Theme Park Foodie

SeaWorld Offers Customizable “Cup that Cares”

SeaWorld Orlando announced today that it will be selling penguin-shaped cups at its newest attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, set to open on May 24th. These customizable souvenirs may appear cute and cuddly (or, in our opinion, fun and festive) they are designed to encourage guests to help the planet “one refill at a time.”

The Cup That Cares program is a new reusable cup program that uses technology to create an interactive and innovative experience for SeaWorld guests. The cups were designed to connect with Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage dispensers available at the new Antarctica attraction. Guests are personally engaged through the use of a RFID chip embedded in each cup that interacts with software in the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines to calculate how guests are being environmentally responsible when reusing the cup. The technology embedded in the new souvenir cups calculate the amount of CO2 guests save from entering the atmosphere when they choose to refill their souvenir cup. Each guest’s conservation history will be logged by software developed by SeaWorld and Coca-Cola, and guests will be thanked for saving their personal amount of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. SeaWorld notes that every refill of reusable cups prevents the emission of 27 grams of CO2. The cups are also cost effective; each refill costs only $.99.

There are two versions of the Cups That Care. One, available at beverage stations at the Antarctica attraction, features photos of Puck (the attraction’s signature hero) and his penguin family. More creative guests and children will likely opt for the Create A Cup That Cares option, which invites guests to create a personalized penguin character cup by choosing from more than 40 accessory options including eyes, hair, glasses, hats, bow ties, necklaces, SeaWorld shopping bags and miniature Shamu ice cream bars.

“Just as penguins do within their colonies, humans also can band together to make a big difference through small actions,” said Dan Brown, Chief Operating Officer of SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica Parks. “We see great potential with this new program because it encourages guests to be more aware of their actions – and reduce their carbon footprint — in an easy, fun and innovative way. Each step may be small, but it all adds up when we work together.”

SeaWorld also announced today that it will be serving an exclusive and custom vanilla-flavored beverage through the Coca-Cola Freestyle dispensers at Antarctica called “South Pole Chill.” We imagine that such a sweet concoction will soon become a favorite of young guests.

As you may remember, we recently wrote about this possibility in our column for Orlando Attractions Magazine. You can read more about Coca-Cola Freestyle and how it has the potential to change Orlando’s theme parks here.

For more information on Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, like SeaWorld on Facebook or visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.