Mission: Bermuda Triangle
| Company type | Attraction |
|---|---|
| Industry | Amusement parks |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Fate | Replaced by Wild Arctic |
Area served | SeaWorld parks, Six Flags Worlds of Adventure |
Mission: Bermuda Triangle was a motion simulator attraction featured at SeaWorld parks as well as Six Flags Worlds of Adventure. The experience revolved around the enigmatic theme of the Bermuda Triangle. Eventually, this attraction was succeeded by Wild Arctic at the SeaWorld venues.
Plot
The journey initiates with a scientific mission aimed at observing marine creatures including coral formations, sharks, dolphins, and a group of humpback whales. During this expedition, an urgent distress signal is received from a sister submersible reporting a remarkable finding. Descending to approximately one mile beneath the surface, the sub locates the sunken remains of the USS Cyclops. The captain, whose voice was provided by Robert Stack, decides to remain on location while the sister sub departs to refuel. Suddenly, an earthquake occurs, compelling the sub to navigate through falling debris as the wreck plunges into a deep trench, pulling the submersible downward. As engine power fails and pressure intensifies, an unexplained electric surge propels the sub back toward the surface. Unable to clarify this event, the captain attributes it to another unsolved Bermuda Triangle mystery just as a helicopter arrives for rescue.
History
In 1989, Anheuser-Busch purchased SeaWorld parks from Hartcourt-Bruce Janovich for $1.1 billion with the intention of transitioning from traditional zoo and aquarium formats toward amusement park operations to rival Disney parks and Universal Studios. SeaWorld launched its entry into theme park simulators in 1992 with Mission: Bermuda Triangle, debuting on Memorial Day Weekend.
By August 1994, plans were announced at the Orlando location to rebrand this attraction as Wild Arctic, which officially opened in 1995. The San Diego park followed suit in 1997 by closing its version introduced in 1994 and replacing it with Wild Arctic, which incorporated animal exhibits adjacent to the simulator exit areas.
In 1999, SeaWorld Ohio located in Aurora, Ohio revealed intentions to introduce Mission: Bermuda Triangle, which became operational in 2000 as its sole ride due to limitations imposed by nearby Six Flags Ohio. In 2001, SeaWorld Ohio merged with Six Flags Ohio creating Six Flags Worlds of Adventure; SeaWorld’s section was designated as the Wildlife Section.
Cedar Fair acquired the park in March 2004 for $145 million and restored its original name Geauga Lake. By 2005, Mission: Bermuda Triangle along with other attractions within the Wildlife Section were replaced by the water-themed park known as Wildwater Kingdom.