News Project 2026: Shark Encounter

[Wild Atlantis]

What ever happened to the planned renovations of shark encounter and the penguin exhibit it looked like the shark encounter renovation was pretty far along with renderings shown Behind The Thrills | SeaWorld San Diego gets a massive MAKOver as park turns 55 Behind The Thrills

 

[Seaworld History]

What ever happened to the planned renovations of shark encounter and the penguin exhibit it looked like the shark encounter renovation was pretty far along with renderings shown Behind The Thrills | SeaWorld San Diego gets a massive MAKOver as park turns 55 Behind The ThrillsView attachment 32570

That all got scrapped, COVID

 

[Thatguyoverwhere]

The Shark encounter is definitely due for an upgrade. The ceiling is cracked, the signs look like they’re straight from the 90’s, and the fake plants and rockwork all need to be dusted. There’s also a ton of empty space on the lower level that could be filled with additional displays and theming.

I’m really hoping the penguin exhibit will be replaced with a brand new one that is integrated with Emperor, along with a theming upgrade and new indoor queue, station, and gift shop for the ride. If done properly with icy theming in the plaza and pathway from JTA it would completely transform both experiences and create an excellent Antarctica mini-land.

 

[Wild Atlantis]

There’s a ton of markers out front of shark encounter and the old fresh water aquarium

 

[Wild Atlantis]

I found another rendering of the old project I don't know if these renderings apply to the new shark encounter plans.

 

[Wild Atlantis]

There are a couple of renderings for the pre-COVID shark encounter renovation plans, so we should expect something similar to that for the current plans.

 

[Wild Atlantis]

California Coastal Commission Permits have been filed for the shark encounter renovation plans with the California Coastal Commission

 

[Wild Atlantis]

Another canceled project that has to do with these two is the fresh water aquarium whatever happened to that? I know it closed in 2019 and has been closed ever since. It seems intact on the inside but the roof has been removed. I would love to see how intact is is on the inside aquarium area and what Seaworld planed for it and what seaworld plans for the spot in the future

 

[Thatguyoverwhere]

I've seen them using that freshwater aquarium building as storage for the trick or treat candy. Does seem like a waste though. Assuming it's still up to code and everything they really ought to reopen this as some sort of aquarium or exhibit.

 

[Wild Atlantis]

Construction walls are going up by shark encounter

 

[Wild Atlantis]

Shark encounter has now closed

 

[Wild Atlantis]

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