Discovery Cove expansion Semi-confirmed

Do you remember the expansion that was conceived for Discovery Cove?

Well, now it's even more certain, according to the Orlando Business Journal.

Here's the article:

"It hasn’t been announced yet, but SeaWorld Orlando’s Discovery Cove plans to make a huge splash for guests with an all-new, multimillion-dollar, 875,000-gallon saltwater reef in 2011.

The exotic attraction will allow guests to swim among the park’s sea life, including sharks, tropical fish, rays and eels. In addition, a planned new nature trail will allow guests to experience the reefs above water.

More than 20 permits pulled as late as mid-June related to electrical, heating and air-conditioning, and construction work to be done were filed under the project name “Discovery Cove Exp 2011” and show material costs for the expansion exceed $17 million already.

In response to inquiries from Orlando Business Journal, SeaWorld spokesman Nick Gollattscheck confirmed that Discovery Cove is opening a new reef in 2011, but declined to reveal the cost of the expansion. “We’re always working to improve our experiences and keep them fresh and exciting for our guests. We’ll announce all the details and what the new reef includes in the fall.”

Construction permits, online construction sites and industry rumors all signal that Discovery Cove’s newest attraction also will include guest services buildings on an undeveloped western portion of the 30-acre park on International Drive. [...]

[Discovery Cove is] one of the nine major theme parks in the Orlando area, where the tourism industry attracts more than 46.5 million visitors each year with an annual economic impact of $30 billion.

The new Discovery Cove reef project is providing work for some local Orlando contractors, including Denver, Colo.-based general contractor PCL Construction Services and Orlando-based air-conditioning and heating contractor Energy Air Inc., according to county permits. Bob Hopfenberg, director of business development for PCL, could not be reached for comment. Executives at Energy Air Inc. declined to comment.

Dennis Speigal, president of International Theme Park Services Inc., a Cincinnati-based theme park consulting firm, said the expansion is a good idea and likely will bring more people to Discovery Cove. “It’s imperative for our industry to continue to expand itself, because that’s how it generates repeat visitation and attracts new tourists.”

Speigal said SeaWorld is smart to freshen up its Discovery Cove park [...]. “Local residents and tourists who travel into the area have a full menu to choose from, so [any new attraction] has got to be [good]”, he added. "

Well, what can we add? As the article well stated, any new expansion is very welcome here, isn't it?

The only thing is that I think there will be a small problem... the price.

As you know, Discovery Cove is an exclusive theme with a maximum capacity of 1,000 guests per day, and the admission for adults is $199 (that changes based on the time of the year), and allows guests to swim with sea life and relax on a lazy river that encircles the park’s exhibits. 

So, will this new expansion also rise the ticket price?

I am positive about this. I only hope that the change will be subtle, because Discovery Cove is already very expansive... What do you think?

And, by the way, read our previous news about Discovery Cove's expansion HERE.