Marineland (Ontario)

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**Marineland**

Location	Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Website	Official site
Owner	John Holer
Opened	1961
Previous names	Niagara Game Farm, Niagara Marineland and Game Farm, Marineland and Game Farm
Operating season	May – October
Rides	15 total 2 roller coasters
Slogan	Everyone loves Marineland

A 1967 flyer for Marineland, using the older name "Marineland and Game Farm"

Marineland is a themed amusement and animal exhibition park in the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Owing to its proximity to the falls and other natural park areas and its blend of animal attractions and rides, it is one of the main tourist destinations in Niagara Falls, Canada.

1 History
2 Advertising
3 Operating season
4 Services
5 Animal exhibits
6 Rides and attractions
7 Marineland's future
8 External links
9 References

[edit] History

The park first opened in 1961 as "Niagara Game Farm", without any of the current marine attractions or rides. The original Niagara Game Farm was essentially a small zoo, a large part of which was a petting zoo. Within a few years, the marine attractions were added, and the park's name was changed to "Niagara Marineland And Game Farm", and by 1966 it was officially just "Marineland And Game Farm". In the 1980s, during the period of time that Kandu the killer whale became the park's major attraction, the "And Game Farm" part of the name was dropped. It was also around this time that the park began adding rides such as Dragon Mountain, intented to bring raise the appeal of the park to older children and teenagers.

[edit] Advertising

Their park's slogan for many years has been "Everyone Loves Marineland" sung by Suzie McNeil. During the summer months they run commercials in Ontario, Pennsylvania, and Western New York television stations featuring a jingle that highlights the features of the park, with new verses added for new attractions every year.^[1] The park's mascot is known as King Waldorf, a walrus dressed like a king. The park also runs a campground named after him..^[2]

[edit] Operating season

Marineland is generally open from the Victoria Day weekend through to October. Rides operate until nightfall.^[3]

[edit] Services

Locker, stroller and wheelchair rentals.
Allows picnicking and has a corporate area for picnics.
Offers live musical entertainment on certain days with Polka Legend Walter Ostanek performing on Labour Day every year.

[edit] Animal exhibits

Orcas at Marineland

Friendship Cove: The world's largest whale habitat for viewing orcas above ground and below.^[4] Up until the 2006 season, park-goers were able to pet and feed the whales Since the death of some of the whales, this has been discontinued and 'Splash Sessions' have been implemented in its wake. Friendship Cove currently holds four orcas: Nootka, Kiska, Ikaika, and Athena (Kiska's daughter). Kandu recently died on December 21, 2005.
Arctic Cove: Opened in 2004, features beluga whales, it is much like Friendship Cove allowing guests to view belugas above and below ground, feed them, and pet them.^[5] Marineland currently holds 28 beluga whales in their exhibit both wild captures and captive born whales. Current female Beluga whales: Jubilee, Xena, Isis, Osiris, Kelowna, Sierra, Peekachu, Skyla, Charmin, Peanut, Oceanna, Priscilla, Sevena, Caspian, Gemini, Cleopatra, and Maple. Males: Orion, Burnaby, Tuk, Andre, Beyli, Tofino, Horus and Kodiak.
Bears: an area featuring black bears sits below a viewing deck, this unique vantage point give guests the opportunity to throw bread pieces for the bears to eat.
Deer: A favorite for parents (many pictures of their children trying to feed crowding deer), the deer are in a fenced in area which allow people to move about freely, food is provided for a fee. However, recently the female deer have been moved behind a fence in which you can only feed through the bars. Additionally, the only deer that are out in the open are males, who tend to be scared of human beings, and run away as soon as you approach.
Fish: An area in which several types of fish gather around "deck bridges", allowing easy viewing and feeding (for a fee),
Elk and Buffalo: allow for easy viewing of these creatures grazing. Feeding also available for a fee.
The King Waldorf Stadium Show and The Aquarium Dome: shows featuring mainly seals, walrus and dolphins. Sitting near the front comes with a risk of getting wet. The Aquarium Dome show mainly features training of the sea lions.

Beluga's Arctic Cove	One of the Orcas	The Deer	Feeding the Beluga
The Aquarium

[edit] Rides and attractions

Dragon Mountain Roller Coaster: an Arrow roller coaster which opened as the world's largest non-stop roller coaster (covering 30 acres), a title that it no longer holds. It features tunnels that lead to the queue area, has two consecutive vertical loops and bowtie loop.
Sky Hawk: a spinning ride which also moves vertically up and down. Features one- or two-person cages without restricting belts or harnesses.
Wave Swinger: a swing ride with a moving top that allows the swings to move up and down.
Tivoli Roller Coaster: children's roller coaster, features a lady bug cart.
Tivoli Wheel: a "hanging" ferris wheel.
Magic: a spinning ride located near the bear area; features statues of bears on the ride.
Kandu's Twister: a "teacup" style ride that features orcas on the sides of the cups.
Space Avenger: a spinning ride that features a control panel in the cages allowing the rider to move vertically up and down.
Viking Boat Carousel: a simple carousel with a Viking boat theme.
Flying Dragon
Sky Screamer: Marineland's newest signature ride. It was opened in 2004 and claims to be the world's highest triple tower ride (91.4 meters or 300 feet). It is situated on a large hill (150 feet), making the total height of the ride 450 feet, giving the rider an impressive view of the city and the falls. Given its height, it is a very recognizable landmark, with the Marineland logo at the top of the tower clearly visible at night.
Viking Adventure: a new ride for 2006, this is a small sized Viking boat ride that operates on a track to rock passengers back and forth and spin them around.
Orca Screamer: a new ride for 2006, this is a miniature, child size one-tower version of the famous Sky Screamer.
Bumble Bee: a new ride for 2006, this brightly coloured children's ride allows parents and children to sit in a car together a be elevated and spun around.

[edit] Marineland's future

Marineland is currently undergoing a $160 Million expansion, the main focus of which will be a massive aquarium complex. When completed it will be the world's largest aquarium complex, with a series of domes, each containing a different attraction. The already operational Arctic Cove (which feature Beluga Whales, opened in 2004), was the first step in this new development. The next planned development will be Terrors of the Sea, which will feature various sharks and stingrays. This may open in 2007, but possibly later. Other stages of this long-term plan include a tropical reef attraction, a rain forest lagoon and a new dolphin habitat. All exhibits will feature above water and below-water viewing. Separate admission to the aquarium complex will be offered.

According to the HUSS web site, Marineland recently purchased their "Topple Tower" ride, which will incorporate Walrus theming. ^[6] This ride is not operational for the 2006 season, but is being constructed near the Dragon Mountain entrance. Though this ride has been confimed to open in 2007.