Marineland

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Still working on renovations

 What we know as Marineland today was begun in 1938 as Marine Studios whose purpose was as an oceanarium that could be used to film marine life just south of St. Augustine on A1A Highway.  Marineland became a fashionable destination attracting many tourists and becoming the set of movies such as Creature from the Black Lagoon and Revenge of the Creature.  The opening of Disney world boosted attendance to the park but the opening of Sea World negatively impacted attendance.  

In 1999 the park was forced to close due to Hurricane's Irene and Floyd.  Already in disrepair, the buildings on the West side of A1A were demolished in 2003 leaving just the buildings along the Atlantic Ocean.  In 2004 the facility closed for extensive renovations and reopened in 2006.  The Dolphin Show at Marineland is no longer available as the former park  reopened as an hands on educational facility.  The Marineland property along the ICW  was donated to Flagler County and is now the River to the Sea Preserve one of the County's many parks   In 1974 the University of Florida  opened the Whitney Marine Laboratory adjacent to Marineland. This laboratory's purpose was the experimental study of marine animals but it was separate from the lab that was once operated by Marineland. 

The photo above is of Nellie the 60 year old dolphin who was born in the Marineland facility 1953.  She has exceeded life expectancy of dolphins in captivity by 35 years and in the wild by 48 years.  We did not get to see Nellie as she does not like to venture out much any more.  We were told she has cataracts which limits her activity.  Nellie starred in a Timex Commercial in 1961 below. 

Marineland  is now part of the Georgia Aquarium known as Marineland Dolphin Adventure.  
Guests can choose from a variety of interactive programs, which range from a touch-and-feed experience to being a dolphin trainer for a day, where participants play a role in activities including preparing meals, feeding animals, encountering dolphins and more.  The Immersion option gives guests the opportunity to spend time with the dolphins in either shallow or deep  water, experiencing the grace and power of these animals.  Marineland Dolphin Adventure offers Education Programs including  youth and teen summer camps, as well as an adults education program focusing on the history of Marineland. 

We missed the scheduled events for the day--but plan to come back another time to swim with the dolphins.  



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