After the recent close of Cypress Gardens, the few classic Florida attractions that are still left in the state have started to wonder what their own futures hold. As Marineland celebrated its 65th birthday on June 22nd of 2003, this question again came to the surface.
The park, which is an early prototype for Orlando's Sea World, is finding itself at the crossroads. On one side, they would like to see their attraction retain its historical significance that some still come to appreciate. At odds, is a changing public that demands more interactive attractions. Shortly before Marineland embarked on its official birthday celebration, Jim Jacoby of Jacob Development unveiled a future vision for the attraction to a small group at the Moby Dick Lounge on the grounds. His Atlanta Company has acquired 47 acres in Florida's Flagger County and on part of that land is Marineland. Jacoby would like to see a safe habitat created for Marinelands's animals that allows them to interact more with the public. He is also starting to build a residential community on the west side of the property. Given the notorious history of land developers plowing over Florida's old attractions, you can't help but be skeptical of his true intent. At the park's official birthday celebration, they brought out a living legend named Nellie. Nellie is the oldest Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin in captivity. Her first dash out of retirement went swimmingly. Nellie caught footballs, played baseball and shot hoops. Her repertoire contained tricks from the first days of Marineland up to today. "She seems so happy to be performing again," Joy Hampp, executive director of operations for Marineland, told the Associated Press. She believes the future of the World's First Oceanarium depends on looking at it from a new perspective. Jacoby seems eager to oblige.
Part of the change Jacoby proposes would include a new marina, a new dolphin lagoon system, sea turtle lagoon, and an interactive lagoon. The cost is estimated at $1 million. "It would be like 'edutainment' for the kids," Jacoby told reporters. As boring as that may sound to some of us, let's hope for Nellie's sake he's not just blowing water out his hole.
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