News SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

[KingEric]

SeaWorld Aquatica San Diego: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment buys water park in San Diego to convert into third "Aquatica" - OrlandoSentinel.com

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment said Tuesday it has acquired a water park in San Diego that it will convert into the company's third "Aquatica."

The Orlando-based company would not say how much it paid for Knott's Soak City, which was owned by amusement-park operator Cedar Fair L.P., nor how much it will spend renovating the water park. SeaWorld said it has been negotiating the deal for "several months."

SeaWorld said it will make "significant changes" while the water park is closed for the winter to overhaul it to fit its Aquatica brand. The SeaWorld water parks are best-known for combining water-based attractions with marine-life encounters, such as a water slide through a pool filled with Commerson's dolphins or a raft ride through a stingray-filled lagoon.

"These parks reflect the highest standard of quality in attractions, entertainment and theming, but the presence of animals makes the experience something truly special. Aquatica San Diego, like its sister parks, will feature guest experiences with a variety of exotic animals," SeaWorld Parks President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Atchison said in a prepared statement.

I have no idea how they are going to convert this tiny park miles from their main park into an Aquaitca park.

[FreshBakedDisney]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

say what?! This is...interesting. I'm not a big fan of Soak City myself, and would love a proper Sea World type attraction close to home. But I'm bummed my Platinum Knotts pass just got reduced in value

[mratigan]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

Wow
I guess because they have no new ride this combing year

[stamphead]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

I'm glad. I went to Soak City back in September and it was pathetic. I went to Aquatica in Orlando three weeks ago and it was cool. I hope they build the rapids.

[KingEric]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

I'm glad. I went to Soak City back in September and it was pathetic. I went to Aquatica in Orlando three weeks ago and it was cool. I hope they build the rapids.

I think you can expect a lot of changes! I think you can expect some animal interaction, some great new additions, and some upgrades and expansion of this facility!

[darkamor]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

Its a WIN - WIN

Knott's gets extra $ that can go towards Knott's Berry Farm, their Hotel & their Water Park across the street on Beach Blvd ....


Sea World has new land to develop new Rides, Attractions, Shows, etc (their current location butted up next to Pacific Beach does not offer them any way to expand past their existing boundary - unless they take up the entire parking lot & move parking some place else) ....


If Sea World purchased Lego Land, they could compete with the San Diego Zoo / Wild Animal Park for your tourist dollars (by the way, I <3 every place that I mentioned in this comment) ....


C J

[jsmith11618]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

Its a WIN - WIN

Knott's gets extra $ that can go towards Knott's Berry Farm, their Hotel & their Water Park across the street on Beach Blvd ....


Sea World has new land to develop new Rides, Attractions, Shows, etc (their current location butted up next to Pacific Beach does not offer them any way to expand past their existing boundary - unless they take up the entire parking lot & move parking some place else) ....


If Sea World purchased Lego Land, they could compete with the San Diego Zoo / Wild Animal Park for your tourist dollars (by the way, I <3 every place that I mentioned in this comment) ....


C J

The Zoo and Sea World/Legoland are very different experiences, not really direct competitors in my opinion and never will be.

[KingEric]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

Legoland, and SeaWorld all are owned by Blackstone Equity. Personally I would love to see more Synergy between the two.

[Exprmnt626]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

Legoland, and SeaWorld all are owned by Blackstone Equity. Personally I would love to see more Synergy between the two.

I think combining the 2 would lead to dissolution of the "branding" of both parks. The SeaWorld family already includes Busch Gardens, Sesame Place, and others.

[k_peek_2000]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

I'm glad. I went to Soak City back in September and it was pathetic. I went to Aquatica in Orlando three weeks ago and it was cool. I hope they build the rapids.

That park has always been a bit pathetic. Aquatica will really be a drastic change. I just wish it wasn't so far from Sea World.

[Dutchman]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

Rumblings out of Sandusky is that Cedar Fair is going to sell off the water parks that aren't directly associated with one of the major properties. That leaves the Palm Springs park and the Aurora OH property on the chopping block.

[wiigirl]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

The Zoo and Sea World/Legoland are very different experiences, not really direct competitors in my opinion and never will be.

Agreed!

[explodingboy]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

Its a WIN - WIN

Knott's gets extra $ that can go towards Knott's Berry Farm, their Hotel & their Water Park across the street on Beach Blvd ....

If the money goes to the right place that would be sweet. BP's Soak City isn't great. I remember going there with my buddies when it first opened because it was a block from my house and you know how hot it can get in Orange County in the summer! /sarcasm

Needless to say it has never been great, as opposed to a few of the other water parks we have around here. If Cedar Fair goes through with removing it's other water parks, that puts more attention on the remaining parks and hopefully some upgrades. Probably not though.

On the flip side I'm glad that BP's Soak City is staying - or should I say not on the chopping block. It has brought a lot of people over to the Independence Hall/Jungle Lagoon area which I feel like most people would pass by if they were just going to Knott's. That tiny area across Beach is one of my favorite places!

[Exprmnt626]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

Its a WIN - WIN

Knott's gets extra $ that can go towards Knott's Berry Farm, their Hotel & their Water Park across the street on Beach Blvd ....


Sea World has new land to develop new Rides, Attractions, Shows, etc (their current location butted up next to Pacific Beach does not offer them any way to expand past their existing boundary - unless they take up the entire parking lot & move parking some place else) ....


If Sea World purchased Lego Land, they could compete with the San Diego Zoo / Wild Animal Park for your tourist dollars (by the way, I <3 every place that I mentioned in this comment) ....


C J

The main issue with the Mission Bay location is twofold: the land is technically owned by the city of San Diego. The land, more importantly, is west of the 5 freeway. That also falls under the jurisdiction of the Coastal Commission. Neither the city nor the commission are very friendly to SeaWorld. Knott's Soak City sits in the city of Chula Vista, just east of the 805 freeway. Soak City sits on a big parcel of land just across from Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, but far enough away that expansion shouldn't be an issue. The city of Chula Vista is probably very pro-SeaWorld at this point in time so that bodes well for them as well.

[Trumpet]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

Never been, but this could be a a great Water Park. This will proberly make Disneyland have their own water park in the future...

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

Mmmm or proberly not.

[KingEric]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

A new video about the construction

[darkamor]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

If the money goes to the right place that would be sweet. BP's Soak City isn't great. I remember going there with my buddies when it first opened because it was a block from my house and you know how hot it can get in Orange County in the summer! /sarcasm

Needless to say it has never been great, as opposed to a few of the other water parks we have around here. If Cedar Fair goes through with removing it's other water parks, that puts more attention on the remaining parks and hopefully some upgrades. Probably not though.

On the flip side I'm glad that BP's Soak City is staying - or should I say not on the chopping block. It has brought a lot of people over to the Independence Hall/Jungle Lagoon area which I feel like most people would pass by if they were just going to Knott's. That tiny area across Beach is one of my favorite places!

I hope the $ does go to the right place(s) explodingboy & if you are signed up with the Knott's Newsletter? Then you would've received news that Cedar Fair has a 5 month long restoration work taking place on the Timber Mountain Log Ride (which will re-open on Memorial Day Weekend) ....



Knott’s Berry Farm’s Historic Timber Mountain Log Ride To Undergo Major Renovation in 2013


Knott's Berry Farm's log ride to undergo overhaul - Los Angeles Times



I've never been to Buena Park's Soak City (could it be any worse then the Water Parks that have come & gone & are coming back again to Las Vegas?); but I do miss the original Lagoon / Independence Hall (a tranquil place & we need more of those in Southern California). I do feel that Bigfoot Rapids deserves some animatronic Sasquatch action (why not get Jack's Links Beef Jerky to sponsor this wet ride & bring on various animatronic Sasquatch experiences) ....


Gas prices keeps going up, the cost to park @ State (& City) Beaches have gone up - what else can you do to escape the heat in So California (lol - try 112 days / 96 nights in Las Vegas, then come tell me its too hot) besides a garden hose? Be thankful that prices @ Knott's have stayed reasonable ($72.00 for a Season Pass is still cheaper then paying just to get into Disneyland, or DCA for one day) ....


C J

[Ride Warrior]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

This is fantastic news! :yea::thumbup::bow: Way to go Sea World! Can't wait to slide down below the water's surface and observe the dolfins!!! The company will likely buy up surrounding property in order to make the park larger. Regardless of the distance between the San Diego mother park and the new Aquatica park, I'm certain that gangbusters of guests will go out of their way to see both....just like they do the zoo and the wildlife park, probably more so.

[KingEric]

Re: SeaWorld buys KNOTTS SOAK CITY in San Diego to turn into Aquaitca San Diego

This is fantastic news! :yea::thumbup::bow: Way to go Sea World! Can't wait to slide down below the water's surface and observe the dolfins!!! The company will likely bur up surrounding property in order to make the park larger. Regardless of the distance between the San Diego mother park and the new Aquatica, mother park, I'm certain that gangbusters of guests will go out of their way to see both....just like they do the zoo and the wildlife, probably more so.

I agree 100% with you on this!