Take a trip to the many “attractions” around the Orlando Metro area, and you are bound to see something that will catch your eye. After all, that’s the whole point of going to theme parks: to see and experience extraordinary things. In order for there to be a successful “theme,” the setting has to be tailored to deliver that genuine experience. Everything has to be spot on---down to the very last detail. I never really thought about this aspect of amusement parks much unt
il during a recent outing at SeaWorld with the family.While meandering around the park scanning for a place for us to sit down and dine, my eyes were drawn beyond the poor park staffer broiling in the orca costume to a nicely appointed garden area outside of The Terrace (formerly the Hospitality House --- aka beer garden).
A nice variety of primarily cacti and succulents are used to create what looks like an under-the-seascape … but on land. Plants of contrasting shapes, textures and colors meld well on a bed of stark-white crushed sea shell. Sporadically placed boulders add a nice touch, too. This planting bed flanks the Terrace structure and outlines a small body of water that is frequented by ducks, ibis, and other birds.
There are numerous landscape creations --- equally as cool --- tucked in the many nooks and crannies of this particular park and many others like it. Why did I feel compelled to stop and take note this time? Not sure. Last year, Ornamental Outlook featured the landscape team that sets the stage at the Worlds of Discovery (which includes SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, and Aquatica). So, I know full well what kind of work that goes into creating an amusement-park memory. I guess this is the first time I really appreciated it from a visitor’s perspective and not just from an ag journalist’s view.
So, you want to fuel your garden-design inspiration? Take a stroll around a theme park. You just might find yourself taken with something that's not actually the main attraction.
