How United Parks & Resorts Ignited Summer

Connecting the Stars

SeaWorld Orlando’s nighttime event, Electric Ocean, began in 2017. The event is “our way of offering two very unique experiences, not only a daytime experience, which people have come to love, but a way to see the park in a totally new way,” Cindi Miller, vice president of entertainment for SeaWorld and Aquatica, tells IAAPA News. “This [event] gives that opportunity to experience not only the coasters at night, or even just the atmosphere at night, but new presentations as well.”

In 2026, the event has a renewed focus on animal encounters that allow guests to see the athletic and playful side of the park’s animals. Sea lions, dolphins, otters, and orcas all have different programing at night. The evening shows give guests and passholders an additional opportunity to visit the same performance venue for an exclusive evening-only show.

From Sea Lions Tonite and Dolphins: Touch the Sky, to Shamu's Celebration: Light Up the Night at Orca Stadium, several corners of the park come alive with the rhythm of summer with specialty animal presentations.

Across the animal activations, the park says it’s imperative that each department work together to ensure the health and safety of each animal.  

“The main thing here at SeaWorld is that everybody—no matter what your role is—understands the importance of the animal aspect of this park, so we all have to keep that in mind,” says Brant Gabriel, vice president of zoological at SeaWorld Orlando. “Even though we have new presentations, we are also always looking out for creating a very positive environment for the animals. And whether it's entertainment or our food service, we want everybody to respect the space, the needs of the animals. Whether we're putting new lights in at Orca Stadium, there's ramifications around the animals that we have to have, and we work really closely with the vet team as well, making sure we're creating good environments.”

The evening at SeaWorld Orlando culminates in a drone and firework show and a waterside dance party on the shores of the park’s Center Lake. The animal encounters prove to be a key differentiator that sets Electric Ocean apart from other evening events in Orlando.  

“At SeaWorld, one of the things that we've really focused on for Electric Ocean is creating a family environment, so our coasters are incredible, but our nighttime animal presentations are a way to bring families together,” Miller continues. “Obviously, summertime is vacation time, and it's time off, and it's a lot of getting those family units together, and so really embracing that, and giving that opportunity for people to experience it.” 

Dinner and a Show

At Discovery Cove, the new Paradise Nights event is home to a more relaxed, intimate, and personalized evening. 

“For years, guests have fallen in love with the serenity and beauty of our tropical oasis during the day, but this summer we had the opportunity to introduce them to an entirely new perspective of the park after sunset that delivers an experience that's both immersive and uniquely Discovery Cove," says Crystal O'Hea, vice president of marketing at Discovery Cove. 

Paradise Nights combines all-you-care-to-eat island fare with a show combining acrobatics, fire dancers, and an island-themed story that commences 90 minutes after Discovery Cove closes to day guests.  

“As an all-inclusive destination, creating a nighttime offering that maintained the same premium level of hospitality our guests expect was incredibly important,” O’Hea continues. “Our culinary team developed a high-quality island-inspired dining experience that paired perfectly with world-class entertainment, allowing guests to relax, connect, and enjoy an unforgettable evening in paradise.”

While dinner is presented buffet-style, guests sit at tablecloth-draped tables where servers attend to drink orders and clear plates. The serving staff is the same used at lunch for Dine with Orcas at SeaWorld across the street. This allows established employees to get extra hours, while giving the operator access to a well-trained pool of talent.  

There’s no bathing attire needed at Paradise Nights, rather, Discovery Cove uses its lush, tropical setting for the live entertainment show, “Environmental.” The transformative production has several acts, performed before dinner, during the main course, and after dessert.