Might Marineland of the Pacific Rise in the 21st Century? Can We Recapture the Magic of the Aquatic Theme Park?

By William Lama, Ph.D. and Lianne LaReine

Marineland of the Pacific circa 1977, Wikipedia

Wouldn’t it be great to have a 21st century version of Marineland in Palos Verdes? Marineland of the Pacific opened in Rancho Palos Verdes in 1954, one year before Disneyland, ten years before SeaWorld in San Diego and forty-four years before the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Children who grew up on the Palos Verdes Peninsula were fortunate to live within biking distance of the worlds largest and best oceanarium.

Marineland was best known for its performing orcas or "killer whales." Here is a vintage video. Check out the dog in the sail boat being pulled by a dolphin.

In the 1970s Marineland introduced its Baja Reef concept, a first-of-its-kind swim-through aquarium featuring a wide array of sea life. Visitors could enter the aquarium wearing a swim mask and snorkel and swim with the fish and dolphins. Marineland was home to Orky and Corky, two of the most famous orcas on exhibit at any oceanarium at the time. For 30 years marineland was a huge success. However, by 1987 Marineland was run down and losing money. Orky and Corky were moved to SeaWorld in San Diego supposedly for mating. Soon after, the rest of the animals were trucked out in the middle of the night. When Marineland closed in 1987, it left holes in many hearts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marineland_of_the_Pacific

Lianne remembers Marineland

Marineland was a massive employer of local teens from the Palos Verdes Peninsula and surrounding cities. Over the decades Marineland employed thousands of lucky teens and I have yet to meet one person who said they didn't enjoy working there. It was a universally happy place as amusement parks typically are. Working with fabulous, fascinating animals and people from the local community made for tons of fun. Many employees made lifelong friends from their connections and some even met their future spouses there.

For many years, until the mid-70's the Marineland coastal cruises were available to park visitors who traveled on hour cruises down the coast and back, accompanied with narration containing information about the area. This is one of the cruise boats, The Victor Lee ll.

Marineland was also a popular place for filming movies and television shows. Some are documented in other articles on www.palosverdespulse.com.

Could Marineland return to the Palos Verdes Peninsula?

Although Marineland of the Pacific has been missed, there has been a lingering hope in the hearts of many that someday it may return. Much has changed since the sad closure, including the attitudes of the public about capturing wildlife to live in captivity and perform in shows to entertain the public. Just as attitudes about animals living in captivity have changed so has technology. In 1970 the release of the movie “Jaws” demonstrated the ability of Hollywood to create sharks just as terrifying as the living and breathing Great White Shark. Since then, Hollywood has made great strides developing and perfecting marine mammals, including robotic creatures. It is these sophisticated developments that beg the question, could Marineland return in a new incarnation?

Animatronic dolphin. Edge Innovations — ***Animatronic dolphin. Edge Innovations***

According to an article in Business Insider, Aquariums could soon be home to animatronic dolphins. Edge Innovations Corp. is using artificial intelligence to create lifelike dolphins for aquariums of the future. A dolphin designer told the Guardian magazine: "The marine park industry has had falling revenues for over a decade due to ethical concerns and the cost of live animals, yet the public hunger to learn about and experience these animals is still as strong as ever." https://www.businessinsider.com/robot-dolphins-coming-to-chinese-aquarium-2020-7

And with robotic animals the personalized experience is potentially breathtaking. “When a child is less than two feet from a dolphin and asks their new friend if she's afraid of sharks too, and the dolphin looks that child in the eyes and slowly nods yes, you have created a memory for life.”

Android dolphins explained by Edge Innovations' Walt Conti and Roger Holzberg (syfy.com)

So, can you imagine a new 21st century aquarium in Palos Verdes – call it Marineland 21 - with no captive animals but only lifelike orca and dolphin robots. Imagine it on the grounds of the beautiful Terranea resort. After parking your car, you notice a robot dog “Spot” frolicking in the park. (Make that two Spots since dogs are pack animals.) Artificial Intelligence would keep them from wandering down to Nelson’s.

Dr. William Lama has a PhD in physics from the University of Rochester. Taught physics in college and worked at Xerox as a principle scientist and engineering manager. Upon retiring, joined the PVIC docents; served on the board of the RPV Council of Home Owners Associations; served as a PV Library trustee for eight years; served on the PV school district Measure M oversight committee; was president of the Malaga Cove Homeowner's Association. Writes about science, technology and politics, mostly for his friends.

email: wlama2605@gmail.com

Lianne La Reine is co-creator and publisher of Palos Verdes Pulse, the upscale and premier publication of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It was the lack of upscale publications authentically representing the community that persuaded her to start her own. No other magazine offers the carefully curated content, beauty or reflects the people and area as well, uniquely or beautifully as www.PalosVerdesPulse.com. Lianne co-created something special that only a native such as herself could possibly do. She invited dozens of award winning and notable friends to share their unique expertise as only they can as contributors. Lianne has worn many hats including selling products in infomercials, on HSN, QVC both on-air and behind the scenes, in technology, in the fashion industry, event planning, the boating industry, and others. Her formal education includes the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and Antioch University with honors. Lianne has produced over 300 interesting and entertaining live lectures in the Palos Verdes community. You can catch some of her lectures on RPV TV at 10am and 10pm daily. Lianne can be found at palosverdespulse@gmail.com or on Facebook at LecturesWithLianne.