SeaWorld San Diego announced Thursday that it will reopen some of its rides and roller coasters on April 12.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down theme parks in mid-March 2020, SeaWorld San Diego has, at times, operated as a zoo and hosted food festivals and a drive-thru event. With San Diego County now in the state’s “Orange” tier, SeaWorld can reopen at 25 percent of its pre-pandemic maximum capacity.
“We’re delighted to bring back some of the best thrill and family rides that San Diego has to offer. Our guests have been eager for SeaWorld to re-open rides, and we are looking forward to providing these exciting experiences to our guests,” SeaWorld San Diego park president Marilyn Hannes said in a statement. “Safety is our number one priority, and as we’ve been fortunate to already be open and operating as a zoo, we’ve already implemented significant safety enhancements for our guests.”
Electric Eel will be the only coaster operating on April 12. SeaWorld said in a press release that Manta will reopen “very soon,” but made no mention of Emperor, the dive coaster that was supposed to debut in 2020.
The park’s Sesame Street Bay of Play attractions are expected to reopen on April 12, along with other rides such as Tentacle Twirl and Octarock.
Like other SeaWorld parks, all guests will be required to wear masks and physical distancing will be enforced. To manage limited capacity, both annual passholders and guests with one-day tickets will have to make a reservation in advance to enter the park.
The SeaWorld announcement leaves Knott’s Berry Farm as the only major theme park in California that hasn’t revealed a specific reopening date. The Orange County park said it would reopen rides and attractions sometime in May, after the end of its Taste of Boysenberry Festival event.
More Theme Park News:
Busch Gardens Williamsburg extends permit on rumored giga coaster
How Barney changed kids’ entertainment at Universal Orlando
Disneyland unveils potential expansion plans that could include new theme park lands