MarineLand, which is a major tourism attraction in Niagara region, is a well-known marine and land animals themed amusement park and zoo. Tourists usually spend an entire day with families and friends to interact with various animals and enjoy joys of recreational facilities in MarineLand. MarineLand concentrates on creating a memorable experience for every visitor, trying to never fails to leave a bad impression on its visitors.

Tourists will be amazed by different vivid animal performance, watching close-up high-flying dolphins, interesting beluga whales and comical sea lion. Also, every tourist has opportunity to close interact with marine animals, such as shaking hands with sea lion and kissing dolphins. In addition to marine and land animals, MarineLand provides a variety of exciting amusement rides for visitors.

MarineLand is considered as an ideal destination for visitors of all ages, especially for children and teenagers. In 1961, MarineLand was first opened to the public which includes roller coasters, a tripe tower ride, marine mammals and land animals. It is easy for tourists to get to MarineLand and find directions, because there are many signs along the roads. Also, it offers a lot of free parking lots. Tourists can find a parking space easily even on busy days. Due to the local weather condition, the annual operating time of MarineLand is from May to October. Although, the operating season of MarineLand is quite short, it still attracts approximately 250,000 tourists annually.

MarineLand's attractions can be mainly divided into three parts, including marine animals, land animals and rides. Initially, there are several attractions about marine animals, including Fun Filled Show, Arctic Cove, and Friendship Cove. Tourists enjoy fun filled show in the King Waldorf Stadium which opened on July 1, 1971. The fun filled show is performed throughout the day, which allows visitors to enjoy the show at different times. MarineLand provides performance schedule at the King Waldorf Stadium, which informs about specific show times. Arctic Cove is mainly for the exhibition of beluga. Tourists are able to touch and feed beluga for a fee and enjoy underwater view in Arctic Cove. Friendship Cove provides chance for visitors to watch the killer whale under and above water. Besides, there are other two areas for marine animals, including Aquarium Dome and Warehouse. Aquarium Dome opened in 1966, and is used to be a home for the elderly sea lions and seals currently. Warehouse is a house for dolphins during the winter season.

There are many land animals in MarineLand as well, including black bears, bison, elk, red deer and fallow deer. It is a good place for children to view how different types of animals live in the wild. In the meantime, parents can train up their children to have a protection consciousness to animals. Moreover, tourists have fun and seek excitement by taking a variety of amusement rides. Visitors can easily find snacks and staple foods to replenish their energy. MarineLand offers various types of foods in order to satisfy different demands. Additionally, MarineLand has picnic areas for cost-conscious visitors who are on a budget, allowing them to bring their own foods.

MarineLand itself is protected and managed well in order to deliver high quality service to every visitor and respect different kinds of animals. Staffs are here to watch and care the animals every minute. There is a building called Animal Care Facility which is aimed to care for sick or injured animals, and provide appropriate and effective treatment. Due to the large number of mammals, MarineLand uses ozone which is able to remove viruses, lowers the colours and turbidity to keep high water quality for the mammals. Furthermore, MarineLand adjusts its internal environment to adapt to the marine environment.

Amusement rides

Ocean Odyssey: the ride is suitable for family Bumble Bee: both parents and children can enjoy the rideOrca Screamer: the highest triple tower ride for children around the worldViking Adventure: thrill rideTivoli Wheel: special ferris wheel for all agesLady Bug Coaster: a designed roller coasterSpace Avenger: the ride which realizes the dream of commanding the spaceshipBoat Carousel: enjoy the ride with your familiesSky screamer: the highest triple tower ride about 450 feet with the speed of 96km/hDragon Mountain Roller Coaster: the largest steel roller coaster in the worldKandu's Twister: a teacup-style ride with an image of a killer whaleMagic Experience: enjoy the ride which operates different motion in the same timeSky Hawk: lifts tourists to upper air to enjoy different viewWave Swinger: a popular ride in MarineLandFlying Dragon: a white-knuckled experienceHurricane Cove: the ride provides a rotation movement

Fun filled show

- Visitors are able to enjoy various wonderful shows performed by different types of marine mammals. Visitors have an opportunity to interact with these performers. Visitors are allowed to shake hands with them, kiss them and feed them, building a friendship with them.

MarineLand was owned by John Holer whose original name was Ivan Holerjem. He was born in 1935 in Maribor, Slovenia. In his childhood, John Holer was interested in caring small animals, such as squirrels and rabbits, and he learned how to train bears and sea lions. In 1950, he arrived in the Niagara region. He aimed to create an tourist attraction in Niagara Falls. Thus, he bought one acre of land with his partner to develop a theme park for visitors who visit Niagara Falls. Originally, the park was named as Marine Wonderland. As it developed, its name was changed to MarineLand and Game Farm. The original MarineLand had a show performed by marine mammals and female staffs.

In 1963, a trained sea lion called Jeff escaped from MarineLand, and it was recaptured a few days later. In 1964, John Holer introduced two dolphins and some other animals into MarineLand. In 1966, a 2000-seat theater, aquariums and shops were constructed in MarineLand. At that time, MarineLand became a popular family destination. Later, MarineLand introduced alligators and orcas. It is worthy to mention that MarineLand was first enmeshed in controversy because of the capture of orca in Vancouver Island in 1975. In 1976, MarineLand started to expand. John Holer planned to use $50 million to expand the adjacent area which were used for new safari park and amusement centre. In 1982, MarineLand bought a killer whale. In 1983, the roller coaster called Dragon Mountain started to operate in MarineLand. At current, MarineLand is a major tourist attraction in Niagara Falls.

Owner: John Holer

Holer Family Amusements

MarineLand is completely wheelchair-friendly park which offers a lot of accessible characteristics. In MarineLand, parking lot and washrooms are accessible for visitors with disabilities. MarineLand built wheelchair seating in the show area, so visitors with disabilities are able to watch the show. Also, MarineLand provides wheelchair rental for visitors. If there is an emergency, visitors can go to the Guest Services Centre to require medical treatment. Although many rides are accessible for visitors with disabilities, tourists still have to read instructions carefully before they participate the ride.

MarineLand. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.marineland.ca/

Jeff the Seal (n.d.). Retrieved from https://niagarafallsmuseums.ca/discover-our-history/history-notes/jeff-the-seal

MARINELAND. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://niagarafallsmuseums.ca/discover-our-history/history-notes/marineland

MarineLand of Canada (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/play/themeparks/marineland-canada/

Marineland of Canada (n.d.). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marineland_of_Canada