Seaworld Orlando: No, those sealions are real.
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:47 pm
After browsing I decided that this is a group of people who can truly appreciate the comedic genus of this story.
Many moons ago, back in high school, I worked for Seaworld Orlando (yes, before the 'Adventure Parks' got tacked on and we got stuck in fish print). Stadiums, Sealion and Otter to be exact back during the days of Hotel Clyde and Seamore.
One cool spring evening, I was on the pinniped side (right side) of the stadium and things where fairly normal for once. JTA was down as normal and the radio clipped to my belt was full of the inane chatter of the stadium operations crowd. My show finished like normal, so we stood around in front of the glass to explain that fingers look very much like shrimp and sea lions LOVE shrimp. It was just about clear, we where almost free of the last show of the day when my "Oh-this-is-gonna-suck" radar went off.
There, to the left. Stomping up to me.
Oh hell, here we go.
"Ma'am I must ask you" this man said. "We've been to Disney.."
And he trails off, Okay so you've been to Disney world.. that's nice?
"Tell me, how many people are in the Sealion suits"
........
........
........
Seriously?
"Sir, they are real, live Sealions"
Naturally this couldn't possibly be true! "No really, it's okay you can tell me. We've been to Disney and everything there is fake so how many people are in those suits?". I heard in that moment the small sound my brain cracking and fizzling. "No sir, I promise you. The animals here are real and alive, those are REAL Sealions".
This went back and forth for more then 15 minutes, he simply couldn't grasp that the animals really where animals! Naturally getting madder and much louder that I wouldn't invest in him the national secret of our robotic sealion technology! Finally came the keyword I was waiting for once the words "Sealion suit" left his mouth. "I want to talk to your supervisor!"
Sure thing! Let me call for one!
I walked over to my phone and asked from one to come down, adding in they wouldn't believe this if I told them. They simply had to hear this for themselves! Less then ten minutes later a now high curious supervisor arrives!
"As soon as he sees the supervisor (Let's call him Mr.Man) he rushs right over before I can explain what's going on and demands loudly. "HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN THE SEALION SUITS?! I'VE BEEN TO DISNEY! IT'S ALL FAKE! HOW MANY?!"
Mr. Man was floored and just looked at me. Dude, I tried to explain they are real and I told you that you wouldn't believe this! Your turn!
Fast Forward: 15 more minutes of Mr.Man and myself trying to explain real animals are real and not fur suits. At this point Mr.Everything-is-fake-I've-been-to-Disney looks like he's going to give himself a stroke he's so worked up. Mr. Man is looking hopeless and I'm trying my damnedest not to fall on my ass laughing. Finally Mr. Man looks to me and says "Fine! You tell him!"
"One.. and the Otter is a remote control but you can't tell anyone!"
A smug look comes across his face! He knew our deep, dark secret. Without missing a beat as I turn to walk away "So how many people drive Shamu?"
.......
Really?!
**This is a true story the names have been changed**
Many moons ago, back in high school, I worked for Seaworld Orlando (yes, before the 'Adventure Parks' got tacked on and we got stuck in fish print). Stadiums, Sealion and Otter to be exact back during the days of Hotel Clyde and Seamore.
One cool spring evening, I was on the pinniped side (right side) of the stadium and things where fairly normal for once. JTA was down as normal and the radio clipped to my belt was full of the inane chatter of the stadium operations crowd. My show finished like normal, so we stood around in front of the glass to explain that fingers look very much like shrimp and sea lions LOVE shrimp. It was just about clear, we where almost free of the last show of the day when my "Oh-this-is-gonna-suck" radar went off.
There, to the left. Stomping up to me.
Oh hell, here we go.
"Ma'am I must ask you" this man said. "We've been to Disney.."
And he trails off, Okay so you've been to Disney world.. that's nice?
"Tell me, how many people are in the Sealion suits"
........
........
........
Seriously?
"Sir, they are real, live Sealions"
Naturally this couldn't possibly be true! "No really, it's okay you can tell me. We've been to Disney and everything there is fake so how many people are in those suits?". I heard in that moment the small sound my brain cracking and fizzling. "No sir, I promise you. The animals here are real and alive, those are REAL Sealions".
This went back and forth for more then 15 minutes, he simply couldn't grasp that the animals really where animals! Naturally getting madder and much louder that I wouldn't invest in him the national secret of our robotic sealion technology! Finally came the keyword I was waiting for once the words "Sealion suit" left his mouth. "I want to talk to your supervisor!"
Sure thing! Let me call for one!
I walked over to my phone and asked from one to come down, adding in they wouldn't believe this if I told them. They simply had to hear this for themselves! Less then ten minutes later a now high curious supervisor arrives!
"As soon as he sees the supervisor (Let's call him Mr.Man) he rushs right over before I can explain what's going on and demands loudly. "HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN THE SEALION SUITS?! I'VE BEEN TO DISNEY! IT'S ALL FAKE! HOW MANY?!"
Mr. Man was floored and just looked at me. Dude, I tried to explain they are real and I told you that you wouldn't believe this! Your turn!
Fast Forward: 15 more minutes of Mr.Man and myself trying to explain real animals are real and not fur suits. At this point Mr.Everything-is-fake-I've-been-to-Disney looks like he's going to give himself a stroke he's so worked up. Mr. Man is looking hopeless and I'm trying my damnedest not to fall on my ass laughing. Finally Mr. Man looks to me and says "Fine! You tell him!"
"One.. and the Otter is a remote control but you can't tell anyone!"
A smug look comes across his face! He knew our deep, dark secret. Without missing a beat as I turn to walk away "So how many people drive Shamu?"
.......
Really?!
**This is a true story the names have been changed**