Theme Park Ranger: Party with Shamu after dark

By DEWAYNE BEVIL | ORLANDO SENTINEL

May 11, 2008

SeaWorld Orlando's summer push is on the horizon with a new ski show and a returning favorite in the works.

The SeaWorld AfterDark programming is fresh content not seen in the theme park during the day, which encourages guests to extend their stay further into the evening hours.

Bayside Ski Jam, an all-new ski show, will utilize the sea and air as funky music plays in the background. Also on the loose: stunt kites with trailing fireworks.

The skiing will be held at Bayside Stadium, a venue near Shamu's Happy Harbor children's area. The seating is comfortable, atmosphere breezy and the view looking onto the rest of the theme park is remarkable.

Bayside should not be confused with Shamu Stadium, which is appropriately monumental but also a bit institutional for my taste. However, it will be the home of the Shamu Rocks show, last summer's pleasant surprise. Not only are killer whales involved, but killer licks are performed on electric guitars by live musicians.

Any whale show is a winner, even if set to a Viennese waltz, so setting one to rock 'n' roll is a no-brainer. By the middle of the show last year, I had stopped worrying about the perilous electricity-water combo. Plus, Rocks lacks that feel-good quality like in Believe, the daytime Shamu show.

An AfterDark dining option is Shamu Rock Dinner Buffet, which offers poolside dining and reserved seats to the following Shamu Rocks show. Cost is $32 general, $17 for ages 3-9 (plus park admission, of course).

AfterDark also includes Sea Lions Tonite, a comic show, and Mistify, a fireworks/prancing fountain/underwater light show extravaganza that caps off the evening.

SeaWorld AfterDark kicks off May 24 — the day that the park's closing time shifts back to 10 p.m. AfterDark fades to black on Labor Day, Sept. 1.

Elsewhere:

Universal Orlando is touting May as its Passholder Appreciation Month. Among the park-based perks: early admission to Islands of Adventure at 8 a.m., Monday-Friday in May. This gains folks access to the Incredible Hulk coaster and the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man attraction. In addition, passholders will have express access before 11 a.m. to all Seuss Landing attractions at Islands plus Jaws and Men in Black — Alien Attack at Universal Studios park.

Meanwhile, Disney passholders can check out the upcoming Toy Story Mania attraction at Hollywood Studios now through Monday, May 12, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Be prepared to show your annual pass and a photo ID. The company was diligent about checking credentials during last weekend's preview for cast members.

Tickets now are available for two popular holiday-based, after-hours Disney events, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. The Halloween parties run for 25 select nights between Sept. 5 and Oct. 31. The Christmas version is 18 evenings between Nov. 10 and Dec. 19.

Call 407-934-7639 to book tickets.

Theme Park Ranger is a weekly feature. Dewayne Bevil can be reached at dbevil@OrlandoSentinel.com or 407-420-5477. Read his blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/tpr.