Episode 56: What's The Deal With SeaWorld?

Those Happy Places

In this thoroughly researched episode, join Alice and Buddy as they embark on a quest to better understand SeaWorld’s history, its controversies, its appeal, and its seemingly ongoing success. What makes this combination theme park and animal exhibit franchise continue to thrive? Find out on this episode!

Heads up, this episode discusses animal rights, the conditions of animals in captivity at SeaWorld, and some of the more well-known tragedies at their parks. If that’s a tough subject for you, this might be an episode to skip.

It’s another weekly episode of Those Happy Places! This’ll be the last one for just a little while—we hope you’ve enjoyed this mini—season arc!

Topics Include: Alice Assumes Direct Control, Memories of SeaWorld, The Delicate Nature of the Topic, SeaWorld’s History, SeaWorld’s Locations, Past, Present, and Future, The Controversy, the Documentary Film Titled Blackfish, The Consequences of Said Documentary, SeaWorld and Conservation, SeaWorld and Economics, SeaWorld in the Theme Park Industry, and Alice’s Thesis, Revised

Alice’s Research Materials:

USA Today Poll naming SeaWorld Orlando the number one theme park of the year: https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-theme-park-2022/

Original Article that Inspired the Documentary Blackfish: https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/environment/killer-pool/

A Brief Summary of the Blackfish Law in California: https://www.cetaceanlaw.org/project/the-blackfish-effect-on-the-u-s-legal-systems/

The Official Blackfish Movie Website: https://www.blackfishmovie.com/about

USA Today Article About Steve-O’s Blackfish Protest: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/10/07/steve-o-seaworld-stunt-lands-him-in-jail/73537582/

The Official SeaWorld Website: https://seaworld.com/

SeaWorld’s Official Animal Rescue Commitment Statement: https://seaworldentertainment.com/commitment/animal-rescue-rehabilitation/?_ga=2.254537736.1297102174.1652300962-558320638.1652300961

The San Diego Based Hubbs-Seaworld Research Institute: https://hswri.org/
Seaworld Entertainment, INC’s Official Fiscal Summary for 2021: https://www.seaworldinvestors.com/news-releases/news-release-details/2022/SeaWorld-Entertainment-Inc.-Reports-Fourth-Quarter-and-Fiscal-2021-Results/default.aspx

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Those Happy Places is Produced by Alice White and Edited By Buddy Duquesne. Our theme song is Golden Gate by the California Feetwarmers, Featuring Phil Alvin.

Additional music comes from Kevin Macleod. All Tracks Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License. Tracks in this Episode:

Bummin on Tremelo by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3464-bummin-on-tremelo
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Apero Hour by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3375-apero-hour
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Bossa Antigua by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3454-bossa-antigua
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Backbay Lounge by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3408-backbay-lounge
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Long Stroll by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3997-long-stroll
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Casa Bossa Nova by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3481-casa-bossa-nova
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Crinoline Dreams by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3560-crinoline-dreams
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

No Good Layabout by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4140-no-good-layabout
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Blippy Trance by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5759-blippy-trance
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Del Rio Bravo by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5706-del-rio-bravo
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In Your Arms by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3906-in-your-arms
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

George Street Shuffle by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3800-george-street-shuffle
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license