2/1/12 Iceploration Show at Busch Gardens Tampa – Photos and Video from Media Preview

Hi everyone!

We enjoyed a media preview yesterday of the new ice skating show at Busch Gardens (Tampa), Iceplorations. It's really more than just ice skating, though – there are actors, real animals, amazing puppets and acrobatics! 

We have a full video of the show here!

Signs were already outside of the Moroccan Palace Theater:

 

 

We were welcomed to Iceploration by Busch Gardens Park President Jim Dean:

 

 

 

 

The first part of the story is like watching a play. Austin, a young boy, is encouraged by his world traveler grandfather to put away his technology and see the world with him. The following 30 minutes leads guests through the Serengeti, Great Barrier Reef, Arctic, and the Amazon rainforest. 

 

 

The costumes and sets are vibrant, and the various puppets are extremely lifelike (check out the elephants on skates below). 75 original costumes were created for Iceploration's cast of 20, by Tony Award-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes. What impresses me most is that the costumes are designed from head to toe (or head to skate!)

 

 

 

The Great Barrier Reef includes Austin "swimming" with a sea turtle:

 

 

 

The Arctic scene includes real Siberian huskies and a Siberian lynx (the latter wasn't really interested in acting majestic during this showing!)

 

 

 

You won't always see the same performers if going to multiple shows. There are two grandpas, four Austins (since the performers are young and can't work as often), and more than one pair of featured skaters. We've seen the pair below in the Sea World Christmas ice show, and they are tremendous!