Busch Gardens & SeaWorld night events wind down

Photos: (left) Tom LaPointe / (right) SeaWorld

Special hours and shows are scheduled to end August 15 at Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando. According to media releases from the parks, this will be the final weekend for extended hours and entertainment:

Busch Gardens upped the fun during Summer Nights with MORE contemporary entertainment, MORE special effects and MORE reasons to stay and play each night through Aug. 15. This year, the rides are even wilder and, each night, Busch Gardens goes out with a big, rock-style bang when Kinetix explodes onto the stage in Gwazi Park at 9 p.m.

At SeaWorld Orlando, the nights are cooler and the atmosphere is hotter as AfterDark transforms daytime favorites into nighttime spectacles.  With the all-new Twilight Ticket, guests can experience SeaWorld’s thrilling rides, up-close animal encounters and awesome shows at night for only $39.95, adult or child.  It’s an after-3 p.m. admission and Orlando’s hottest deal for one-of-a-kind, evening theme park adventures.

Park websites: Busch Gardens | SeaWorld

More at Busch Gardens

Also, Busch Gardens’ world-class rides are amplified with pulsating sights and sounds to intensify each experience. Thrill rides, such as SheiKra, incorporate strobe lights, black lights, music and other special effects for an even bigger thrill. Even the carousel is amped up with a disco ball, and the Serengeti Express is aglow as it chugs around the park.

Jeff Civillico returns to Marrakesh Theater with his amazing blend of comedy, juggling, balancing, athleticism and audience participation. On July 3 and 4, catch an illuminating fireworks display at Busch Gardens. 

DJs up the energy each night throughout the park, playing party songs and inviting families to dance and play along. Every Friday and Saturday night, guests can bust their most impressive moves in the Dance Challenge. The best dancers will be selected throughout Friday and Saturday nights to compete in a dance off at 7 p.m. in Desert Grill – three rounds that challenge them to a variety of dance styles. First place winners each night receive 4 tickets to Busch Gardens, Adventure Island or SeaWorld.

Park hours for Summer Nights are extended until 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Summer Nights is included with a day’s paid admission or any annual pass.

While you’re at Busch Gardens, discover all that the park has to offer this summer – day and night. That includes Sesame Street Safari of Fun, a new sunny, funny play land filled with kid-size rides, cool water fun and plenty of memorable adventures. Dip and dive through the desert on Air Grover junior coaster. Climb and play in Elmo’s Treehouse Trek. Splash and refresh in Bert and Ernie’s fun-filled water play area. Watch your Sesame Street friends in African-inspired shows. In Sesame Street Safari of Fun, imaginations run wild, and there’s fun or everyone.

Also new is Walkabout Way, where guests can encounter unique animals indigenous to the Land Down Under. Hand feed kangaroos and free-roaming wallabies in Kangaloom during scheduled feedings throughout the day. Laugh along with a kookaburra and other Australian birds in the free-flight aviary, The Kookaburra’s Nest. 

More at SeaWorld

SeaWorld AfterDark showcases the park in a whole new light, with a nighttime rock n' roll extravaganza, a high-energy Shamu show, a hilarious sea lion show, coasters under the stars and a mystifying fireworks finale. 
That's in addition to being able to experience all that's awesome day and night, like Manta, up-close animal encounters and spectacular shows. SeaWorld AfterDark continues through August 15, and features the following:

MANTA -- Find out what it’s like to spin, glide, skim and fly with the largest of rays when riding Manta – by moonlight, an even more extraordinary sensation.  A seamless blend of up-close animal encounters with a head-first, face-down flying roller coaster thrill ride, Manta is an adventure only SeaWorld could create. 

SHAMU ROCKS – It’s a spectacular rock ’n roll killer whale show that wows audiences of all ages.  This show is a high-energy concert as big as Shamu, combining awe-inspiring killer whales with a stunning light show and music from some of the hottest rock stars in the industry.
 
SEA LIONS TONITE  -- SeaWorld’s popular sea lion comedic duo takes the laughs into the night.  Hilarious hijinks ensue as the park’s talented sea lions, otters and walrus parody other favorite SeaWorld shows and attractions.

REFLECTIONS: FIREWORKS AND FOUNTAIN SHOW FINALE -- SeaWorld comes to life in a spectacular celebration of soaring fountains and dazzling fireworks.  Through the thrilling and inspirational music of the park’s most popular shows, families and friends will experience a wondrous connection that lights the night like never before.

Twilight Tickets can be purchased at SeaWorldOrlando.com now through Labor Day. Prices plus tax & per person.  Not available with other discount offers.  Some restrictions apply.  Valid through September 6, 2010.