or Terror-tories. All haunted houses, shows and scare zones are included with park admission.

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular: Weekends, Sept. 20 – Oct. 27

During this daytime seasonal event, kids can show up in costume and enjoy Halloween-themed attractions and shows, plus interact with colorful costumed characters and go trick-or-treating in the park. The Halloween fun is included with park admission.

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration: Select nights, Nov. 16 – Jan. 5, 2020

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration will be back with Santa, sea lions, over 9 million shimmering lights, the Sesame Street Christmas Parade and much more. Guests can grab delicious food, enjoy delightful holiday shopping, meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends and experience sensational shows. These include the inspiring orca show, Shamu’s Christmas Miracles; the hilarious sea lion and otter show, Clyde & Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas; and A Pets Ahoy Christmas show. SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration brings together family fun and holiday traditions and is included with park admission.

Three Kings Day Celebration: Daily, Jan. 1 – 5

Families are invited to help commemorate the arrival of the Three Wise Men during SeaWorld’s Three Kings Day celebration. This festive event brings SeaWorld’s holiday season to an incredible close with specialty cuisine and celebratory experiences that honor the cherished traditions of Latin cultures.

Best Way to Play:

The best way for guests to experience all the fun at SeaWorld & Aquatica San Antonio is with the park’s Annual Pass. Now through Feb. 24, when guests purchase a SeaWorld Annual Pass, they’ll get Aquatica for FREE. Special members-only benefits such as discounts on dining and shopping, free guest tickets and free parking make the Annual Pass especially valuable to enjoy SeaWorld & Aquatica throughout the year.

For more information, park hours and to purchase passes and tickets, visit SeaWorldSanAntonio.com or AquaticaSanAntonio.com. To keep up to date on park hours and events, follow SeaWorld’s social channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.