Marineland's Past, Present and Future

by Greg May
(Graphics by Jamie Richies)

In a recent article on this website, "Marineland's History Is Her Project" I wrote about meeting Flagler College student EMMA PULLEY who was doing her Oral History Project on Marineland's past, present and future.

It was also my first visit to Marineland's new Dolphin Conservation Center since the demolition of the world's first oceanarium.

Marineland of Florida - originally called "Marine Studios" - opened to the public June 23, 1938. It had a two-fold purpose: an underwater motion picture studio and a tourist attraction. A pioneering venture of the aquarium world, Marineland's founders coined the word 'oceanarium' to describe a facility where sea creatures co-exist in one large tank that duplicates the ocean floor.

Like any pioneering venture, there were a great many obstacles to hurdle. Water clarity, seawater composition and learning how to capture, transport and acclimate sharks, dolphins and other sea creatures were among the problems Marineland's founders had to solve.

As a result, Marineland did not share their expertise with other marine attractions fearing competition until 1954 when their 'sister' oceanarium, Marineland of the Pacific was opened in California.

After that, Marineland's management began sharing their knowledge and consulting for new oceanariums that were opening all over the country.

Today, no matter where you are in the world watching killer whales, dolphin and sea lions perform one must keep in mind that these marine parks were made possible by the 'granddaddy' of oceanariums - Marineland of Florida.


Marineland was named Florida's premier tourist attraction in 1951, attracting nearly one million visitors annually. By the late 70's, attendance began to decline due to competition from the Orlando mega-parks.

The original owners of Marineland - headed by Chairman of the Board C.V. Whitney - sold the attraction in the early 80's. As attendance continued to decline, the oceanfront resort/attraction changed hands once more resulting in bankruptcy.

Then, an Atlanta-based corporation purchased the attraction and simultaneously demolished the original oceanariums and built a huge new facility for the dolphins, the Dolphin Conservation Center.

Recently, Marineland was purchased by the Georgia Aquarium, the largest and most technically-advanced aquarium in the United States.

If the Georgia Aquarium continues to keep Marineland open, its inhabitants will be in good hands since it has the backing and support of the state-of-the-art Atlanta aquarium.

It is hoped by Marineland fans that remember the 'glory days' of the world's original marine attraction that the gates will continue to remain open and there will be room for expansion.